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Expert Comparison: Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 vs Head Kore 99 Skis · 2023

Published on 02/11/2024 · 5 min readCompare Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023 and Head Kore 99 Skis · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Tomasz Macieik, Ski Expert
Jesse Gantt, Ski Expert
Sam Baevsky, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Tomasz Macieik, Jesse Gantt, Sam Baevsky, Rob G., Phil Chandler and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Line Blade Optic 96 Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Head Kore 99 Skis · 2023
Price
$408.93
52% off
$449.99
51% off
User rating
5(2)
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The Curated Take

Best for skiers seeking a playful, versatile, and stable ski.

Best for aggressive advanced or expert skiers seeking a versatile, lightweight, and nimble all-mountain ski.

Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
Backcountry, All Mountain
Skill level
Advanced, Expert
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of skiing, the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Head Kore 99 Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed with advanced technology and materials to provide a versatile and high-performing experience on the slopes. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are known for their playful and energetic nature, making them a blast to ski on any terrain. On the other hand, the Head Kore 99 Skis are praised for their lightweight construction and exceptional performance in various snow conditions. While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two ultimately depends on the skier's personal preferences and skiing style.

The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are a standout in the 2023 lineup. These skis are designed to be intuitive and versatile, making them a great choice for skiers of any skill level. The Blade Optic 96 is playful and energetic, with a metal construction that provides a smooth and damp ride when skiing fast through cruddy snow. Despite its playfulness, this ski is surprisingly stable, making it a rare combination in the market.

The Blade Optic 96 is also very poppy, encouraging skiers to seek out side hits, pop out of turns, and jump moguls. This ski is not the best at carving, but it more than makes up for it with its fun and energetic nature. With a 96mm waist, it is the perfect one-ski quiver for almost anywhere in the country.

The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are ideal for skiers looking for a versatile and accessible one-ski quiver that can do it all. However, they may not be the best choice for those who prioritize carving or need more float than its bigger 104 width brother can provide.

It was immediately intuitive to ski no matter what the terrain or speed was. The blade optics playfulness is what first stood out. It was very energetic and poppy. I found myself seeking out the side hits, popping out of turns, and jumping moguls.

Tomasz Macieik
Ski Expert

The Head Kore 99 Skis are another top contender for the 2023 season. These skis are incredibly lightweight, thanks to their unique construction of paulownia, carbon, and a nylon top sheet. Despite their lightness, the Head Kore 99 Skis are stiff and responsive, making them a great choice for aggressive skiers.

These skis are versatile and can handle a variety of snow conditions, from hardpack to deep powder. They excel in bumps and crud, and their lightness makes them nimble and fast edge to edge. The Head Kore 99 Skis are also stable at high speeds, yet maneuverable and agile at lower speeds.

The Head Kore 99 Skis are ideal for advanced to expert skiers who want a lightweight, versatile, and high-performing ski. However, they may not be the best choice for beginners or skiers who prioritize stability at high speeds.

I had a hard time believing that a ski that's this light, could be so stable, and so responsive to aggressive skier input over a wide variety of conditions. If you're out west and you want a one-ski quiver, this would be a great candidate for that.

Jesse Gantt
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Head Kore 99 Skis are designed to be versatile and high-performing, making them great choices for a one-ski quiver. They are both lightweight and agile, allowing for quick and easy maneuvering on the slopes. Both skis are also praised for their stability at high speeds, making them a good choice for aggressive skiers.

In terms of construction, both skis utilize advanced materials to achieve their performance. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis feature a metal construction for a smooth and damp ride, while the Head Kore 99 Skis use a combination of paulownia, carbon, and a nylon top sheet for a lightweight yet stiff design.

Both skis are also designed to handle a variety of snow conditions, from hardpack to deep powder. They excel in bumps and crud, and their lightness makes them nimble and fast edge to edge.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and high-performing, they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for different types of skiers.

The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis are known for their playful and energetic nature. They are perfect for skiers who love to seek out side hits, pop out of turns, and jump moguls. However, they may not be the best choice for those who prioritize carving or need more float than its bigger 104 width brother can provide.

On the other hand, the Head Kore 99 Skis are incredibly lightweight and stiff, making them a great choice for aggressive skiers. They are also versatile and can handle a variety of snow conditions. However, they may not be the best choice for beginners or skiers who prioritize stability at high speeds.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Head Kore 99 Skis, the winner depends on the specific dimension being considered:

  1. Playfulness: The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis take the win in this category. Their energetic and poppy nature makes them a blast to ski on any terrain.
  2. Lightweight: The Head Kore 99 Skis win in this category. Their unique construction of paulownia, carbon, and a nylon top sheet makes them incredibly lightweight yet stiff and responsive.
  3. Versatility: Both skis are versatile and can handle a variety of snow conditions, making this category a tie.
  4. Stability at High Speeds: Both skis are stable at high speeds, but the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis may have a slight edge due to their metal construction.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Line Blade Optic 96 Skis and the Head Kore 99 Skis are top contenders for the 2023 season. They are both versatile, high-performing, and lightweight, making them great choices for a one-ski quiver. The Line Blade Optic 96 Skis stand out for their playful and energetic nature, while the Head Kore 99 Skis impress with their lightweight yet stiff design. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the skier's personal preferences and skiing style. So, whether you're a playful skier who loves to pop out of turns or an aggressive skier who values a lightweight yet stiff design, there's a ski out there for you. Happy skiing!

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