In the world of skiing, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Head Kore 87 Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers who crave versatility and performance on the slopes. The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are praised for their fast edge-to-edge performance, stability, and 3D turn radius that allows for a variety of turn styles. On the other hand, the Head Kore 87 Skis are loved for their playful shape, refined flex profile, and instant turn engagement. Both skis are agile, quick, and ideal for carving up groomers, but they also handle variable snow conditions well. However, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are more recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers who mainly stay on groomed trails, while the Head Kore 87 Skis are perfect for those who want a playful and aggressive ski that can handle a variety of conditions. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style.

Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 summary

The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. These skis are designed for speed and versatility, making them a top choice for advanced skiers. The Kendo 88 is a directional, frontside, on-piste, freeride ski that delivers a fast edge-to-edge performance. The 3D turn radius is a standout feature, allowing skiers to make a variety of turn styles, from long, GS, fall line, arc style turns to tighter turns in bumps or on groomed runs.

The Kendo 88 is built with a multilayer wood core, a bit of carbon fiber weave in the tip, and the tailored titanal frame. This construction results in a stable, damp, and responsive ski that has zero chatter. The ski's energy and acceleration make it a blast for carving, especially on groomed runs. However, it's not the most playful ski and isn't designed for freestyle skiing. It does have a good amount of pop, but the camber is more for stability and edge hold.

While the Kendo 88 performs well in uneven terrain, moguls, chop, and trees, it's not the best off-trail ski in 5+ inches of powder due to its lack of early rise and 88mm underfoot. The ski is recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers who mainly stay on groomed trails and occasionally ski bumps. However, it might be too much ski for beginners or those just getting off rental skis.

Head Kore 87 Skis · 2024 summary

The Head Kore 87 Skis are a playful and aggressive ski that offers a refined flex profile. As the narrowest of the Kore range, the 87 is ideal for skiers who want instant engagement when starting a turn. Despite its narrow design, it retains a bit of the versatility found in its wider cousins thanks to a bit of taper in the sidecut and rocker at the tip. This helps it power through variable snow conditions without catching an edge, making it more fun when you find yourself in deeper fresh snow.

The Kore 87 uses a Carbon/Graphene layup instead of Titanal, which not only keeps weight down but also makes the skis much more lively at lower speeds. This means at high speeds you get the damp/stable and torsionally rigid feel of a titanal-rich ski like the Nordica Enforcer series, but at lower speeds, they still pop from edge to edge quickly like a carving ski.

The Head Kore 87 Skis are a great fit for skiers who want a playful shape and aggressive yet refined flex profile. They are perfect for carving up groomers, but also have a wider shovel and rocker for handling powder. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, making them great for moguls as well.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Head Kore 87 Skis are designed for advanced skiers who crave versatility and performance on the slopes. They both offer quick edge-to-edge performance and are ideal for carving up groomers. Both skis also handle variable snow conditions well, thanks to their design features like the 3D turn radius on the Kendo 88 and the tapered sidecut and rocker at the tip on the Kore 87. These features allow both skis to power through variable snow conditions without catching an edge, making them more fun when you find yourself in deeper fresh snow. Both skis are also agile and quick, making them great for moguls.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are more recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers who mainly stay on groomed trails and occasionally ski bumps. They are not the most playful ski and aren't designed for freestyle skiing. They might be too much ski for beginners or those just getting off rental skis.

On the other hand, the Head Kore 87 Skis are perfect for those who want a playful and aggressive ski that can handle a variety of conditions. They are lively at lower speeds and pop from edge to edge quickly like a carving ski. They are ideal for skiers who want a playful shape and aggressive yet refined flex profile.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well, but the Head Kore 87 Skis take the lead with their playful shape and refined flex profile that can handle a variety of conditions.

In terms of carving performance, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis shine with their fast edge-to-edge performance and 3D turn radius that allows for a variety of turn styles.

For agility and quickness, both skis are agile and quick, making them great for moguls. However, the Head Kore 87 Skis have a slight edge with their lively performance at lower speeds.

Finally, for stability, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis stand out with their multilayer wood core, carbon fiber weave, and tailored titanal frame that result in a stable, damp, and responsive ski.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Head Kore 87 Skis are top contenders for the 2024 season. They both offer versatility, agility, and performance on the slopes. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style. If you're an intermediate to advanced skier who mainly stays on groomed trails and occasionally ski bumps, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis would be a great choice. However, if you're looking for a playful and aggressive ski that can handle a variety of conditions, the Head Kore 87 Skis would be the way to go. Either way, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes with either of these skis!