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December, 2024

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Real gear talk here: Armada ski construction?

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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Okay before any of you NS's start commenting with a lot of guess work make sure you know what you are talking about before you start spouting off answers. Anyways here we go.


My question is what is Armada's construction looking like. I've read their website and seen their products and worked on them (I'm a shop tech I've mounted plenty of Armada skis) and my question is this: Does Armada use a foam core ski?

Second Question: Armada's Durability. I've personally seen first hand of some nasty beat up Armada skis. But that could honestly just be from the rider/conditions. My question is do they really hold up that long? I'm talking bases, core shape (e.g. keeping the camber in the ski or do the core's snap and lose all strength), and edges.


Personally I'm in it for the info because our shop doesn't carry them due to the owner not like them for the lack of durability. But I want to know from people who know the product and have used it.
Feb 24 2013 11:50PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
you are a ski tech who has mounted many armada's and you have to ask if the core is foam? i wouldn't trust my skis with you ever
Feb 25 2013 12:35AM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Okay, when you drill skis hardly any of stuff comes out. And we don't fucking hollow out he skis. most of the time they are 2 mm sized holes and their is 8 holes at most. I know when its true wood or bamboo because of the smell. but everything else is guess work. I can tell some wood from others but other than that its impossible to tell.
Feb 25 2013 1:09AM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
Yes they are wood core, except for the Codas which are a foam core. I am currently on AR7s. They have been holding up extremely well. And I ride a lot and put my gear through a lot. I have a few pairs of older armadas and they are also in extremely good condition (especially after how much I used/abused them) the camber is exactly like it was when I got them and they are still nice and snappy.
Feb 25 2013 2:03AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
+1
Feb 25 2013 2:10AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
True.
Feb 25 2013 4:34AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
I work in a ski shop too and you would have to be blind to not be able to tell the difference
Feb 25 2013 3:47PM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
Close.

Codas DO have a full wood core.

The ONLY Armadas that have a foam-injected core are the Bantam and the Kirti.

Your owner may want to give Armada another shot considering how far the skis have come over the last 10 years. My first experience with Armada was terrible (2nd generation AR5, city graphic). They had crazy topsheet chipping, edge blow outs, the whole nine yards. Fast forward to now and they have crazy good durability with the AR50 construction, various bases, reinforced edge eyelets, etc.


Feb 26 2013 2:34PM
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FreeVillain
Posts: 747 - Karma: 260
Armadas durability is the shit I rode my halos I got last January really hard and theyer still going strong with only one core shot and edge crack. If you use the step drill system with the recommended bit they will hardly ever have problems with rip outs etc.
Feb 26 2013 3:27PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
Their edges are thin and so are the cores, my buddy destroyed his halos last year. Ar7's are better though
Feb 26 2013 5:11PM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
Thalls are the shit
Feb 26 2013 7:11PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
See this is what I have seen a lot of. I have noticed their edges just have a lot of problems from being thin or poor construction. I had a guy bring in a pair of skis that the edge was pulling out from the base. No rails not even an edge crack. Just pulling apart, he did get it warrantied but even still its been a mess from what I've seen.

I just want to know how long their cores last as well. I've heard of them just losing all rigidity to them and just breaking them in.

But then again, I have a friend who has a pair of JJ's and they have been the shit for him. He loves them and they rip. I'm just not so sure as for the line up as whole.


But I appreciate the responses. I see now that their whole lineup is not a foam core and actually could have some potential in what the product is. Yes, I couldn't tell the difference when mounting skis from Armada, I guess now its because I've never mounted up some with actual foam core and that they were all wood. My appologise and I guess my "claim for mounting up so many pairs" proved to not actually be as hyped up as it previously mentioned. I apologize for that.
Feb 26 2013 11:10PM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
Dang! I got them confused cause they have such similar graphics.
Feb 27 2013 12:03AM
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jacksoncowie
Posts: 3 - Karma: 11
Armada pow skis now have a top sheet that prevents a ton scratches and stuff like that
Feb 27 2013 1:30AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
Armada's are made in the atomic factory
Feb 27 2013 2:10AM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
I think it strange when people bash edges. Honestly, every freeski company out there these days has comparable edges to each other, with ON3P as the one company that beats out the rest. So to say their edges are the problem, go measure it all out and compare with every other ski brand which seems to be more durable, in your opinion. Plus, edge durability has a lot more to it than only the girth of the edge.
Feb 27 2013 2:16AM
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k2andcannoli
Posts: 644 - Karma: -36
?...
Feb 27 2013 9:54AM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3959 - Karma: 22,467
ON3P doesn't have the widest edges, RMU's are the same width and so are several other companies.
Feb 27 2013 10:04AM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
And to be honest I have an ON3P ski and I've cracked the edges already on them. Like 14 days of skiing in on them. So they do happen to any ski. But edge separation is a different story. Same with delam
Feb 27 2013 10:08AM
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Urban.
Posts: 655 - Karma: 261
ummmm. what are you trying to get at.
Feb 27 2013 10:29AM
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Boggs
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 208
Could have some potential? Jesus christ how are you on this website? Armada has amazing durability compared to most companies, and those problems you listed literally happen to every park ski at one point or another.
Feb 27 2013 10:36AM
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openmindportrait
Posts: 1157 - Karma: 818
To OP... You do realize you could have answered this question with a 2 minute search on the armada website... They list all there different types of cores and core materials...
Feb 27 2013 10:45AM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
So then there really isn't anything wrong with the Armadas? More people buy Armada, therefore you probably see more fucked up Armada skis.
Feb 27 2013 12:16PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
I went there before I came and posted this thread. Just because I company says they do something doesn't mean that they always do it. Or more importantly says everything about what is in the ski.

Not saying Armada is lying I just wanted to double check from more than one source.
Feb 27 2013 12:26PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
I could have observation biased just because I usually see skis when they are at their worst. Not at their best, people don't bring in their gear when its good. They bring it when its hanging on barely.

Feb 27 2013 12:30PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
If a company says they have wood cores they are going to have wood cores, companies don't fuck with that...
Feb 27 2013 12:44PM
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A-Z0-9_-*+=
Posts: 189 - Karma: 49
Hahah lol +k
Feb 27 2013 6:16PM
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