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March, 2025

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Can we talk about Armada's quality decrease?

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Schoess
Posts: 2126 - Karma: 25,422
Historically, I've loved Armada's, but it seems like within the last 3 or 4 years they've began to go downhill (no pun intended) with the quality of their skis. I love the riders and the designs of the skis.... But they just break. I rode Halo 2's and blew them up in less than half a season, 3rd time out on my Al Dente's the sidewall pulled away from the base almost completely and the core split. Also I've had friends ride AR7's and T-Halls with similar results. I know the Al Dente is a soft ski thats obviously going to be less durable, but 3rd time out to have a complete failure of the integrity of the ski??? On a $600 premium park ski??
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10 years ago
43 13
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270on420out
Posts: 7521 - Karma: 51,259
2012-2013 Armada was FIRE. I miss those days.
10 years ago
1 0
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7286 - Karma: 18,670
I would actually say it's come on quite a bit. My 2006 ar6 got more beat then any ski I have had whereas the newer models I have owned have held up well. I have seen complaints about some skis but I would say that is more armada trying to share skis and perhaps not making them as "park" as they coul have or should have. But I think the overall quality is certainly up there.
10 years ago
2 0
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Pmoore
Posts: 1802 - Karma: 1,246
Overall quality had gone down quite a bit, I am glad other people have noticed, I think every pair of el dentes my friends had delamed underfoot as you described.
10 years ago
2 0
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Swandog7
Posts: 4957 - Karma: 9,028
Id say it went up during the OG era and little around there from like 2006 -2009 and then stayed pretty consistant until the last couple where its gotten a little bit worse.
10 years ago
1 1
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AceleTerrie
Posts: 257 - Karma: 36
this is just simply incorrect
10 years ago
4 2
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11246 - Karma: 76,472




If Sagi like them, they must be okay.

10 years ago
3 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2126 - Karma: 25,422
AceleTerriethis is just simply incorrect


How is actual user experience incorrect? I've spent the last 3 full seasons on Armadas, skiing about 90-100 times a season. Hitting everything from pow to park to groomers to urban to backyards lol.
10 years ago
3 1
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Negromancer
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 1,505
After 100+ days of rail abuse my 2014 AR7's have two edge cracks, some minor base scrapes, and top sheet chipping. They're still a rideable park ski which is fantastic.
My 2015 AR7's are also holding up excellently, not edge cracks or base damage after quite a bit of park riding.

If you're ski blew up after 3 days of riding then either they're faulty and need to be warrantied or your abusing your skis completely.
10 years ago
6 1
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
I still love my original pair. If anything quality has gone up. They are more popular though so you'll hear more stories about things going wrong. Plus they are one of the first brands people look to when starting park so they probably see a lot of improper technique/abuse.
10 years ago
4 0
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
NegromancerAfter 100+ days of rail abuse my 2014 AR7's have two edge cracks, some minor base scrapes, and top sheet chipping. They're still a rideable park ski which is fantastic.
My 2015 AR7's are also holding up excellently, not edge cracks or base damage after quite a bit of park riding.

If you're ski blew up after 3 days of riding then either they're faulty and need to be warrantied or your abusing your skis completely.

Yup agree my 2014 ar7s have one lager base scratch 1 edge crack mild topsheet chipping after 100+ days in the park alone and still have lots left.
My 2014 magic js have about 20+ days on them and litterally look brand new have held up incredibly well.
10 years ago
1 0
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3230 - Karma: 1,108
I've had the 2012 ar7's and the 2014 halos and I have been impressed with the durability of both of them. Both saw me through 100+ day seasons... I have heard about a lot of problems with the new dollos and bdogs, but have also heard that Armada has done really well in terms of standing behind their products and honoring warranties
10 years ago
0 0
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maxstr
Posts: 1336 - Karma: 1,706
I have to agree with this. I love armada but it's sad to see their ski quality go down. If anything it should be getting better.
10 years ago
1 1
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jackdonovan
Posts: 2248 - Karma: 3,079
my 2014 el Rey's sidewalls and core are separating from the base and edge after a season and they chipped really easily and lost their camber and pop super quick. However I have a pair of the Ar6s with the rat on them, not sure what year, which are still riding well and in pretty good condition, the base and edges and sidewall are great and the top sheet is super chipped, they have been used as a urban and summer setup ski and are still in good condition
10 years ago
1 1
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,536
jackdonovanmy 2014 el Rey's sidewalls and core are separating from the base and edge after a season and they chipped really easily and lost their camber and pop super quick. However I have a pair of the Ar6s with the rat on them, not sure what year, which are still riding well and in pretty good condition, the base and edges and sidewall are great and the top sheet is super chipped, they have been used as a urban and summer setup ski and are still in good condition


You're comparing Armada's price point ski to their flagship park ski though. Obviously there will be performance and durability differences.
10 years ago
3 1
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jackdonovan
Posts: 2248 - Karma: 3,079
SKI.INGYou're comparing Armada's price point ski to their flagship park ski though. Obviously there will be performance and durability differences.


Still think the quality has decreased. A bunch of friends ar7s have done the same things, also heard the al Dante had awful durability issues
10 years ago
1 1
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Deepskier
Posts: 3267 - Karma: 4,833
my pipe cleaners are fireeeeeeee
10 years ago
1 0
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dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,658
SKI.INGYou're comparing Armada's price point ski to their flagship park ski though. Obviously there will be performance and durability differences.


Bingo
10 years ago
3 0
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chuckyskier
Posts: 52 - Karma: 70
I know that they are outsourcing there jackets and clothes from a company in china so that would be why there quality of outerwear is less.
10 years ago
0 0
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