Member of the Month

partyandBS
December, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Best durable skis

profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
What's the best durable skis I can get that will take a huge pounding and last a long time that has a lot of play and pop in them. But not to stiff or heavy? I am around 5 foot 5 and 115lbs
Nov 22 2015 11:09PM
21 9
profile picture
Willows
Posts: 442 - Karma: 2,631
404 skis not found

Really hard to find something with all these traits

Look at ON3P Kartels (durable option) or Faction 1.0 (light option)
Nov 23 2015 7:09AM
4 0
profile picture
Willows
Posts: 442 - Karma: 2,631
1.0 is still pretty durable from what I have heard.
Nov 23 2015 7:10AM
1 0
profile picture
GregFlik
Posts: 449 - Karma: 1,069
I mean, you have to look for a few factors.
1.) Edge Thickness
2.) Pop
3.) Weight
4.) Steeze
5.) Side Wall Construction
6.) Tip/Tail Strength

2.5X Edge thickness is solid and have been seen to last longer than 1.7X or 2.0X thickness, the issue is that they add weight, and if you are doing Disasters every single day non-stop they may not hold up.

Pop would depend on the stiffness of the Ski and your strength. You can have the poppiest skis possible, if you aren't strong enough to initiate a pop, you are eff'd.

Weight is an issue with a few aspects. Length of ski, Bindings used, your strength, and even edge dimensions. Thicker edges do add durability, but they add weight. A solid constructed side wall will add weight. The core of the ski being solid wood will add weight over it being bamboo or a polymer, or even a compound.

Steeze is Steeze.

Side wall plays a part. You can get a solid wall, but it will add weight, and swing weight. If you skimp on the side wall though there is a higher chance of damage and even edge pullout since it would be weak against edge cracks.

The last thing you would want is for tail or tip to snap on you because it is too flexy or not flexy enough.

You could do what I did and do a lot of research, spend hours upon hours on the internet reading reviews, videos, and looking into research about durability. Or you could do the much more simpler thing and just demo some skis, or ask to borrow a friend's skis and see what you like and don't like about them.

Also because of the inevitable question about boots, it doesn't matter about brand, but about how it feels on your foot. Go to a boot fitter and shops and see what fits and feels good on and around your foot.
Nov 23 2015 10:00AM
3 0
profile picture
elcornholio
Posts: 797 - Karma: 1,556
The Volkl Wall is crazy durable. It's great for bombing and sending it in the park. I managed to get 2 seasons out of them (I rarely get through 1 season on a pair of skis). Only problem is that they're really stiff so if you're not really into stiff skis, or heavy, they can be a little hard to handle. Overall they're great skis.
Nov 23 2015 2:22PM
0 0
profile picture
tris10radeka
Posts: 267 - Karma: 665
line afterbang is pretty good for what you are describing, the topsheets tend to chip a little bit but it's really not a problem. I suggest doing some research on them. Volkl Wall is also a good option
Nov 24 2015 9:54AM
1 4
profile picture
Willows
Posts: 442 - Karma: 2,631
Tradeka123line afterbang is pretty good for what you are describing, the topsheets tend to chip a little bit but it's really not a problem. I suggest doing some research on them. Volkl Wall is also a good option


Has the problem of waterlogging been fixed in the new models?
Nov 25 2015 3:21AM
0 0
profile picture
Defreeski
Posts: 141 - Karma: 209
Line and durability shouldn't be in the same sentence. haha. Most durable skis I've ever had were the Armada Halo's which are now the B-dogs..?? Not sure the name,, Phil Casabon's pro model tho. The are nice n flexy, they are on the heavy side but they are freakin DURABLE! Never had an edge rip out on me the whole season I skied them only 3 or 4 edge cracks.

Noridca's are pretty damn durable too, I ride the Soul Rider's now.. But Armada overall is def a great option.. Also ON3P but they are $$$$

You won't ever have a super durable light ski.
Nov 25 2015 2:56PM
0 0
profile picture
ASagaFanBoy12
Posts: 181 - Karma: 507
Whet about surface blanks? Don't have experience with them but seen a lot of comments and reviews that they're durable and cheap around $249 I think. Might get em my self. Can anyone confirm this?
Nov 25 2015 3:10PM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
ASagaFanBoy12Whet about surface blanks? Don't have experience with them but seen a lot of comments and reviews that they're durable and cheap around $249 I think. Might get em my self. Can anyone confirm this?


I wana get them of how cheap they are. But I am also thinking of getting 4frnt click skis but do u know if the blanks are heavy?
Nov 25 2015 9:37PM
0 0
profile picture
tris10radeka
Posts: 267 - Karma: 665
WillowsHas the problem of waterlogging been fixed in the new models?


I'm not sure but I'm sure it's not too hard to find out
Nov 26 2015 9:42PM
0 0
profile picture
timdurkin7
Posts: 19 - Karma: 52
Go with the line afterbangs or the line traveling circus's
Nov 27 2015 11:15AM
1 3
profile picture
MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,099
timdurkin7Go with the line afterbangs or the line traveling circus's


^ definitely not.

Are you looking for a pure park ski? Where are you skiing?
Nov 27 2015 3:47PM
1 0
profile picture
ModMommy
Posts: 10838 - Karma: 57,564
RMU Wisco if you can get a hold of them
Nov 30 2015 11:01PM
1 0
profile picture
shin-bang
Posts: 4103 - Karma: 7,001
^ rmu skis
icelantic skis
kitten factory skis
on3p skis

but in my personal experience, the last two have been the best so far
Dec 1 2015 12:05AM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
MartianMan^ definitely not.

Are you looking for a pure park ski? Where are you skiing?


Im skiing round chi-town like around local parks like wilmont, chestnut, Granite peak, I might be going to park city. But mainly moslty all park and yes I was looking for a all pure park ski to shred.
Dec 1 2015 10:46AM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
MartianMan^ definitely not.

Are you looking for a pure park ski? Where are you skiing?


I like hitting rails alot and jumps. Like to flip i am 115 lbs and 5'4 to 5'5 and want an adult ski that will have enough fel but not to much and the skis edge ti or tail or anything of the ski will not break. I want a good camber, not to heavy and a very playful ski
Dec 1 2015 10:50AM
0 0
profile picture
a_burger
Posts: 5240 - Karma: 20,807
at 115lbs most skis will be pretty durable.
Dec 1 2015 11:29AM
1 0
profile picture
ModMommy
Posts: 10838 - Karma: 57,564
I've also had good luck with the 4FRNT Switchblade.
Dec 1 2015 11:49AM
0 0
profile picture
nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
Willows404 skis not found

Really hard to find something with all these traits

Look at ON3P Kartels (durable option) or Faction 1.0 (light option)


faction 1.0's aren't actually that light. the 176 is heavier than the 2.0 178.

They're also supposedly pretty durable since the 1.0 is the only one in the line with 2.5mm edges like the on3p's.



Those two are also pretty different skis, OP what width skis are you looking for and what'll you be mainly using them for?
Dec 1 2015 12:37PM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
nutz.faction 1.0's aren't actually that light. the 176 is heavier than the 2.0 178.

They're also supposedly pretty durable since the 1.0 is the only one in the line with 2.5mm edges like the on3p's.



Those two are also pretty different skis, OP what width skis are you looking for and what'll you be mainly using them for?



I am looking for a pure park ski that I can ski the groomers like 10 percent of the time and park around 90 percent of the time. I hit rails a lot and jump and fip. I like to screw around most of the time in the park also.
Dec 1 2015 1:14PM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
safarisamI've also had good luck with the 4FRNT Switchblade.


what about the clicks and how were they? flexy? stiff? durable? etc
Dec 1 2015 1:14PM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
Willows404 skis not found

Really hard to find something with all these traits

Look at ON3P Kartels (durable option) or Faction 1.0 (light option)


would surface blank skis be as durable as the on3ps? do you think they would be good for rail and jumps mainly to mess around in the terrain park? Would they be to heavy or stiff?
Dec 1 2015 1:25PM
0 0
profile picture
ModMommy
Posts: 10838 - Karma: 57,564
Dkim_10what about the clicks and how were they? flexy? stiff? durable? etc


I didn't like the cliks! that much. I broke mine fairly quickly. The switchblades are a mid/little closer to stiff ski. They have solid flex points, and have held up for two years now.
Dec 1 2015 3:52PM
0 0
profile picture
Willows
Posts: 442 - Karma: 2,631
Dkim_10would surface blank skis be as durable as the on3ps? do you think they would be good for rail and jumps mainly to mess around in the terrain park? Would they be to heavy or stiff?


I have only ever tried the factions (Fucking european problems) They are light compared to how durable they are

People that ride kartels find the a little bit on the heavy side (not much though) I don't know about stiffness, but I would imagine they af medium stiffness (maybe a little on the stiff side, as park skis go)
Dec 1 2015 4:13PM
0 0
profile picture
nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
Dkim_10would surface blank skis be as durable as the on3ps? do you think they would be good for rail and jumps mainly to mess around in the terrain park? Would they be to heavy or stiff?


they definitely would not be as durable haha, you're comparing a 250$ ski to a 750$ ski
Dec 1 2015 4:14PM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
safarisamI didn't like the cliks! that much. I broke mine fairly quickly. The switchblades are a mid/little closer to stiff ski. They have solid flex points, and have held up for two years now.


What about surface blank skis?
Dec 1 2015 4:24PM
0 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
nutz.they definitely would not be as durable haha, you're comparing a 250$ ski to a 750$ ski


Haha yea that was a pretty stupid question but how durable are the surface blanks?
Dec 1 2015 4:26PM
0 0
profile picture
ModMommy
Posts: 10838 - Karma: 57,564
Dkim_10What about surface blank skis?


I haven't skied Surface in years. I broke my last pair- but they've gotten a lot better. Shoot JArens a message about them, he rides for them.

here's the link to his user page: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/members/profile/member_id/66802

**This post was edited on Dec 1st 2015 at 4:34:05pm
Dec 1 2015 4:33PM
0 0
profile picture
JsNeagle
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 1,577
safarisamRMU Wisco if you can get a hold of them


The Wisco is pretty hard to find... but you could pick up the new Rippah! RMU durability is awesome and the new Rippah shape is awesome!! Basically a Wisco without early tapered tips, without going into more detail...
Dec 1 2015 5:08PM
0 0
profile picture
rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Dkim_10take a huge pounding


Dkim_10I am 115lbs


Huge pounding from a 115lb rider?

Half the people on here probably give their skis more of a "pounding" hopping off the chairlift.

Find a ski you like and don't sweat the durability thing.
Dec 1 2015 5:42PM
1 0
profile picture
Dkim_10
Posts: 106 - Karma: 60
rozboonHuge pounding from a 115lb rider?

Half the people on here probably give their skis more of a "pounding" hopping off the chairlift.

Find a ski you like and don't sweat the durability thing.


What's a really fun pure park ski that is playful?
Dec 1 2015 6:24PM
0 0
profile picture
GrapeHunter
Posts: 2403 - Karma: 8,733
Line Afterbangs are bombproof, a bit heavy and stiff, but you could never break those little turds
Dec 1 2015 6:35PM
1 1
profile picture
Burgy
Posts: 414 - Karma: 630
Dkim_10What's a really fun pure park ski that is playful?


dude the skis doesnt matter as much as u think! a soft ski is not going to make you butter like a pro, unless you know how too butter like a pro.... its mostly skill man. your a small dude, and your probally skiing less then 25 days this winter... dont worry about durability. im amusing your still a kid, and you will probally outgrow your skis before they break. just get some cheap last years park skis at a shop and go have fun on them. get some el reys or future spins or something
Dec 1 2015 7:10PM
0 0
profile picture
skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,366
Pettitors. I haven't skied the Pettitors specifically but I have Obsetheds which are in a way the predessors. In my experience, K2 skis are very durable, much moreso than other brands (inb4 people disagree, I'm not saying they are objectively the most durable, just that in my personal experience they are very durable). Pretty soft and playful.
Dec 1 2015 10:26PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)