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4FRNT Vandal vs. Armada ARV 96 - thoughts?

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Ciskoski
Posts: 10 - Karma: 29
Interested in the classic do everything sky for east/west; groomers; trees; crud; park; some modest powder. 5"8, 160 lbs, racer turned park rat turned all mountain hooligan.

These skis appear to get similar reviews and have similar profiles. Both rocker-camber-rocker construction with mid-to-high 90s underfoot. Any thoughts on one vs. the other? I get the impression neither of these skis have changed significantly from 2017 to 2018. Also, holla if there are other skis in this do-all full-twin category that are really worth looking at (already ruled out Line Blend from experience).
Oct 17 2017 5:09PM
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Horpi
Posts: 9 - Karma: 15
Im torn between those too myseøf, but i think ill get the ARV 96. They are so similar i narrowed it down to design.
Oct 17 2017 5:51PM
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OJulier
Posts: 58 - Karma: 436
As far as I know the ARV 96 hasn't changed since last year, but still is a badass ski... Also the new graphic is sick. I have the 2016 and they are so much fun to play around, while still being able to go fast and big. Can't compare to the Vandal because I have no expirience with it. There are a few other skis you can check out that are comparable to those two:

ON3P Kartel 98 (possibly newschoolers favourite ski)
K2 Poacher
HG Transfer
Armada E-Dollo

Hope this helps
Oct 18 2017 6:10AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
The ARV 96 has quite a bit more torsional stiffness to it than the vandal (albeit not as much as much as a full on big mtn charging type of ski). I'd say it mostly depends on how much all mtn ability you want out of the ski, go ARV 96 if you want to ski more the whole mountain and the Vandal if you'll be in the park 80% of the time (because the Vandal is a super fun and forgiving ski).

**This post was edited on Oct 18th 2017 at 10:42:03am
Oct 18 2017 10:41AM
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Drewbie
Posts: 14 - Karma: 24
I’ve been trying to decide between those two skis as well as the J Allplay. I probably won’t be using these in the park since I have my old el Rey’s that I’ll use for that, but I’m still looking for that poppy all Mountain fun. I’m leaning more towards the Arv 96’s as they seem more All mountain oriented then the Vandals and are a bit cheaper than the Allplays.
Oct 18 2017 11:06AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9265 - Karma: 60,703
.nastyThe ARV 96 has quite a bit more torsional stiffness to it than the vandal (albeit not as much as much as a full on big mtn charging type of ski). I'd say it mostly depends on how much all mtn ability you want out of the ski, go ARV 96 if you want to ski more the whole mountain and the Vandal if you'll be in the park 80% of the time (because the Vandal is a super fun and forgiving ski).

**This post was edited on Oct 18th 2017 at 10:42:03am


what's the likely downside to a ski with more torsional stiffness? less forgiving and more weight? because the ARVs are decently weighted and def are forgiving
Oct 18 2017 11:08AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9265 - Karma: 60,703
.nastyThe ARV 96 has quite a bit more torsional stiffness to it than the vandal (albeit not as much as much as a full on big mtn charging type of ski). I'd say it mostly depends on how much all mtn ability you want out of the ski, go ARV 96 if you want to ski more the whole mountain and the Vandal if you'll be in the park 80% of the time (because the Vandal is a super fun and forgiving ski).

**This post was edited on Oct 18th 2017 at 10:42:03am


what's the likely downside to a ski with more torsional stiffness? less forgiving and more weight? because the ARVs are decently weighted and def are forgiving
Oct 18 2017 11:08AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
SofaKingSickwhat's the likely downside to a ski with more torsional stiffness? less forgiving and more weight? because the ARVs are decently weighted and def are forgiving


Oh yeah the 96 is still forgiving, just not quite as much as the vandal. As far as your question about torsional stuff that really depends on the ski, I wouldn’t want to say a blanket statement about that in regards to weight/forgiveness.
Oct 18 2017 11:11AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9265 - Karma: 60,703
.nastyOh yeah the 96 is still forgiving, just not quite as much as the vandal. As far as your question about torsional stuff that really depends on the ski, I wouldn’t want to say a blanket statement about that in regards to weight/forgiveness.


word word thanks
Oct 18 2017 11:12AM
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Ciskoski
Posts: 10 - Karma: 29
legit. thanks!
Oct 18 2017 11:27AM
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