What length Volkl Mantra M6?

Depends on how you ski really

If you find yourself just smashing steep groomers, side hits, and fast open off-piste stuff 184. The extra length will give you lots of stability through chop and landings.

if you like skiing tight trees or moguls any day regardless of snow conditions the 178 will get you some extra stamina.

Same general ideas apply with park if you want more tech rail skiing 178 or just casual jumps and hit a rail here and there 184. Either way you wouldn’t have much to loose going for a 178 and you might not notice a huge difference because it’s literally only 6 centimeters.

**This post was edited on Nov 30th 2021 at 12:38:54am

I got them in a 177 and have had previous versions of the mantra all 177s and have no regrets. I use them up here in the northeast and have never felt like I needed a longer version. But like mentioned above, 184s may give you a bit more stability at higher speeds, 177s may give you a bit more versatility. All depends on your skiing and where you ski.
one thing for sure is you can’t go wrong either way, the M6 is one of the best DD skis for the northeast, IMO

184

3d radius makes them easier to ski imo

.scott.So…I had a pair of ‘17 Mantras that bit the dust last year. They were 184s but I am questioning whether I would like a set of 177s if I buy the new model this season, since they have the 3D sidecut.

For reference, I am 5’10” 195 in my mid thirties. I’m in my thirties and sadly have a real job so I don’t ski as many days as I did in my youth, but I’m still strong and ski aggressively on any terrain (just not with the same stamina). I wonder if I was working extra hard with the ski length that I had.

So, do you guys think I should stick with 184s or switch to 177s?

First, do you have the '17 reverse camber mantra? If so, they are not the same shape at all to the current M6...

Regarding lengths, my comments below are based on the data found here in the Sooth database. As a disclaimer, I haven't skied these skis, just interpreting the data. You can look at Blister's reviews if needed. Long story short, they say both lengths feel quite similar. Here is why...

You can see in the data that both lengths of M6 are quite similar skis. You can see that the 177 and 184 have the same camber profile and that they touch the snow at the same point when flat (they have the same running length). You can see they also have pretty much the same width, the 184 having a slightly longer sidecut radius (20 vs 19m) and sidecut length. The shapes are different at the tip. The 184 has a tip/tail rocker that doesn't rise as quickly but that extend further. Combined with the slightly longer sidecut length of the 184, when you put it at high edge angle, specially in softer snow, you might start engaging that part of the ski and get more stability. In very soft snow you will also have more float and stability from the longer tip of the 184 regardless of edge angle.

They have pretty much identical bending and torsional stiffnesses. Quite similar weights too (within 40 g). So I would not expect very different feels in term of speed limit, stability, edge grip, etc.

In this case, from all our measurements, both lengths are extremely similar. When choosing a ski, I would think mostly about the terrain that you intend to ski, as suggested by The-Albino. Do you want float and stability in soft snow, or would you benefit from shortened tip/tail to go around thigh trees and moguls?

** As a side note, the differences between the 170 and 177 are much more pronounced than between the 177 and 184.

aludeFirst, do you have the '17 reverse camber mantra? If so, they are not the same shape at all to the current M6...

Regarding lengths, my comments below are based on the data found here in the Sooth database. As a disclaimer, I haven't skied these skis, just interpreting the data. You can look at Blister's reviews if needed. Long story short, they say both lengths feel quite similar. Here is why...

You can see in the data that both lengths of M6 are quite similar skis. You can see that the 177 and 184 have the same camber profile and that they touch the snow at the same point when flat (they have the same running length). You can see they also have pretty much the same width, the 184 having a slightly longer sidecut radius (20 vs 19m) and sidecut length. The shapes are different at the tip. The 184 has a tip/tail rocker that doesn't rise as quickly but that extend further. Combined with the slightly longer sidecut length of the 184, when you put it at high edge angle, specially in softer snow, you might start engaging that part of the ski and get more stability. In very soft snow you will also have more float and stability from the longer tip of the 184 regardless of edge angle.

They have pretty much identical bending and torsional stiffnesses. Quite similar weights too (within 40 g). So I would not expect very different feels in term of speed limit, stability, edge grip, etc.

In this case, from all our measurements, both lengths are extremely similar. When choosing a ski, I would think mostly about the terrain that you intend to ski, as suggested by The-Albino. Do you want float and stability in soft snow, or would you benefit from shortened tip/tail to go around thigh trees and moguls?

** As a side note, the differences between the 170 and 177 are much more pronounced than between the 177 and 184.

damn dog did you go to Mantra College? i wish everyone could get breakdowns like this on the skis they're considering lmao, amazing

SofaKingSickdamn dog did you go to Mantra College? i wish everyone could get breakdowns like this on the skis they're considering lmao, amazing

:-)

We love the Mantras and spent a lot of time looking at them recently for this series on its evolution! There are also more blogs coming on other interesting aspects of the Mantras...

There are 3000 skis in the comparator. Ping me on any thread for detailed data-based comparison of any of these skis and I will try to tell you as much as I can while staying honest. It is really cool to compare the data to the on-snow experiences of whoever can ski these skis...

lol if you're asking NS, size up

new mantra m6 is nice! I got them in 191, but I'm 190cm tall

I did ski the 184 quite a lot, and it was fine! didnt really miss length on it, and I'm fairly heavy was a bit surprised it handled the 60mph on edge with me.

my 172cm buddy also tried the 184, he also handeld them fine

I think terrain & what you feel like will be a deciding faktor, either will work fine.

aludeFirst, do you have the '17 reverse camber mantra? If so, they are not the same shape at all to the current M6...

Regarding lengths, my comments below are based on the data found here in the Sooth database. As a disclaimer, I haven't skied these skis, just interpreting the data. You can look at Blister's reviews if needed. Long story short, they say both lengths feel quite similar. Here is why...

You can see in the data that both lengths of M6 are quite similar skis. You can see that the 177 and 184 have the same camber profile and that they touch the snow at the same point when flat (they have the same running length). You can see they also have pretty much the same width, the 184 having a slightly longer sidecut radius (20 vs 19m) and sidecut length. The shapes are different at the tip. The 184 has a tip/tail rocker that doesn't rise as quickly but that extend further. Combined with the slightly longer sidecut length of the 184, when you put it at high edge angle, specially in softer snow, you might start engaging that part of the ski and get more stability. In very soft snow you will also have more float and stability from the longer tip of the 184 regardless of edge angle.

They have pretty much identical bending and torsional stiffnesses. Quite similar weights too (within 40 g). So I would not expect very different feels in term of speed limit, stability, edge grip, etc.

In this case, from all our measurements, both lengths are extremely similar. When choosing a ski, I would think mostly about the terrain that you intend to ski, as suggested by The-Albino. Do you want float and stability in soft snow, or would you benefit from shortened tip/tail to go around thigh trees and moguls?

** As a side note, the differences between the 170 and 177 are much more pronounced than between the 177 and 184.

Fantastic reply man...you deserve a gold star, blue ribbon, A+
Thanks