Lengths:
149, 156, 163, 170, 177
Dimensions:
139-85-121 @ 170
Radius:
14m @ 170
Best for:
Hard-charging skiers who love high-speed arcing.
Compare with:
Völkl Kendo 88, Stöckli Monero AX, Rossignol Experience 82 Basalt
We’ve loved every iteration of Head’s carving-oriented, all-mountain Shape skis and the newest versions are no exception. The e-V10 is the highest performance model of the four Shape skis. “Great sports-car-like feel,” was tester Steve Acciaroli’s conclusion. “Fast turning, nimble at speed and super fun in the bumps.” For this round, Head designers added Tyrolia’s new Protector binding (see page 53). Head also tweaked its shape to concentrate mass over the centre of the ski and contour the tip and tail to reduce swing weight. The construction remains the same: a complex mix of graphene, carbon, fibreglass and paulownia (karuba) and ash woods. There’s also a ceramic plate built into the top sheet that absorbs vibration to improve stability and smooth out the ride. Most agreed that the new V-10 is just as great a carving ski as its ancestors, but a little more forgiving and easier to ski. With an 85mm waist it isn’t quite as all-mountain capable as the Völkl Kendo or Fischer Ranger, nor as carving-focused as the Stöckli Montero AX or Völkl Deacon. If you ski a lot of firm snow but want the option to roam, take it for a spin.
