Test 2020: Head Total Joy
BEST FOR: Advanced women skiers looking to add some speed to their repertoire.
LENGTHS: 148, 153, 158, 163, 168
DIMENSIONS: 134/85/113
RADIUS: 14@163
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $934 with bindings
The Total Joy is the most advanced-focused of Head’s line of women’s skis. That doesn’t mean it’s heavy. Head uses graphene, a carbon matrix that’s light and stiff; karuba, a lightweight wood core; and a full-length carbon sheet for low-weight edge bite. Notice a pattern? The ski is light, but doesn’t ski like it. Part of that is a redistribution of weight to the tip and tail—the ski’s actually thinner in the middle—which gives it a consistent flex from start to finish of the turn. Deanna Papineau found it, no surprise, “light and easy to turn, and also fun and stable.” Heavier and power skiers could hit the gas. But lighter-weight skiers struggled to get it to perform. They might be better off on the Epic or Super Joy. For strong skiers looking to add some speed and power carving to their skill quiver, the Total Joy provides a forgiving enough platform to take some risks and the performance to handle whatever you throw at it. “A large sweetspot helps,” said Debbie Morrison. “A great ski to enhance your confidence.”
