For fast race-like performance, there’s not much better than this setup. The Rossignol X-IUM R-Skin Premium is Rossignol’s top-level classic skin ski. The X-IUM R-Skin skis are at home in the classic tracks. With a built-in mohair skin, you no longer have to worry about making the right wax call. The X-IUM R-Skins are equipped with Rossignol’s 3 Edge Energy Sensor technology which increases the power transfer efficiency and makes the skis feel lively. The X-IUM R-Skin skis do require good classic technique in order to fully reap the top-notch performance that these skis can deliver. With an arrow-straight race shape that is pretty much built to live in the groomed tracks, these narrow speedsters love to go straight and fast, and that’s about it. We’re not going to see good scores with versatility in regards to the X-IUM R-Skin, and that’s just the way that Rossignol wants it.
Jeff Neagle tested the 197 cm Rossignol X-IUM R-Skin and found that it’s all it is billed to be. He had previously tested the Delta Comp skin ski and noticed a pretty big difference. He found the X-IUM to “reward good technique, but it was less forgiving to those that are still working to develop their classic technique.” He found the X-IUM to require the skier to drive their legs forward and to also have a more precise kick zone to decrease drag. Jeff noted that “if you have good kick and glide technique and/or have a good double-pole plant, these skis are an absolute blast.” Jeff would recommend these skis to anyone who is serious about racing. These skis will bring your racing game to the next level.
CONSTRUCTION
R-Skin Grip Base
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Carol Van Dyke tested out the 190 cm X-IUM R-Skin for she wanted to try a top-of-the-line classic ski. She found the X-IUM R-Skin to “feel fast but to lack easy grip.” Carol gave the X-IUM R-Skin a five out of five for both speed and glide. These are definitely the types of scores we’d expect to see out of a high-gear ski like the X-IUM. She felt that the X-IUM “demanded more power on the kick than I could deliver.” Carol would like to test a softer flex X-IUM R-Skin out in the future, as the stiffness of the ski didn’t quite match up to the conditions or her weight. That’s a fine criticism for sure, as these high-end skis are really fine-tuned to the skier and are hard to fudge from a testing perspective.
The X-IUM R-Skin skis from Rossignol are a high-performance classic racing ski. For those who are serious about racing and want something close to weightless, the X-IUM R-Skin is a perfect choice. Just be sure to make sure the flex is suitable for your weight. If you’re a high-end racer looking for the ultimate in classic speed and glide with a skin for grip, these are the perfect choice for top-end skiers.
