2021 Armada Tracer 88

While most 88's we test are more front side/all-mountain oriented, the Armada Tracer 88 has a touring emphasis. Light, light, and light, these things are primarily built for the uphill, but since they've borrowed a lot of technology from the wider Tracer series skis, they're no slouches on the downhill, either. With the growing popularity of alpine touring, and the matching dedication of ski companies to produce high-quality and light-weight touring gear, a ski like the Tracer 88 should not go unnoticed. Everything from boots to bindings and poles are now commonplace in the backcountry world, and most companies are hopping on board, either trying to make gear that blurs the line between touring and resort, or they're making stuff that is tour-specific. The Tracer 88 falls into the latter category, and skiers who are Armada fans to begin with and are looking for that lighter AT setup should definitely check out these Tracer 88's.

In the 172 cm length, the skis come in at a paltry 1225 gams per ski. In a faction of the sport where every gram counts, the Tracer 88 has a leg up on the competition for sure. Starting with a Caruba wood core, the skis do have a good amount of energy to them, even at that lighter weight. The whole thing about the AT setup is that the skis have to have a good blend of both uphill and downhill performance in order to be truly effective. So, starting with that light weight wood is a good place to begin. Armada also uses their adaptive mesh to boost that downhill performance without adding much weight at all. This braiding of the mesh is meant to dampen vibrations and filter out any unwanted chatter. It does so without weighing the ski down, and that's probably the most important aspect of the ski touring world. Really the only thing that weighs much in this ski is the Ti binding reinforcement plate that is pretty darn necessary, given some of the terrain that you're likely to access. You do not want your tech binding pulling out of your ski, especially with the lighter Caruba wood core, you need some extra material to hold you in.

The shaping of the ski has more to do with its weight as well. At 88 mm underfoot, the skis don't have the surface area or the amount of material that's going to weigh it down. Keeping things slim in the shape goes a long way in making the ski light and good on the climb. While there's a lot of skiers out there who, when they tour, are only seeking one big line, and as a result, they don't need the lightest possible gear. These Tracer 88's are more aimed at the skier who's looking to do a longer tour, and doesn't quite care so much about ripping that one huge run. The Tracer 88 skier is looking for a longer adventure, and while the downhill portion of the day is all part of the equation, it's not the most important part, so 88 underfoot is a good compromise for sure. The tips are quite tapered allowing for a lighter weight and a better skin connection. As a side-bonus, it allows for a smoother cut through the snow and better flotation.

With the explosion of popularity of backcountry skiing and touring, it's smart for ski companies to hop on board and start making appropriate gear. The Tracer 88 has the personality and character of the wider and heavier skis in the line, but with way more of an emphasis on the touring and uphill aspect of the sport. Skiers who are already part of the Armada family will love the light weight and ease of use of the Tracer 88.