2021 Head Kore 87 W

We love the Head Kore skis for a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest ones is consistency. From tip to tail and edge to edge, these skis are remarkably efficient and fun. The Kore 87 W is a fantastic example of how ski companies are building brands within brands. The Kore lineup is a fantastic one, and for ladies who are looking for a light weight ski that has a high-performance ceiling, the Kore 87 W is a phenomenal choice. Other than graphics and available sizes, the men's and women's Kore skis are the same, so if you're looking for something longer, you're in luck-again, a nod to the consistency of the Kore lineup as a whole. Built and shaped more for front side and all-mountain skiing, the Kore 87 has an on-trail personality with a bit of a flair for the dramatic, especially when it comes to ski adventures. As the narrowest Kore, it also benefits from the quickest turns and the longest effective edge. Skiers ranging from intermediate to expert levels will all find redeeming qualities here, as the ski is technologically advanced, light, and incredibly fun.

The Kore series of skis hasn't really changed a whole lot since its inception a few years back. They've added widths and lady's versions, but other than that, they're remained remarkably the same. Starting with a Karuba wood core, the Kore 87 starts off with a light and energetic build. Add to that laminates of Graphene, Carbon, and Koroyd, and you've got an incredibly stiff and responsive ski that weighs a pittance compared to some of the ~88's with two sheets of metal. It's a different feel to be sure, but it's still got the high-end performance and character that's required to be in this upper echelon of skis. The Graphene and Carbon, especially, are known for their insane strength to weight ratios, allowing the Kore 87 to be a solid and stable performer and also incredibly maneuverable and light. Another thing that Kore skis have really nailed over the years is the removal of the top sheet. By using the upper laminate of the ski as the top sheet, it eliminates the need for another layer, thus further reducing the weight. The end result of the build is that the skis are light, snappy, and stiff, allowing for a wide range of uses, from steep groomers to tight trees and everything in between.

As the narrowest ski in the Kore line, the 87 has appropriately dramatic rocker profiles and taper shapes. The wider skis in the Kore line have deeper lines and profiles to allow for more flotation and a playful feel while the narrower skis are more traditional, thus emphasizing their on-trail personalities. That being said, the Kore 87 still has more taper and rocker than the wider front side skis, and this is a nod to the freeride aspect of the line. The slight tip rocker and taper allow the edge of the ski to hit the snow earlier than if the profile were more dramatic, and the same goes for the tail. This way, your edges are in contact with the snow for a longer and smoother amount of time versus a more heavily profiled ski. At 87 mm underfoot and with a more on-trail taper, the skis carve like a dream.

Skiers from intermediate to expert levels will love the quickness and light weight of the Head Kore 87 W. With a freeride build and a front side shape, these skis have a ton of versatility built in. We're grateful to Head for keeping the skis consistent over the years, and the fact that they haven't had to change anything speaks volumes about the high-end capacity of the skis and their broad appeal.