Are they wide carving skis? Are they narrow all-mountain skis? Are they somewhere in between? The answer to all three is a resounding "yes." At 84 mm underfoot, the 2021 Head Supershape e-Titan ski system is on the wide side for a true carving ski, and while that may jeopardize torsional stiffness to some extent, it does provide a wider balance point for most skiers to enjoy. Versatility aside, the width is good for a bit of extra material, and that translates to stability. If you put it up against the e-Speed skis in the Supershape line at 67 mm underfoot, the Titan seems almost like a powder ski. But that narrower waist means that skiers really have to have a strong balance point, while on the 84, it can be a bit more relaxing in terms of how "on edge" you really have to be. It's got more of an SUV feel versus sports car, so if you're a fan of automobile analogies, there's a good one for you.
ROCKER PROFILE
Rocker / Camber
CORE MATERIALS
Energy Management System
PREFERRED TERRAIN
Groomers, All Mountain
Another one is the use of technology in these Supershape skis. While in years past, they've relied on their Kinetic Energy Response System (KERS) to mitigate unwanted vibrations, it has morphed into the EMC, or Energy Management Circuit. Either way, the theory is that the kinetic energy is stored in a circuit while the ski is bent in a turn. Upon the exit of the turn, that energy is modulated and released, allowing the unwanted vibrations to be filtered out, leading to a smooth and stable carving experience. This system is found on Formula 1 race cars in the braking process, with the car being able to store that energy and release it as acceleration. So, there is some substance behind the theory, and either way, the e-Titan is an extremely smooth operator that loves to be on edge. Built with a wood core, a sheet of titanal, and a Graphene laminate, these skis have an amazing strength to weight ratio, and this leads to the precise and exacting character of the ski. Graphene is very light and stiff, so it makes a lot of sense when used in this application.
The 84 mm waist is right in line with an all-mountain carver, giving the ski strength and substance to stand on underfoot. the shovels and tails are on the wider side, and this helps give the ski its 15.7-meter turn radius at the 170 cm length. Additionally, there's basically zero taper to the shape, and only 10% tip rocker. The combination of this dearth of taper and minimal rocker speak volumes as to the on-piste personality of the skis. When the furthest-forward part of the ski is the first piece to hit the snow, it creates the potential for very long edge contact. When that same philosophy is implemented in the tail, the effective edge is as long as it could possibly be. At any length, this makes for an incredibly smooth ride. The tip rocker helps skiers enter the turn, but doesn't do a lot in terms of soft snow performance-certainly more of an initiation and transition-phase assister.
Advanced and expert skiers who are looking for a wider carving ski will love the technology, shape, and profile of the Head Supershape e-Titan. Conversely, if you're looking for that all-mountain ski that excels on the groomers, this is a great choice as well. There's a huge number of skiers who will love the overall capabilities and super-smooth performance of these skis, and they have the technology to appeal to the more sophisticated group of skiers out there.
