2021 Volkl Deacon 84

Now in its second year, the 2021 Volkl Deacon 84 is quickly making skiers forget about their RTM 84 seasons. If you made the switch from RTM to Deacon either this year or last, you know that the upgrades demonstrate a mastery of all-mountain skiing and theory. These skis deserve a doctorate in versatile carving fun. At 84 mm underfoot, they're best suited for on-piste activities, but do walk that fine line between front side and all-mountain. Built with Volkl's titanal frame technology, they feel similar to a Kendo 88 or an M5 Mantra when deep in a carve but take the edge grip and quickness to a new level. Volkl's full sensor-wood core is the foundation for these capable crushers, with both the titanal frame and the remnants of the 3D Ridge from the RTM series acting as the power producing portions of the ski. Also carried forward is the 3D Glass laminate that extends over the edges to increase both torsional as well as fore/aft stiffness, leading to extra edge grip on the firmest of snows. Multiple radii is the name of the game these days, and Volkl's 3D Radius sidecut allows you to vary up your turn shape and style at any point in the turn. More pressure here or there on the front of your boot allows you to alter your carve from a longer and more stable arc to shorter and more skidded style turns. It's very intuitive and fun, and for skiers looking to get the most out of the frontside-oriented all-mountain Deacon 84, these properties make the skis clean, powerful, and precise to the nth degree. Once again, our contributors were over the moon with the ski's versatility and carving prowess. From first-run corduroy to late day chop, the Deacon 84 handles it all with a smile.

Speaking of that 3D Radius sidecut, one of our biggest fans on our contributor list is Jeff Neagle. He loves this stuff. When he skied the 177 cm length in the Deacon 84, he starts by noting that they're "super fun! Energetic, responsive, and holds an edge very well." His top marks for stability, quickness, torsional stiffness, and edge hold are unsurprising, as is his 5 out of 5 score for overall impression. He notes that the skis share similar characteristics with the Kendo 88, which also has the titanal frame and 3D Radius sidecut. This leads to Jeff's impression that "you don't have to ski as fast as you do on some heavier skis due to the ski's ability to make a bunch of different turn shapes and styles." This type of performance was echoed by Bob St.Pierre who skied the 182. Even at that length, Bob found that edge grip and turn versatility were off the charts, and the fact that the ski borrowed and combined technology from the RTM line as well as the Mantra/Kendo models made for a very well-rounded ski: "There's a lot to like about the Deacon 84-it takes the performance of the RTM 84 to the next level and loves to be on edge." Not to mention, that multiple radius sidecut makes for both snappy slalom-style carves as well as let 'er rip super-g turns that max out the speed limit of the sport. The build and the shape make all of this fun not only possible, but also accessible for a wide variety of skiers.

That dual-nature character of the Deacon 84 was expressed very succinctly by our resident Masters Racer Michael Rooney. He skied the 177 and gave top marks for quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, edge hold, versatility, and overall impression. Skiers with a racing background will most likely gravitate towards the Deacon 84 over the Kendo 88, and that's a good thing, especially in Michael's mind. "The Deacon 84 is ready for everything for that expert or almost-expert skier. It turns easily and still is there for you at high speed." And on the other end of the spectrum: "This ski will surprise you with its playfulness." We always see it as a success when a ski can hold two different performance qualities at the same time without diminishing one or the other.

Aimed squarely at that advanced/expert frontside/all-mountain skier, the Volkl Deacon 84 is ready to gain a new group of followers for the 2021 season. Skiers looking for that carving option to round out their quiver, or front siders looking for one ski that quite simply does it all should look directly to the Deacon 84 and not a ski farther.