2022 Kastle FX 86 Ti

The 2022 Kastle FX 86 Ti is a new/re-furbished model for this year, and with the addition of titanal to the mix, we’re back seeing these high-performance all-mountain skis from Kastle poised and ready to make the leap into a competitive field once again. Built with a wood core that consists of three woods—the inner part being poplar and beech and the outer part poplar and paulownia. This gives the central portion of the ski more density and stiffness, creating a silky-smooth ride with a ton of power and strength. The outer portions of the skis, complete with the poplar and paulownia vertical stringers, are more approachable and playful, combining to make for a ski that has a very high ceiling, but isn’t too demanding. On top and bottom, we’re seeing two titanal layers as well as dual-fiberglass. These layers really do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of precision and damping, and the Hollowtech in the shovel gets rid of unwanted vibrations in a very efficient manner. At 86 mm underfoot, when combined with this build, these skis have the ability to rail carved turns on groomers, but also excel in the off-piste conditions and terrain. The 185, which all of our testers were on, creates a 17.6-meter turn radius, so it’s on the shorter side of the spectrum, and this allows for proper carving even on the firmest of snow and ice. With the addition of metal to the ski, we’re seeing more advanced and expert skiers find success here, but the shape is still suitable for intermediates who are looking to progress.

David Wolfgang found the 185 to be true, and found it to be a good length for him, especially considering the shape of the ski. His top scores of 4 out of 5 were given for stability, torsional stiffness, edge hold, and versatility, with 3’s the rest of the way. For a mid-80's underfoot ski with metal in it, this is the exact span of scores we expect to see—nothing too high nor too low. David preferred the FX 86 Ti in more of a front side format, noting that this “All-mountain ski is great for groomed and firm surfaces.” The addition of the metal to this ski definitely takes it to the next level when it comes to carving clean turns on firmer snow. Steve Sulin enjoyed his 185, and he gave top marks of 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness, edge hold, and overall impression. 4’s dotted the rest of his card, with the lone exception of a 2 out of 5 for flotation, which is totally understandable. He notes that the “FX needed an update and they nailed it. Powerful but playful. Quick turning for an 86 waisted ski.” That combination of strength, power, and agility really do make this FX 86 Ti stand out.

Jeffrey Siegel found his 185 to be just right, and he gave the ski a 5 out of 5 for overall impression. All 4’s for the rest of the scores, again with the exception of a 2 for flotation. “This ski says to me, “I like to ski moguls but I also like to carve groomers.” The hook-free tip and tail shape plus the playful core make this a hot mogul ski. But it’s still a great carver. More forgiving and easy going than the MX skis, and more versatile, without giving up that much on the frontside. And I love the playful core feel.” Since the metal isn’t too thick like we see in some other dual-metal laminate skis, and because it’s a lighter shovel and narrower waist, the moguls are definitely in play for these skis, and Jeffrey loves every minute of it.

If you’re looking to take your front side and all-mountain skiing to the next level, and you desire a good deal of power and precision in the process, the 2022 Kastle FX 86 Ti is here for you. Rock-solid and insanely quick, these skis will go where you point them, and will do so with strong intent and purpose. We’re pretty stoked on these new skis, and our bet is that you will be too.