2022 Volkl Kendo 88

The Volkl Kendo has been satisfying the all-mountain demands of advanced and expert skiers for quite some time now. The newest version, the Kendo 88, is the best yet. When they changed this ski, Volkl put a ton of resources into developing the technology that makes it what it is. Instead of 2 full sheets of metal, as was found on the previous version, we now get Titanal Frame. There’s still a full sheet of metal just inside the base, below the core, but on top of the core the metal is positioned just along the edges of the ski and doesn’t connect underfoot. That’s intended to give the ski a bigger sweet spot with a more natural flex underfoot, while retaining the strength and precision of metal when you tip the ski on edge. It also worked hand in hand with Volkl’s 3D.Radius. Longer radii in the tips and tails are combined with a shorter radius underfoot. As the ski has more willingness to flex underfoot, depending on how you’re weighting the ski in a turn, you can flex it into noticeably shorter carves than if just riding the radius of the tips and tails. Those longer radii in the tips and tails also reduce catching, allowing for easier edge release, which translates to more control in technical terrain.

Jeff Neagle skied the 177 cm length, which he felt was a food size for him and skied true to size. “I used to waffle back and force between the 177 and 184 on this ski, but I’ve pretty much settled on the 177. With the stability the Kendo provides, I don’t need that extra length, and rather prefer the shorter, quicker size for when I need to make quick turns.” Jeff gave the Kendo 88 high scores for stability, torsional stiffness/edge grip, versatility, and overall impression. All of those criteria received 5 out of 5 scores, with forgiveness dropping to the lowest score, just a 2 out of 5. “It’s a real advanced/expert level all-mountain ski. Someone with strong legs and good technique will find it a versatile all-mountain tool. I think an intermediate could ski it, but I don’t think they’d reach its true potential. I think for a less aggressive skier it would feel mostly just like a wide carving ski as it would be more challenging to manipulate it into different turn shapes.” Jeff also had some interesting thoughts on how the Kendo 88 compared to other skis in its category. “There are a lot of skis in this range now. Most big box brands have a ski that’s around 90 mm underfoot that uses a significant amount of metal. Sometimes, those skis can all feel pretty darn similar. The Kendo sets itself apart with the longer radius tips and tails more than anything else. The 177 cm has a 30 m turn radius in the tip, so you can make big sweeping turns on it, while other skis in this category just feel like they want to turn all the time. Neither is necessarily bad, just different.”

Reuben Jalbert also skied the 177 cm length, which he felt was “just right!” Reuben had similar scores to Jeff, with torsional stiffness/edge grip earning a full 5 out of 5 with stability and overall impression just behind with 4 out of 5. “These things are stiff and stable the whole way through, and definitely require a strong skier to flex them properly. They're perfect for high-speed rippers who spend about 70% of their time one trail, but want something with enough of a platform to take elsewhere.” Bob St.Pierre is a bigger guy than Jeff and Reuben, so opted for the 184 cm length, which he felt skied true to size. “Love the new Kendo! It’s always had strong groomer and high-speed performance, but the new build is a lot more maneuverable, especially in softer snow and at slower speeds. A lot more versatile than the previous version. Loved it in bumps!” A high-level skier like Bob, and especially one who is Bob’s size, will find that same versatility. These types of skiers benefit from the stiffer flex pattern and strong build of the ski, rather than having it be something that’s fighting them, as could happen for a lighter weight intermediate. Bob’s scores were fantastic, with stability earning 5 out of 5, and every single other category right behind with 4 out of 5. Scores like that spell a very well-rounded all-mountain ski.

Hands down, the Kendo 88 is the best Kendo that’s ever been made. It’s not surprising either given the amount of R&D that went into its development. Strong, stable at speed, good edge grip, and good versatility for an advanced or expert level skier. It checks a lot of boxes for accomplished skiers, which is evident just looking around at skier’s feet in your local lift line. Regardless of where you ski, I can guarantee you’ll see some Kendos, which says a lot.