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A large demographic of backcountry riders are drawn by the promise of endless untracked snow. While powder abounds beyond the rope line, chances are you’ll also be navigating your fair share of wind-scoured hardpack, breakable crust, refrozen suncups, and slush. It’s great to have a powder ski when there’s powder, but it’s plain miserable when there isn’t.
With that caveat about powder skis out of the way, the Backland 95 won’t disappoint you when the snow is soft, and it won’t leave you kicking yourself when it’s not. These lightweight, well-rounded touring skis are very much a single-quiver option for dedicated backcountry enthusiasts.
Built-in notches for skins and a low weight translates to efficient uphill travel. Design features borrowed from the freeride collection help to keep you from being too serious on the downhill. Yes, they’re a lightweight ski and definitely ride like one- but that should come as no surprise given their intended audience.
If you had to find the best use for the Backland 95s, it would be drawn-out days of alpine exploration. They offer the freedom to take a couple more laps or enjoy long days with equally ambitious descent objectives.
Notable Features
Carbon Backbone: Lightweight carbon laminate runs from the tip to the tail of the ski- aiding in stability and edge hold at speed and in variable snow conditions
HRZN Tech Tips: Beveled inserts at the tips of the ski create more surface area and while reducing the total weight of the ski
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
Lightweight touring ski that retains downhill performance aspects -
Versatile option that you can ski any day
Things we don't like:
-
Just because you can wear them on a powder day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your bigger skis out
Specs & Features
- Waist: 95 mm
- Length: 169-185 cm
- Rocker Profile: Rocker/Camber
- Core: Poplar/Caruba
- Tail: Flat
- Turn Radius: Medium
Related Reviews
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
Lightweight touring ski that retains downhill performance aspects
-
Versatile option that you can ski any day
Things we don't like:
-
Just because you can wear them on a powder day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your bigger skis out
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