2022 Volkl Blaze 86 - SkiEssentials.com Ski Test

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[@johnblock5073]

My favorite time of the year is when Jeff and Bob start pumping out the content

[@SkiEssentials]

Mine too! Comparisons are right around the corner...

[@schoutropfreestylertricks6575]

I used the skis this year for the first time! It is a lovely ski that works well all day on all surfaces.

[@SkiEssentials]

Very versatile! Appreciate the feedback.

[@COjeepster]

Great review, as always. Nobody does it better Jeff!

[@SkiEssentials]

Thanks Alan!

[@milllworks]

Love ‘em with my Shift 10. My uphill/downhill resort ski. Really responsive, fun to ski. 69 year old, 5’8”, 155 lbs, Adv Intermediate. Was advanced back in the ‘70’s just don’t ski that many days anymore, but when I do I like ‘em as much as my shorter Kanjo’s.

[@SkiEssentials]

Great combination with the Shift for sure! Appreciate you sharing your experience on them.

[@sleuth2077]

Which ones are easier to carve?

[@roberts.2536]

I was able to demo the Blaze 86 skis today. What you say about the maneuverability and snappy, playful performance is a good description. We had some unusually soft spring-like snow for December here in Vermont. The Blaze did quite well in these conditions. Taken into some soft bumps they were fun to ski and could tell they would be a lot less fatiguing throughout a ski day. They also seem like a very good value for the price.

[@SkiEssentials]

Everyone that's been on them with us feels about the same way. Very energetic and easy to ski, but with a strong personality.

[@carterfan80]

How would you compare the blaze to the ripstick 88? They are both lightweight, don't have any sheets of metal, and energetic. I have the ripsticks. They are really fun in packed powder or spring conditions , but I get quite a bit of tip chatter at higher speeds and on firmer surfaces (im an ny and vt/nh skier)...how does the stability of the Blaze series compare? More playful/smeary or less? I'm actually considering the blaze 94.. But I'm trying trying to draw a comparison based on something I've skied quite a bit, the ripstick 88. Not sure I'll get to demo the blaze. I demo skis a lot and don't usually see them offered...

[@SkiEssentials]

Blaze doesn't have as much vibration damping as the Ripsticks. The chatter you're experiencing on Ripsticks would probably be even more noticeable on a Blaze 94. I find Blaze is particularly more smeary thanks to the longer rocker lines and long radius in the tips and tails. Super easy edge release. On paper, they're similar, but they actually feel quite a bit different when you ski them. Ripsticks feel more responsive, Blaze more freeride/drifty/smeary.

[@JonathanMoxon]

Great review. I think I've narrowed it down to between the Blaze 86 and the Maverick 86c. I'm an early intermediate on the West Coast (Oregon), so both of these seem to handle the occasional powder day while still being fun on groomer days like we've had for the past 2 weeks. Any recs on one over the other? Personally, I like the top sheet of the Blaze more and like the Volkl brand a little more, but I can't find them in stock anywhere.

[@SkiEssentials]

They are actually very similar. The Blaze will feel a little looser when you take it off trail, easier edge release and more maneuverable. Maverick feels more energetic and snappier, especially on firmer snow conditions. We have the Blaze 86 in stock: www.skiessentials.com/2022-volkl-blaze-86-skis.html

[@83RJOP]

Great review as always, however, the video mentions these have a titanal plate but the written review mentions the Blaze 86 drops the titanal plate to save more weight. Can you clarify?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yeah, that was a mistake on our end. Probably an oversight when filming, sometimes we make mistakes doing a lot of different videos. No metal plate in the 86. We'll add a note to the video ASAP.

[@roywang629]

Great content Jeff! Would this Blaze 86 be a nice 2nd ski in my quiver? Currently have a bent chetler 100 at 180 length. If so, which length should I be looking at for Blaze 86? Also, I see on your website that, you guys paired this ski with marker TP 10 binding. I'm wondering is TP10 a better choice than Squirl 11 to work with Blaze 86? Thanks a lot 😀!

[@SkiEssentials]

Hi Roy! If you want something a little lighter, quicker, and less fatiguing, yeah, it would be a great choice! I don't recall your height and weight, can you remind me and I can recommend a length? I believe we have it paired with that binding mostly from an inventory/availability reason. Performance is quite comparable between the TP10.0 and Squire.

[@jonfinegold1512]

I'm an intermediate skier, mostly ski in the east and just want a ski that is easy and fun that can work all mountain. Mostly groomers but can handle some easier moguls, freshies if/when we get it and spring conditions too. What do you think about the Blaze 86 for that?

[@SkiEssentials]

Love it! The more we ski the Blaze series, the more we like it and see the merits in terms of all-mountain versatility. They're light, agile, and quick, so great in the bumps, but they've got some great energy as well for groomers--good grip for being so light!

[@nicholash8021]

Why would you want a narrower waist in the back country? Wouldn't that make you sink in more?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yeah, basically for people who aren't getting much soft snow in the backcountry. Or in-bounds resort touring, which is getting more and more popular.

[@johnwicked4982]

Hey Jeff! How is this Blaze 86 compare to Atomic Maverick 86C ?Just debating what I should get. Intermediate here , so i am thinking of this two skis Blaze and Maverick 86 for bigger mountain and hit some trees

[@SkiEssentials]

While the Maverick is more directional and downhill marketed, they're both very light and agile and ideal for an intermediate. I think the Atomic is more precise and performance-oriented while the Blaze is slightly easier to turn and drifty.

[@sleuth2077]

How does this differ from the Kanjo 84? They both sound like they are light and versatile.

[@SkiEssentials]

The Blaze is just even lighter than the Kanjo. The Kanjo is stronger on firm snow when carving. That's probably the biggest difference between them. It's still agile too, but the Blaze is that much quicker, at the expense of some vibration damping and overall stability. Volkl has 3 directional skis in the same width range, Deacon 84, Kanjo 84, Blaze 86. You can draw a spectrum of performance from carving and stability to lightweight and maneuverability and it goes Deacon -> Kanjo -> Blaze.

[@philvlach]

@@SkiEssentials That's a great spectrum of performance description. I've been thinking about which 3 of these would be a best choice. Seems it might be the Kanjo as it's a good combo of both. Anything new with the 2023's to consider?

[@2ndavedave226]

Thanks for videos Jeff! What do you recommend between the Blaze 86 and the Kendo 88? I’m an intermediate/advanced that spends majority of my time skiing groomed with my young kids but I like to explore when I can (NE snow conditions willing) and hopefully more as they improve. I ski mostly in VT and the northeast. Looking for a good Northeast all a rounder that I can work with for the next several years. Any input or alternate recs are appreciated.

[@SkiEssentials]

They're very different skis. Blaze feels way lighter, but doesn't have the edge grip or stability of the Kendo. On the other hand, the Kendo is much heavier and certainly more challenging when you take it off trail. I would say in general, most eastern skiers are going to prefer the Kendo as long as you have relatively good technique. A little more edge grip and stability on firm snow, which comes in handy around here. Not to discount the Blaze, it's just not as good on icy conditions. You could consider kind of splitting the difference between the two. Atomic Maverick 88 Ti comes to mind as a ski that blends stability on firm snow and at speed with a lighter weight feel. Elan Ripstick 88 is another good one that basically splits the difference between Kendo and Blaze. Hope that helps!

[@MrSlickrickj]

Watching you clowns ski tells me absolutely nothing !!! Waste of video: here’s some suggestions if you guys are good skiers: A. Show me the ski in small bumps or less groomed stuff B. Show me slow turns where you actually complete the entire turn C. Show me a STEEP run and edge grip D. Show me spring skiing crud E. Do not show me skis sliding around from the back Peace and stay safe !! As a matter of fact maybe I should just start my own ski review.

[@SkiEssentials]

Thanks for the great feedback!