2024 Volkl Revolt 96 Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com

[@jonne_]

Can you do a review on the line honey badger? Would live to see that

[@src248]

Forgot the 121 in your list of Revolts! I suppose it's not exactly an ideal eastern daily driver :P Still looking forward to the 114 review!

[@benshorthouse2979]

121s are amazing, though i didn't have to pay for them, purely a powder ski and my go-too for PNW and Canada trips, I've got it setup with Tyrolia atks 14s

[@SkiEssentials]

Shucks! Great catch.

[@src248]

@@benshorthouse2979 Agree! I've been on them for a few seasons now, super fun ski!

[@mostendorf34]

A++ Review as always! I demo''d revolt 104's and LOVED them, so playful and smeary and wicked nimble in the trees. Are the 96's (haven't found a place to demo them) almost identical to the 104s? I am looking for new east coast dailys to replace my reckoner 102's, so the slightly narrower waste is enticing. I figure that way I could keep the reckoners for some snowier days. I do see the 96's are a decent amount heavier than the 104's. I loved the flex, rocker lines and playfullness of the 104. I'm also considering the Armada ARV 94's. So Revolt 104 vs 96 vs ARV 94's. I love playful/smeary skis, I ski mainly trees and bumps (when VT weather allows) and try to jump off every bump or jump I see. Maybe 5-10% park.

[@SkiEssentials]

We had a blast on the 96's this past year. They are very flexible, but also quite hefty, so it's an interesting mix of attributes. The 104 has the same type of thing, but I'd say the 104 is a bit more smeary due to the narrower tail shape. The 96 has more of a rounded/symmetrical feel to it, and while it's not full symmetry like the Revolt 90, it is noticeable how much the tail hangs on to the turn. I'd say the ARV 94 is a bit more what you're looking for since it's lighter and more maneuverable.

[@marketingvisions3299]

Awesome review. I have got my volkl ledger 85 and it is fine for the park, but revolt 96 will be better as an all mountain ski for sure. I skied revolt 95 and I really liked it. The biggest complaint is a too long turning radius in longer sizes

[@SkiEssentials]

I felt the new Revolt had better short carve capabilities than the older version, but the older one could make shorter skidded turns with greater ease. Kind of depends what you're looking for from a character standpoint. Personally, I prefer the deeper carves of the new 96.

[@oliverneat5660]

Are you doing a review on the new ARV 94 or 100. Cant decide wether to wait for them or buy the 96's from this season.

[@SkiEssentials]

Definitely 94, we've been testing that ski A LOT. 100 too, and we'll touch on the 88 also, although maybe not a long form review for that one. 94 review should be coming soon.

[@edwardyetkie5975]

Jeff or Bob can you please tell more about 2024 wingman black edition

[@SkiEssentials]

We'll have a full review coming out pretty soon, but for now, it's built and shaped just like the 86CTi, just with more carbon. It's a stiffer ski that has great grip, but some skiers may find it a bit too stiff.

[@jacobchesin1387]

I just pulled the trigger on these, I'm 5'11" 210lbs and I mostly ski all mountain with some jumps and jibs mixed in occasionally, so I want to mount them back like you suggested. Am I understanding that you are recommending to mount them 1.5cm back from the center mount point? Need to decide what I want to tell the shop when I drop them off

[@SkiEssentials]

All-mountain mount points can certainly go back on these. I found that -1.5 was enough, but I'm a directional skier so I'd go -2 maybe -3 on my personal pair. I recommend standing on the ski with your boot on and seeing what looks good and marking that line. Mount point is a personal thing, and we can't tell you exactly what to do here.

[@danielleclifton1733]

Hey! I just got these skis :) are you talking in cms or inches when you discuss mounting them further back? I mounted them central but I would prefer further back so thanks for your advice.

[@SkiEssentials]

cm

[@jakobsteiland2463]

Mounting point: is the recomended mounting point at the same spot as true center?

[@SkiEssentials]

Yes. One of the true center holdouts when it comes to mount points.

[@skiboardordie]

How would you compare this ski with Armada arv 96, for heavier skier riding all mountain? Great review, I was waiting for this one! :)

[@SkiEssentials]

It's got more flex than the ARV, but has a similar stout/stable feel. I'd say the Revolt leans a bit more to the park/freestyle side of the spectrum while the ARV has a bit more all-mountain feel to it.

[@Luke-n6k]

How does this ski compare against the Oblivion 94? I ride mostly all mountain and only some park.

[@SkiEssentials]

Pretty similar in terms of flex, but the Revolt is a heavier ski. I like how it's smooth and stable and makes very round turns, while the Head is lighter and more agile. If you're looking for more all-mountain, and mobility is part of your plan, I'd look to the Head.

[@christophermagnuson1270]

Oh boy is this great ⛷❄️

[@Brando-wz9ef]

I’m 178 witch size should I take?

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd go 173 if you're looking for more park compliance.

[@seppKuipers]

are the talking about centimenter or inch

[@SkiEssentials]

Generally using metric when discussing ski measurements.

[@seppKuipers]

but when you were talking about how far back the bindings should go was that cm or inch @@SkiEssentials

[@SkiEssentials]

@@seppKuipers cm.

[@darinsmith2458]

i gotta chime in... when it comes to my guitars.. i bought my Gibson Les Paul and that is American made.. if i buy a tele or a strat or even a Steve Vai ibanez they will be American made.. now going outside my country.. a big reason that i LOVE my stockli skis is because they are made in Switzerland.. do the Swiss make anything that is bad? ok carry on..

[@darinsmith2458]

i see you have the marker griffon binding on them.. i have those on my enforcers.. i love how you can see the spring in them and how massive that spring is.. it gives me a good sense of security..

[@darinsmith2458]

i think stability can mean different things to different people.. when i demoed the Head Kore 99s they could handle groomers just fine but they were very reactionary in the crud.. i think you guys say that is the stiffest skis out there..

[@darinsmith2458]

it looks like that ski would do really good in soft snow.. it also looks like you had that on really firm snow and soft snow.. do you think it handles better in the soft snow than the hardpack?

[@chanulim4792]

The way the revolt 96 is kinda softer, slarvier and less precise than the 95, reminded me a lot about how the year after I bought my menace 98’s, the mfree 99 came out

[@SkiEssentials]

I think that's a pretty fair comparison both in terms of shaping differences as well as overall feel and character!

[@mybadvideos]

Any idea why Volkl is making some of their athlete level (one would think premium) skis in China now?

[@1ukas]

rather sad

[@SkiEssentials]

I have some thoughts on that... It's basically just park/freeski athletes, with the remainder of athletes on Racetiger, Blaze, Katana, etc, obviously dependent on their discipline. I think it's reasonable to make the argument that for park/freeski athletes, shape is generally more important than construction. Some exceptions to that, but it feels true IMO (Jeff here). Then these skis, especially skis like the 96, also have to work as high volume, low cost products for them. Lots of people buy twin tips, and a lot of people want them to be as inexpensive as possible. So, I think given the demands of their athletes for this type of ski and how they want to fit in their lineup overall, it sort of makes sense. I still think it would be cool to see some built in Germany, as I mentioned, but I do understand this manufacturing choice.

[@roadracer517]

Moguls????

[@SkiEssentials]

Not great, not terrible. There's a lot more tail splay this year than in the past, and I've found that can cause some clacking and crossing in the bumps. Still way better than a Deacon 76 or something like that.

[@roadracer517]

@@SkiEssentials I bought them last night and picked them up today and spent the day in the moguls at Heavenly. I liked them. I like your reviews.

[@stonecoldsteez]

Jeff n Bob Bob n Jeff Jeff Jeff Bob Bob Jeff Bob Bob Jeff Bob n Jeff n Jeff n Bob Robert n Jeffrey Jeff n Bob

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

That graphic is really stupid. Like makes no sense for skiing 🎿

[@SkiEssentials]

We discussed this privately and still found it to be better than the current 2023 model graphic.

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

@@SkiEssentials omg yes, a heart? like maybe it means the revolt will get your heart racing when you know you are about to eat shitake off the jump or rail. And this year, just means it's going to sting a little, or a lot. haha. Their graphics team needs to come up with something that actually makes sense, and better color scheme. The 2023 with the roulette makes some sense, but the colors are awful. All I know is my father-in-law loves he's Bonafide 97s I bought him from you guys, and my daughter loves her Faction unicorn skis, and my wife loves her Blizzard Black Pearls. Thanks for carrying these skis this year for them.