2020/2021 Faction Durability?

[Zypher]

Revamping the quiver for this next season. All-time favorite skis I've ever ridden were the old 4.0s (New Candide 5.0 - same ski) but they snapped wayyy before they should've because of Faction's foam core. Are the new line of skis any better durability wise? I saw they revamped the core materials but haven't heard anything on if they're more durable.

 

[skiP.E.I.]

Revamping the quiver for this next season. All-time favorite skis I've ever ridden were the old 4.0s (New Candide 5.0 - same ski) but they snapped wayyy before they should've because of Faction's foam core. Are the new line of skis any better durability wise? I saw they revamped the core materials but haven't heard anything on if they're more durable.

I'm using the Prodigy 1.0s and have about 50 days on them with just the usual edge cracks and scratches you'd expect. They're holding up pretty well all things considered. I've owned skis that were far more fragile.

 

[c-fries]

I have a pair of the 2019 Candide 2.0’s I got around mid season last year. Probably only about 30-40 days on them. Absolutely love them - honestly they feel light as a feather and the feeling alone would make you think they wouldn’t be durable. But I’d say they certainly are. Have skied them pretty hard already and they’re holding up nicely. Recommend.

 

[Arthur74170]

Have been skiing my 2018 candide 2.0 for 2 seasons ( in total easily over a 100 days). I don't do a lot of rail but I like to ski gard, fast and stomp big drops, the ski has held up perfectly

 

[patagonialuke]

Hard to say re: the 5.0. I've spent some time on it but not nearly enough to comment on long-term durability (no issues after ~10 days)

Unfortunately, the 2 people I know who got 19/20 CT 3.0's broke them on the first day (binding pullout / ripped the whole binding-reinforcement plate + topsheet off the core). That 3.0 reportedly uses the same core materials as the 5.0 (paulownia / poplar + titanal binding plate), though I don't know if they changed factories since 19/20.

That said, I've heard great things about the Prodigy's durability. Same guy that snapped the CT 3.0 on his first day still hasn't broken his Prodigy 4's after a full season skiing CB, and he's one of the best skiers I've seen.

 

[Barmski]

I think I could shed some light here, been on Faction for the past 5 to 6 years:

Durability of the Candide series has come a long way from the 2014 Black Topsheet models. I believe if your skeptical still, I would point you towards the Prodigy.

Prodigy series holds strong, I have a pair dating back to 3 years ago that still skis park well and it is actually the Soma series though the Soma is equal to what is now the Prodigy 1.0. My Prodigy 4.0s have held up well. Overall these series does better than the Candide series.

Agent series, super excited about these skis, they are strong and ski very very well for the backcountry user, this ski will turn heads and quake the industry.

Dictators, strong skis, have held up well in the resort skiing over rocks and steep terrain.

Overall, Faction Candides would rank lower on the durable scale compared to other models but ultimately is something they know about and continuing to try to improve.

 

[cadebucket]

My experience with faction skis is that they hold up great for day to day damage, (core shots, top sheet chipping, etc.) the thing you have to worry about is total delamanation or the core snapping on big crash or something. The 2 skis i broke were both ct. 3.0s 16/17 and 18/19 model.

 

[jps2.0]

has anyone found the Dictators to be durable

 

[patagonialuke]

has anyone found the Dictators to be durable

Our pair of the 4.0 never had any issues, and it got slammed into a lot of rocks the past two seasons by a guy who is kinda known for breaking skis.