invaders really are not great skis. but if your looking for a price point symmetrical twin than they are a fine choice. Invaders are capped construction which really sucks. Not sure about the punx. FIscher Addict, Addict Pro, and Habit as well as the Volkl Wall and Moment Reno Jib and Reno Rocker are all symmetrical twins that will be far better skis. If you have the cash and want to go symmetrical i would recommend those.
by the sound of it he wants something really soft, so Addicts would be a bad choice. The first two years of the Invaders were really bad quality, not sure about this year's. I* think Punx would probably be more durable than Invaders but they also are more expensive, and I'v heard they are just as soft as Invaders althoguh I have never experienced the atomics first hand.
Look at the K2 Fujatoive then...maybe not next years because its more all-mountain specific, but this years and previous years have been softer and more park specific.
funny how I felt the total opposite and tought the punx were softer then the urban punx.
the moment reno jibs gave me the same feeling I had on my punx on my firts day on them, light, poppy and easily butterable. the jibs might be just a bit stiffer tho wich isnt bad if you want more all around performance and jumping stability. both are really nice anyway and you might wanna concider the anthems as they are a really fun ski too apparently
i thought the same too! i rode the punx first and the urban punx right after and i honestly felt like the punx were a little bit softer than the urban! although i do own the urban and have grown to love them..such a great ski! the topsheet is a little weak but ehh who cares they still rip
my brother had 07s and he put three large core shots on them, numerous edge cracks and the edge started to delaminate a little at the tip, plus the topsheet was chipped off down to the core on both tips and both tails and a lot along the edges after 1 season and he does not ski that hard, no big jumps and nothing very complicated for rails. but defective pair maybe?
well i don't know about other people...but i have never put a core shot in my ski by just skiing regular runs...core shots always come from rocks/trees/miscellaneous crap...
i got a couple buddies with last years invaders and this years (bright yellow with pink bottoms) and just love them.