In a nutshell....
Caylor (even in the lite version) is going to be noticeable more stable and comfortable at speed. This is a function of the longer effective edge and larger turn radius more than anything else. Because the radius is larger and there is no taper, it will hold a turn better and feel like more of a true, driven carve. It will also be better opening it up in the open.
The JJ will be noticeably faster edge to edge, quicker to carve, and a lot lighter. The Caylor is a very capable tree ski, but the JJ will have the edge in manuverabilty due to lower swing weight, tapered tips and tails, and the tighter radius underfoot.
The caylor has much larger, more rockered tips, so you will get better float in pure powder with them. As far as the waist goes, the difference between 115mm and 120mm is going to be minor.
Weight wise, the JJ will be lighter. This is because of a few factors:
- Caylors have a 1.8mm base with a 2.5mm edge, where the Armada has a 1.7mm edge and corresponding base. Two different approached here - we prefer durability over saving weight, so we use the thicker edge and bases in everything we build. It DOES add weight, though, so the thinner edges help the JJ with the lighter weight.
- Our 181cm Caylor is going to be more similar in length to the 185cm JJ than the 191cm, due to how we measure our skis. So a 191cm Caylor is going to honestly be 7-10cm longer than the JJ.
- Caylor has no taper, JJ has taper.
- Caylor is a full sandwich, while the JJ is a half-cap (cap in the tips and tails, sidewalls underfoot), which is a lighter design.
They are both awesome skis but definitely suit a different style.
Go with the Caylor if you want:
- Better float in Powder
- Better Stability at speed and in crud
- A larger turn radius and more traditional turn shape which can really be locked into a turn
- Tend to be more aggressive
- Find yourself charging and ripping big turns rather than getting jibby off of features or hunting pow in tight trees
Go with the JJ if you want:
- Better maneuverability in trees and the air
- Lighter, more balanced swing weight
- Much smaller turn radius that is quicker edge to edge and prefers to be skied from a more centered stance
- Find yourself getting jibby of features and hunting pow in tight trees vs charging and ripping big turns.
In the end, if you were a good enough skier you could take the JJ in the cruddiest conditions and make huge, high speed turns, then take the Caylor and jib super technical features in tight trees. But the do excel in different areas, so I would decide which one you think suits you more and go with that choice.
Hope that helps.
