Is 4-5 cm difference between skis really that much?

SwizzlerSki

SwizzlerSki

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From left to right: Reckoner 112, 192cm - ARV 96 177 cm, Revolt 95 181 cm.

Im selling my ARV 96’s this year because they feel too short and unstable when i’m hitting larger jumps in the park. I’m wanting to pick up another pair of Armada’s this season but want a softer ski that isn’t super similar to my Reckoners. I’m 6’4 165lbs intermediate in park and advanced all mountain.

I don’t love any of the new ARV’s and found the old 2023 ARV 86’s in 184 for sale on Armadas website. My problem is that I think BDogs would be the absolute dream ski for the kind of riding i want to do (flowy and buttery park and all mountain skiing on days between storms) and i feel like they’d be way too short since they cap out at 180cm and I’ve felt uncomfy on my 177s. I’m at the point where I’ll get the 86’s and maybe not love them or I’ll just skip buying skis this season all together and use my old gashed up revolts.

I was wondering if i’m causing too many problems for myself sweating over a few cm’s?

My current ARVs also don’t have a ton of flex room because i’m using Look SPX12’s and would be swapping to Pivot 15’s for my next pair. I’m thinking this lack of flex room isn’t giving me stable support through the back of the ski on takeoffs?

Would a 180 ski and Pivots that have a smaller footprint on the top of my ski maybe fix my problem or should I abandon the dream of ever riding BDogs and look for something else? Thanks for any input, I’m struggling here lmao.
 
I’m only 6’1 / 185cm and wouldn’t take skis shorter than me into the park so mad respect that you’re out there on 177s tryna make magic happen.

A few cms can certainly make a difference when comparing ARV86s to ARV86s but those 192 reckoners have a bunch of rocker that will make them feel shorter than they look and will flap / be unstable at high speeds. I’d say something moderately stiff (ARV86 stiffness rather than BDog) in the 185-190cm range would serve you much better than your current quiver.

Keep the reckoners for a more ‘playful’ option and then size up in the ARVs if you want a more traditional stiffer park ski to take on jumps - jumping from 86mm underfoot to 96mm will also give you a noticeable jump in stability. Unfortunately I think you might wanna start giving up on that dream of bdogs, though I’ve heard murmurs that vishnu makes a pretty soft ski in a 189? Might wanna check those out. You’re a pretty lightweight guy so you could probably make those reckoners work this season if you’re tight on cash.

**This post was edited on Sep 5th 2024 at 4:01:25am
 
14625716:brownetown said:
I’m only 6’1 / 185cm and wouldn’t take skis shorter than me into the park so mad respect that you’re out there on 177s tryna make magic happen.

A few cms can certainly make a difference when comparing ARV86s to ARV86s but those 192 reckoners have a bunch of rocker that will make them feel shorter than they look and will flap / be unstable at high speeds. I’d say something moderately stiff (ARV86 stiffness rather than BDog) in the 185-190cm range would serve you much better than your current quiver.

Keep the reckoners for a more ‘playful’ option and then size up in the ARVs if you want a more traditional stiffer park ski to take on jumps - jumping from 86mm underfoot to 96mm will also give you a noticeable jump in stability. Unfortunately I think you might wanna start giving up on that dream of bdogs, though I’ve heard murmurs that vishnu makes a pretty soft ski in a 189? Might wanna check those out. You’re a pretty lightweight guy so you could probably make those reckoners work this season if you’re tight on cash.

**This post was edited on Sep 5th 2024 at 4:01:25am
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Thanks man I really appreciate the insight. I have considered the new ARV 94 in 185 as an option and have checked them out at a ski shop near me. Unfortunately every park ski I’m going to own will be shorter than I am since i’m 193 cm and most options I’ve checked out stop between 186-189. I have definitely enjoyed my 96’s around the mountain so sizing up in the same line sounds like a good option. Thanks again man.
 
180cm Bdog is probably to short for you its not much difference how 177 and 180cm skis feel and i would say the bdog feels very similar to reckoner 102 when skiing i havent tried the 112 but i imagine they are similar.
 
14625728:Jibbcore said:
But i dont think you should buy the arvs if you dont like them maybe look for other brands that makes skis
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ya i might not settle, i don’t totally love any new ski released this year so i’ll probably shred what i’ve got and wait for next year
 
14625742:SwizzlerSki said:
ya i might not settle, i don’t totally love any new ski released this year so i’ll probably shred what i’ve got and wait for next year
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A tips is to try skis if theres a ski test near you
 
I am 6'4 as well but a lot heavier than you and my favorite park skis ever were the symmetrical Candide 1.0s in a 188. Trying friends revolts, reckoners, seasons, and jeffs in a shorter length (under 184) I could definitely notice a difference between the 188s and I personally would never go shorter.

I can definitely notice length, but dont ignore other things like weight, stiffness, and rocker profile when looking at stability. But for your height, I would set a hard limit on the low end like 181 or 184.
 
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