I hope your getting on the monster 88 to compare. Was my favorite ski in the class when I got a couple of days on the prototype.
Noted, Andrew. We’ll look to get on the 88 once the chairlifts start spinning in the US.
Should probably take a look at the whole Monster line… the new 108 could be a pretty sweet ski.
How would you say the Kendo compares to the Atomic theory or 95C? It seems a similar if a bit stouter with less tail rocker.
Hi, Oliver – Atomic wasn’t able to get us the 95C in time for our NZ trip, so we’ll have to wait a bit to get them on snow. The biggest thing: neither the Theory or the 95C have metal, and they are lighter than the Kendo, with more sidecut. I think those elements will prove to be greater points of differentiation than their respective tail designs.
So I don’t expect these skis to feel terribly similar – I bet that the Monster 88 (referenced above) will feel more similar to the Kendo than the 95C. But till we get the 95C on snow, I shouldn’t say more than that.
I’ve ski’d Kendos for the past 4 years and love them. This review seems really representative of my own experiences. However, I’m due for a new set of ski’s this year and am looking for a recommendation or maybe a couple of alternatives to consider. I’m 6’5″, 250lbs, and I’d consider myself intermediate (Ski east coast mostly – gravitate towards tree’s and bumps, also enjoy fast groomers and big turns). Also, a couple trips out west per year, gravitate to bumps or trees.
I tried the bonafide’s last year and for some reason didn’t like them as much as Kendo’s despite incredible reviews for them? The bonafides seemed less responsive to me? Initiating turns on the Kendo is effortless, and it still holds a decent edge. However, I sometimes wish I had a ski that held an edge slightly better, but was still really forgiving in bumps. Is the Dynastar Powertrack my best option, or something else? Or, just stick with Kendo? Thanks for any help.
How wold you compare the new kendos to the new blizzard brahma? Thanks in advance.
Hi,
since many mountains have already started their season, have you had a chance to ski the 2016 Kendo in 184cm?? I was suprised by your review that the shorter Kendo (177cm) felt like the 184cm 2014/15 Kendo model. So, I am curious how the new 184cm Kendo feels like.
Thanx !Chris
I was wondering how well the Kendo works in tight trees?
I demo’d the kendo and absolutely loved it! Not sure my rental shop next week will have it so what ski is similar?
thanks
yves
Which binding mount location do you recommend for the Kendo?
Thanks!
“But man, these skis are very capable and fun when repeatedly throwing them out to the sides and hitting high edge angles in rapid succession.” Yes!
I have yet to find the right amount of detuning on the tips to ski hard agressive snow. But if the snow is just a tad on the soft side good fun.
Ok Ya’ll;
I loved my Kendo’s for 6+ years and had a hard time changing, but I took the plunge this year and bought a pair of Nordica Enforcers (100 waist).
These skis are awesome, and if you loved your Kendo’s, I can almost guarantee that you will love these more! Very responsive, not too light; hold an edge better than my Kendo’s ever did……Incredible ski’s. I wouldn’t go back at this point because these are a serious upgrade!
I demo’d A lot of ski’s to come to this conclusions!
I recently demoed a few pairs of 18-19 Volkls: The Kanjo, Kendo, and Mantra. I spend a lot of time skiing on moguls, and while demoing found that the stiffer flex of the Mantra and Kendo were pretty unforgiving through more rutted mogul terrain. The softer ride of the Kanjos were fantastic in the moguls, and I found them more responsive than the other pairs for carving in general. The narrow underfoot was the major downside of the Kanjos, as I am looking for a pair of all-mountain skis that will work well on powder days.
I am hoping to find a ski with a similar softness/playfulness to the Kanjos. I find your ‘Flex Pattern’ description really helpful to compare across skis, but unfortunately you don’t have a review for the Kanjos. Do you know how you would rate the Flex Pattern of tha Kanjos compared to say, the Kendos and the comparable Brahmas? (https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/ski-reviews/2018-2019-blizzard-brahma)
I hope your getting on the monster 88 to compare. Was my favorite ski in the class when I got a couple of days on the prototype.
Noted, Andrew. We’ll look to get on the 88 once the chairlifts start spinning in the US.
Should probably take a look at the whole Monster line… the new 108 could be a pretty sweet ski.
How would you say the Kendo compares to the Atomic theory or 95C? It seems a similar if a bit stouter with less tail rocker.
Hi, Oliver – Atomic wasn’t able to get us the 95C in time for our NZ trip, so we’ll have to wait a bit to get them on snow. The biggest thing: neither the Theory or the 95C have metal, and they are lighter than the Kendo, with more sidecut. I think those elements will prove to be greater points of differentiation than their respective tail designs.
So I don’t expect these skis to feel terribly similar – I bet that the Monster 88 (referenced above) will feel more similar to the Kendo than the 95C. But till we get the 95C on snow, I shouldn’t say more than that.
I’ve ski’d Kendos for the past 4 years and love them. This review seems really representative of my own experiences. However, I’m due for a new set of ski’s this year and am looking for a recommendation or maybe a couple of alternatives to consider. I’m 6’5″, 250lbs, and I’d consider myself intermediate (Ski east coast mostly – gravitate towards tree’s and bumps, also enjoy fast groomers and big turns). Also, a couple trips out west per year, gravitate to bumps or trees.
I tried the bonafide’s last year and for some reason didn’t like them as much as Kendo’s despite incredible reviews for them? The bonafides seemed less responsive to me? Initiating turns on the Kendo is effortless, and it still holds a decent edge. However, I sometimes wish I had a ski that held an edge slightly better, but was still really forgiving in bumps. Is the Dynastar Powertrack my best option, or something else? Or, just stick with Kendo? Thanks for any help.
How wold you compare the new kendos to the new blizzard brahma? Thanks in advance.
Hi,
since many mountains have already started their season, have you had a chance to ski the 2016 Kendo in 184cm?? I was suprised by your review that the shorter Kendo (177cm) felt like the 184cm 2014/15 Kendo model. So, I am curious how the new 184cm Kendo feels like.
Thanx !Chris
I was wondering how well the Kendo works in tight trees?
I demo’d the kendo and absolutely loved it! Not sure my rental shop next week will have it so what ski is similar?
thanks
yves
Which binding mount location do you recommend for the Kendo?
Thanks!
“But man, these skis are very capable and fun when repeatedly throwing them out to the sides and hitting high edge angles in rapid succession.” Yes!
I have yet to find the right amount of detuning on the tips to ski hard agressive snow. But if the snow is just a tad on the soft side good fun.
Ok Ya’ll;
I loved my Kendo’s for 6+ years and had a hard time changing, but I took the plunge this year and bought a pair of Nordica Enforcers (100 waist).
These skis are awesome, and if you loved your Kendo’s, I can almost guarantee that you will love these more! Very responsive, not too light; hold an edge better than my Kendo’s ever did……Incredible ski’s. I wouldn’t go back at this point because these are a serious upgrade!
I demo’d A lot of ski’s to come to this conclusions!
I recently demoed a few pairs of 18-19 Volkls: The Kanjo, Kendo, and Mantra. I spend a lot of time skiing on moguls, and while demoing found that the stiffer flex of the Mantra and Kendo were pretty unforgiving through more rutted mogul terrain. The softer ride of the Kanjos were fantastic in the moguls, and I found them more responsive than the other pairs for carving in general. The narrow underfoot was the major downside of the Kanjos, as I am looking for a pair of all-mountain skis that will work well on powder days.
I am hoping to find a ski with a similar softness/playfulness to the Kanjos. I find your ‘Flex Pattern’ description really helpful to compare across skis, but unfortunately you don’t have a review for the Kanjos. Do you know how you would rate the Flex Pattern of tha Kanjos compared to say, the Kendos and the comparable Brahmas? (https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/ski-reviews/2018-2019-blizzard-brahma)