Kästle FX86 review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The little brother of the FX95, but not benefiting from the "HP" (High Performance) version, the FX86 from Kästle plays the card of lightness and ease. It is indeed one of the lightest models of this category, with 1.7 kg per ski, according to Kästle, in the size reviewed.
The FX86 is a homogeneous, versatile, gentle, easy, efficient ski as long as you don't go too fast. Its flexibility allows it to deform and carve with a minimum of commitment. Light underfoot, docile, it is a pleasant ski. On soft snow, it's pure happiness.
On the other hand, the flexibility of the nose penalises entry into curves somewhat, which is less incisive than with some competitors. At high speeds, the ski loses some of its beauty and the handling becomes less precise.
Off-piste general behaviour is good, with a slight letdown in choppy snow where the flexibility of the ski penalises moving through lumps of snow.
We recommend the FX86 from Kästle to skiers of intermediate to very good levels. They will appreciate the regularity and comfort of the ski on the piste and its abilities in powder snow when the conditions are right. Skiers more focused on freeriding and/or looking for more performance will be able to read the review of the FX96 HP, which is wider but also more powerful thanks to its carbon reinforcement, in the "All-Mountain 50/50" category.
Review: Pros
- On-piste behaviour, pleasant up to intermediate speeds
- Easy and gentle ski
- Buoyancy in powder
- Demands little physical commitment, comfortable
- Very pleasant skiing on soft snow
- Light ski
Review: Cons
- Rather flexible ski, especially in the nose
- Lack of reactivity entering curves
- Poor behaviour at high speed
The ski review scores
| Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
| Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.0 |
| Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.3 |
| Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.5 |
| Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.3 |
| Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.2 |
| Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.2 |
| Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.2 |
| Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.7 |
| Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 14.0 |
| Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.6 |
| Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
| Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 12.0 |
| All-terrain comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.6 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The FX86 skis are truly multi-talented. The lightweight TRI-Technology concept, thanks to its 3D shape, ensures a wooden core and a coiled fibre-optic core, maximum transmission of force, stability and perfect buoyancy. With Hollowtech 3.0 technology, these skis set new standards for weight and downhill performance.
Features of the FX86
| Brand : | Kästle |
| Model : | FX86 |
| Year : | 2020 |
| Family : | All-Mountain |
| Size tested : | 177 cm |
| Tip size : | 123 mm |
| Waist size : | 86 mm |
| Tail size : | 114 mm |
| Radius for the size reviewed : | 15 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2019