AWARD
Kästle FX96 HP review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The FX96 HP (for "High Performance", indicating the presence of carbon reinforcement this season) is a new ski from Kästle, replacing the FX95 HP.
It is a very versatile ski, perfectly comfortable in this All-Mountain 50/50 programme. On the piste, it is comfortable in all types of handling, carves well and is quite agile.
The reviewers especially liked the gentle way it worked. The reactions are sound and progressive and the FX96 HP perfectly flattens the rough edges of the terrain. It is a "true cruiser" capable of gulping down descents without tiring.
The ski is very calm and stable up to a certain speed. Beyond that, the supports become less solid and the ski tends to drift.
Off-piste, the ski goes everywhere easily and always behaves very gently. Transitioning to choppy snow does not pose any problem for it and its buoyancy is great in deep snow.
The FX96 HP is an excellent All-Mountain ski, at ease on all terrains, very nice and comfortable, and fun to ride. We recommend it to good to very good skiers. Experienced freeriders and skiers who want to go very fast can turn to a more rigid ski.
Review: Pros
- Piste behaviour, all types of handling
- Playful behaviour
- Stable ski, with gentle and reassuring behaviour
- Generally pleasing to use
- Transition to choppy snow, good buoyancy in powder
Review: Cons
- The ski is limited at high speed and in committed handling: the supports become less solid and the ski tends to give way in curves
The ski review scores
| Turn initiation | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Stability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
| Stability/turning performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Grip | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
| Short turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
| Long turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Skid turn performance | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Handleability | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 17.6 |
| Comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Snow contact | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.2 |
| Soft snow fluidity | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.8 |
| Freeride - Flotation quality | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.4 |
| Handling in powder | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 16.0 |
| Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.2 |
| Freeride - Performance on hard snow | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.8 |
| All-terrain comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 15.0 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The FX96 HP skis love off-piste detours and, in combination with the FREETOUR 12 2.0 binding, are also designed as freetouring skis.
The lightweight TRI-Technology concept, thanks to its 3D shape, wooden core and coiled fibre-optic core, ensures maximum transmission of force, stability and perfect buoyancy. With Hollowtech 3.0 technology, these skis set new standards for weight and performance when going downhill.
The FX96 HP ski model appeals to connoisseurs with its high performance (HP), whether on difficult terrain or during wide on-piste turns. They're skis that face up in all situations!
Features of the FX96 HP
| Brand : | Kästle |
| Model : | FX96 HP |
| Year : | 2020 |
| Family : | All-mountain/Freeride |
| Size tested : | 180 cm |
| Tip size : | 133 mm |
| Waist size : | 96 mm |
| Tail size : | 119 mm |
| Radius for the size reviewed : | 18 m |
Your review
Reviewed by PROSKILAB™
in La Clusaz, France, March 2019