Völkl M5 Mantra review 2019

PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments

The new (5th) generation Mantra from Völkl has been entirely redesigned. The structure has changed with the inclusion of a Titanal frame all round the ski instead of the traditional plates inserted in the core.

Given the large number of questions we get about this, we'd like to remind you that Titanal is the trade name given to an aluminium based alloy with excellent mechanical properties. It has nothing to do with titanium, which is in fact completely absent from its composition.

The size of the waist has been drastically reduced, losing 4 cm (from 100 mm to 96 mm) and making turn radius more reasonable.

The ski is easier to handle but has still kept most of its character. Our reviewers noted the ski's potential both on and off piste.

The use of Titanal around the skis contour does not affect its rigidity and the M5 remains a stiff ski. Its grip and stability are impressive, and the reviewers particularly liked the fact that the ski was "hooked once in the turn." Despite its relative shortness (177 cm), the ski's grip and stability "make you want to go fast".

Its off-piste behaviour is good and it's especially comfortable in the crud.

However, it does need a certain amount of physical engagement and technical skill, and is not particularly forgiving.

The new M5 from Mantra has inherited many of its predecessors' qualities. We found the ski easier to handle but not necessarily more supportive than previous versions. We recommend this ski for good to expert riders looking for a high-performance tool that's as happy on the piste as in freeride.

Review: Pros

• A fast and high-performing ski
• Stable at high speed
• Good grip
• Holds well in turns
• Passage in the crud
• Enjoys short turns

Review: Cons

• Far more agile than its predecessors, the Mantra M5 remains a technically and physically demanding ski, which needs time to adapt to.

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Manufacturer's remarks

Since 2005, when the Mantra first appeared on the market, this All mountain Freeride ski designed for performance quickly acquired a huge degree of popularity worldwide. Now launching the fifth generation of Mantra - the M5 Mantra –, Völkl has opened up a new chapter for this legendary ski and a surefire success for 2018/2019.
Thanks to the Titanal Frame technology and its more complex manufacturing process, the Titanal is concentrated exactly where the ski benefits the most: there's 0.6mm of Titanal along the straight sidewalls and the whole of the tip and tail. Under the binding, a second, thinner Titanal plate makes the ski stiff enough to hold the binding screws with the endurance of a metal ski, making it extremely resistant. This plate is 0.3mm thick and results in a waist with more flex. There's a layer of carbon in the tip that increases stiffness in torsion without adding any extra weight. The Mantra M5 has also been redesigned with a camber under the waist, and a rocker in the tip and tail for more pop and rebound in turns.

Features of the M5 Mantra

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Reviewed by PROSKILAB™