Dilema: Soft Bros or Explosivs

I want to get a new pair of skis for this year and have narrowed it down to some Explosivs (maybe last years Mantras) and Bros. I was able to ski a buddies Explosivs last year and loved them. They felt like the perfect ski to me and made me a better skier. They could totally be my one quiver ski. I have not had the chance to test out the Bros, so I don't have any way of comparing the two. Right now I have the Volkl Vertigo for my sticks and either want to upgrade them to a one quiver ski, or get something that will complement them. I ski in Utah/Colo about 10-15 days a year and here in the midwest for another 20-30 days. But these new skis will be for the times I get to the good stuff in the West. I am leaning towards the 179 Bros in a soft, just so I would have the ability to hit the pow when I get some. But I am wondering how the soft will be compared to the G4. I am just under 6' and weigh 170-175, so ideally I want to keep my ski in the upper 170s to the low 180s. So am I right with wanting to go with the Bro?

Based on what your preferences are and what you seem to like, you actually might want to consider the 179 stiff Bro.

The 188 Bro is about the same length as the 190 Explosiv, if that helps any.

A lot of this will come down to personal preference. See if you can get on some Bro Models before making your choice.

You might want the 188 soft Bro as a soft-snow ski, and keep the Vertigo (which one?) for hardpack days. Generally (and I mean very generally) a softer flexing ski is easier to ski in softer snow, in comparison to a stiffer flexing ski.

I had 188 stiff Bros and had 190 Explosivs at the same time. Neither was my powder ski. The Bro is a lot lighter weight, if that matters to you.

monkeybones monkeybones is offline
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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

The 188 Bro is about the same length as the 190 Explosiv, if that helps any.

A lot of this will come down to personal preference. See if you can get on some Bro Models before making your choice.

You might want the 188 soft Bro as a soft-snow ski, and keep the Vertigo (which one?) for hardpack days. Generally (and I mean very generally) a softer flexing ski is easier to ski in softer snow, in comparison to a stiffer flexing ski.

I had 188 stiff Bros and had 190 Explosivs at the same time. Neither was my powder ski. The Bro is a lot lighter weight, if that matters to you.

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Thanks for the help Chupacabra. I wish that I could test out the Bros before getting the new skis, but chances are that I won't be able to. If I go with the Bros, I will most likely be buying them blind without a test ride. To answer your question, I have a 178 G4 for my hardback days.

Would anyone happen to know the flex comparison between a 180 Explosiv and a 178 stiff Bro? I assume the soft 178 will be softer than the Explosiv?

Go with the 188 softs, mb. They're powder/soft/crud dreamboats. I started with the supers, then the stiffs til I broke them, and then all we had left were the softs. And I fell in love with them. The speed and edge limit is quite acceptable for all but damn hard icy conditions and 65 mph+, I think.

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Originally Posted by splat

Go with the 188 softs, mb. They're powder/soft/crud dreamboats. I started with the supers, then the stiffs til I broke them, and then all we had left were the softs. And I fell in love with them. The speed and edge limit is quite acceptable for all but damn hard icy conditions and 65 mph+, I think.

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I am a little worried that the 188 will be to much of a ski for me. Does the 188 ski like a shorter ski?

I echo splat's sentiments. I ride 180 exploders every day on the EC (which may soon change to the shiny Bro 179's....), and I love my 188 softs for the deep days. They ride like a caddy, turn whenever you want, and have a supple feel I have yet to find in another ski. Oh, and they're light too, so unlike explosives you won't have to do heavy lifting when you have to do some quick turns. I'm 5'10" and 165, and I have no problems with them. Especially reading that you already have a hardpack ski, I think you'll love these. The explosivs are great, but they really aren't that much of a floater, just good for charging. The Bro's do both, and you'll love the way you can surf around on them in pow.

Oh, and they do ski easy, due to their light weight. You still have to ski them, but they aren't nearly as hardcore as you think.

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Originally Posted by schuss

I echo splat's sentiments. I ride 180 exploders every day on the EC (which may soon change to the shiny Bro 179's....), and I love my 188 softs for the deep days. They ride like a caddy, turn whenever you want, and have a supple feel I have yet to find in another ski. Oh, and they're light too, so unlike explosives you won't have to do heavy lifting when you have to do some quick turns. I'm 5'10" and 165, and I have no problems with them. Especially reading that you already have a hardpack ski, I think you'll love these. The explosivs are great, but they really aren't that much of a floater, just good for charging. The Bro's do both, and you'll love the way you can surf around on them in pow.

Oh, and they do ski easy, due to their light weight. You still have to ski them, but they aren't nearly as hardcore as you think.

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Schuss since you have the 188 softs, have you had a chance to ride the 179s and make a comparison? Would I notice a huge difference between the 188s and 179s. As far as my skiing preference, I like challenging terrain, but I am not a charger/hucker like a lot of the guys here. I just love chillin and enjoying the pow.

They are ultra chillin for the pow, mb, ski like a 182-183 or so, but at speed they ski much longer.

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Originally Posted by splat

They are ultra chillin for the pow, mb, ski like a 182-183 or so, but at speed they ski much longer.

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So what does the 179 ski like?

179 - soft=soft, stiff=stiff.
The reason I recommended 188s was to give you that much more float, given your height and weight. I think I'll be skiing the 192s quite a bit this season myself. They're kinda stiff, but omg do they rail! ;)

What splat said, the 188 softs are easy to ski in powder and they fly down the groomers.

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Originally Posted by monkeybones

Schuss since you have the 188 softs, have you had a chance to ride the 179s and make a comparison? Would I notice a huge difference between the 188s and 179s. As far as my skiing preference, I like challenging terrain, but I am not a charger/hucker like a lot of the guys here. I just love chillin and enjoying the pow.

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Yes. 179's like to turn a little bit more and definitely are built for charging the tight stuff. You can still open them up, but you can't just sit back and surf on them in the wide open stuff like you can with the 188's. If you like chutes and trees, 179's the ticket, otherwise rock the 188. I'm much like you, as god has made it clear that I wasn't meant to fly, and there's nothing I like more than my 188's on a pow day.

As a comparison I have the 188 soft bro and the 184 Mantra. both 05/06
180 lbs and 6'1" aggresive skier.
I like them both. The mantra can be skied with less effort. Just turn them over and they will rail. The Bro takes a little more strength for shorter turns. As for speed and crud the Bro wins. The Mantra will go fast, but the bro faster. The Bro will also keep you from getting in the back seat. It doesn't like it too much. All in all I am not selling either one. They are both fun and I don't feel the Bro skis too long. ( I went from 183 and 184 size skis to them without any problem.
I have not skied the 179's. Go Luck. As for testing them out. PM splat, or tell them where you ski they might have someone in the area that has a pair. Never know they might let you try them out.

Hey monkeybones, I have a pair of 188 softs you can try if you are ever in WI. this winter.