2017 Praxis Skis Info and Resource Thread

[SchralphMacchio]

Bobby those middle skis are GPO’s, not Concepts

[eskido]

Final Protest question. Flex 3 in a 192? I’ve never owned a ski line this so I’m a LL over. 3+ for the Goldilocks seems right but I hate bugging Keith on that stuff. My concept is a 4 but i Charger on that.
My question really should be is 3 on the protest enough crud busting once things get a bit tracked.
Thanks Team

If you're planning on doing any sidecountry/bc (other than weight, the Protest is the sex outside the ropes) I'd stick with the 187. Resort only, I'd go 192. I wouldn't tone down the flex on either ski. If you are plannin on doin some sc/bc on the 192 I can def see why you might want to tone it down just hair, but being that it will mostly be a resort setup I wouldn't go any softer than 3+ and would probably talk myself out of it and just stick with 4

[Muggydude]

3 to 3+ is a good flex for Protest imo especially if you're in between sizes and go longer. I like a little softer for float and flex. But I don't ever ski 2x4s like some people here. My first pair of Protests was a 4, second pair a 3. 3+ might have been a better choice. Relatively speaking the 3 isn't soft compared with other brands

[nickel]

I Feel like flex is tough to answer workout knowing weight and style.

[jmars]

Thanks all and agreed flex is the hardest part. In the end I’ll probably do the opposite and get a 187 flex 4.....after I continue to smash my head into the wall thinking about it.

Can’t wait to get a protest though

[steveski]

Keith, I’d love to host a demo day at one of the BBI events.
ON3P will be at 19BBI Alpental
imagine a side by side demo

Can't, too much awesome my head will explode.

[nickel]

I'm a big guy and went 192 flex 4+ on my protest. I'm very confident I won't regret it but time will tell. Use will be 90% touring.

[N1CK.]

I have 'og' Protests in 188 which Keith has said is more or less a 3 or 3+ flex by today's standards.
If I was to buy a new pair I'd want to replicate the old ski flex.

[adrenalated]

I have #4 flex Protests and never wished they were softer.

[N1CK.]

I have #4 flex Protests and never wished they were softer.

what size is your boot? I always wanted to compare old vs new Protests.

[Cars Suck]

Hey ya'll, trying to decide between 9D and 9D8, heavy core, veneer, 4 or 4+ flex. I'm 5'8, 168, 40 yo.

Jumped on some Rustler 10's last year for my low tide skis at Squaw and Alpine and loved them on soft groomers and light fresh, but really not digging them this year on the frozen over, icy bumps and chop. Haven't had an under 100 waist ski in years but am really missing the bite and directness of my Elan 888s and Blizzard Titan Eights from some years back.

This will be a hardpack only ski as I've got the Rustlers, GPOs, Q's (w/ Kingpins, but Shifts when out) and BGs for all my soft(ish) snow needs. But still want the ski to blast thru and over bumps, chop, and other refrozen crap so not looking for a pure frontside carver. Looking for something damp, stable and locked in for GS-SG turns.

Did some searching and saw some people compare 9Ds to Brahmas but haven't seen any deep reviews or comparisons. Can anyone with real time on either the 9D or 9D8 provide some input?

[adrenalated]

what size is your boot? I always wanted to compare old vs new Protests.

They're mounted with Ion LTs for 293mm, you're totally welcome to try them if your boot fits and you don't mind the tech binders.

[N1CK.]

They're mounted with Ion LTs for 293mm, you're totally welcome to try them if your boot fits and you don't mind the tech binders.

325 ... no can do. I guess I'll have to pony up if curiosity gets the better of me.

[adrenalated]

325 ... no can do. I guess I'll have to pony up if curiosity gets the better of me.

Cut your toes off, you'll be set!

[N1CK.]

Ha. I was thinking I just remove your Ion heels and go full tech-mark!

[JayPowHound]

Still debating core on the Q.. have the rest sorted.

Will be a 182, veneer (not bamboo) 3+ flex to be used as an in-bounds EC powder ski, ie a mix of open trails and steep tight trees.. searching for fresh turns but realistically skiing plenty of chop.

I'm 5'7, currently about 185.

Not sure heavy or enduro, thinking heavy for the chop busting ability and my growing gut and ass..

No carbon.

Thoughts?

[dschane]

Hey ya'll, trying to decide between 9D and 9D8, heavy core, veneer, 4 or 4+ flex. I'm 5'8, 168, 40 yo.

This will be a hardpack only ski as I've got the Rustlers, GPOs, Q's (w/ Kingpins, but Shifts when out) and BGs for all my soft(ish) snow needs. But still want the ski to blast thru and over bumps, chop, and other refrozen crap so not looking for a pure frontside carver. Looking for something damp, stable and locked in for GS-SG turns.

Did some searching and saw some people compare 9Ds to Brahmas but haven't seen any deep reviews or comparisons. Can anyone with real time on either the 9D or 9D8 provide some input?

Limited input after 2.5 days on 9Ds, heavy core with carbon, #4 flex, birch veneer: I think they'd be perfect for the conditions you describe, at least chop, bumps, and hardpack. They're quick to move around, comfortable at speeds, and carve well.

My only hesitation is the refrozen crap. Our refrozen crap usually involves breakable crusts and can be fairly miserable to ski. I'd rather have something fatter to deal with those conditions (when they're unavoidable).

[ego7man]

Made some big praxis moves today. I have a pair of 187 4 flex UL carbon MVPs that i loved but they were too light and I delaminated them in 10 days. Next, I tried a 187 veneer flex 4 heavy core with carbon gpo. These GPOs are fun and easy to ski but I have found that I am not a fan of the big taper spoon tip shapes compared to a more regular/straight sidecut.

The preorder deal and customization aspects of Praxis bring out the gear whore in all of us. Yesterday I got 189 flex 5 Skinny RXs no carbon, heavy core, Ash veneer. Today I caved and decided to rebuild my preferred MVP shape and I'll sell the GPO. For the new MVP I got 187 flex 4 enduro core, no carbon, Cherry veneer.

At 106 and 109 waists these skis are undeniably similar. I've skied a fair amount of deep powder on the mvp and gpo; in my opinion the mvp was preferable. Race 1/2 grind and the occasional diamond should warrant the RX up to shitty ice where you may as well just bring out race skis. Two ski inbounds quivers don't get better, plus I have 195 pows for the best days.

[eskido]

to be used as an in-bounds EC powder ski, ie a mix of open trails and steep tight trees.. searching for fresh turns but realistically skiing plenty of chop

Thoughts?

Pretty sure I'd go MAP, the veneer/paulownia combo gives you a nice rebound without giving up much in dampness while still remaining quite light. That's what I like in my pow skis anyway, if I went heavy on a pow ski I'd add carbon for sure. Skied several map cores and they're really really good, they have a very solid damp feeling for how light and poppy they are, I think it's that you have a solid wood core doing everything that lots of folks add extras in to do that keep it damper than skis with carbon.

[ego7man]

Still debating core on the Q.. have the rest sorted.

Will be a 182, veneer (not bamboo) 3+ flex to be used as an in-bounds EC powder ski, ie a mix of open trails and steep tight trees.. searching for fresh turns but realistically skiing plenty of chop.

I'm 5'7, currently about 185.

Not sure heavy or enduro, thinking heavy for the chop busting ability and my growing gut and ass..

No carbon.

Thoughts?

183 MVP. Asym ski for EC seems like a mistake but who knows

[dschane]

Pretty sure I'd go MAP, the veneer/paulownia combo gives you a nice rebound without giving up much in dampness while still remaining quite light. That's what I like in my pow skis anyway, if I went heavy on a pow ski I'd add carbon for sure. Skied several map cores and they're really really good, they have a very solid damp feeling for how light and poppy they are, I think it's that you have a solid wood core doing everything that lots of folks add extras in to do that keep it damper than skis with carbon.

I agree. (Keith seems to have switched from paulownia to aspen for the enduro core, but that's neither here nor there).

[JayPowHound]

183 MVP. Asym ski for EC seems like a mistake but who knows

I dont..

But I will!

[SchralphMacchio]

182, veneer (not bamboo) 3+ flex to be used as an in-bounds EC powder ski, ie a mix of open trails and steep tight trees.. searching for fresh turns but realistically skiing plenty of chop.

I'm 5'7, currently about 185.

Hey JPH, this is a bit of goldilocks comment, but if you are custom building then goldilocks away right?

I'm on a Flex 3 Enduro-Veneer 182 GPO and I'm 5'8" 135 lbs. After 4 days of breaking in the ski in a resort, Flex 3 feels pretty good for my weight.

My first thought is 3+ might be a bit soft for your weight, might want to consult with other EC Praxis owners in your weight class. Seems 4 is more along the lines of what most people your weight are doing with a mid-size length resort ski.

From my experience, at a lighter skier weight and not trying to be first person to the bottom of every run, Enduro core + veneer topsheet swallows chop. I have no personal need for Heavy core so I won't comment on whether it could be useful to you ... just sharing my own experience.

[JayPowHound]

Hmm.. thanks schralph. My 9d8s are a 3+, but I was 10-15# lighter when I bought them and they definitely have a speed limit on firm groomed.

Maybe 4 is the way to go. Custom presale is all about the goldilocks strive for perfection!!

[Muggydude]

On a shorter ski flex 4 would make sense I'd say. Easier to leverage the tips