Kästle FX86 review 2020
PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments
The little brother of the FX95, the Kästle FX86 is not an HP (High Performance) version, but it is light and easy to use. In fact, it is one of the lightest skis in this category, weighing in at 1.7 kg in the test size, according to Kastle.
The FX86 is a smooth, versatile, soft, and easy ski that performs well as long as you don’t go too fast. Its softness allows it to flex and carve with little effort. It is an enjoyable ski: light underfoot and calm. On soft snow, it is sheer bliss.
On the other hand, the soft tip hinders turn initiation, which is less precise than with the competitors’ skis. At high speed, the ski is not so great, and turn quality is less precise.
Off-piste, overall performance is good, but slightly mediocre in crud because the flexibility of the ski makes it difficult to charge through the chunks of snow.
We recommend the Kästle FX86 to intermediate to advanced skiers. They will appreciate the smoothness and ease of the ski on groomers and its abilities in powder when the conditions are right. More freeride-oriented skiers and/or skiers looking for more performance can read the FX96 HP review in the All-Mountain Back category. It is wider but also performs better due to the carbon reinforcement.
Review: Pros
- Frontside performance, fun up to moderate speeds
- Easy and soft
- Floats in powder
- Requires little physical effort, comfortable
- Very enjoyable on soft snow
- Light
Review: Cons
- Fairly soft ski, especially in the tip
- Lacks responsiveness at the beginning of the turn
- Mediocre performance 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 |
| Any ground comfort | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 13.6 |
Who's it for?
Manufacturer's remarks
The FX86 is a true all-rounder. The 3D shape, triple wood core and carbon-fiberglass wrapped core of the lightweight TRI-Technology, results in maximum transfer of power, stability, and perfect float. Combined with Hollowtech 3.0 technology, this ski raises the bar in terms of minimized weight and maximized downhill performance.
Features of the FX86
| Brand : | Kästle |
| Model : | FX86 |
| Year : | 2020 |
| Family : | All-Mountain front |
| 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