The pop-lite core and spin tip shows the breeding Armada bring to the park ski world, but the ARW 86 is no one trick pony. We found the ski more than capable on the piste and particularly fun in the off-piste.
The graphics on the ARW 86 are destined to make an immediate impression. Whilst many ski girls dislike the 'pink it and shrink it' tactic that seems to be used on a wide variety of women's specific outdoor gear, the graphics on the ARW 86 have an almost Renaissance-inspired pattern for girls which will make you want to take back ownership of flowery designs with pride.
As you would expect from a female-specific ski, it's definitely light underfoot and this is where the pop-lite core comes into play. The combination of lighter woods with a stiffer, higher density wood in a laminate construction gives the ARW 86 its liveliness and power for tricks and maximises the ski's potential in the park.
The lightweight material in the tip and tail reduces the swing weight for those rotational spins, whilst the specifically treated impact edges and S7 base deliver durability.
On the mountain the pop-lite core makes the ski playful in the off-piste with the added advantage of the rocker helping the ski to stay on top and cruise over the crud. It feels stable underfoot and performs well compared to others in terms of edge hold on the piste. Aggressive skiers will need something a little less soft when powering through the turn but for the majority of playful, female skiers, the ARW 86 offers a super fun ride.
At £340 without bindings the ARW 86 is fantastic value for money. With oodles of fun to be had, good durability and shed loads of style, the ARW 86 will be a solid choice for a progressing park skier.
