In addition to the appropriate clothing and avalanche equipment, the right touring skis are particularly important for a successful ski tour. Those who prefer touring far away from ski resorts and crowds will find reliable companions for extended ski tours and safe off-piste descents among the models in the Men 2 touring category.
Touring skis for the backcountry
With their waists of 88 to 95 millimeters, touring skis in the category Men 2 are ideal for backcountry tours off-piste. The models are light enough for long ascents, but still stable. Thus, they allow safe descents in untracked deep snow slopes as well as in different snow conditions. They also offer great power transmission. The touring models were tested at this year's WorldSkitest on the Mölltal Glacier in Carinthia.
Target group: All mountain freaks and freeriders among ski tourers
Those who tend to focus on particularly easy ascents when it comes to touring skis and also like to travel within ski areas from time to time will find narrower models in the category Touring Skis Men 1 (80 - 88mm).
For a trip into the backcountry, however, not only the right touring skis are necessary, but also the avalanche safety gear. Without an avalanche transceiver, avalanche backpack, shovel and probe, you should never set off into open terrain. You should also inform yourself in advance about the current snow and weather conditions as well as the avalanche situation.
Test winner: Völkl Rise Above 88
This year's winner in the category Touring Skis Men 2 is the Völkl Rise Above 88. As in the Men 1 category, Völkl convinced the testers across the board, scoring a total of 48.5 points and thus the test grade "very good" with top ratings for all test criteria. The versatile touring ski leaves an excellent overall impression without any notable weaknesses.
| Handling, skins | 8.3 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Long turns | 8.3 / 10 |
| Short turns | 7.8 / 10 |
| Running smoothness | 8.0 / 10 |
| Physical effort | 7.8 / 10 |
| Overall impression | 8.3 / 10 |
| Total | 48.5 / 60 |
Place 2: Atomic Backland 95
Second place went to the Atomic Backland 95 with a very good score of 47.2 points. The Backland was particularly convincing with the easy handling of the skins. In this area, only one other tested model could keep up with Atomic's top score.
| Handling, skins | 9.0 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Long turns | 7.7 / 10 |
| Short turns | 7.7 / 10 |
| Running smoothness | 7.7 / 10 |
| Physical effort | 7.1 / 10 |
| Overall impression | 8.0 / 10 |
| Total | 47.2 / 60 |
>> Here you can find more details about the Atomic Backland 95
3rd place: Salomon MTN Explore 95
With 47.0 points, the Salomon MTN Explore 95 is also on the podium, just behind second place. Its strengths lie in particular in long turns, smooth running and the easy handling of the skins. For its modern yet simple design, the MTN Explore 95 also gets the silver medal in SnowStyle.
| Handling, skins | 8.2 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Long turns | 8.0 / 10 |
| Short turns | 7.5 / 10 |
| Running smoothness | 8.0 / 10 |
| Physical effort | 7.5 / 10 |
| Overall impression | 7.8 / 10 |
| Total | 47.0 / 60 |
All test results for the Men's Touring Models 2
| Rank | Ski | Rating | Price (RRP*) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Völkl Rise Above 88 | 48.5 / 60 | 600,00 € |
| 2 | Atomic Backland 95 | 47.2 / 60 | 549,95 € |
| 3 | Salomon MTN Explore 95 | 47.0 / 60 SnowStyle Silver | 599,99 € |
| 4 | Dynastar M Vertical 88 | 44.8 / 60 SnowStyle Gold | 700,00 € |
| 4 | Kästle TX 93 | 44.8 / 60 | 749,99 € |
| 6 | Stöckli Edge FT | 41.0 / 60 | 979,00 € |
| 7 | Fischer Transalp 90 Carbon | 36.7 / 60 | 649,99 € |
| 8 | Blizzard Zero G 095 | 36.6 / 60 | 700,00 € |
*RRP without skins and binding
>> Detailed skitest results can be found at the linked ski model
>> Review: The results of the ski test 2019/2020
(Due to Corona unfortunately no ski test could take place for the season 2020/2021)
You want to know how the ski models are tested at the WorldSkitest?
>> To the video
>> To the photo gallery
