Last tested
2023
Status:ongoing
2024

Backland 78 UL

A classic of lightweight touring, for big climbs and fitness and for competitive skiers looking for just a bit of a change
In brief
Suitable for
racers looking for a change
Not suitable for
lightweight skiers looking for a bit more waist width
Also suitable for
big verticals
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  • In words
  • Technical specifications

In words

Intro
The ULs are the Atomic's lightest skis and include the two race models with waist widths of 62 and 65 mm. This 78 is the next step up, an all-time classic for fast 'n light skiers, especially racers who want a slightly wider ski for the occasional outing away from the race track. It also shares the same construction of its big brother, the 85. In our view, over the years this ski has been a bit caught in the middle: competitive skiers will likely stick with the race ski, while the 85 is the more modern width.
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Technical specifications

Recommended level
Advanced, High level
Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
carob wood, poplar, carbon fiber, glass fiber
Base
sintered UHMWPE
Length
163 cm
Tip width
111 cm
Tail width
100 cm
Waist width
79 cm
Individual weight
850 g
Sidecut radius
15.5 m
Available sizes
149, 156, 163, 170, 177
Released in
2022
Made in
Austria
Price
749.99 €
Top stories
Thoughts
Necessity

Editorial

Thoughts
At the heart of every ski (duplicate)

Editorial

Location
Test Center Pontedilegno Tonale

Our freeride base camp 

Location
Base Camp Race

Sertorelli Sport Hotel

Location
Test Center Cervino Ski Paradise

To test the equipment and skins for the Race category, we based ourselves in Breuil-Cervinia

Location
Test Center Livigno

For the second year in a row, we headed to Livigno, aka Little Tibet.

Race
Intro
Race: boots

Innovation at the lower end of the market

Instruction
Boots under the microscope

We tested flex, walkability and liner warmth in the Light, Tour and Free unisex models

Intro
Made for women: skis and boots

Strong women

Free
Intro
Free: boots

A new era

Recommended pairing
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Atomic
Backland Carbon UL
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.021 g
Top match
tested 2024
Boots
Race
Dynafit
Mezzalama
Buckles: 2
Weight: 875 g
Top match
Smart Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Dynafit
TLT X Extra Wide
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.030 g
Boot of the year Light 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Fischer
Travers Carbon Pro
Buckles: 1
Weight: 1.070 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Dynafit
Blacklight
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.140 g
tested 2024
Boots
Light
Fischer
Travers CS
Buckles: 2
Weight: 980 g
preview 2024
Boots
Light
Atomic
Backland Pro SL
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.121 g
preview 2024
Boots
Light
Dalbello
Quantum Free
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.270 g
tested 2024
Boots
Light
Salomon
MTN Summit Sport
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.250 g
preview 2024
Boots
Light
Made for women
Salomon
MTN Summit Pure W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.120 g
preview 2024
Boots
Light
Dynafit
TLT X PU
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.140 g
preview 2024
Boots
Light
Dynafit
Speed
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.050 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Atomic
Backland Ultimate
Buckles: 2
Weight: 788 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
La Sportiva
Solar II
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.185 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Scarpa
F1 SE
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.380 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Atomic
Backland Pro
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.170 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Made for women
Atomic
Backland Pro UL W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 929 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Made for women
La Sportiva
Stellar II
Buckles: 1
Weight: 1.075 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Made for women
Salomon
MTN Summit Pro W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.020 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
La Sportiva
Skorpius CR II
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.190 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Dynafit
Blacklight
Buckles: 2
Weight: 990 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Dynafit
TLT X
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.030 g
Recommended setup
preview 2025
Bindings
Light
Dynafit
Mezzalama+
Type: full pin
Weight: 165 g
Top match
preview 2025
Bindings
Race
Grizzly
GR 98 II
Type: full pin
Weight: 98 g
Top match
Tour Binding of the Year
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
ATK Bindings
RT 11 Evo
Type: full pin
Weight: 325 g
Light Binding of the Year
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
ATK Bindings
Timepacer 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 250 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Tour
Ski Trab
Titan Vario.2 + Stopper 7-9
Type: full pin
Weight: 309 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
ATK Bindings
Haute Route 10 Plus
Type: full pin
Weight: 220 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Plum
Oazo 8
Type: full pin
Weight: 205 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
ATK Bindings
Trofeo Plus
Type: full pin
Weight: 170 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Dynafit
Superlite 150
Type: full pin
Weight: 150 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Grizzly
GR Olympic Long
Type: full pin
Weight: 192 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Dynafit
Mezzalama
Type: full pin
Weight: 125 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Light
Tour
Plum
Pika Stopper
Type: full pin
Weight: 265 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Light
Plum
R170
Type: full pin
Weight: 170 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Light
Dynafit
Superlite 150 +
Type: full pin
Weight: 294 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Race
Light
Kreuzspitze
RS
Type: full pin
Weight: 169 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Light
Kreuzspitze
GT 2.0
Type: full pin
Weight: 223 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Light
Grizzly
GR Olympic Tour
Type: full pin
Weight: 148 g
preview 2024
Bindings
Light
Grizzly
Olympic II
Type: full pin
Weight: 120 g
tested 2024
Bindings
Light
Tour
Plum
Pika
Type: full pin
Weight: 265 g
preview 2024
Bindings
Light
ATK Bindings
Trofeo 6 Plus
Type: full pin
Weight: 204 g
tested 2024
Bindings
Light
ATK Bindings
RT 10 Evo
Type: full pin
Weight: 280 g
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tested 2026
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Made for women
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Light Ski of the Year Lady
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Skis
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Made for women
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Blizzard
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Skis
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Pro's Choice Light 2026
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Ski of the year Light 2026
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M-Vertical 88
Width Center: 88 mm
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Light
Made for women
Elan
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Width Center: 88 mm
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Skis
Light
K2
Wayback 89
Width Center: 89 mm
Weight: 1.275 g
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Dynafit
Blacklight Pro
Width Center: 80 mm
Weight: 960 g
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Skis
Light
Made for women
Atomic
Backland 88 W
Width Center: 89 mm
Weight: 1.200 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Majesty
Superscout Carbon
Width Center: 85 mm
Weight: 1.270 g