A versatile ski for old-school skimo and haute route, it's light for the ascent and fun on the descent
- Buyer’s Guide reviews
- In words
- Technical specifications
Buyer’s Guide reviews
The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
In words
Intro
The Backland SL series is one of those products that's been a permanent fixture in our Buyer's Guide for many years. Last year we tested the 3 mm wider sibling and the sensations were superb. No wonder we couldn't resist test-driving the 86 too. As with the other SLs, the use of glass fiber layers rather than the carbon used in the UL models makes this ski smoother and more fun to ski. The ski does include some carbon, but only in the form of full-length stringers to stabilize its structure.
On the snow
No need to study or overthink these skis; they feel intuitive and easy to ski right from the first turn. Turn initiation is superbly soft and intuitive. Which isn't to say this ski lacks character, far from it! It's extremely responsive and reactive on all terrain types, with agility being its standout feature. It offers good edge hold and delivers agile skiing allowing rapid direction changes. It's a ski that really shines when linking tight turns but also performs well when swinging medium-arc carves. On high-speed large-arc turns it tends to lose the outside edge a little so not optimal when skied at full throttle. The glass fiber ensures it performs well in wet snow and on challenging terrain. Produced by Atomic, the 86 SL also features their HRZN 3D tip to improve float and reduce weight. So light on the skin track you barely notice them on your feet. A faithful companion for long missions and significant vertical.
Lab
Base almost flat. Difference between the two skis completely removed after 6 passes through the tuning machine. Only sanded and waxed. Decent edges 1.6 x 1.5 mm at 89°, base edge 1.2°. Very rough and irregular edge finishing. Edge detuned at tail. Tuning required.
Technical specifications
Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
ultralight wood, Carbon Backbone, glass fiber, Dura Cap Sidewall
Base
sintered UHMWPE
Available sizes
149, 157, 165
Released in
2023
Made in
Austria
Price
659.99 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 165 to get all the details
165 cm
Length
XXXXX
118,8 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
106,5 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
85 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.040 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
15 m
Sidecut radius
XXXXX
N/A
Load-bearing surface
XXXXX
N/A
Tip torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Center torsion
XXXXX
N/A
Tail torsion
XXXXX
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