Last tested
2023
Status:ongoing
2024

Backland 86 SL

The narrowest of the SL series, it feels a lot like the 89 SL but is a bit less versatile
In brief
Suitable for
demanding skiers
Not suitable for
very wide turns at speed (it can do them, but they're not its specialty)
Also suitable for
technical improvement
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  • In words
  • Technical specifications

In words

Intro
In modern lightweight skiing, three millimeters can make all the difference. This new version, which has been made more sustainable, only confirms the excellent impression we were left with last season. But on the whole, we find the 89 SL to be more versatile. It's also better at handling more open turns and floats a bit more. It's a matter of preference and… more options are better. Good handling, versatile, responsive but not twitchy, and easy entering turns, this ski can do it all, even the odd gorge, and is stable on hard terrain. Like the entire SL line, it's for skiers who've already developed a bit of technique.
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Technical specifications

Recommended level
Advanced, High level
Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
poplar, carob wood, Carbon Backbone, glass fiber
Base
sintered UHMWPE
Length
172 cm
Tip width
120 cm
Tail width
108 cm
Waist width
85.5 cm
Individual weight
1150 g
Sidecut radius
16.2 m
Available sizes
157, 165, 172, 179
Released in
2023
Made in
Austria
Price
649.99 €
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
Boot 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
Smart Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Dynafit
TLT X Extra Wide
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.030 g
Light Boot of the Year Lady
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Made for women
Scarpa
F1 GT WMN
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.075 g
People's Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Light
La Sportiva
Kilo
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.000 g
Pro's Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Scarpa
F1 XT
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.145 g
Boot of the year Light 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Fischer
Travers Carbon Pro
Buckles: 1
Weight: 1.070 g
preview 2024
Boots
Light
Roxa
RX Tour
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.190 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Made for women
Tecnica
Zero G Peak W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 900 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Tecnica
Zero G Peak Carbon
Buckles: 2
Weight: 990 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Scarpa
F1 LT
Buckles: 2
Weight: 990 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Scarpa
F1 GT
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.165 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Dynafit
Blacklight
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.140 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Dalbello
Quantum Evo
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.050 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Roxa
RX
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.290 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Made for women
La Sportiva
Kilo Woman
Buckles: 2
Weight: 915 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Made for women
Atomic
Backland Pro W
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.050 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Atomic
Backland Carbon
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.162 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Salomon
S/Lab MTN Summit
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.050 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Salomon
MTN Summit Pro
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.150 g
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Atomic
Backland Carbon UL
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.021 g
tested 2025
Boots
Light
Roxa
RX Scout
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.290 g
Recommended setup
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
Dynafit
Mezzalama+
Type: full pin
Weight: 165 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
Similar products
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Dynafit
Blacklight 88
Width Center: 88 mm
Weight: 1.130 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Atomic
Backland 85
Width Center: 86 mm
Weight: 1.250 g
Smart Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Ski Trab
Stelvio Life 85
Width Center: 85 mm
Weight: 1.230 g
Light Ski of the Year Lady
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Made for women
Dynastar
M-Tour W 85
Width Center: 84 mm
Weight: 1.150 g
People's Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Zag
Ubac 89
Width Center: 89 mm
Weight: 1.300 g
Pro's Choice Light 2026
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Salomon
MTN 86 Carbon
Width Center: 86 mm
Weight: 1.260 g
Ski of the year Light 2026
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Dynastar
M-Vertical 88
Width Center: 88 mm
Weight: 1.180 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Made for women
Elan
Rispstick Tour 88 W
Width Center: 88 mm
Weight: 1.160 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Made for women
Blizzard
Zero G 88 W
Width Center: 88 mm
Weight: 1.110 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Fischer
Transalp 86 CTI
Width Center: 86 mm
Weight: 1.190 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Elan
Ripstick Tour 88
Width Center: 88 mm
Weight: 1.270 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
K2
Wayback 89
Width Center: 89 mm
Weight: 1.275 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Dynafit
Blacklight Pro
Width Center: 80 mm
Weight: 960 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Augment
Tour Carbon
Width Center: 82 mm
Weight: 1.280 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Made for women
Ski Trab
Stelvio Life 85 WMN
Width Center: 87 mm
Weight: 1.180 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Made for women
Atomic
Backland 88 W
Width Center: 89 mm
Weight: 1.200 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Ski Trab
Mistico.2
Width Center: 90 mm
Weight: 1.110 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Scott
Explorair 88
Width Center: 88 mm
Weight: 1.440 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Majesty
Superscout Carbon
Width Center: 85 mm
Weight: 1.270 g
tested 2026
Skis
Light
Faction
La Machine 1 Micro
Width Center: 91 mm
Weight: 1.290 g