Last tested
2023
Status:ongoing
2024

Kendo 88

An all-rounder for expert skiers, it's great for carving up the groomers in the morning, followed by brief climbs in the sun-softened snow of the afternoon
In brief
Suitable for
demanding skiers
Not suitable for
powder
Also suitable for
hard, steep terrain; spring corn
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  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Positioning
Handling
New school ski-tourer
Suggested curve arc
Medium radius
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On-snow performance
Hard / packed
Powder
Wind-blown / crust
Damp / wet
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The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
Trip purpose
Height difference / Engagement
Performance / Line
Skiing / Slope
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Recommended use
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Recommended level
Technical Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
High level
Weight
lightmedianheavy
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In words

Intro
Völkl's catalog includes skis for all needs and preferences. Their skimo skis belong to the families All Mountain and Freeride, designed for having fun skiing groomers, moguls and backcountry. Their Kendo skis appear, at first glance, to be super traditional, with straight sidewalls from tip to tail, not much rocker at either tip or tail, and strong materials. They're packed with technology for a high-performance ski on hard terrain, with shaped titanal at the stress points and carbon fiber placed strategically to absorb vibration and make the ski easier to ride.
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On the snow
When they hit the ground, you hear the unmistakable sound of titanal. Forget that hollow sound from certain skis in the same family. In the Kendo, there's tons of material, hence the weight. You need to have a clear idea what you want to do on these skis, and of course the technique to do it. Otherwise, you risk throwing yourself completely to the mercy of the skis. The 88 mm waist width, together with the stiff construction, isn't designed for powder, but the Kendo is a razor blade on groomers and packed snow. The faster you go, the more stable the ski becomes. For an expert skier, it's the perfect all-rounder that you would use to carve up the groomers in the morning, followed by some brief climbs in the sun-softened snow of the afternoon. A shorter version makes an excellent ski for steep slopes if you have the physical fitness to carry them up the hill.
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Lab
Concave at tip and tail, on one ski more than the other, not yet flat after 9 runs through the machine. Sanded and waxed. Good edges 2.1 x 1.8 mm at 88°, base edge 1°, raw finish with a bit of rust: needs tuning before hitting the snow.
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Technical specifications

Construction
sidewall
Materials
poplar, beech, titanal
Base
sintered UHMWPE
Available sizes
163, 170, 177, 184
Released in
2021
Made in
Germany
Price
750 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 177 to get all the details
177 cm
Length
XXXXX
129 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
113 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
88 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.910 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
16 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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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 2025
Boots
Tour
Scarpa
4-Quattro XT
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.500 g
Top match
tested 2024
Boots
Tour
Tecnica
Zero G Tour Pro
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.320 g
Top match
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Scarpa
4-Quattro GT
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.650 g
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
La Sportiva
Kilo XTR
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.190 g
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Made for women
La Sportiva
Kilo XTR Woman
Buckles: N/A
Weight: 1.130 g
People's Choice Tour 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Dynafit
Ridge Pro
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.250 g
Smart Choice Tour 2026
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
La Sportiva
Sender
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.480 g
Free Boot of the Year Lady
tested 2026
Boots
Tour
Made for women
La Sportiva
Sender Woman
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.325 g
tested 2024
Boots
Tour
Lange
XT3 Tour Light 130 MV
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.400 g
preview 2024
Boots
Tour
La Sportiva
Vega
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.475 g
preview 2024
Boots
Tour
Atomic
Backland XTD 110
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.369 g
preview 2024
Boots
Tour
Made for women
Roxa
RX Tour W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.040 g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
Atomic
Backland XTD Carbon 120
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.380 g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
Dalbello
Quantum Free Pro
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.300 g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
La Sportiva
Vanguard
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.490 g
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Boots
Tour
Made for women
Dynafit
Radical Pro W
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.270 g
preview 2025
Boots
Tour
Scott
Cosmos Re-Source
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.380 g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
Dynafit
Radical Pro
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.400 g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
Nordica
Unlimited LT 130 Dyn
Buckles: 4
Weight: 1.480 g
preview 2025
Boots
Tour
Scott
Cosmos Tour
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.350 g
tested 2025
Boots
Tour
Made for women
Scarpa
Gea RS
Buckles: 3
Weight: 1.300 g
Recommended setup
tested 2024
Bindings
Tour
Free
ATK Bindings
Raider 12 AP
Type: full pin
Weight: 345 g
Top match
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Atomic
Backland Summit 12 BR
Type: full pin
Weight: 415 g
Top match
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Marker
Cruise 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 475 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Seven Summits+
Type: full pin
Weight: 380 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Salomon
MTN Summit 12 BR
Type: full pin
Weight: 415 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Marker
Alpinist Free 13
Type: full pin
Weight: 395 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Free
ATK Bindings
Raider 12 SL
Type: full pin
Weight: 330 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Light
Tour
Ski Trab
Titan Vario.2 + Stopper 7-9
Type: full pin
Weight: 309 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
Fritschi
Xenic Plus 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 290 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
ATK Bindings
Kuluar 12 SL
Type: full pin
Weight: 180 g
tested 2026
Bindings
Tour
ATK Bindings
Crest 10
Type: full pin
Weight: 300 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Light
Tour
Plum
Pika Stopper
Type: full pin
Weight: 265 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Salomon
MTN Pure
Type: full pin
Weight: 295 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Superlite 175+
Type: full pin
Weight: 319 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
ST Rotation 14
Type: full pin
Weight: 605 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
ST Rotation 10
Type: full pin
Weight: 599 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Speed Radical
Type: full pin
Weight: 340 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Plum
Guide 12
Type: full pin
Weight: 340 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Kreuzspitze
EL 2.0
Type: full pin
Weight: 350 g
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Dynafit
Blacklight
Type: full pin
Weight: 280 g
preview 2025
Bindings
Tour
Atomic
Backland Tour
Type: full pin
Weight: 398 g
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