Last tested
2023
Status:ongoing
2024

MTN 86 W Carbon

Designed for the perfect balance between light weight on the ascent and stability for the descent, making it perfect for skimo with an emphasis on the "mo"
In brief
Suitable for
climbs on challenging terrain, outings with technical mountaineering sections
Not suitable for
beginners, crust
Also suitable for
fitness skiing, resort touring
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  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Positioning
Handling
Traditional 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
This ski was included in our 2023 Buyer's Guide, and it hasn't changed. And our impressions, too, haven't changed, even when compared to the new models for 2024. This is a ski that designed for the ascent, but it holds its own on the descent, too. It has a carob-wood core with carbon and basalt-fiber reinforcement throughout the length of the ski, and titanal at the waist. This gives a good balance between snow feel and lateral grip on hard terrain. Plus, we've got a cork insert at the tip and tail to absorb vibration without adding weight.
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On the snow
Whether you're zipping down gorges of packed snow, traversing a delicate crest, or eating up miles and miles of variable snow, the MTN 86 W Carbon is the all-terrain ski that every skimo enthusiast should have in their ski rack. It's lightweight, but this doesn't compromise the snow feel, because its solid carob-wood and carbon-fiber construction gives you the right mix of stability and carving. And when you want some speed, it's like a sword slicing fearlessly through the terrain. It's not super easy to ski on, making it a demanding ski suited for those who know how to make best use of it. It's best on hard, smooth snow. On crust, or in dust on crust, it can get a bit touchy and more difficult to handle. Powder isn't its preferred habitat, but it does float and gets you wherever you need to go. It's a ski that deserves a chance, and if you make a connection, it's a ski that can feel great.
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Lab
Slightly concave at tip and tail, not completely resolved after 10 runs through the tuning machine. No structure or wax. Decent edges 1.2 x 1.6 mm at 89.5°, base edge 0.7°. Too much edge at tip and tail, better tuned along the sidecut and on the base.
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Technical specifications

Construction
sidewall
Materials
carob wood, cork, carbon/basalt fiber, titanal
Base
recycled polyethylene
Available sizes
148, 156, 164, 172
Made in
Austria
Price
650 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 164 to get all the details
164 cm
Length
XXXXX
118 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
104 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
86 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
980 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
18 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
Light
Salomon
MTN Summit Pro W
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.020 g
Top match
Light Boot of the Year Lady
tested 2026
Boots
Light
Scarpa
F1 GT WMN
Buckles: 2
Weight: 1.075 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
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
tested 2024
Bindings
Tour
ATK Bindings
Crest 10 AP
Type: full pin
Weight: 295 g
Top match
tested 2025
Bindings
Tour
Salomon
MTN Pure
Type: full pin
Weight: 295 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
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
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Ski of the year Light 2026
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