Last tested
2024
Status:ongoing
2025

98 by Dav

Designed by Chris Davenport, this is a ski for excellent skiers who love the GS vibe. It gives as good as it gets
In brief
Suitable for
Former FIS athletes
Not suitable for
the faint of heart, big verticals
Also suitable for
steep terrain and hardpack
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  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • Gallery
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Positioning
Handling
Traditional ski-tourer
Suggested curve arc
Long 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
It's the second season on the market for the brand founded by Bode Miller, now joined by another ski legend, Chris Davenport, to develop more tour-oriented skis. All models feature the brand's trademarked Keyhole Technology which ensures exceptional torsional rigidity underfoot for edge hold, and more elasticity in the shovel for initiating turns. Currently, the By Dav line includes just two models, the 98 and a 104. The 98 has a classic shape with rockered tip and tail and lots of camber underfoot, straight sidewall and wood core with titanal layer along the entire length.
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On the snow
This is undoubtedly one of the most demanding skis featured in this guide, but also the most powerful on all types of terrain. Whoever buys it needs to be aware that it's not a ski for everyone, you need strength and technique to be able to control it. That said, the Peak is incredible on chop and crud, flattening everything in its path and making any type of terrain feel like fresh corduroy. It doesn't help initiate or release turns; if you know how to drive it, it has a nice, predictable response, with a boost at the end of a turn worthy of a GS ski. It lacks a little vitality on deep snow, where its stiff flex doesn't help, but feels at home on steep, exposed terrain. In ascent, you can really feel the weight of the titanal; it's one of the best on technical sections, but without sufficient leg and lung power to get you up the hill, you risk not having the energy to take on the descent. Available to buy online only.
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Lab
Slightly concave at the tail, more so at the tip. Not flat after 10 passes through the machine. Only sanded and waxed. Good edges 1.8 x 1.9 mm at 88.6°, base edge 1.1°. Very rough but otherwise ok finish, protruding sidewall on one of the two skis. Needs tuning.
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Technical specifications

Construction
sidewall
Materials
paulownia, ash, titanal
Base
polietilene sinterizzato UHMW con carbonio
Available sizes
160, 168, 178, 184
Released in
2023
Made in
Slovenia
Price
659 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 184 to get all the details
184 cm
Length
XXXXX
129 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
117 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
98 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.870 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
N/A
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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