Last tested
2023
Status:ongoing
2024

TX 87 Up

Reactive and playful, loves short-radius turns and fleet-footed skiers, who can fully appreciate this ski. And have fun doing it
In brief
Suitable for
experts, precision skiing, fun seekers, versatile use
Not suitable for
anyone looking for a ski with autopilot
Also suitable for
versatility
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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
Short 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
At Kästle, ski mountaineering means TX and TX Up. TX is the lighter of the two, while some of the Up models have the same geometry with a bit more substance (and weight) to enhance skiability. Compared to its TX sibling, the TX 87 Up adds poplar to the Paulownia core, which adds just under 200 grams of weight.
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On the snow
To bring the feeling of slalom off the groomers. That's essentially the goal of the TX 87 Up, aided in part by the shorter length (166) used in our tests. But the substance doesn't change much at the longer lengths, given the short sidecut radius. At the end of the day, going with a slightly shorter ski could make sense to bring down the weight and make switchbacks easier. Because of that, it's easy to initiate turns, almost as much as the K2 Wayback. But that's where the similarities end. That's because, in line with the brand's USP, it's a ski that demands to be skied—for skilled skiers only—lively and very precise. It gives as good as it gets, and is a lot of fun both off-piste where the tip always stays afloat, and on-piste or on chop, where it always stays in control. Be it slicing through the trees or on the steep (where it's stable, but with a little too much sidecut), the whole mountain is yours if you've got the skill and the speed. A great ski that our pros liked a lot.
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Lab
Convex at the tip, then slightly concave, flat at the waist and tail. Nice pattern worn smooth at the edges, waxed. Good edges, 1.8 x 1.4 mm at 90°, base edge 1.2°. Edge removed at tip and tail, some scratches on the base likely caused during shipping. Better than the average.
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Technical specifications

Construction
cap-sidewall
Materials
poplar, paulownia, triaxial glass fibers
Base
sintered UHMWPE with graphite and carbon
Available sizes
150, 158, 166, 174, 182
Released in
2023
Made in
Czech Republic
Price
699 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the length 166 to get all the details
166 cm
Length
XXXXX
124 cm
Tip width
XXXXX
111 cm
Tail width
XXXXX
87 cm
Waist width
XXXXX
N/A
Edge contact
XXXXX
N/A
Camber
XXXXX
N/A
Tip rocker
XXXXX
N/A
Tail rocker
XXXXX
1.380 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Left weight
XXXXX
N/A
Right weight
XXXXX
13,6 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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