2023 Faction Agent 1X

There’s a lot to be said about the move to hybrid touring skis these days, but the Faction Agent 1x still leans to the more specific tourers of the group. Thanks to the shape, profile, and construction of the ski, we’re getting a ton of good feedback as to the lightness of the ski, and a surprising amount of favoring to the more specific touring application. Built with a lightweight karuba wood core, the skis certainly have the making of a touring ski. Faction then adds their full carbon weave to the mix, both strengthening and keeping it light. When carbon stringers are weaved and braided, they add quite a bit of responsiveness without being heavy, so it’s an ideal way to use the material in the ski. At 86 mm underfoot, it leans to the narrower side of the spectrum, especially in terms of soft snow capabilities, but it’s not too long ago that an 86 mm wide ski would be considered fat, so there’s still some flotation here for sure. In the 162, the skis tip the scales at 1290 grams per ski and generate a 14-meter turn radius. This makes them extremely agile and quick, and when you factor in the narrower waist shape, you’re getting a ski that is super-easy to turn.

Catherine Ferguson noted that the ski felt short for her, but skied true to size. She gave it top scores of 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, quickness, maneuverability, and flotation. Stability, playfulness, forgiveness, torsional stiffness, and edge hold all got 3’s. Catherine notes, especially in relative terms, that “As it is a tour specific ski and it was early in the morning, they didn’t hold up to the solid groomers as much as I would have hoped. It is very light weight and can maneuver very well and would be a lot of fun for a powdery tour day.” That’s definitely the application which Faction is going for here, and it makes perfect sense that early-morning groomer performance would not be a strength for the Agent 1x. Alix Klein was also on the 162, scoring it 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, forgiveness, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. She gave 3’s for flotation and playfulness. Like Catherine, we’re seeing some consistent scores out of this ski for sure. “This ski was surprisingly springy and carved turns like a pro. Great at high speeds and great maneuverability.” The combination of the karuba and carbon likely have a lot to do with the pop and energy of the skis in Alix’s experience.

Brooke Mars really liked her 162, scoring it top marks of 5 out of 5 for overall impression, versatility, playfulness, stability, and flotation. Torsional stiffness, edge hold, forgiveness, quickness, and maneuverability all got 4’s, so we’re seeing a very high spread of scores from Brooke on the Agent 1x. Brooke queries: “Is it weird to say a ski feels like home? My regular skis are a pair of Faction Agents that are several seasons old and it’s good to see the newer models feel and handle even better. It floats over the sugar, it grabs into the firm and solid conditions, this ski does it all and will be my true love for more years to come.” Sounds like a great LTR between Brooke and the Agents for sure.

While light, our testers found a lot to like about the Agent 1x in terms of all-mountain performance. They all commented as to the quickness of the ski, which is great, but it’s the versatility that really stood out to us as an unforeseen benefit, and for that, we’re pretty stoked on the well-rounded nature of the Agent 1x.