2023 Head Kore 85 W

The 2023 Head Kore 85 W has a lot to offer intermediate through expert skiers who put a premium on light weight and responsiveness. At 85 mm underfoot in the 170 cm reference length, these skis are lightning-quick from edge to edge, and the 14.8-meter turn radius keeps them up and on edge in a purely carved turn. The nice thing is that they skid as well as they carve, so a whole lot of different turn shapes and styles can be accessed here. Built with a blend of karuba and poplar wood, the Kore 85 W gets two sheets of carbon on top and bottom. While the lower layer is flat and lies below the wood core, the upper laminate is curved to match the chamfered edge of the topsheet (which has been updated to a real topsheet for 2023 versus the polyester laminate of yesteryears). By molding the carbon in this method, Head makes it stiffer and more responsive than flat/2D, and this boosts the performance of the ski. As the narrowest of the Kore line, the 85 W has the least amount of taper shape and rocker profile, allowing it to be the strongest performer of the group when it comes to on-trail performance and character.

On the 163, Lauren Lepage found it to be true to size, scoring it all 3’s right across the board. Sometimes this happens when a tester gets on a ski and is neither over nor underwhelmed by any singular component of the ski. Mainly, it means that it’s a very well-intentioned ski that can do a little bit of everything, but in Lauren’s experience, it didn’t stand out all that much. She calls it a “Great ski for an intermediate front side skier trying to upgrade to an all mtn ski. A good ski for a mom trying to step it up with the progressing kiddos.” Good news, aspiring moms, there’s a lot of that skier out there, so the Kore 85 W has a strong following for sure.

Carly Monahan was also on the 163, calling it “very true to size.” She had a lot of 3’s as well, but 5’s for quickness, maneuverability, playfulness, and forgiveness. Carly states that the Kore 85 W is “Super light underfoot and very approachable. If you’re looking for an easy skiing ski with a bit of an all-mountain feel but a more groomer-oriented soul, this would be a great choice. Forgiving, won’t wear ya out. Could be a good choice for an aspiring intermediate skier; moving from a rental/lease ski to something with a bit more character.”

Lightness is the key here, as the 2023 Head Kore 85 W has it to spare. There are a whole lot of skiers out there that just don’t like the feeling of having weight on their feet, and this is a sure path through that nonsense. The Kore 85 W feels like a feather, but the quality, precision, and responsiveness put this ski on a whole different level versus something that’s light, but cheap. The Kore 85 W and its carbon laminates bring a different character and personality to the conversation for sure.