2023 Head Kore 87

On the agile side of quick, the 2023 Head Kore 87 is a wonderful all-mountain ski that excels in shorter turns. We’ve talked a lot about the Kore skis and their crazy combination of light weight and stiff flex, and this 87 is no different. With a bit of an upgrade for 2023, the skis get a more structural topsheet as opposed to the outgoing polyester laminate as well as a slightly revamped color scheme. The durability as well as the dampness has improved, as those were two of the main knocks against the 2022 and prior versions of the ski. Built with a blend of poplar and karuba wood, the skis also get two sheets of carbon. The lower laminate lies below the core while the upper layer follows the curve of the chamfered edge. By utilizing the carbon in a 3-dimensional format, it increases the stiffness and responsiveness while keeping the weight to a minimum. In the 177, we’re seeing a turn radius of 16-meters, and this is on the short side for an all-mountain ski. This gives skiers ranging from lower-intermediate to upper-advanced the ability to make a clean, short carved turn at higher edge angles while lower angles allow for shorter-swing and skidded turns.

Dave Hatoff skied the 177 and noted it was just right for him. He gave the ski mostly 4’s out of 5 for overall impression, forgiveness, playfulness, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. 3’s for flotation and versatility highlights the more front-side aspect of this ski. Dave notes that the Kore 87 has a “Nice easy flex and easy to ski for an intermediate to expert skier. Very lively and quick edge to edge. Lots of rapid fire turns with this ski. Very light as well. Business man’s ski. Great dads ski. Easy to use, approachable. Nice all mountain dimensions for all of front side.” Michael Rooney also found the 177 to be true to size, and he gave top marks of 5 out of 5 for versatility, torsional stiffness, edge hold, forgiveness, and playfulness. All other scores were 4’s, showing the high-end well-roundedness of the Kore 87. Michael notes that “The Kore 87 is a great intermediate ski. It really likes good hardpack snow and can handle the ice variety when you happen upon it. It loves to turn and still tracks well straight.”

Rick Randall noted that the 177 “Felt good in this length, I might want a little longer.” He gave the ski all 4’s across the board with the exception of a 3 for flotation, which totally makes sense. Rick states that the 87 is a “Nice update from Head in the Kore series. They feel more playful and livelier than past editions, but also still have good edge hold and stability at speeds. Another ski with no metal that does a great job all around. Easy to change up turn shape, lay then on edge, pivot underfoot....however you like to ski, these will do it for you. At speed on the firm snow there's a small amount of tip chatter, but nothing that affects the performance. Fun all-around ski for Intermediate and Advanced skiers.”

If quickness and maneuverability is something that you’re interested in, the Kore 87 should be at the top of the list. It’s an awesome ski in a shorter-turning format, and that makes it adept at softer moguls and in tighter trees. While not as great as the wider Kore skis in softer snow, it does excel in torsional stiffness and edge grip on the hard pack that we see here in Vermont.