2023 Head Shape e-V8

The 2023 Head Shape E-V8 is a great new offering, picking up where the V-Shape V8 left off, and pushing forward what a mid-range, mid-level groomer ski can be when all of the proper technology and sophistication of the upper-end models filters into the Shape skis. We’re seeing a lot of higher-end techniques in this E-V8, including a wood core made with karuba and ash, two carbon laminates, graphene, a Performance Backbone, and even Head’s Energy Management Circuit that filters out unwanted vibrations. These skis, at 75 mm underfoot, allow progressing beginners all the way through advanced skiers the ability to carve clean and round turns on the groomed and smooth surfaces of the resort. There’s a lot of good stuff in the mid-70's range these days, and while some fall more to the high-performance end of the spectrum, these are a bit more mid-level. That’s great news for the vast majority of skiers out there who do not need a super-high end or heavy ski to rip and rail GS style turns on the corduroy. In the 170, the skis generate a 13.2-meter turn radius, which is bordering on Slalom-style, making it an easy turner that loves to be on edge. While the 75 mm waist is squarely in the front side category, the skis in general kind of blur that line into a narrower all-mountain ski.

David Wolfgang skied the 170, noting that it’s too short for him, and he’d go up to the 177 if given a choice. He scored it top marks of 4 out of 5 for torsional stiffness, edge hold, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. Overall impression, versatility, forgiveness, playfulness, and flotation all got 3’s. These are pretty well-rounded scores for a lighter ski that’s on the short side for David. He astutely notes that “The ski wanted to carve more than it wanted to cruise. Lay it on edge and it came around quickly and smoothly. If you let it run it straight it was a bit squirrely.” We noted that on the outgoing V8 as well—it certainly preferred to be on edge and in a carved turn, and not too fast, either. Zach Mooney skis well above the level of the E-V8, but that didn’t stop him from scoring his 170 5’s out of 5 for overall impression, forgiveness, playfulness, quickness, maneuverability, and stability. He gave it 4’s for versatility, torsional stiffness, and edge hold, and a 3 for flotation. “This ski is another great front side carver. It rips slalom turns, holds on ice and performs much better than similar skis at speed. The metal in the middle of the ski gives it a stiff feel, but is surprisingly forgiving at higher speeds. When your legs start burning from ripping slalom turns you won’t be scared to point these things down the hill and open ‘em up.” A bit different take from David, but it’s always nice to see different opinions on the same ski.

Greg Petrics usually has some interesting things to say about skis, and as he tested all of the Supershapes, it’s fun to see how the E-V8's compare in his mind. Greg found his 170 to be on the short side, as he’d be a lot better suited to the 177. He scored it 5’s out of 5 for forgiveness, playfulness, quickness, and maneuverability, with 4’s for overall impression and stability. Greg notes that “This ski's personality is an intermediate on-piste carver that has a few tricks up its sleeve. The strength of the skis is its ability to grip the snow in the SL radius, and keep the grip through slow GS speeds, and also to offer some versatility in choppier snow (including a bit of fresh snow off the pisted slopes). The weakness of this ski is that it isn't able to maintain its grip at speed. Fast GS speeds and into the Super G speeds, and the ski starts to lose edge grip a little bit. This is to be expected however since the ski's target audience is the intermediate front side skier who might dip into the chopped-up snow on occasion. The versatility of this ski is pretty good! I really enjoyed trying to get it to cut through some chopped snow in addition to getting it to carve on firmer stuff; just don't get it going too fast. The ski felt pretty at home all over the mountain. I think it would struggle on a fresh snow day over 4", but that is part and parcel with this line of ski. The ski is perfect for an intermediate skier who wants a ski that can carve at slalom speeds, and maybe even into the slower GS speeds. The ski offers lots of room for growth for this skier, and would be really fun for someone looking to improve their skiing, and graduate to a race-room inspired carving ski. It's also perfect for someone who is happy with where their skiing is at, and wants to enjoy the firm snow, as well as a few forays into the woods.”

While not the speed demon of the higher-end Supershapes, the Shape E-V8 has its own special niche carved out squarely in the intermediate zone. Since most skiers spend most of their time on groomed blues, it’s not hard to see why Head places such a premium on skis like this. There are a lot of skiers out there who would be a lot happier on a ski like the E-V8 than they would be/are on stiffer, heavier, and more demanding skis, and that’s what it’s really all about.