2025 Liberty Radian 92

Liberty has taken some much-deserved risks with the all-new 2025 Radian 92. These skis have taken over from the Evolv series that has gone away, bringing all-mountain carving fun to the next level. While we’ll never really get to talk about the bamboo or vertical metal technology in this new ski, there are many other aspects and qualities to lean on that will hopefully bring Radian to the middle of the conversation in a crowded field of skis. While the 92’s are mainly dominated by competitors like Salomon QST 92, Armada Declivity 92, Black Crows Serpo, Head Kore 93, etc., these new Radian 92’s should make a quick and lasting impression. Sure, this group of skiers is passionate about both versatility and carving capacity and wants to sacrifice either. With the Radian 92, many different attributes are possible at the same time.

With an entirely new construction versus the outgoing Evolv, the Radian 92 starts with a wood core consisting of poplar and ash. Ash is normally reserved for more race-like skis, so it’s interesting to see it used in a more recreational ski like the Radian. We’re not arguing, and it seems like Liberty gets a hold of the amount and thickness to make the ski accessible and fun while still outperforming many of its competitors in a groomed and carving format. Liberty then adds carbon stringers to the mix to stiffen the flex and a metal laminate to control power and smoothness. They still call it VMT, but the V stands for variable instead of vertical. The width is the part that varies, as the layup spans full-width underfoot and tapers to the middle in the tips and tails. This leaves more wood at the ends of the skis and more snap, pop, and versatility as a result. Overall, this is a departure from normal for Liberty, but now that this traditionally shaped ski is more traditional in build, perhaps they will see some increased movement in the popularity of these great all-mountain skis.

At 92 mm underfoot, this is a new width for Liberty, and with the rest of the ski following suit, there’s not a whole lot of comparison here to the outgoing Evolv skis. Radian’s shape sets it apart from anything they’ve done before. With measurements of 130/92/116 producing an 18-meter turn radius in the 179 cm length, these skis are directional in nature and capable of most front side and all-mountain applications. You may find the width to be slightly wide to be considered front side, and you’d be right. You may also think it’s on the narrow side for freeride, and that’s also worthy of consideration. What it does do well is almost everything else. This ski checks a ton of boxes right down the middle. Tester Bob St.Pierre notes that “First off, the Radian feels way different than the outgoing Evolv 90. These are vastly different skis from the same company. Radian wants to make quicker and more skidded turns rather than the more drawn out arc of the Evolvs. New taper shape is probably the main culprit here.” The shovel does have a decent amount of taper, mixing the ski’s ability to both carve a clean turn and float on softer snow.

There’s a big audience here. With a new and innovative build, these skis have a lot going for them when it comes to all-mountain prowess and power. The metal does its part by locking down the edges underfoot and keeping the tips and tails mobile and agile. This means that skiers who do not want the total dampness and power of a dual-metal ski will be a lot happier on the mid-level of the Radian 92. They seem to have put the right amount of metal in the proper places, keeping the thickness and balance of the ski firmly intact.