2026 Head Shape e-V10

The 2026 Head Shape e-V10 is a carryover model with the same build, shape, and graphics as last year. We’ve seen a lot of versatility and carving performance come out of the Shape series from Head over the winters, and it’s gotten a whole lot better with the latest iteration, the 2026 Head Shape E-V10. With a waist width in the mid-80s and a sophisticated build, the ski can handle many turn shapes and styles in a variety of conditions and terrain. While it’s still best-suited to on-trail skiing and carving, it does have the width as well as the shovel shape to make it work well for skiers looking for more adventure and versatility. Head manages to pack a whole lot of technology into this ski, from the shape and profile to the technological build. Mainly, we see this type of construction in advanced and expert skis, and while those levels are accessible in the e-V10, it’s still more into the intermediate realm, mainly because of how easy it is to turn. It feels like a more upscale ski even while appealing to the mid-range of skier.

Head uses a lot of sophistication brought down from their race room. As a result, there’s a lot of tech packed into this ski. The construction sets this ski apart from many other mid-80s skis. We start with a karuba wood core. Head does not stop there, though, adding two layers of carbon, a central strip of graphene and three layers of fiberglass. Most of these materials tend to fall on the reactive side of the spectrum, but since Head can add in a few damping layers to the mix, the ski ends up being quite silent and stable. In the central spine of the ski, Head uses a raised, three-dimensional portion that adds stability and power to the mix. This backbone helps keep the ski from chattering and counter flexing at the end phase of the turn. From a technological standpoint, we get Head’s Energy Management Circuit that filters out unwanted vibrations. This is found on their high-end skis as well, so it’s nice to see this tech make its way into the more recreational models as well. It's about time we see this type of sophistication on more of an intermediate cruiser. That said, the ski still delivers a lot of zip and electricity to the edges.

For mixing on and off-trail capabilities, the mid-80's is a sweet place to be. This is an incredibly efficient shape for carving turns. At 85 mm underfoot, the e-V10 is a great width to be able to carve turns on groomers as well as being versatile enough to handle adverse conditions and terrain. While more of a front side ski, this V10 can be an off-trail choice sometimes, but it isn’t as effective as some other skis in this width range. There’s some tip and tail rocker, but it mainly exists to help turn initiation and completion rather than flotation in fresh snow. In the 170, the ski generates a 13.6-meter turn radius, so it’s a sharp and crisp turner for sure. It’s a bit tough to let it run; the ski much prefers to be utilized in that shorter arc format. For most skiers, this is a good thing, allowing for proper progression in learning confidence and style in a clean and round carved turn. Straighter lines are not the ski’s favorite thing to do. This ski assists with learning and progression at a high level of quality.

There’s a wide range of skier type here, and a broad audience. The 2026 Head Shape e-V10 is a great example of high-tech and high-performance attributes filtering into a recreational ski. This makes it feel like a top-end model with a lot of properties that are found in much more advanced and expert skis. They pack it all into a more appropriate package for intermediate and advanced skiers to enjoy in an on-trail format, and we think that’s a wonderful thing in the ski world today. There’s a universal appeal here since most skiers spend most of their time on-trail and in search of a carved turn. With fun and precision in mind, the e-V10 is a solid and predictable performer.