The Armada BDog with Salomon Strive 14 GW Bindings is back for more fun in 2025. Returning without any structural changes, the BDog receives a nice facelift with a new graphic. Designed as Phil Casabon’s pro model, the BDog maintains its unique build and shape tailored to Phil’s distinct park and urban skiing style. It remains a top choice for skiers seeking exceptional flexibility and playfulness. We paired the BDOG with the Strive 14 because of this binding’s well known reputation for safety, reliability, and ease of use. Featuring an LDN toe piece that optimizes contact and response, these bindings integrate seamlessly with boots and skis, allowing for a natural flex and balanced stance, making them the perfect choice to pair with this ski.

Why we like it:

The BDog’s unique characteristics make it a standout option, albeit for a specific type of skier. Its poplar and ash wood core provides strength, while its thin profile ensures remarkable flexibility for presses and butters, striking a delicate balance between these opposing characteristics.

Who it's for:

Upper advanced to expert freestyle skiers who enjoy buttering, smearing, and pressing will find the BDog ideally suited to their needs.

Highlights:

The BDog features a minimal sidecut, enhancing its performance in the park and urban settings. The combination of poplar and ash wood in a relatively thin core profile strikes an excellent balance between strength and flexibility. The straightened sidecuts in the tips and tails reduce catchiness during buttering and pressing, distinguishing it from other skis. The Strive 14 GW, with its lightweight build and low-profile chassis, delivers a smooth and responsive ride all day long. It remains nimble in deep snow and light on your feet as the day progresses. The LDN Toe Pieces offer a low stand height, optimizing power transfer and improving the connection to your skis. The Automatic Toe Adaption feature effortlessly adjusts to GripWalk boots without the need for manual adjustments. Additionally, the Snow Scrapers on the toe pieces effectively remove snow and ice, ensuring a secure fit that enhances both safety and performance for direct power transmission

Things to consider:

Prospective users should be aware that the BDog’s soft flex pattern requires readiness and balance; its distinctive shape facilitates quick turns and maneuverability with minimal input. It’s essential to recognize that this is a pro model ski tailored to a very specific skiing style.

Fit & sizing considerations:

The BDog skis true to size.