Volkl Katana (2008)
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Rating: / 5
Price: $975.00
Year: 2008
Level: 3
Gender: Male
Waist Width:
Tip/Tail/Waist: 140/111/130
Lengths: 168, 176, 183, 190, 197
Stability at speed: 3.11 / 5
Hard snow performance: 3.16 / 5
Crud performance: 3.31 / 5
Forgiveness: 3.58 / 5
Nothing beat the Katana for Flotation. Not surprising, given its width. It’s a new design from Völkl. The Gotama remains in the line as the backcountry twin-tip, but the Katana, with its slight-twin swallowtail, favors a less jib-specific application. It’ll ride switch, but is built mainly for crushing steep powder, with a turn-finish integrity that twin-tips lack and a slight rocker in the camber that keeps its tip from diving and makes it easy to smear off speed in tight spots. Despite its width, testers were wowed by its agility. “Nice flotation; really quick on your feet,” said Sabanosh.
Best For
Deep powder, technical lines.
Not For
Frontside posing: It’s unwieldy on hardpack.
