HEAD's freeride line, the "KORE" series, is a comprehensive lineup centered around the lightweight and strong material "Graphene."

The unprecedented lightness brought about by the new material "Graphene"

"KORE," HEAD's freeski line, has been in their lineup since the 2018 season. The category continues to expand year after year, and its comprehensiveness is remarkable within the brand. For the
2022 season, it will feature a total of 10 models: 6 for men and 4 for women. This is the second largest number after HEAD's main competition ski line.

The KORE series is popular with everyone from freeride competitors to skiers, thanks to its wide range of models with waist widths ranging from 85 to 117 mm

What is particularly noteworthy is its lightness and strength. When it comes to models suitable for freeriding and carving, it is common to incorporate metal or titanium to make them stronger and more stable, but this increases the weight and reduces ease of handling

Head brought about a major change in the structure of the ski by using a new material called "Graphene."increased buoyancy due to its lighter weight and improved maneuverability. Let's explore "Graphene," the material that created a ski that possesses both lightness and strength.

The "KORE" series combines lightness and strength = Carruba core + Graphene + Carbon

What kind of material is graphene, which has dramatically lightened skis?
Graphene is a new material discovered in 2004. It is characterized by its thinness, strength, and excellent heat resistance. For example, it is said to be more than 300 times stronger than steel.
This material comes in a flat sheet and is extremely thin, with a thickness of only one atom. It is a little hard to imagine, but to make it 1 mm thick, three million sheets would have to be stacked.

Incidentally, the scientists who discovered this new material were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010, and it has attracted much attention from various fields as an innovative material

Head was the first to adopt this technology in the ski industry

By using this new material in the "KORE" skis, we have succeeded in significantly reducing the mass, thickness, and type of material compared to previous skis. In fact, the skis are about 550g lighter than previous skis

All models in the KORE series have the structure shown above. A soft and light Karuba wood core is used for the core, and it is made as thin as possible. Making the core softer and thinner makes the ski lighter, but it also weakens the ski itself. However, by placing a graphene-processed carbon layer on the front and rear surfaces of the binding, the ski is more than capable of absorbing all of the skier's power and resistance from the snow surface

Graphene brought about unexpected changes to ski construction. Normal skis are typically thin at the tip and tail and thick in the center. Graphene skis, on the other hand, are nearly uniformly thick from tip to tail. This makes it easier to apply force evenly to the ski. Furthermore, the improved weight balance creates more lift in soft snow, resulting in superior maneuverability

In addition to the Graphene, the skis feature a triaxial carbon structure, which is made up of three layers of woven carbon sheets, giving the skis more flexibility and improving edge grip

Since James Haim got involved,
the lineup has been expanding year after year.

The [KORE] series has expanded its lineup year by year. Below is a look at the changes that have taken place

	Total	Model name
'18 season	3	117		105				93
'19 season	5	117		105		99		93			87
'20 season	6	117		105		99	99W	93	93W		87
'21 season	8	117		105		99	99W	93	93W		87	87W
'22 season	10	117	111	105	103W	99	99W	93		91W	87	87W

Here we introduce all the models for the 2022 season

All models are constructed using graphene and carbon. Another distinctive feature is that the "KORE" series does not use a topsheet. By using polyester fleece instead of a topsheet, the weight is further reduced. Because of the topless tech construction, the HEAD logo is embossed rather than printed or graphic

Additionally, the length range for each model has been changed from 9cm intervals to 7cm intervals. The narrower width makes it easier to choose the size that best suits your body type, technique, and riding style

Riders' impressions of the "KORE"

Finally, which models are the riders using? Let's take a look at the impressions of three support riders, Endo Natsuki, Sato Ai, and Ohno Yui, and get some ideas

Impression Review 1 Natsuki Endo

Using the techniques he has cultivated in mogul skiing, he mainly teaches freeskiing at Hoshino Resort Alts Bandai and Hoshino Resort Nekoma Ski Resort. Whenever he has time, he ventures into the mountains around the Inawashiro area, exploring exciting new slopes while exploring the terrain and snow quality

Instagram:@n.endo1986
Web:http://freeskilesson-n.com/
Height 169cm, Weight 71kg
Model used:

This is a model I've been using throughout the season. With just this one pair of skis, I can ski exactly the way I want in any field, whether it's a ski resort or the backcountry. Despite its light weight that belies its length, it has excellent stiffness, allowing me to ski with complete confidence.

My boots are also from the KORE series. They are very light and well-made, making them a reliable item I can't part with. The GripWalk sole significantly reduces the strain on my feet when moving, making them excellent boots that allow me to concentrate on skiing.

The bindings I'm currently using are lightweight and reliable. I can confidently say that I wouldn't want to ski with any other bindings; they give me that much peace of mind. I've been using Tyrolia Attack for many years, and they never accidentally release; they release properly when it's dangerous during a fall.

Impression Review 2 Ai Sato

She grew up at the foot of Kagura Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, and skiing has been one of her pastimes since she was a child. During her student days, she devoted herself to alpine racing. Based in Kagura, she uses it as a training ground and travels to the Tanigawa and Hakuba areas, as well as overseas. In order to hone her sensibilities and experience as a female rider, she formed the women's ski team "Mountain Girls Club" with Fukushima Noriko and Oike Tomomi. In order to expand the space for sharing "fun," she organizes events and tours throughout the four seasons, not just in the snowy mountain scene. She is also the owner of "Kiyotsu Lakeside Lodge."　

Instagram:@aisato75
Height 157cm, Weight 45kg
Model used:

It's significantly lighter than the 2021 KORE series. Yet, the torsional stiffness from the tip is stronger than the 2021 model, and the overall rigidity is impressive. In backcountry skiing, I believe the real thrill is carving big arcs on large slopes, so the increased rigidity, which allows me to drop the skis vertically, is a welcome improvement. It's a slightly不思議 (mysterious/strange) feeling to enjoy such a solid feel underfoot despite the lightness. It can be used all-around, making it perfect as a first pair of skis for those starting out in backcountry skiing.

I use the KORE2 W boots from the beginning of the season through the late snow season, regardless of the conditions. The walk mode function feels like it has a slightly limited range of motion. However, on the other hand, it's easier to maintain a good position when hiking, and the underfoot support is solid. It's characterized by its lightness and snug fit. The form fit allows for a better fit to your feet, improving the controllability. Recommended for people with narrow feet. The "ROPTOR110" is a pure alpine boot, so when you're on ice, in complex terrain, or looking for bigger actions, a reliable alpine boot is a good choice.

I've been using the "AMBITION10 MN" for quite a while now. It's lightweight and provides excellent support. I haven't experienced any problems with it in any snowy mountain situation. The ability to operate the ski poles while standing after putting on the boots, and the high heel support are great features when climbing.
If you've been skiing at resorts and are starting out in the backcountry, I can confidently recommend this. I especially recommend it for older people, those who aren't confident in their leg strength, and women. The biggest advantage is that you can continue using your familiar alpine boots. Inserting boots into TEC pins can be quite troublesome if you're not used to it. With frame touring bindings, you can switch to hike mode smoothly without any complicated procedures.

Impression Review_3 Yui Ohno

Born in Hakuba, he is a local freeride skier. He enjoys everything from ski resorts to backcountry skiing, and enjoys climbing and mountain biking in the summer. He placed 2nd in the 2021 FWQ HAKUBA　

Instagram:@yuipuep:
160cm / Weight: 48kg
Model used: ■SKI_KORE 103 W (177cm), ■BINDING_ST ROTATION 10 (DYNAFIT) ■BOOTS_HOJI FREE 110 (DYNAFIT)

I use these skis for all seasons, all mountain skiing, and all conditions. The width and length of the skis are just right for me. The '22 model is even lighter than previous KORE series models, and offers even better maneuverability. The ride is lighter, but the overall feel is firm and taut. They don't bounce around much even on hard runs, making them very easy to ride