ARMADA's "LOCATOR SERIES" was released in the 2022-2023 season. The successor to the "TRACER & TRACE" that has been popular with ARMADA users for many years, the LOCATOR is an "all-new" touring ski that is ultra-lightweight and offers improved riding performance. What exactly is "all-new" about it? Let's take a look at the performance of this completely redesigned model
Its features can be broadly divided into four categories: ultra-lightweight, high gliding performance, design that takes hiking into consideration, and a unisex concept
It's super light, so it can go further
The LOCATOR is designed for skiers who enjoy the "Hike & Ride" style. Its Carbacore construction and 1.7 Light Weight Edge make it incredibly light. The thickest 112 (180cm) ski weighs just 1500g! Its lightness will take you further
High gliding performance also coexists
You might think that lightweight skis don't have as much grip, and that their performance when gliding is reduced. However, the LOCATOR's Calvacore core is reinforced with carbon, giving it the rigidity, rebound, and flex needed for smooth gliding while remaining lightweight. This allows for more aggressive skiing
Easy to walk in! Stickers are easy to put on and take off
The large radius is not only perfect for backcountry skiing, but also allows for easy walking. The tail end of the ski is also butted, which automatically centers the seal clip, making it easy to attach and remove seals, which can be a pain when hiking
The unisex concept makes it easier to choose!
It's ultra-lightweight, offers excellent glide performance, and the skins are easy to remove. What's more, unlike its predecessor, the TRACER & TRACE, the LOCATOR is unisex, meaning there's no longer a men's or women's division. This broader lineup allows for choices to suit everyone's build and style
LOCATOR 112
The 112 was developed for long hikes to ski more remote slopes. It's an ultra-lightweight ski weighing just 1500g for a 180cm ski. The increased power of the carbon fiber allows for powerful edging, and the wide top generates more buoyancy, while the low camber arch allows for high-speed gliding in deep powder. Another notable feature is the ease of handling, which is hard to believe for skis with a radius of over 20m. The main sizes available in Japan are 180cm for men and 173cm for women
LOCATOR 104
The successor to the legendary TRACER 108, the 104 is an all-around touring ski that delivers high performance in all conditions. In backcountry areas with a mix of soft and hard runs, good flotation in powder and good response for quick, powerful edging are essential
The versatile 104mm waist and the strength of the carbon fiber provide a worry-free ride. Riders who want to specialize in ride performance for a hike-and-ride style should definitely choose the 104. The main sizes in Japan are 178cm for men and 162cm-170cm for women
The manufacturer recommends SHIFT bindings for both the 112 and 108. If mobility is a priority, tech pin types are also a good option
LOCATOR 96
The 96 offers the best overall performance for hike and ride. Riders who want to prioritize mobility in their hike and ride style should choose the 96 without hesitation.
When hiking, the under 100mm waist width ensures a firm grip on the skins, making walking easy, and backcountry-specific movements such as kick turns can be performed smoothly. In long tours where the accumulation of small movements drains energy and you need to conserve energy for riding, minimizing wasted energy is a significant advantage.
In terms of skiing performance, it boasts the best edge response in the series and an outstanding overall balance of stability underfoot. It's easy to control even on icy slopes, supporting safe skiing even in more challenging conditions.
Furthermore, the tip, which easily catches fresh snow, and the set-back binding position generate buoyancy that is unexpected for a ski with a 96mm waist, making powder riding no problem. The main sizes available in Japan are 171cm-178cm for men and 157cm-164cm for women.
LOCATOR 88
The 88 was developed as an ultra-lightweight long touring ski to take riders faster and further. In addition to boasting the highest maneuverability in the series, the use of carbon fiber gives it performance that far exceeds that of its predecessor, the TRACER 88. It's a model that performs well in more challenging conditions. The main sizes available in Japan are 172cm-182cm for men and 152cm-162cm for women