Ultra-lightweight skis for gliding | Armada's LOCATOR is packed with gimmicks

Skis are becoming increasingly lighter as we venture deeper into the mountains. However, the lighter they become, the more they have to sacrifice gliding performance. This is because using lighter materials and making the skis thinner means less rebound and less shock absorption. However, LOCATOR, made by ARMADA, a ski brand that places emphasis on gliding, is an amazing ski that is light yet does not sacrifice gliding performance.
What's more, it has been designed to allow you to walk farther, allowing you to conserve energy and hike more easily than ever before.
Let's take a look at how it works.

The reason for its light weight is the core material, Carbacore

The LOCATOR is the successor to the Tracer & Trace, which was the brand's popular backcountry ski until the 2022 season. It will be released in the 2022-2023 season with a full model change

The greatest feature of the LOCATOR is its lightness. Even for a 178cm person with a 96mm waist, it weighs just 1,350g. Even when paired with the N TRASER TOUR tech bindings that the brand recommends as a set, it weighs just 1,740g. When you hold it, even with the bindings attached, it's noticeably lighter than regular skis without bindings

This overwhelming lightness is achieved by the material used in the core, "Carbacore." The characteristics of Carbacore are that it is light, strong, and highly resilient. It is equipped with a technology called "carbon reinforcement," which layers linear carbon on top of the core, increasing rigidity and torsional strength. This is the same carbon technology that is also used in the brand's popular lightweight model, the "JJ," but the linear carbon sheets used in the Locator are thicker than those in the JJ. Since the core is thinner, the carbon is thicker, achieving both lightness and strength

The core material and the shape and arrangement of the carbon fiber make for a ski that is lightweight overall, yet maintains a flex that doesn't impair gliding performance, and doesn't sacrifice glide. The LOCATOR is a highly maneuverable ski that can handle deep powder as well as hard slopes in remote areas

Furthermore, the soles are made from the same material as the Comp series soles used in racing skis. Using high-quality materials for backcountry skis is something only ARMADA, which is particular about gliding performance, can do

LOCATOR with excellent walking performance

The Locator has several features designed to make hiking easier.

First, the rocker length varies with each model. The thinner the board, the shorter the rocker, and the thicker the board, the longer the rocker. This is due to the size of the contact area between the snow and the seals. If the waist width is wide, even if the rocker is long, the board is thick, so the contact area between the snow and the seals is large and they grip the snow firmly. If the waist width is narrow, the rocker is designed to be short so that the contact area between the snow and the seals is as wide as possible.

This design also makes sense when considering skiing situations. The rocker length is designed with a primary focus on increasing buoyancy in powder, so the wider the board, the longer the rocker. Conversely, boards with a narrow waist width are not often taken out in heavy snow, so a shorter rocker is not a problem. The

tail end is also slightly recessed and rounded with a butt tail. The seal clip is automatically centered, allowing for quick attachment and removal of seals. With the twin tip design, seals tend to slip off and come off easily while hiking, but this design is now fixed in place, allowing for stress-free hiking.

This is a design that allows you to go faster and farther, but also allows you to conserve your energy, avoid unnecessary worries, and focus on skiing.

LOCATOR lineup

LOCATOR comes in four models with different waist widths

From the right:
■ LOCATOR 88
Developed to lead riders faster and further. Developed as an ultra-lightweight long touring ski, it boasts the highest maneuverability in the series.
L = 152, 162, 172, 182cm
D = 116-88-109 (172cm)
R = 20.5m (172cm)
88,000 yen

■ LOCATOR 96
Overall well-balanced, it's the perfect board for a hike-and-ride style. This board is recommended for those who prioritize gliding but often find themselves in situations where hiking takes a long time.
L = 157, 164, 171, 178, 185cm
D = 127-96-117 (178cm)
R = 21m (178cm)
93,000 yen

■ LOCATOR 104
High performance in all conditions. Skis that can handle both powder and packed snow in BC areas with a mix of soft and hard runs.
L = 162, 170, 178, 186 cm
D = 131-104-122 mm (178 cm)
R = 22 m (178 cm)
99,000 yen

■ LOCATOR 112
The 112 was born to hunt deep powder. It has a wide top that generates buoyancy, but by lowering the camber arch, it can maintain high speed even in deep powder.
L = 166, 173, 180, 187 cm
D = 136-112-128 mm (180 cm)
R = 24 m (180 cm)
104,500 yen

It's super lightweight, allowing for stress-free and comfortable climbing, and because it's a brand that places importance on gliding, it's clear that it's a ski that doesn't neglect gliding performance.
Here, we asked Kawaguchi TKY Takaya, a rider who has actually worn these skis from last season until this fall's Tateyama, about how to enjoy these skis and his impressions.

ARMADA rider Kawaguchi TKY Takaya's impressions

I started using them in February 2022, and have used them in my base of operations, Nozawa Onsen, Shirakawa-go in Gifu, Mt. Myoko in Niigata, and Mt. Fuji. I also used them on Mt. Tateyama in November of this year.
The Locator skis are incredibly light. The skis I use have a waist width of 96mm, a length of 178cm, and weigh just 1,350g per ski. I can reach my destination quickly and with less fatigue, making touring more enjoyable.

The river mouth looks comfortable and you can make shifting turns even in powder

I'd like you to pay particular attention to the side curve. Recently, there has been a trend towards skis with a side curve so that you can enjoy all-around skiing from backcountry to the slopes, but the skis I use are 96mm wide with a radius of 21m

Carving requires a big turn, but these skis are ideal for adjusting the turn arc while shifting the tail. Carving too tightly with a sharp side curve can lock the skis, and in the backcountry, where a variety of snow conditions are expected, there is a risk of not being able to quickly maneuver around rocks, snow clumps, or cliffs that protrude from the snow surface. However, being able to shift allows you to freely control the skis, avoiding danger. What's more, the tapered nose shape reduces the swing weight, and combined with the overall lightness, these skis are easy to control

This gentle side curve really comes into its own when climbing. When zigzagging up a steep slope, you hike by biting the edges, so only the sides of the skis are in contact with the snow. If the side curve is too steep, the area in contact with the snow is small and it's difficult to transfer force to the snow, which increases the risk of slipping and makes you tired from using extra force to prevent slipping. However, if the side curve is gentler, the area in contact with the snow is wider, even on steep slopes, making it easier to walk, and the edges under your feet grip better because the nose and tail don't get in the way. The result is greater stability and less fatigue

The LOCATOR is a ski I would especially recommend to anyone who enjoys backcountry skiing and hiking uphill. It can be used as your main backcountry ski, but it's also great as a second ski to use with the 104 or 96, which best embody the hike-and-ride style, from February onwards when there isn't much powder

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The best way to experience the lightness and gliding performance of the LOCATOR is to actually pick it up and try it on.
COMPASS HOUSE, based in Nozawa Onsen, will be holding a demo tour during the season where you can ride a LOCATOR test model through the backcountry area. Come try it out and see how it feels.

Details will be updated regularly on the ARMADA website, so be sure to check it out.

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Interview cooperation: Kawaguchi TKY Takaya, COMPASS HOUSE