HEAD Shun Okumura x Natsuki Endo | SKIER'S TALK ROOM -Let's talk about gear-

"Let's talk about gear. It might help you improve quickly."

Everyone has their own way of improving at skiing. While practicing hard is of course important, using your favorite gear also helps you improve. So how do you choose your gear? We gathered together some of the most skilled riders active at the forefront of skiing, from various manufacturers. This time, we're changing things up a bit and holding a cross-talk across genres, from freestyle to basics and alpine

Here, we have a conversation between Shun Okumura, the runner-up of the All Japan Ski Technical Championships, and Natsuki Endo, who is active in freeride and backcountry skiing from HEAD. What are their thoughts on the brand and gear?

Excellent stability and a tight, sticky slide - Shun Okumura

Natsuki Endo (hereafter Endo): Heads from established brands have a very serious image and are highly reliable. They also incorporate the latest technology, which is appealing.

Shun Okumura (hereinafter Okumura): Yes, that's the image I have. He's an absolute powerhouse in alpine skiing, and I have a strong impression of him being number one in the rankings. The skis I'm wearing are the same specs as those for alpine skiing: the GS-REBEL SPEEDBLUE, size 186cm, for long runs, and the SL-REBEL SPEEDBLUE, size 165cm, from the same series, for short runs. They're equipped with EMC technology to suppress vibrations, giving them excellent stability. They're heavy and slow to catch the first half of a turn, but they have good rebound and start to move in the second half, giving them a solid, sticky glide.

Perfect for both park and powder. The rocker and camber ratio is just right. - Natsuki Endo

Endo: I ride OBLIVION 101 and 106 all-mountain skis. They were designed with the concept of allowing as much freedom as possible in the mountains, and are great for park riding and powder riding. They're lightweight, have good rebound, and have the right rocker-to-camber ratio. I can see how Shun-kun grips the skis on flat terrain, but it's hard to get a feel for it. When I ride the basic model, they're thin and the reaction is too quick, so I feel like I'll get caught.

Okumura: Our skiing styles are different. We don't like skis that float. But when I went into the mountains on the freeride model "KORE," I was surprised at how light it was. I rode a "KORE" about four or five years ago, but the new one is completely different.

Endo: The "KORE" is a model that's completely specialized for mountain skiing, and is longer than the "OBLIVION." Originally based on alpine skis, the skis themselves are thin but still have a solid ride. That's where you can really feel the Head spirit. They've continued to change materials, making them lighter and thinner, but still maintaining the same rebound. However, if you're starting out, I recommend the 84mm "OBLIVION." Each waist width has a different speed range, with the 84mm width being suitable for mid-speed skis. It has the lightest swing weight.

Okumura: For the skis I ride, I recommend the E-RACE PRO for beginners, or for those who have a Grade 1 or Grade 2 license and want to take the next step. For those who want a high-spec model, it's best to choose one with the exact same internal skis but with separate plates. The skis have good performance and are easy to flex, so you get the best of both worlds.

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Text = Chiho Kuriyama

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