A different dimension of lightness brought by the new material "graphene"
"KORE" has been in the lineup since the 2018 season as HEAD's free ski line.
The category continues to expand year by year, and the degree of fulfillment among brands is astonishing. The lineup for the 2022 season includes a total of 10 models, 6 for men and 4 for women. This number is second only to the competition ski line, which is the main axis of the head.
With a wide variety of models with waist widths from 85mm to 117mm, the "KORE" series is widely used by everyone from freeride competitors to those who enjoy ski resorts.
Its strength and lightness are noteworthy. When it comes to models suitable for freeriding and carving, it is common to incorporate metal or titanium to give a sense of stability and strength, but this increases weight and impairs ease of handling.
Head uses a new material called "graphene" to bring about a major change in the structure of skis. "KORE" skis are all about good buoyancy and excellent operability by making them lighter Explore Graphene, the material that gave rise to skis that are both light and strong.
"KORE" series where lightness and strength coexist = caruba core + graphene + carbon
What kind of material is Graphene, which dramatically lightens skis?
Graphene is a new material discovered in 2004.
It is thin, strong, and has excellent heat resistance. For example, it is said to be 300 times stronger than steel. This material is a flat sheet and extremely thin, with a thickness of one atom. It's a little hard to imagine, but it's said that 3 million sheets must be stacked to make it 1mm thick.
By the way, the scientists who discovered this new material received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010, and it is attracting a lot of attention from various fields as an innovative material.
The head was the first ski industry to adopt it.
By using this new material for "KORE", we succeeded in significantly reducing the mass, thickness and type of material compared to previous skis. In fact, it is about 550g lighter than conventional skis.
Multi-layer carbon signed witch cap construction
❶ Polyester fleece ❷ Glass fiber ❸ Glass fiber BK Caruba poplar wood core ❻ Side wall ❼ Dampening layer ❽ Edge ❾ Carbon ❿ Base
All models in the "KORE" series have the structure shown above. A soft and light carbawood core is selected as the core material, and it is made as thin as possible. A softer, thinner core will make the ski lighter, but it will also weaken the ski itself. However, by arranging graphene-processed carbon layers on the front and back of the binding, it becomes a ski that can withstand all the force of the skier and the resistance received from the snow surface.
Graphene has brought about an unexpected change in ski construction. Normal skis are generally thin at the top and tail and thick in the center. Graphene skis, on the other hand, have a nearly uniform thickness from tip to tail. This made it easier to apply force evenly to the ski. In addition, the weight balance has been improved, creating more buoyancy on soft snow and bringing out excellent operability.
In addition, apart from Graphene, it has a tricycle carbon structure in which three layers of carbon sheets are woven. Stickiness is born in the ski and enhances the edge grip.
up has been expanding year by year since James Haym got involved.
The 2018 launch of the KORE series brought about a major change in Head's freeski segment, and James Haim is at the core of it all. He is a rider who has risen from a mere ski bum to a movie star who is active in movies such as MSP as the face of head freeriding.
In May 2018, he became Head's global freeride team manager and began actively promoting in North America. Until then, he had dispatched scouts to various places, but with the appointment of movie star James, the younger generation reacted to "KORE" and expanded its market share.
The [KORE] series also increased its lineup year by year. Below are the changes.
| total number | 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 |
Let's introduce all models of the 2022 season here.
Core 117 99,000 yen L=177, 184cm｜D=145-117-129mm (184cm)｜R=24.6m (184cm)
・Top model of the series. Great for hitting big lines on big mountains
Core 111
99,000 Yen L=177, 184cm｜D=140−111−127mm (184cm)｜R=21.1m (184cm)
・Ideal for freeriding. Agility, buoyancy and versatility that professional riders rely on
Core 105 93,500 yen L = 170, 177, 184cm | D = 135-105-125mm (184cm) | R = 17.8m (184cm)
The model with the best balance in any situation on any slope. Almighty in the backcountry where conditions are difficult to read
Core 103 W 94,600 yen L = 170cm | D = 130-101-120mm (170cm) | R = 15.2m (170cm)
・Because there is more rocker rise than KORE93 and 97, it is like a pivot in fresh snow. Easy to operate
Core 99 93,500 yen L = 170, 177, 184 cm | D = 134-99-120 mm (177 cm) | R = 17 m (177 cm)
・All-around performance that can handle deep powder and ice burns
Core 97 W 93,500 yen L = 163, 170 cm | D = 131-97-118 mm (170 cm) | R = 15.3 m (170 cm)
- A size that demonstrates performance in a variety of conditions. All-day, all-mountain model
Core 93 88,000 yen L = 163, 170, 177cm | D = 133-93-115mm (177cm) | R = 16.4m (177cm)
Based on fresh snow gliding, carving, and turn control regardless of size can draw a line
Core 91 W 88,000 yen L=163, 170cm｜D=130-91-113mm (170cm)｜R=14.7m (170cm)
・The size of the length is also easy for women to handle. Excellent performance on compacted snow slopes while gaining buoyancy
Core 87 88,000 yen L=156, 163, 170cm｜D=125-85-108mm (170cm)｜R=14.8m (170cm)
・Recommended for skiers who want to enjoy powder and compacted snow in the ski area.
Core 85 W 88,000 yen L = 156, 163, 170cm | D = 127-85-108mm (170cm) | R = 14.8m (170cm)
Versatility for all-mountain use. Ideal for touring because it is light
The structure that adopted graphene and carbon is common to all models. Another characteristic is that the "KORE" series does not use a top sheet. The use of polyester fleece instead of the topsheet further reduces weight. Due to the topless tech construction, the HEAD letters are embossed rather than printed or graphic.
In addition, the length development of each model has changed from the previous 9cm pitch to a 7cm pitch. The narrower width makes it easier to choose the size according to your body shape, technique, and gliding style.
Riders' "KORE" impressions
Finally, what model are the riders wearing? From here, let's take a look at the impressions of the three support riders, Natsuki Endo, Ai Sato, and Yui Ohno.
Impression Review_1 Natsuki Endo
Based on the techniques cultivated in moguls, he mainly teaches free ski lessons at Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai and Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Ski Resort. Finding time to enter the mountains around the Inawashiro area, we are 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:
Impression of hardness (1=soft←→5=hard)
・Nose: 4/5
・Center: 4/5
・Tail: 4/5
Recommendations for each situation
・POWDER: 5
・GLOOM: 4
・HARD PACK: 4
・PARK: 3
・BUMPS: 2
・TOURING: 5
A model that I love all season.
If you have this one, you can ski as you like on all fields, regardless of whether you are skiing or backcountry. It's light enough that you don't feel it's length, but it's firm and firm, so you can ski with full confidence in your skis. The boots are also from the KORE series.
It's very light and solidly made, so you can't let go of it as a reliable item. The grip walk sole reduces the burden on your feet when you move, and is a very good boot that allows you to concentrate on sliding. The bindings I'm using now are lightweight and reliable items. It is a binding that is safe enough to say that I don't want to ski with anything other than this binding. I've been using Tyroria's Attack for many years, but it's a binding that releases properly when it's dangerous when it falls over without mis-releasing.
Impression Review_2 Ai Sato
Raised at the foot of Kagura Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, skiing has been one of his pastimes since he was young. During his school days, he devoted himself to alpine racing. Based in Kagura, they are active in Tanigawa, near Hakuba, and overseas as a place of training. In order to hone her sensibility and experience as a female rider, she formed a women's ski team "Mountain Women's Club" with Noriko Fukushima and Tomomi Oike. In order to expand the place of "fun" sharing, she holds not only snow mountain scenes but also events and tours throughout the four seasons. She is the owner of Kiyotsu Lakeside Lodge.
instagram: @ aisato75
Height 157cm, weight 45kg
Model used:
Impression of hardness
・Nose: 3/5
・Center: 3/5
・Tail: 3/5
Recommendations for each situation
・POWDER: 5
・GLOOM: 4
・HARD PACK: 4
・PARK: 4
・BUMPS: 3
・TOURING: 4
It is much lighter than the 21 season KORE series.
Even so, the torsion from the top is stronger than the 2021 model, and the overall firmness is impressive. In the backcountry, I think that drawing a big arc on a big slope is the real thrill, so it's a nice improvement to be able to drop the ski vertically because of the increased tension. It's a little strange to be able to enjoy the solid undercarriage even though it's light. It's an all-rounder, so it's a great first ski to get you started in the backcountry. For boots, I use KORE2 W regardless of the conditions from the beginning of the season to the remaining snow.
The walk mode function feels a little less movable. However, it is easy to keep the position when hiking, and the suspension is solid. It features a light and snug fit. The form fit allows it to fit your foot better and gives you more control. Recommended for people with narrow feet. "ROPTOR110" is a pure alpine boot, so when you are looking for ice, complicated terrain, or greater action, you will want a reliable alpine boot. I've been using "AMBITION10 MN" for a long time.
Light weight and great support. I don't feel any trouble in any snowy mountain scene. After wearing the boots, you can operate the stock while standing and the high heel support is a nice point when climbing hills. If you have been skiing at a ski resort before and want to start backcountry, I can definitely recommend this with confidence. Especially for the elderly, those who are not confident in their leg strength, and girls. The biggest advantage is that you can use your familiar alpine boots as they are. If you are not used to fitting boots into the TEC pin, it will take a lot of time and effort. With Frame Tour bindings, you can smoothly switch to hike mode without complicated procedures.
Impression Review_3 Yui Ohno
Born in Hakuba, Hakuba local freeride skier. He enjoys everything from ski resorts to the backcountry, and in the summer he enjoys climbing and mountain biking all year round. 2021 FWQ HAKUBA 2nd place
instagram: @ yuipuep
Height 160cm/Weight 48kg
Models used: SKI_KORE 103 W (177cm), BINDING_ST ROTATION 10 (DYNAFIT) BOOTS_HOJI FREE 110 (DYNAFIT)
Impression of hardness
・Nose: 3.5/5
・Center 3.5/5
・Tail: 3.5/5
Recommendations for each situation
POWDER: 5
GLOOM: 5
HARD PACK: 4
PARK: 4
BUMPS: 3
TOURING: 5
I use it in all seasons, all mountains, all conditions. The width and length of the skis are just right for me. The '22 model is even lighter and more mobile than the previous KORE series. The ride is lighter, but the overall feeling is firmer and firmer. It is very easy to ride because it is rarely flipped even on hard bars.