The new model exhibition for the 2022-2023 season by Amer Sports Japan, which has popular brands such as SALOMON, ATOMIC, and ARMADA, was held in Tokyo in mid-February 2022, right in the middle of the Beijing Olympics. As the STEEP editorial department, we would like to pick up and introduce the products that we are interested in from the latest models that have been unveiled.
The SALOMON brand has three hot topics for the 2022-23 season. Since its debut in the 2016-17 season, the "QST" series, which has gained popularity as a flagship model in Salomon's freeride category, has been updated to the 3rd generation. And the birth of the innovative all-mountain binding "STRIVE" corresponding to the new generation of skiing. Furthermore, a futuristic visor helmet that combines goggles and a helmet with cutting-edge technology has also appeared. Let's take a closer look at its evolution.
All the latest technology!
QST106, the icon of the QST series that has evolved into the third generation
The popular SALOMON QST series in snowy mountains around the world. The biggest news of the 2022-23 season is that the QST106 has undergone a full model change. The new technology "Double Sidewall Technology", which was installed in the QST BLANK, the model with the widest waist width, last season in 2021-22, is also installed in the QST106 this season.
By making the sidewall a double structure, the grip of the edge of the foot is strengthened, and the snow surface is firmly gripped to achieve sharpness and stability. In addition, the wide points of the top and tail are closer to the center and the rocker section is extended, making power transmission quicker and enabling a high degree of freedom to respond to quick turns and playful riding.
A new material unique to SALOMON called “CFX” is introduced into the base of the ski. CFX is a fiber layer that mixes natural hemp with carbon and is patented by Salomon. In addition, the top and tail are equipped with vibration absorbing technology "Cork Dump Refire" to ensure smooth and stable gliding performance. As you can see, the QST106 is full of the latest technology! It has evolved into the strongest machine.
Let the SALOMON staff teach you in the video
Innovative bindings for all-mountains
SALOMON's technological prowess shines "STRIVE" debut!
New bindings will be released for the 2022-23 season. Its name is "STRIVE". The SALOMON binding has been designed with a triangular arrow motif on the toe piece for a long time, and it has a form that makes you feel SALOMON's pride, following that taste.
"STRIVE" is the latest all-mountain binding for the new generation of all-mountain skis. Roughly speaking, the attractive point is that "it brings out the natural flex of the ski, it has excellent power transmission, it is lightweight and has a low center of gravity, and it has excellent operability." I would like to understand a little more.
The best feature and advantage of the stripe binding is the low center of gravity of 20mm. It has a lower center of gravity than Salomon's freeride binding WARDEN and is about 30% lower than other competitor bindings in the same line. The advantage is that by lowering the center of gravity, contact with the snow surface and power response are greatly improved.
The toe and heel heights are 5mm different, but this ramp angle is said to be the most neutral position. In addition, the sliding pad on the toe piece has been made very wide at 72 mm, expanding the contact area between the boot sole and the binding. By improving power transmission performance and improving positioning, you can achieve more direct and sharp riding.
Let the SALOMON staff teach you in the video
A new sensation helmet that achieves a premium fit while the goggles and helmet look like different
For the 2022-23 season, SALOMON will produce a completely new visor helmet "DRIVER PRIME". First of all, the most notable point is its design, which combines fashion and functionality. It is said that the helmet team at the head office worked very hard to come up with the design, hoping to somehow change the taste of the astronaut-like visor helmet that has been common so far. The biggest attraction is that the goggles and helmet look like they are separate, as if they are not a visor, but the visor helmet is full of functions, and the goggles and helmet are integrated and you can enjoy a high fit.
Equipped with a number of technologies such as MIPS, Smart Safety 360°, and EPS4D to protect the brain from impact, ensuring maximum safety. Featuring BOA360® technology. Another advantage is the dial fit system that fits perfectly around the head. In addition, the MaxFit structure and merino liner make it very comfortable to wear. The ventilation function inside the helmet is also substantial and comfortable without getting stuffy.
The most important feature of the goggles is the use of Sigma Photomagnetic Lenses. Properly change the light to improve contrast and ensure a wide field of view. Lenses can be changed quickly and easily, and the ability to adapt to the lighting conditions on the snowy mountains gives a great sense of security.
This Sigma Photomagnetic lens costs about 30,000 to 35,000 yen on the market. The helmet itself costs about 35,000 to 40,000 yen, and the "DRIVER PRIME SIGMA PHOTO MIPS" costs 49,500 yen (tax included), which is very reasonable considering the quality.
◆ SALOMON official website https://www.salomon.com/
ATOMIC's free-skiing collection will be further enhanced in the 2023 season. Roughly speaking, "BENT CHETLER" is recommended for slopes, parks, backcountry skiing and all-mountain skiing. If you want to use it as a main, we recommend the "MARVERICK", which has a high grip on packed slopes. However, even with the same type of skis, the ride quality varies depending on the waist width and length. The charm of ATOMIC is that you can choose the style of the slipper with a variety of specs, which one will you choose for the 2022-23 season?
110 cm and 90 cm have been added to "BENT CHETLER" to expand the BENT family!
"BENT CHETLER" has so far only been available in two sizes, 100mm and 120mm, but in the 2022-23 season, an attractive size of 110mm, which seems to be in good shape, appears in the middle. In addition, 90mm and slim width are added, and the lineup will be 4, and it will be developed in the form of the vent family. The biggest selling point of the 2022-23 season is that it is now possible to choose any thickness according to the style of the slipper, while displaying graphics designed by Benchetler in oil painting. For those who have been wanting a thickness between 100mm and 120mm, 110mm should be good news that they have been waiting!
The features of "BENT CHETLER" are that it is surprisingly light, and that the ski itself is light and extremely soft, with a rocker shape in the top and tail and a vent in the center. Therefore, it is attractive that it lifts up a lot from the top, and while it has a lot of contact with the snow when it is bent, it can also create a carving element.
Let the ATOMIC staff teach you in the video
MAVERICK is the most popular in North America
The MAVERICK, developed by the North American team that debuted last year and manufactured in Austria, is based on a titanium sheet and is the most popular model in North America that can be used for everything from ground leveling to powder. . The carving element is also strong, and the foot tension is stronger and firmer than the BENT CHETLER series, and conversely, the camber is not as strong as the BENT CHETLER. The 2022-23 season will continue to be a must-watch.
The women's version is "MAVEN", and since it is a carbon sheet, it does not contain titanium. This is also firmer underfoot than the BENT CHETLER, and does not lose its grip on leveling. Since it is a model specialized for women, the shave itself is a little like a V shape rather than a tight curve, and it is an all-round ski that fits the female skeleton and puts less strain on the body. It can be used for a wide range of areas from leveled ground to powder.
The classic "BACKLAND" is a graphic change
The "BACKLAND" series, which can be said to be an icon of the ATOMIC freeride system that has gained popularity in long runs, is closer to the backcountry system. It is well known as a favorite model of professional skier Tsuyoshi Kodama. The head part is all Horizon Tech, with a center width of 117 mm to 78 mm, and it is set up to respond to very detailed applications. In the 2023 season, the graphics have been changed while the lineup and functionality remain the same.
If the weight of the ski is reduced with the assumption that it will be used for climbing, the quality of the ski itself will be compromised, so it is difficult to strike that balance. It is made with this in mind, so it is attractive that it is lightweight but does not lose its smoothness. Around 117mm is made with deep powder in mind, so I want to use it according to the mountain and high season.
The 100mm, which was released last year, is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. Tsuyoshi Kodama also uses 100mm, 107mm, and 117mm, but the 100mm is the most recommended because it is "extremely slippery". He says that he usually rides 100mm when he skates for personal enjoyment.
ATOMIC BOOTS
super popular "HAWX series" is more comfortable and functional!
ATOMIC's boots "HAWX series" Ultra, Prime, Magnum 3 types are all lightweight. In addition to the hard outer shell, the liner itself called the Mimic liner can be thermoformed in an oven and thermoformed to create a perfect fit at a high level.
The last width of Ultra is 98mm, and Prime is 100mm, which is the most popular. The 102mm Magnum is so comfortable that it's easier to wear while standing. For the 2022-23 season, all shells have memory fit, and the inner itself has been updated to a liner that can be thermoformed, further accelerating the pursuit of the ultimate fit.
Let the ATOMIC staff teach you in the video
◆ ATOMIC official website https://atomicsnow.jp/
ARMADA is a riders brand launched in 2002 by Tanner Hall, who was a mischievous street kid, and his friends JP Eau Claire. Since then, I feel that I have always run on the streets, but the brand has grown and the lineup has matured, and in the 2023 season, I will produce a completely new tour ski series "LOCATOR". There is no sense of unity in a good way because the designers are different for each category and the design is different depending on the scene of playing in the snow. It seems to be ARMADA-like that it keeps user preferences for each genre.
" SHORT PANTS PARADOX " debuts in the ZERO series, overturning common sense
At the unveiling of the ZERO series for the 2022-23 season, the first thing that catches your eye is its visuals. With a black base, the color of the top and running surface is subtly changed depending on the ski. More than anything else, there is a big news addition to the lineup. " SHORT PANTS PARADOX " was released. Paradox means paradoxical, but while normal freeride skis are usually around 180cm to 190cm, this ski is 176-168cm. It is a challenging model that enables performance that overturns stereotypes such as high-speed skiing on short skis and the belief that big turns are impossible.
The waist width is 112mm, R = 21.5m (176cm), the nose rocker is suppressed so as not to receive resistance, and the tail rocker starting point is slightly closer to the center to improve operability. It has a directional shape with a large setback in the center position, and is structured to generate buoyancy throughout the ski in powder. You will feel like you are riding a surfboard. Because it is short, it has excellent mobility, and the degree of freedom of play is very wide. Even if the center is over 110mm, the flex and camber balance give you confidence in turning performance during grooming.
" White Walker 121 that Sammy Carlson called "the ultimate powder tool " appeared
Sammy Carlson's new signature model " White Walker 121 " will be released in the Zero series. The waist width is 121mm, 5mm wider than last season's Sammy signature. Ride with a riding image that raises the spray mainly with the tail. A 3D structure is adopted for the tail, and the binding position is slightly backward, which is rare for ARMADA, making it a new proposal for vertical slip users. The edge is very short and features a flat shape with almost zero camber. If 183 cm, is the effective edge 150 cm or less? It's so short.
In terms of the 21-22 season, the difference between JJ's UL and White Walker is that JJ's UL is a powder type ski that floats a little in the powder and you can enjoy turns, while the White Walker does not float in the powder. I was choosing from two options such as this for those who want speed in the field, but the " White Walker 121 " floats, is fast, and can slide sideways. A comment by Sammy Carlson.
And, ``I think people who really want to play deep powder will jump on it. I can't stop worrying about this!
Challenge the view of the mountain world with the new tour ski "LOCATOR" that expands the range of ARMADA
Designed to handle all terrain and snow conditions in the backcountry, it comes in four waist width variations of 112, 104, 96, and 88mm, and is unisex in size, so you can have everything from short to long. More than the calm and mature graphics that are not typical of ARMADA, what is surprising is its lightness. The LOCATOR112 is 180cm and 1500g, which is amazingly light. Still, I'm not throwing away the slip.
The main feature is the low camber. Low camber gives good grip on seal climbs. By inserting a carbon sheet into a lightweight core called Karuba, the torsion is strong despite being light. It's light and good for climbing, but what about sliding? It is a self-confidence product that clears the challenge, "I can slide, I can climb, and I can do it."
ARV series, DECLIVITY series, apparel line
In skiing, the standard ARV series and DECLIVITY series are graphic changes. The taste changes every year, but the 2022-23 season also has graphics with plenty of presence. The apparel line also has a variety of colors, from vivid single colors to ARMADA-like camouflage patterns. The diversity that can be anything is a strong punch and creates a unique world view.
◆ ARMADA official website https://armadaskis.jp/