Review: 2016 Volkl Kenja

[tinymoose]

By all definitions I never found, even the old Kenjas, to be unforgiving. I just couldn't work them the way they were designed to be b/c of my mass? If that makes sense? I'd still pick them over most skis, though... but I'm a Volkl homer despite being a featherweight.

 

[contesstant]

Nah, I'm 100 lbs. on a good day. I can't work them the way they want to be. I skied the Kenjas for 3? years? And was 100% comfortable on them despite not being able to flex them. I loved them and was OK, but my knees started hurting over time. I was never uncomfortable on them, if that makes sense? Just over time, I realized I couldn't bend them the way they were designed to be?

That makes sense, and they ARE still a stiff ski.

 

[tinymoose]

That's the thing I don't feel will ever make sense to most people. I loved my Kenjas. I could 100% control them; I never felt like they were skiing me. But even though I could control them, I wasn't working them to their max? If that makes sense? Which is why I downgraded to the Yumi.

 

[Bluestsky]

Those are changes to 2016 model: "The Kenja’s new design includes a wider waist (now 90 mm underfoot) tip and tail rocker as well as early taper in the tip.", so no changes to the construction materials.

 

[tinymoose]

I don't like that they made the newer Kenjas wider... not that I've demo'ed them.

 

[tinymoose]

I will say, as both a Yumi and Kenja owner, I have to make a much more concerted effort in chunky snow to keep the Yumis on edge in those conditions to avoid being tossed around than I did on the Kenjas. And the Yumis are damp for a non-metal ski, but it is noticeable.

 

[vanhoskier]

They are only 2 mm wider....I doubt that´s a discernible difference between last year´s 88 mm waist. Plus, the tapered tip makes the ski very easy to tip and turn. That said, I do like skinny skis, too. My slalom skis are 66 underfoot, I think. Far easier to the knees to put those up on edge all day.

 

[Bluestsky]

I don't like that they made the newer Kenjas wider... not that I've demo'ed them.

That's why I'd love to hear from previous/current owners of older Kenjas who demoed/purchased the 2016 model.

 

[tinymoose]

Basically, I wish I had the mass/technique/muscle to work a metal ski... but I don't.... but I love them anyhow. lol

 

[tinymoose]

I would love to demo the newer Kenjas, but I would doubt that I'd find them in a 149 on a demo day. 156 seems to be the demo standard.

 

[Bluestsky]

I would love to demo the newer Kenjas, but I would doubt that I'd find them in a 149 on a demo day. 156 seems to be the demo standard.

You got nothing to lose. Demo 156 and instead of doing 3 runs turn them in after one run :-) I recall you used to have older Kenjas in 156, so that would be a good comparison.

 

[tinymoose]

I mean, I could demo the 156. My first Kenjas, which I sold a couple years ago, were 156. But I can't really work that length in bumps and trees.

 

[tinymoose]

I guess my end point is this... And I'm not sure how to make this make sense? I love the Kenjas. I do. And I get I'm not the norm. I love them, even though I can appreciate I can't take them where they want to be taken. I could buy them, and I could ski them. But I can't ski them the way they are meant to be skied? Yay, for being athletic? Boo for being a lightweight? I'm not meaning to be an ass, I just don't know how else to describe it? I'm a former gymnast, and I'm athletic for my size, but the more I've skied the more I've realized mass plays into it all? And even though I love the dampness of stiffer (metal) skis, I can't bend them. I can't. I dunno how to say this without sounding like a douche.

 

[contesstant]

I guess my end point is this... And I'm not sure how to make this make sense? I love the Kenjas. I do. And I get I'm not the norm. I love them, even though I can appreciate I can't take them where they want to be taken. I could buy them, and I could ski them. But I can't ski them the way they are meant to be skied? Yay, for being athletic? Boo for being a lightweight? I'm not meaning to be an ass, I just don't know how else to describe it? I'm a former gymnast, and I'm athletic for my size, but the more I've skied the more I've realized mass plays into it all? And even though I love the dampness of stiffer (metal) skis, I can't bend them. I can't. I dunno how to say this without sounding like a douche.

I kind of feel the same way about the Sambas, although I've never skied them in a shorter length to see if it's a length issue. They're a fantastic, fun ski and I've had some great days on them, but they are either a little TOO far above my skill level right now or??? I don't know. I just don't think I can work them the way they need to be skied to get their full benefit. I need a ski that will let me figure out how to ski crud and chop and cut up powder (let alone powder!) and they just aren't that ski. They want to go DOWN the hill, I want to cut across a lot still.

 

[volklgirl]

 

[tinymoose]

I guess this would be a far better description in an alternate thread, but I never know how to describe my ability on this forum other than the vague advanced intermediate - low advanced? How do you know you've reach the pinnacle of advanced?

 

[contesstant]

Those are not very appealing at all. Looks like the men's line--curious about the women's now!

 

[tinymoose]

Dear Volkl, if you want to give me some non-pink Yumis I can be reached at....

 

[contesstant]

I guess this would be a far better description in an alternate thread, but I never know how to describe my ability on this forum other than the vague advanced intermediate - low advanced? How do you know you've reach the pinnacle of advanced?

I was going to say if you spend a lot of time off-piste, but then I have at least one friend who is a pretty bad skier who skis off-piste all the time. So, I don't really know the answer to that!

 

[tinymoose]

Well, I spend all the time I can (in PA) in bumps and trees? Bumps more than trees. I'm not afraid, but it's limited experience for sure....