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Faction Agent 2.0 2019 – 2020 Ski | Review

The Faction Agent 2.0 stakes its claim in the competitive 'one ski quiver' territory

Lengths (cm): 155, 163, 171, 179 & 187
Sidecut (mm): 127 / 96 / 117 (179cm)
Radius: 20m (179cm)
Rocker Profile: Rocker-Camber-Rocker
Weight (per ski): 1570g (179cm)
Price: £649

Website: factionskis.com

Why we chose the Faction Agent 2.0: Lightweight, yet not at the cost of performance.

Faction have been in the game awhile, creating some pretty damn fine skis along the way. The most notable of these are the ones you usually see strapped to the feet of one of the cleanest, most stylish, freestyle skiers in the world – Candide Thovex. Heard of him?

We’re not going to claim that these skis are going to turn you into the next Candide (they won’t, sorry). What we will say though is that the Agent 2.0 has been designed as a tool that’s able to perform in a range of conditions, with a shape and weight that opens up a whole new backcountry world for those who may not previously have gone beyond the boundaries.

“It really is a great choice for those of us who are looking to invest in the single ski quiver”

Because of the versatility and not overly demanding flex pattern of the Agent 2.0, it really is a great choice for those of us who are looking to invest in the single ski quiver.

With most brands creating skis in this category with as much weight as possible stripped from them to the detriment of their downhill performance, it’s great to see Faction keeping the Agent 2.0 around the very healthy weight range of 1600 grams in the 95 – 100mm waist category.

Faction have slapped their all new Karuba wood core into the Agent 2.0. It’s this core that claims to remain extremely lightweight whilst also staying impressively strong, thanks to its vibration-absorbing characteristics. This is partly down to the use of carbon stringers that stretch the length of the ski, helping to avoid that dreaded tip flap you so frequently see from lightweight skis.

Another reason to like Faction is that, as a group, they’re not solely fixated on just making stuff to sell to the mass market; all without a thought for the wider picture. For example, 1% of their profits go back into helping protect our natural landscape through the 1% for the planet scheme. Chapeau.

“Carbon stringers … stretch the length of the ski, helping to avoid that dreaded tip flap”

As touched on in the introduction, this ski is going to be a real do-it-all quiver for skiers who are heading out on holiday with no idea of what the mountains are going to throw at them.

Seasonaires who are only planning on ski touring now and then would also get on well with this ski. Whack a binding like the Kingpin M-Werks on and you’ve created an all-mountain machine that’s able to keep a fairly low weight, yet have all the power and dampness to ski the resort day after day.

The 96 mm waist width makes the Faction Agent 2.0 a great all mountain performer

Industry Insider

Anna Smoothy, Faction Marketing Manager

“The Agent 2.0 boasts the best strength-to-weight ratio Faction has achieved in its 13 years of crafting premium skis. The lightweight Karuba woodcore also features a full carbon weave, making it a competitive weight for ski touring up, and rocksteady on the way down.

“Whether you’re after fresh goods or springtime couloirs, the brand-new Agent 2.0 is your go-to when venturing off the beaten track. 1% of all Agent Series sales are donated to NGO’s taking action against climate change, via 1% for the Planet – making the Agent 2.0 a responsible purchase for those motivated to give back to the natural playgrounds they enjoy”

“1% of all Agent Series sales are donated to NGO’s taking action against climate change”

Expert’s Verdict

Mali Noyes, Faction Athlete discussing the women’s Agent 2.0x

“I love this ski! Not only is it my favourite colour, but it is my favourite touring ski for both big days and quick laps in the backcountry. Its lightness and size is great for the way up, making it easy to kick-turn and transition, and it’s still stable and commanding on the way down. With the Agent 2.0 I feel confident in all snow types, no matter how steep, icy, or variable the snow and conditions are.”

Teague Holmes, Faction Athlete

“The Agent 2.0 is a new exciting ski for me, as it ticks a lot of the boxes that are important to me in a touring ski. While it feels light on ascents and accessing higher lines, it really performs solidly on the downhill – something I know the designers / engineers put a lot of focus on.

“That 96mm waist width is a real sweet spot for dealing with variable conditions, from harder snow, through to spring corn and fresh pow.”

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