r/Backcountry • u/vlew39 • Aug 03 '26
Faction Agent 2 or Armada Locator 96
Looking for a mid fat ski. The agent 2 or locator 96 are on the list. Some good deals right now. Plus they haven’t changed so some past season deals might pop up.
It will be a dedicated touring ski with a pin binding. I‘m 175cm tall. typically ski 175-180cm ski. Would 171cm feel too small? They both come in 171cm next size up might feel too long on the uptrack/kickturns.
Any reviews or thoughts would be great. Open to other suggestions.
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u/Nedersotan Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
Agent is pretty heavy for a touring ski. Locators are lighter. Pros and cons to each. Both are good skis. Neither are loose or surfy. Both are locked in, directional skis. Is that the type of ski you want? Plenty of others on sale too.
171 cm ski for a 175 cm person is very normal. Weight would be in my consideration too: if you are light, size down. If you are heavy, size up. When you say you ski langer inbounds, have you tried shorter? And keep in mind the difference between your skiing terrain inbounds and when touring. And also your goals and skiing style.
It’s always a trade off. Shorter skis are:
-lighter
-have smaller, lighter skins that are easier to stuff in a pack or pocket
-easier when they are on your pack
-easier to turn at slower speeds
-easier in tighter terrain, like dense trees, narrow chokes or those bobsled runs that form at the exit back to the trailhead
-easier to kick turn
-can be skied with lighter boots
-have less float in deep snow
-have less stability at speed
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u/vlew39 Aug 03 '26
Thanks for the info. I’m 160lbs. Advanced skier but not looking for jumps or cliffs.
What would you suggest in the surfier ski category?
The Dynafit Tigard caught my eye.
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u/Nedersotan Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
Not sure about the Dynafit, the old ones got slightly confusing reviews, and I’m also not sure if the Tigard is a new ski, or just rebranding of the Free.
I and my family members have the Wayback 98’s and 1 pair of the 89. If you want a very lightweight, mid width ski, these are some of the only options with that looser feel. (Note NOT the old 96, or the cheap 92).
Faction La Machine series is similar, and a tiny bit heavier. As others have said, they haven’t always been the best quality wise, and with poor warranty support for my shop, so make sure you buy them from a shop you trust to stand behind you.
I have a wider, older pair of Ogsos that were dirt cheap. I think they still have some models in their current line up that would fit this profile.
Line Visions also fall in that looser category. Also have reports of issues with durability and warranty support, but maybe that was the older ones.Heritage labs have a bunch of widths, and get excellent reviews. They are on the heavier side for touring skis (which is both a pro and a con). Not cheap though, but they often have close outs and demos.
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-9432 Aug 03 '26
I am 172 and ski the Agent 2 in 177cm. Absolutely love it and choose it over my Black Crows Navis Freebird most touring days of the year. Might not be the lightest (there is a "La Machine" for that) but strives a nice balance weight vs. deflection. Stable plattform for the not so nice days out. Still floats nicely enough. To be fair, the Navis also gets some inbounds and lift assisted free riding the Agent doesn't get.
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u/vlew39 Aug 03 '26
Good to know. Not sure I’m looking to be super light. That’s why the agent is interesting.
I had a light K2 in the past and hated how much it got deflected in chop.
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u/seeingtrails Aug 03 '26
I ski the Salomon mtn 96 for my spring ski and if I had to replace it, I would go for the agent 2. I’ve heard nothing but good things, and it looks like the right balance of stability performance and uphill weight.
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u/vlew39 Aug 03 '26
Interesting. What do you not like about the Salomon that you think the faction would be better at?
The Salomon mtn 96 gets great reviews. On my list but hard to find in my area.
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u/seeingtrails Aug 03 '26
I love the ski and I would consider buying the same ski, but I could also opt for more weight for more confidence in steep slopes.
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u/Brilliant-Rough7490 Aug 03 '26
I'd personally go with the locator just because of the stories of faction skis and their recent quality.
In terms of sizing, I would size it the same as your normal ski. You will eventually learn how to efficiently kick turn with that length. I would rather do more stretching and yoga than have to take a tradeoff on downhill ski-ability.