Review: Head Supershape e-Original

Model year: 2021-2022
Sidecut: 129-66-107
Size: 170 cm
Radius: 12,1 m
Technology: wood core, full sidewall, sandwich construction, titanal, Graphene, tip-rocker, EMC  

About this ski

Head’s Supershape line has been completely redesigned for the 2020-2021 season. Not just the skis with familiar names (Speed, Magnum, Rally, Titan) have been updated; there is a new member of the Supershape family: the e-Original. In general build, this ski is not very different from its family members: wood core, tip-rocker, metal, graphene (Head’s substitute for carbon) and the new Energy Management Circuit (EMC). It consists of ceramic inserts in the core, re-applying vibrations in the ski, dampening the ski and reducing chatter.

Where this ski differs from its Supershape siblings is its shape. The e-Original has quite an extreme sidecut. It is as narrow as most FIS race skis underfoot (66 mm). But the sidecut radius is exaggerated, even by Head standards. The e-Speed, e-Magnum and e-Rally all have small sidecut radii (compared to other skis from other brands in the same category). With a radius of 12,1 m in a 170 length ski, the e-Original really takes it to the next level. For reference: a slalom ski generally has a 12-13 m radius @ 165. 

Turn turn turn

As one would predict with a ski with this shape, it just wants to turn. Tight turns, on edge, that’s what this ski wants to do. And it does that very well. Stable, grippy, quite energetic too. Even though this ski is by no means aggressive, it does feel like a lot of energy in the turns. That is more the turn frequency and tight shape than it is the speed or power though.

This is a great ski for flatter slopes, where one can’t get the speed or edge angle to carve these small turns on other skis. You don’t need the speed or expert technique for the e-Original to carve tight turns. Just don’t expect them to remain on course when straight-lining or in fact doing anything else but tight turns. They just want to go on edge and ride that very tiny radius.

In conclusion

Want to maximize your turn-output with the least amount of energy, speed or even great technique? This e-Original is great at that. Just don’t expect it to do larger turns, skidded turns or going straight at speed equally well.

Characteristics

PlayfulStable
ForgivingPunishing
LivelyDamp
SkiddingCarving
Low speedHigh speed
Short turnLong turn
Soft snowHard snow

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