This is my review of Head Kore 93. In my opinion, it is a strong well-rounded ski perfect for all-mountain skiers who want to save some money without losing too many key traits.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Where to buy: Amazon, The House
- Best for: All-mountain skiers who want something that can push through and over different terrain. Also good for those on a budget or who want more affordable skis.
- Pros: These skis are a great blend of snappy and fun. They are also incredibly lightweight, which makes them easy to pilot. Versatile design and application.
- Cons: You will experience a bit of chatter at higher speeds. Lack of metal in construction means less stability in certain conditions.
- Alternatives: Nordica Enforcer 93, Blizzard Rustler 10, Volkl M5
What is this ski’s turning radius?
The Head Kore 93 comes with a 17.5-meter turning radius.
Who are these best for?
The Kore 93 Skis are great for skiers of all ability levels, from beginners up to more advanced riders.
What is in the core?
The Kore 93 utilizes a light Karuba wood core that allows for a lot of pop and plenty of play.
Why Trust Me
I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I spent ample time researching these skis by talking with people who used them firsthand and doing an in-depth analysis of their many different traits.
Detailed Review of Head Kore 93
The Head Kore 93 is an incredibly useful all-mountain ski that offers quite a bit of power inside a lightweight shell. Even without top tier dampness or rigidity, the skis can stand up to just about every single thing nature can throw their way. The length is solid, the nice tip gives you good float, and the price is on point. Perfect for carving, but also excellent when you need to hit some features at the park.
Stability and Carving
When taking a look at the construction, I wouldn’t blame you for assuming the Kore 93 doesn’t have great stability. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This ski does a solid job at keeping stable, even without a metal construction. You’re going to see a bit of chatter when you really get going, but at most speeds this model will hold up. I would have liked a metal core, but as long as you don’t push this one too hard or go too fast, you’re going to see great results.
Head has a history of making quality skis, and that holds up here. The Kore 93 is a model that turns quite easily and smoothly. You aren’t going to experience a lot of resistance, which is a good thing. The camber underfoot and wood core also work together to create a lot of pop.
Something else worth mentioning is that these are quick edge to edge, which is what you’d normally expect in smaller width models. You can easily alter your turn shape and width as you need. With just a 17.5 meter turn radius, the model is able to give you tight movements that help generate extra power and speed.
Weak with Crud
As well-rounded as the Kore 93, it’s not perfect. One area it doesn’t quite hold up in is crud. The lack of metal hurts here. While the graphene may be durable, it can’t stack up to the dampening capabilities of titanal models. That’s not to say it’s utterly useless in refrozen chunder, but this is not a large crud buster for when conditions get rough.
This model can be driven or piloted through all different sorts of crud, and the tip deflection isn’t too bad. Even so, you’re going to notice and feel any odd inconsistencies in the terrain. That makes this model much better suited for pleasant or smooth conditions. If you need power or want to chop crud, you’re going to want something else.
Powder and Playfulness
The Kore 93 is only 93mm underfoot, but it still does a solid job in powder. You’re going to have a blast in storms because the construction will keep you afloat and having fun at all times. That’s largely due to the impressive 136mm tip, as well as the generous tip rocker. Both work together to ensure you can easily ride to your heart’s content.
These skis work in the soft stuff because the rocker and soft flex pattern present in the tip and tail enable you to slash and butter turns in powder. That means a lot of predictability, especially when compared to similar models. You’re not going to get the same performance as you will from a dedicated powder ski, but the Kore 93 still delivers for an alpine model.
The Kore also does a great job when it comes to play. This model is simply fun to ride in powder, and you can take it off just about any small jump you find out on the mountain. There’s a lot of pop when it comes to jumps and the wood core works with the camber/soft-rockered tips and tails to give you soft landings. This is another area where the lightweight construction comes into play as well.
Price and Value
The Kore 93 sits firmly in the average range when it comes to price. This isn’t the cheapest model money can buy, but it is far from the most expensive. That, mixed with the strong features and fun traits, make this a good-value item. In fact, I would argue you’re going to have a hard time finding a better value-for-price all-mountain ski on the current market. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and does so without breaking the bank.
What I Like
My favorite aspect of this ski is its versatility. The Kore’s lightweight construction comes with many advantages, but what it really does is give you a model that you can easily use both on and off-piste. The lighter design makes it easy to take touring, but the excellent control and fun feel make it a blast in the resort as well. Some all-mountain options don’t live up to that name, but this definitely does.
I’m also a big fan of its stability. This ski is a lightweight option without any titanal. That should mean it can’t hold up, but it does in quite an impressive way. There’s not a lot of chatter, which was my initial fear, and it has the strength to tackle conditions much easier than you would first expect.
What I Dislike
I would have liked the Kore 93 to be able to do a bit better in crud. It’s not a buster, nor would many people expect it to be, but the lack of metal hurts in this area. You should be able to pilot it through rougher terrain, but you’re absolutely going to feel it when you do. Unlike other models, these skis do not have the ability to absorb small inconsistencies in the snow. That’s going to show up in your joints, especially after a long day.
The Alternatives
There’s no doubt the Kore 93 excels in a few different areas. Even so, it’s not a perfect ski. If you want to take on the mountain in a different way, or if you want to analyze similar models, these are all worth a long look.
- Nordica Enforcer 93 – The Enforcer 93 comes from a reputable brand, and that shows through all parts of its cohesive design. This ski is particularly great at carving. Though I’m not a big fan of the chatter or how poorly it does in powder, that will be enough for some riders. If you want a reliable option for a more niche use than something like the Kore 93, this is the way to go.
- Blizzard Rustler 10 – If you want a reliable all-mountain option that delivers in just about every condition, the Rustler 10 (review) is worth a look. This ski is a true all-around option that does particularly well in powder. It’s floatiness and tight control make it extremely fun to use. Just know that it’s not the best model for extremely high speeds.
- Volkl M5 – Though it definitely has some chatter, the M5 (review) is a fast, consistent ski that’s best for riders who put a lot of value on reliability. This model is one of the most well-rounded options out there, and the solid construction works with the powerful design to give you excellent performance in just about any environment you can imagine. I love that versatility.
Final Words
The Kore 93 is a solid, all-mountain option that delivers on its ability to work in many different areas. It has a nice construction, a sleek design, and is extremely fun.
There’s a lot to be said about how it performs in different conditions, especially on soft, natural runs. It isn’t going to be the best option for crud, but if you need a reliable model for just about anything else, this is a solid choice.