January/February 2008 Features  |
In 2007-2008, Salomon introduces the Pilot Sport, a Pilot binding technology that will now be available to recreational skiers. The Pilot Sport has two axes to
provide maximum torsional rigidity for more control. It is "bumperless," with no flexor in front of the toe, giving natural forefoot rolling with more direct transfer of contact to the ski, resulting in better kick and glide. The spring in the Sport is softer.
The Pilot Sport has automatic step-in and an option of either push button step-out or manual lever step-out. It is available in classic and skate versions with flexes rated at 100 and 120, respectively, for men and women with a different color for women. The pilot skate and classic bindings will see no changes for next season. Salomon unveils new construction on the Equipe 10 Skate and Equipe 10 Classic skis. With new Nomex cores, technology leveraged from Salomon’s sister relationship with Atomic, these are very light-weight skis with a precise flex. Other skis will use the Densolite technology, an acrylic foam that is milled, versus injected, as in many skis. The new "Spaceframe" 3D shapes are designed to enhance performance and transfer power to the edges of the ski; the classic for accurate pressure distribution. The new "heel-toe" camber on the classic skis insures that the wax pocket is in full contact with the snow while weight is applied to the forefoot and is released when the foot is flat during the glide phase. Both Equipe 9 and 10 skis have the heel-toe camber.
The Equipe 10 skis will have the same sidecuts as before, with a carbon-powered plate on the skate ski and Zeolite G5 bases, which use a proprietary technology that acts as a sponge. When combined with the polyurethane in the base, this provides greater wax retention. In addition to warm and cold base grinds, Salomon Equipe 10 CL also has warm and cold camber options. The warm camber is higher and has a shorter wax pocket. The cold camber has a larger pressure area and lower wax pocket. There will also be more hash marks on the sidewall of the ski to better identify wax pocket and fit. The Equipe 9 Skate is similar to the 10, but has no carbon in the plate. Its Densolite core is slightly heavier and more stable. It is also slightly wider and is recommended for masters or club level skiers. The Equipe 8 SK and CL are slightly wider than the 9 and 10. The SK is recommended for the intermediate to advanced skier. The CL utilizes heel-toe in the Women’s model. The Elite 8 is shorter and has no carbon with the space frame and makes a good intermediate level skate ski.
The Snowscape line comes back with S-cut technology that is narrowest at the heel. It has different space frame construction with a solid platform at the top but with material removed at the front and back to lighten it up. The Salomon Junior level ski is new. It looks a lot like the upper end skis, but does not use the space frame concept. Graphics on all of the 9, 8 and 7 level skis match the look of the similar level boots. In 2007-08 Salomon rolls out a new G2 waxless base, developed in conjunction with Atomic, with an improved gliding zone and sharper grip edge for better grip during the kick phase. It will be available on all Salomon waxless skis - Snowscape, Equipe 9 Grip, Elite 9 Grip and Elite 5 Grip. The Salomon Smart Plate System (SPS) debuts in 2007-08 for easy and fast mounting. Snowscape 8 and 9, the new Equipe 8 Skate and Equipe 8 Vitane Skate will come premounted with the SPS plate. No drilling is required and there is no need to check the balance point. The final mount requires two screws near the toe bar for maximum stability and control. Pilot Sport skate and classic bindings will also come with the SPS plate system or can be mounted on any flat ski.
Salomon’s high-end boots -- S lab, RS, RC and Pro Combi -- remain unchanged next year. But a new women’s performance skate boot, the Vitane Carbon Skate, will be introduced. It has the same features as RS Carbon but with a women’s fit including a narrow heel pocket. It sports new graphics with a similar look throughout the line. All Salomon race boots -- including women’s models, Escape 9 and Siam 9 Pilot -- can be custom heat-fitted at your local ski shop. Salomon’s 8 level skate boots, both men’s and women’s, see a color change that matches it well with Vitane 8 ski. The Active/Vitane 8 Classic Pilot is a new introduction from Salomon, a plastic composite boot with a new supportive heel arch and the Sport Pilot outsole. For added warmth it comes with its women’s fleece lining on the interior of the Vitane. The 6 and 5 level boots primarily see cosmetic changes that bring them in sync with the rest of the line. The Escape/Siam 6 boot has a new “Smart Wrap” lacing system that pulls the foot back into the heel pocket. The 6 has no lace cover, but is fully gusseted.
Salomon’s new Junior skiathlon is a high-end combi racing boot with a supportive articulated cuff, easy lace system and a classic flex midsole. The boot utilizes Pilot binding technology and the same design as the adult boot. Salomon’s BC boots will be unchanged. In 2007-2008, Salomon also rolls out a full line of soft shell, seamless apparel that is color matched to much of the company’s equipment. |
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