By Liam Anderson
Faction Agent 4
Overview
The Agent 4 is built as a freeride‑touring ski that balances uphill weight with downhill capability. With a 141 mm tip, 116 mm waist and 131 mm tail across the standard sizes, it’s aimed at big‑mountain powder touring where float is essential but you still want predictable edge hold on firmer snow. A modest 2 mm of camber underfoot gives on‑piste bite and rebound, while enhanced tip rocker improves flotation. Available in three lengths, this ski suits riders who split their season between long approaches and serious descents.
Powder & downhill performance
In deep snow and at high speeds the Agent 4 feels confident and composed. The pronounced tip rocker helps it plane early in powder, and the small camber underfoot maintains contact for stability through chop and crust. The freeride‑flat tail with slight rocker allows strong, committed turns and is useful for skinning and tail‑up touring. XL 2.5 mm edges and reinforced sidewalls add durability and edge hold when charging steep or variable terrain.
Touring weight and uphill behavior
On the uphill the weight is a key factor: the 179 cm weighs about 1880 g per ski, the 185 cm about 1950 g, and the 191 cm about 1990 g. Those weights put it above ultra‑light carbon race tour skis but comfortably below many heavy all‑mountain powder boards. In practice that means reasonable skinning efficiency for long approaches, with a worthwhile tradeoff of added downhill stability and impact resistance.
Construction and specs explained
The construction mixes a lightweight Karuba wood core with full carbon weave laminates, creating a lively but controlled flex pattern. Full Strength sidewalls and oversized 2.5 mm edges boost durability and bite on firm snow. Rocker–Camber–Rocker with roughly 2 mm camber balances float with edge contact; the elliptical sidecut gives varied turning radii for both long arcs and quicker pivots. These specs explain why the ski feels stable at speed yet remains light enough for serious touring.
Comparisons and who should buy it
Compared to similar freeride‑touring skis the Agent 4 sits in the middle: more float and stability than narrow touring skis, but not as surfy or ultra‑soft as some powder‑specific planks. If you’re choosing between this and lighter backcountry race tools, you’ll gain better downhill confidence at the cost of a bit more uphill effort. Riders focused on big‑mountain lines, couloirs and mixed snow will appreciate its strengths; tree‑lined tight tech runs may expose its limits.
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