By Andrew Ingold
Head Crux 81 pro review
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Overview and intended rider
The Crux 81 Pro is built as a lightweight touring ski that prioritizes uphill efficiency while remaining respectably capable on descents. It targets intermediate to advanced tourers who want to minimize grams without losing too much performance when the slope turns down. The ski feels responsive in transitions and quick to manoeuvre thanks to tip‑tail rocker and a relatively narrow waist; it’s ideal for long days, mixed snow conditions and riders who cover a lot of vertical and want a ski that carries well both up and down.
Construction, materials and weight
Construction pairs a Karuba wood core with Graphene and a full triaxial carbon jacket under HEAD LYT technology, using sandwich‑cap or topless variants to shave weight. The result is a light ski (around 1165 g per ski for specific lengths) with enough torsional stiffness for solid edge control. The carbon layup increases strength‑to‑weight and lends a snappy feel during turn initiation, while the wood core preserves damping and energy return needed for sustained descents and varied terrain.
On‑snow behavior
On snow the ski acts like a true lightweight touring partner: tip and tail rocker help turn initiation and reduce hooking in softer snow, while camber underfoot delivers bite and rebound on firmer surfaces. With an 81 mm waist it’s not a powder specialist, but the rocker profile lets an active skier maintain float in softer patches. Compared to other 80–85 mm touring skis it often feels more direct and a touch stiffer at speed, though it won’t match the raw stability of wider backcountry designs.
Specs explained
Specs explain behavior: a 124 mm tip aids flotation and turn initiation, an 81 mm waist balances edgeability and versatility, and a 105 mm tail supports clean turn exits and stability. Turning radius varies by length (about 16.8 m at 177 cm and roughly 12–15 m on shorter sizes) which affects arc size and agility. Weight figures are length‑dependent (retailer listings show ~2330 g per pair; many sources list ~1165 g per ski for sample lengths). Practical features include a tail notch for skins and a structured UHM C base.
Pros, cons and recommendation
Strengths are the outstanding weight‑to‑performance ratio, modern composite construction and touring‑friendly rocker geometry. Weaknesses include limited float in deep powder and less absolute high‑speed damping than heavier, wider skis. Bindings are not included so you should match a binding to your priorities—lightweight tech bindings for efficiency or a frame/tech hybrid if you need alpine reliability. For anyone who wants a nimble, efficient and surprisingly capable 80‑mm touring ski this model is a compelling choice.