e pure joy review

Overview

The e-Pure Joy is the name Head used in the 25/26 season for the entry-level piste ski in its women's Joy collection. For 26/27 Head dropped the "e-" prefix and sells it as the Head Pure Joy. Head's 26/27 page lists the same 121/75/107 mm shape, the same radius at every length and 1738 g at 163 cm; Snowleader's listing for the 25/26 e-Pure Joy gives 1740 g at 163 cm. It is the same ski under its old name. Shops still sell 25/26 stock as a set with the Joy 9 GW SLR binding, and Head rates it Beginner, On Piste and Slow.

On-snow performance

On paper, the e-Pure Joy is built to make the first carved turns easy. The 20% tip rocker lifts the shovel slightly, so the ski rolls onto its edge without a hard push, while 80% camber under the foot and in the tail still grips on firm groomers. The radius grows with length, from 9.6 m at 143 cm to 13.1 m at 163 cm: short pairs turn tightly, the 163 draws a calm medium arc. The synthetic core and light lay-up keep the ski easy to swing at low speed, but the same light build will feel unsettled if you push hard on ice or rough snow. With a 75 mm waist it handles soft snow at the edge of the run, not deep snow.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: a lightweight synthetic (PU) core, no wood.
• Lay-up: LYT Tech construction with graphene and fibreglass.
• Sidewall: Power Sidewall Jacket construction, a fibre wrap combined with ABS sidewall sections.
• Damping: EMC F (Energy Management Circuit).
• Stance: Women's Camber and the inclined Better Balance base for a centred position.
• Base: Structured UHM C.
• Rocker: Allride Rocker, 20% tip rocker / 80% camber / 0% tail rocker.
• Sidecut: 121/75/107 mm at every length; radius 9.6 m (143), 10.4 m (148), 11.3 m (153), 12.2 m (158), 13.1 m (163).
• Weight: 1740 g per ski without binding at 163 cm.
• Binding: Joy 9 GW SLR (DIN 2.5–9) on Head's SLR base, sold with the ski.

Who it's for & comparisons

The e-Pure Joy suits a woman in her first seasons, or one returning after a break, who skis blue and easy red runs at moderate speed. The Head Easy Joy is the other entry Joy: narrower at 70 mm and 1698 g at 163 cm, for skiers who stay on groomed runs. If you already carve well and want more grip, the Head Real Joy is the next step in the Joy line on the same 121/75/107 mm shape. Outside Head, the K2 Blur 76 womens is lighter (about 1450 g at 163 cm) with rocker in tip and tail, and the Elan Element 78 w is slightly wider and comes in longer sizes up to 176 cm.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• The 20% tip rocker makes turn entry easy.
• Short radius in the short lengths for tight, controlled turns.
• Sold as a complete set with the Joy 9 GW SLR binding.
• Five lengths from 143 to 163 cm.
• As 25/26 stock it is often discounted.

Cons

• The light synthetic core gets unsettled at higher speed.
• The 75 mm waist gives little help in deep snow.
• System binding: no flat or touring binding option.
• The longest size is 163 cm, short for tall or heavy skiers.

Verdict: A light, forgiving piste ski for women learning to carve, sold under its old name. Buy it as a discounted 25/26 set if you want an easy groomer ski; it is the same ski as the Pure Joy.