e real joy review

Overview

In the 25/26 season Head sold this ski as the e.Real Joy (also written e-Real Joy), paired with the Joy 9 GW SLR binding. It is the intermediate 75 mm piste model in the women's Joy line, one step above the entry-level Pure Joy. In 26/27 the "e" is gone and the ski is called the Head Real Joy. The figures Snowleader published for the 25/26 e.Real Joy (121/75/107 mm, a radius from 9.6 to 13.1 m and 1770 g per ski at 163 cm) match Head's current Real Joy page length for length. Head's own copy for the 25/26 model calls it a quick-turning, fun, on-piste partner.

On-snow performance

The e.Real Joy is built around short and medium turns. Its radius runs from 9.6 m at 143 cm to 13.1 m at 163 cm, so at every length it turns tighter than the e-Super Joy. Head says the 25/26 model got a new sidecut and a ramp angle that make turn initiation easier and help women feel less tired on the slopes. Snowleader rates its stiffness 3 out of 5 and its target level as intermediate. On paper that means a ski that rolls onto its edge without much force and forgives a skidded or late turn, with enough wood-core response to reward cleaner carving as technique improves. The 20% tip rocker smooths turn entry, and the 80% camber keeps grip on hard snow. Off-piste is not its job; the 75 mm waist and soft flex point to groomed runs.

Construction & specs explained

Head's copy describes a poplar wood core. Snowleader's listing goes further: an ultra-light sandwich with Graphene and Koryod layers around a Karuba-oak core, sold under Head's LYT Tech label. Power Sidewall Jacket Construction combines a fibreglass wrap with ABS edges. EMC F puts a piezo-ceramic damping element in the front of the ski, and the Better Balance base tilts the standing platform by 0.75° on every length. The base is Structured UHM C, and the profile is Allride Rocker with 20% tip rocker and 80% camber.

The sidecut is 121/75/107 mm on all five lengths (143, 148, 153, 158 and 163 cm). The radius is 9.6 m (143), 10.4 m (148), 11.3 m (153), 12.2 m (158) and 13.1 m (163). The ski weighs 1770 g per ski without binding at 163 cm. It comes with the Joy 9 GW SLR (DIN 2.5–9, 715 g per binding according to Snowleader) on the pre-mounted SLR base, which makes it a system ski with no touring option.

Who it's for & comparisons

The e.Real Joy suits a woman who skis blue and red runs with confidence and wants to move from skidded turns to real carving. Beginners will be happier on the softer Head Pure Joy; stronger skiers who want more grip at speed can step up to the Head Super Joy, the 26/27 name of the e-Super Joy. The Blizzard Phoenix 76 ca is the closest match: also a wood-core system ski without metal, 1 mm wider and with a 13 m radius at 165 cm. The Volkl Shine 76 has a longer 14.2 m radius at 161 cm, so it prefers wider turns. The Atomic Cloud c9 is narrower at 72 mm and also tuned for women moving towards carving.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Short radius on every length (9.6–13.1 m) makes small turns easy.
• Better Balance ramp and tip rocker make turn entry easy.
• Wood core gives more feedback than an entry-level synthetic core.
• Joy 9 GW SLR binding included and already on the SLR base.
• Same shape and weight as the 26/27 Real Joy.

Cons

• Longest length is 163 cm; taller or heavier women may want the Super Joy's 168 cm.
• At 1770 g per ski (163 cm) it is not the lightest ski in the Joy line.
• The 75 mm waist gives little help off-piste.
• Strong skiers will find the soft flex limiting at speed.
• System binding only, no touring option.

Verdict: The e.Real Joy is the intermediate carving ski of the 25/26 Joy line and the same ski Head now sells as the Real Joy. It suits women who want to learn to carve on a forgiving, short-turning piste ski.