By Andrew Ingold
Head Oblivion 84 review
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Quick Summary
The Oblivion 84 is a park‑focused, all‑mountain twin‑tip aimed at creative skiers who want one ski for rails, jumps and groomers. It blends playful characteristics—twin tip shape and PNP Rocker—with enough camber and edge contact to remain useful on piste. The ski is designed to offer pop and forgiveness for park tricks while retaining stability for groomed runs, making it a solid choice if you value durability and multi‑terrain capability in a single, park‑oriented package.
Construction and Specs Explained
Construction and specs directly explain what this ski does on snow. PNP Rocker (Rocker–Camber–Rocker) typically breaks down to about 20–30% rocker and 70% camber, which helps turn initiation and pop on takeoff. The waist (84 mm in the 176 cm reference) balances quick edge‑to‑edge response with enough surface for stability; tip/waist/tail (120/84/109 mm at 176 cm) influence flotation, pivot and landing support. The 19 m turning radius (176 cm) favors medium arcs. ISS dampers reduce vibration on landings; UHM C base and Tuff‑Wall add durability—useful for park abuse.
On-Snow Performance
On snow the Oblivion 84 feels nimble on groomers and composed at medium speeds. The front rocker makes initiating turns forgiving and helps on softer or uneven snow, while camber underfoot sustains edge grip and pop. You can string short to medium turns without chasing stability too much, and the sandwich twintip construction adds torsional stiffness for predictability. Compared to slightly wider park/all‑mountain skis, the 84 waist gives quicker transitions and a more precise carve, though it won’t float like wider freeride shapes in deeper snow.
Park/Freestyle Use and Durability
In the park the ski performs well for jumps, boxes and switch tricks. The twintip profile and reinforced construction make switch riding natural, while ISS elastomers dampen impacts to soften landings and reduce hand‑and‑knee shock. Tuff‑Wall sidewalls and a UHM C base resist chipping and abrasion from rails and repeated feature contact. That said, heavy rail use will still accelerate wear; riders who live on metal should expect to service edges and bases more often to keep performance sharp.
Who Should Buy and Alternatives
Who should buy this ski and what are alternatives? The Oblivion 84 best suits intermediate to advanced freestyle riders who also value on‑piste capability and durability. Freestylers wanting a slightly livelier, more playful feel might prefer skis like the Armada ARV 86 or Line Chronic—these often feel snappier but can lack the Oblivion’s damped landings and reinforced durability. If you want more powder ability, step up to a wider waist. Overall, the Oblivion 84 is recommended as a rugged, versatile park‑to‑piste twin‑tip.