Armada Antimatter 82 — Review

The Armada Antimatter 82 is the sharpest, most frontside-focused of the full-size models in Armada's new Antimatter line, the family replacing Declivity and Reliance for 26-27. Under the fresh graphics it is the Declivity 82 Ti carried over unchanged — same shape, same layup — a proven design rather than a first-year experiment. Note that the Speedmetal laminate of the new-mold Antimatters is not on this ski. It comes in 166, 174 and 182 cm and is sold flat.

Armada positions the Antimatter 82 as a groomer specialist, and the spec sheet backs that up. The radius stays tight across the range — 15.4 m at 166 cm, 15.9 m at 174 cm, 16.4 m at 182 cm — pointing to energetic short and medium carved turns rather than drawn-out GS arcs. The All-Mtn Rocker profile keeps camber underfoot with only subtle, low rocker at tip and tail, keeping nearly the full edge engaged on hard snow. At a stated 1675 g per ski in 174 cm it is moderately light for a titanal frontside ski: quick from edge to edge, while the titanal band handles the damping. Reviewer consensus puts it happiest on groomed snow at speed; the 82 mm waist and minimal rocker tolerate chopped snow, but float is not the mission.

The build is Armada's frontside recipe. A 100% Poplar Core sits inside an AR100 full-length sidewall, and ATB — Articulated Titanal Banding — runs tip to tail as a central titanal strip, backed by Carbon Reinforcement. The ATB strip damps vibration and stiffens the ski torsionally, while the carbon keeps the flex lively instead of dead. Underneath sit a sintered Comp Series Base and an All Mountain Edge. Dimensions grow slightly with length, from 126-82-109 mm at 166 cm to 130-82-111 mm at 182 cm, with stated weights of 1550, 1675 and 1725 g per ski.

This ski suits advanced to expert skiers who spend most days on groomed snow and want a precise, hard-biting carver with free binding choice. If you find the outgoing Armada Declivity 82 ti on clearance, it is the identical ski in last season's graphics, down to the same 15.4-16.4 m radius line. Against the Volkl Peregrine 82 the difference is turn shape: the Völkl runs a 25 m radius at 172 cm and weighs around 1990 g, a long-arc, high-speed machine, making the Antimatter the tighter-turning, more agile of the two. The Head Supershape e titan is closer in radius (15.7 m at 170 cm) but considerably heavier at 2279 g, trading the Armada's quickness for a planted, glued-down feel.

Pros

• Proven Declivity 82 Ti design carried over unchanged.
• Tight 15.4-16.4 m radius range rewards short and medium carved turns.
• ATB titanal strip with carbon reinforcement: damp edge grip without a dead feel.
• Moderate weight for a titanal frontside ski; quick from edge to edge.
• Sold flat: free choice of binding and mounting position.

Cons

• The 82 mm waist and low rocker offer little off-piste versatility.
• Stiff, camber-heavy profile asks for an advanced to expert pilot.
• Lighter than several rivals, giving up some planted calm at top speed.
• Only three lengths, nothing below 166 cm for lighter skiers.

Verdict: The Antimatter 82 is a known quantity in a new suit: a sharp, tight-turning titanal carver for advanced frontside skiers. If carved turns on groomed snow are your day, it belongs on the shortlist.