Antimatter 88 w review

Overview

For 26-27 Armada folds its women's Reliance skis into the new Antimatter line, and the Antimatter 88 W is the former Reliance 88 C carried over under a new name and graphics. The recipe stays the same: a metal-free poplar-and-carbon build aimed at women who spend most days on groomers but want a ski that still works when they head into the trees or the leftovers at the side of the run. It comes in three lengths — 152, 160 and 168 cm (the previous 176 cm is gone) — and weighs 1320 to 1520 g per ski, which is light for an 88 mm all-mountain ski. Armada rates its flex at 5.0 out of 10, the softest in the Antimatter W range, and describes the character as lively.

On-snow performance

On paper, this is an energetic frontside ski with enough shape to leave the piste. The EST All-Mtn Rocker combines a tapered tip with slight rocker, camber underfoot and subtle tail rocker, so by design it should initiate turns easily and hold a real cambered edge on firm snow. Armada calls the turn radius "deep": 15.7 m at 152 cm up to 16.7 m at 168 cm. That is longer than many women's 88s and favours medium-to-long carved turns over tight slalom arcs. The woven carbon stringers are there for rebound, so the ski should snap from edge to edge rather than feel glued down. The trade-off of a softer, metal-free build is predictable: on hard, chattery snow at high speed it will not feel as calm as the titanal skis in the class. In bumps, trees and softer snow, the low weight and soft flex work in its favour.

Construction & specs explained

Armada builds the Antimatter 88 W around a 100% Poplar Core with Carbon Reinforcement in the form of woven Carbon Stringers — there is no titanal anywhere in the lay-up. The AR100 Sidewall runs the full length of the ski for torsional rigidity and edge hold, and the heat-treated 2.1 All Mountain Edge is built for daily resort durability. Per Armada, the flex profile has been redesigned. Dimensions are 126/88/108 mm at 152 cm, 128/88/110 at 160 and 130/88/111 at 168, with weights of 1320, 1420 and 1520 g per ski. The men's Antimatter 88 uses the same poplar-carbon construction in longer lengths.

Who it's for & comparisons

It suits intermediate to advanced women who ski mostly on-piste, like a lively ski that does not punish small mistakes, and want some off-piste versatility. If you know the Armada Reliance 88 c, this is the same ski with new graphics and one length fewer. The Armada Antimatter 88 is the same build in 160-184 cm — the choice there is length, not character. The Elan Ripstick 88 w is the closest metal-free rival: lighter at 168 cm (1410 g), with an asymmetric Amphibio profile and a tighter 14.8 m radius. The Blizzard Black Pearl 88 adds a titanal inlay underfoot and a tighter radius (15 m at 170 cm) for more damping on firm snow. The Head Kore 87 Ti W goes further with two titanal layers at 1685 g (170 cm), for skiers who value stability over agility.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Light for an 88 mm all-mountain ski: 1320-1520 g per ski.
• Lively, forgiving character from the soft poplar-carbon build.
• Camber underfoot and a full-length sidewall for reliable edge grip.
• Tapered, rockered tip helps in trees and soft leftovers.

Cons

• Less composed at high speed on hard or rough snow than titanal 88s.
• Longest length is 168 cm, limiting for taller or heavier skiers.
• Longer radius than many rivals, so less suited to short, quick turns.
• The soft 5.0 flex may feel underpowered for strong, aggressive skiers.

Verdict: The Antimatter 88 W is the proven Reliance 88 C under a new name: a light, energetic, metal-free women's all-mountain ski that trades some high-speed calm for agility and forgiveness. For groomer-first skiers who like to explore, it is a sensible pick.