Dynafit Blacklight 95 — Review

The Dynafit Blacklight 95 is the all-mountain entry in Dynafit's sport-touring Blacklight line, sized at 94-97 mm underfoot (sliding waist per length) with a Paulownia Speed Core, UD carbon laminate, and a 3D Sidewall/Cap construction. It sits between the narrower Blacklight 88 piste-tour and the heavier Tigard freeride-tour skis, targeting fit ski tourers who want one chassis that earns most of its turns on the way up.

The Blacklight 95's tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot delivers easy turn initiation on variable cover, while the Paulownia Speed Core and UD carbon laminate keep the ski lively without going harsh. The 21 m radius at 178 cm tracks medium-to-long arcs on transitions, and the 1290 g per ski at 178 cm makes long skin tracks sustainable. The 3D Sidewall/Cap construction trades absolute hardpack edge bite for weight savings — expect the ski to feel skittish on icy refrozen slopes but composed in spring corn and chalk.

The Blacklight 95 uses Dynafit's Paulownia Speed Core (low-density paulownia wood tuned for tour weight targets), UD carbon (unidirectional carbon fibre laminate for longitudinal stiffness), and a 3D Sidewall/Cap hybrid construction (sidewall underfoot for edge hold, cap toward tip and tail for weight savings). Profile: tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot. Per-length specs: 165 cm (126/94/114, 18.0 m, 1130 g), 178 cm (128/96/116, 21.0 m, 1290 g), 184 cm (129/97/117, 22.5 m, 1360 g).

The Blacklight 95 is for the fit ski tourer who skins more than they ride lifts and wants a 94-97 mm all-mountain tour ski. Against the Dynafit Blacklight 88 it adds 6 mm underfoot for softer-snow versatility at a small weight penalty; against the heavier Dynafit Tigard 97 it sheds ~150 g per ski at 178 cm in exchange for less downhill chassis. The Dynafit Ridge 95 sibling adds Titanal for more damping at higher weight. Outside Dynafit, the Atomic Backland 95 and the K2 Wayback 92 mens are direct competitors in the lightweight 92-95 mm tour segment.

Pros

• 1290 g at 178 cm is competitive for a 96 mm waist tour ski.
• Paulownia Speed Core + UD carbon balance weight and longitudinal stiffness.
• Tip and tail rocker with camber suits variable backcountry cover.
• 3 lengths cover most adult tourers from 160 to 190 cm.

Cons

• 3D Sidewall/Cap construction concedes edge bite vs. full-sidewall siblings.
• Only 3 lengths — narrower fit options than the Tigard 97 (5 lengths).
• 94-97 mm waist is mid-segment — not a powder specialist nor a narrow racer.
• UD carbon can feel harsh on refrozen surfaces vs. the Titanal-equipped Ridge 95.

Verdict: A lightweight 94-97 mm sport-tour ski for skiers who prioritise the up — choose it over the Tigard 97 when grams per skin track matter more than absolute downhill chassis.