Hagan Pure 85 — Review

The Hagan Pure 85 is a forgiving all-mountain backcountry touring ski from Hagan, the Austrian ski-mountaineering specialist. With an 85mm waist it sits squarely in the do-everything tourer category: light enough to be efficient on the skin track, yet planted and predictable when the tips point downhill. The story here is the completely overhauled Karuba (paulownia) and Poplar wood core, which Hagan built to make this ski approachable. The result is a classic tourer that is easy to ski, stable and confidence-inspiring for a wide range of skiers, from the touring newcomer to the seasoned ski-mountaineer who wants a fuss-free companion on mixed snow.

On the descent the Pure 85 rewards a relaxed, centered stance. The tour rocker in the tip helps the ski rise over breakable crust and stay maneuverable in tight terrain, while the camber underfoot keeps edge grip honest on firm, wind-affected slopes and refrozen spring corn. It is a ski that flatters rather than punishes: the forgiving flex means you can make short, controlled turns in variable snow without the ski trying to run away from you. The 85mm waist strikes a sensible balance, giving enough platform to feel secure on descents while keeping the swing weight low for efficient kick turns and long climbs. Skiers looking for a fast, damp resort charger should look elsewhere, but for backcountry travel where security and predictability matter most, the Pure 85 delivers exactly that.

The Pure 85 is built around a mixed Karuba (paulownia) and Poplar wood core. Karuba keeps the ski light for climbing, while the Poplar adds torsional stability and a more grounded, dependable feel underfoot. The ski uses a semi-sidewall (ABS) construction, a durable steel edge and a sintered touring base that holds wax well and glides efficiently. The 85mm waist is consistent across the range, with per-length sidecut of 119/85/105mm at 148, 120/85/106mm at 156 and 122/85/107mm at 164. At the 164cm length the ski weighs 1260 grams per ski, a genuinely light figure that pays dividends on long tours. Lengths offered are 148, 156, 164 and 172cm, giving a spread that suits smaller and taller skiers alike.

The Pure 85 is for the tourer who prioritizes an easy, confidence-inspiring ride over outright downhill aggression. It suits progressing tourers and anyone building distance who values a light, forgiving tool. Cross-shop it against the Atomic Backland 85 and the Dynafit Blacklight 88, two established lightweight tourers, and the versatile Armada Locator 88. Within Hagan's own range, step up to the wider Hagan Pure 90 if you want more float, or look at the lighter all-mountain Hagan Core 84 if minimizing weight is the priority.

Pros

• Forgiving, easy-to-ski flex that inspires confidence.
• Genuinely light at 1260g per ski for efficient climbing.
• Stable, predictable behavior on mixed and refrozen snow.
• Overhauled Karuba/Poplar core balances lightness and dependability.
• 85mm waist versatile across a wide range of touring conditions.

Cons

• Forgiving, light build gives up top-end stability at speed versus heavier resort skis.
• 85mm waist offers limited float in deep, soft snow.
• A dedicated touring tool, not a resort charger.

Verdict: The Hagan Pure 85 is a classic all-mountain tourer that does the important things well: it climbs efficiently, skis predictably and never asks more of you than you want to give. The overhauled Karuba/Poplar core makes it forgiving and confidence-inspiring, which is exactly what most backcountry skiers want underfoot on mixed snow. It gives up some high-speed composure and deep-snow float, but as an easy, dependable companion for earning your turns, the Pure 85 is a smart, well-rounded choice.