Kästle Paragon 93 — Review

The Paragon 93 is the narrowest entry in Kästle's directional freeride line. 93 mm under foot, 12.7 m radius, 1,657 g per ski at 177 cm — and the key construction difference from the parallel Sublime / Transcend lines: an Infini Core FREE with a triple woodcore (poplar/beech/paulownia) plus double titanal. The triple-wood/double-metal stack delivers Sublime-grade edge bite at lower mass than the all-poplar/beech Sublime 93, while a Double Rocker (Progressive Rise + Dual Rise) makes the tail release more freeride-friendly than the all-mountain Sublime tail.

On firm groomers the Paragon 93 carves with race-level bite — the double titanal stack transfers leg pressure directly to a clean trench, and the 12.7 m sidecut keeps medium-short arcs lively. Where it diverges from the Sublime 93 is on soft-snow descent: the Double Rocker pulls the tip up earlier in fresh snow and the Hook Free tail releases out of every turn rather than slingshotting you into the next one. Paulownia in the triple wood blend keeps the platform at 1,657 g — meaningfully lighter than the Sublime 93's 1,770 g despite the wider sidecut. Push it into hard chop at speed and the metal-on-metal stack holds the line.

Armoclad Sidewall construction with Hollowtech 2.0 forebody. Infini Core FREE with triple woodcore (poplar/beech/paulownia) — the paulownia keeps the weight down relative to twin-core poplar/beech alone. Double Titanal between wood layers. Low camber profile with Double Rocker (Progressive Rise + Dual Rise); Hook Free shovel and tail. Factory bevels 88° side, 1.3° base. Lengths 163 / 170 / 177 / 184 cm. Measured 1,657 g per ski at 177 cm.

Closest internal sibling is the Kästle Sublime 93 — same width but with twin-core poplar/beech (no paulownia) and All-Mountain Rocker / Hook Free tail. The Sublime is heavier (1,770 g vs 1,657 g) and slightly more piste-locked; the Paragon 93 is the more freeride-leaning pick. For lighter and more pivot-friendly at similar waist, see the Kästle Transcend 98 (carbon-only construction, 1,450 g). Cross-shop, the Volkl M7 mantra is the German rival at 96 mm; the Nordica Enforcer 94 is the Italian benchmark.

Pros

• Race-grade edge bite from double titanal at 93 mm.
• Triple wood with paulownia keeps weight reasonable for the construction.
• Double Rocker pulls tip up earlier in fresh snow than the Sublime 93.
• Hook Free tail makes mixed-snow exit easier than directional race tails.
• Four-length range (163-184 cm) covers most adult skiers.

Cons

• Boutique pricing above mainstream double-titanal 93 mm rivals.
• 1,657 g still heavier than carbon-tour platforms like the Transcend 98.
• 93 mm waist is a compromise width — not a true powder ski.
• 1.3° base bevel and Hook Free tail mean it skids exits rather than railing them.
• Skill demand remains race-tier despite Hook Free tail.

Verdict: For skiers who want race-construction Kästle freeride at a manageable weight, the Paragon 93 is the right entry point. Best matched to advanced one-quiver skiers who alternate between groomer mornings and mixed-snow afternoons.