LINE Honey Badger review
What it is
The LINE Honey Badger is a playful, budget‑friendly park/freestyle ski built for rails, boxes, side‑hits, and riding switch, while remaining fun for casual all‑mountain laps. A light Aspen core and Carbon OllieBand provide snap, the 4D Fibercap adds forgiveness and durability, and LINE’s Fatty base & edges withstand frequent jibbing. The 5‑CUT sidecut lets you make a variety of turn shapes without thinking about it.
On‑snow performance
- Rails & jibs: Low swing weight (Thin Tip), soft‑to‑medium flex, and Early Taper make butters, presses, and quick set‑ups easy. Fatty edges and base feel confidence‑inspiring on repeated rail hits.
- Jumps & switch: Moderate camber gives pop, while the twin shape and symmetrical feel make switch takeoffs/landings reliable. On very big jumps or at top speed, it’s not as composed as stiffer, heavier comps skis.
- Groomers & all‑mountain: The 92 mm waist snaps edge‑to‑edge and carves short/medium turns surprisingly well thanks to 5‑CUT. In chop and at higher speeds it can get a bit nervous; in deep snow, float is limited.
Construction & durability
- Aspen Veneer Core: lively and light.
- Carbon OllieBand: extra pop for takeoffs and rebound out of butters.
- 4D Fibercap: forgiving, durable cap that shrugs off dings.
- Fatty Base & Edge: thicker base and oversized edges for park longevity.
- Thin Tip & Early Taper: lower tip mass and less hookiness on jibs.
Mounting & sizing
- Mount: true center or around -2 cm for park; -2 to -3 cm if you want more all‑mountain stability.
- Length: go true‑to‑size for park/jib; size up if you spend more time outside the park or want more stability.
Specs (explained)
- Rocker profile: light tip/tail rocker with mild camber (often 2‑2‑2; some years 3‑4‑3). Easy pivots and presses with enough pop and edge hold underfoot.
- Dimensions 120‑92‑116 mm: quick and agile for park/piste; less flotation in deep snow.
- 5‑CUT multi‑radius: multiple radii built in for intuitive short and medium turns.
- Weight ~1610–1660 g per ski (varies by length/year): lively and flickable, but less damp in chop.
- Lengths 144/155/166/172/177 cm: a full size run for junior to adult park riders.
Comparisons
- K2 Poacher: stiffer and heavier, much more stable on big jumps and at speed; Honey Badger is more playful and forgiving.
- Armada ARV 94: slightly wider and better all‑mountain; Honey Badger feels lighter and more jib‑focused at a friendlier price.
- Faction Prodigy 1: similarly playful; Honey Badger offers very robust base/edges and lower swing weight, Prodigy feels a bit more versatile all‑mountain.
- Völkl Revolt 95: more damping and crud stability; Honey Badger butters easier and is lighter in the air.
Key takeaways
- Park playful : light, poppy, and forgiving for jibs/rails.
- Built for abuse : thick base/edges hold up to heavy park use.
- Speed/soft‑snow limits : narrower waist and low mass mean less stability/float.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who is the LINE Honey Badger for?
A: Freestyle skiers who want a light, forgiving park ski with solid durability and sharp value. It shines on rails, small‑to‑medium jumps, and playful all‑mountain laps.
Q: How does it compare to wider all‑mountain twin tips?
A: Wider skis (e.g., ARV 94, Revolt 95) damp better and float more. The LINE Honey Badger is lighter, quicker to throw around, and more jib‑oriented for pure park fun.
Q: What length should I choose?
A: For park focus, choose true‑to‑height or slightly shorter. For more stability beyond the park, size up and mount around -2 to -3 cm from true center.