Equipe sl pro review

Overview

The Salomon Equipe SL Pro is the top slalom model in Salomon's commercial Equipe range for 26-27, the new race-inspired line that takes the place of the S/Race models in Salomon's range. Salomon pitches it at skiers chasing World Cup-style slalom turns, and it is sold as a complete system on the P749 race plate with the I12 TL GW binding. The numbers are pure slalom: 121 mm at the tip and 68 mm underfoot in all five lengths, a 105 mm tail from 150 to 160 cm and 104 mm at 165 and 170 cm, and a radius that climbs from 10 m at 150 cm to 14 m at 170 cm. What separates it from the Equipe SL 12 is the build: a solid ash core and a full-camber competition profile.

On-snow performance

The construction reads like a race-room recipe for firm snow. A solid ash core with two titanal layers is the stiffest, most powerful combination in the Equipe SL family, and Salomon's PCS cork inserts are there to take the sting out of the vibrations that come with it. Full camber puts the whole edge to work from turn entry, and the 7 mm sidewalls are built to drive that edge into hard and icy snow. Based on that spec sheet, expect a ski that is quick edge to edge, holds on injected-style pistes and gives strong rebound out of the turn when it is loaded correctly. The flip side is just as predictable: with no tip rocker to soften entry and an ash core behind it, it asks for precise, forward, committed skiing and offers little help at low speed or in soft snow.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: solid ash woodcore for power and stability.
• Metal: Double Ti, two titanal layers of 0.6 mm and 0.4 mm.
• Damping: Power Control System (PCS), with cork inserts in the titanal layer to damp vibration.
• Sidewalls: full-length sandwich construction with 7 mm ABS sidewalls and a 7° side edge angle.
• Profile: competition profile with full camber.
• Plate and binding: P749 race plate with the tool-free I12 TL GW binding.
• Lengths and shape: 150 cm (121/68/105, R10 m), 155 cm (121/68/105, R11 m), 160 cm (121/68/105, R12 m), 165 cm (121/68/104, R13 m), 170 cm (121/68/104, R14 m).
• Weight: Salomon publishes only package weights that include the plate and binding, so we do not list a ski-only figure.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Equipe SL Pro is for expert skiers, masters racers and strong club skiers who want slalom-ski behaviour on the open piste and have the technique to drive it. The Salomon Equipe sl 12 is the more approachable step below: it shares the 121/68 mm shape, Double Ti, PCS and P749 plate, but uses a poplar core with an ash insert and a short tip rocker, and does not come in 150 cm. The Salomon Equipe sl 10 is the most forgiving model of the family. Against the Salomon S race sl pro, the model whose place Equipe takes in the range, it keeps the 121/68 mm shape and 11–14 m radius steps and adds a 150 cm length. Among other brands, the Head Worldcup rebels e sl pro combines dual titanal with a race plate across 150–170 cm, and the Kästle RX12 SL sandwiches a poplar and beech core between two full titanal sheets in 155–170 cm.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Solid ash core and Double Ti give the most power in the Equipe SL family.
• Full camber uses the entire edge for grip on hard snow and ice.
• PCS cork damping targets calm at speed despite the stiff build.
• Five lengths from 150 to 170 cm with 10–14 m radii.
• Comes ready to ski on the P749 plate with the I12 TL GW binding.

Cons

• Very demanding; it needs precise, forward and committed technique.
• Full camber and a stiff ash core give little help at low speed.
• Strictly for groomed and firm snow, with no off-piste range.
• Priced at the top of Salomon's packaged slalom range.

Verdict: The Equipe SL Pro is the most race-oriented ski in Salomon's packaged Equipe SL range: solid ash, two sheets of metal, cork damping and full camber. Choose it if you carve slalom turns with real commitment; otherwise the SL 12 is the easier ski to live with.