Shine 78 review

Overview

The Shine 78 is the all-mountain piste model in Völkl's Shine women's line and the one that changes most for 26/27. Völkl has replaced the foam core of the previous version with a 3D Multilayer Woodcore, fitted a Full Sidewall, 3D.Glass and the 3D Radius Sidecut, and moved it onto the iPT Lowride XL integrated binding system with the Lowride LR 11 TCX, the first time Lowride appears on a ski under 80 mm. The sidecut is 127-78-106 mm; Bergzeit's 26/27 listing gives centre radii of 9.8 m at 149 cm and 11.0 m at 156 cm, and the ski comes in 149, 156 and 163 cm. Völkl lists 1,520 g per ski without a reference length, so we leave the weight unverified.

On-snow performance

Völkl pitches the Shine 78 at "female all-mountain skiers who prioritise fun on the slopes without compromising on comfort", and says it is fast, agile and eager to turn, at its best in mixed to compact snow on moderate slopes. The construction backs that up. The 3D Radius Sidecut combines a tight centre radius (under 10 m in the 149) for short, crisp turns with longer tip and tail radii that keep the ski calm when it is let run; the tip and tail rocker make the shovel engage easily and the tail release when the turn is skidded. The multilayer wood core and full sidewall should give noticeably more edge grip and rebound than the old foam-core Shine 78, and the low, wide Lowride binding puts the boot closer to the snow for quicker edge changes in tight turns. On paper it is an easy, lively groomer ski with the width to handle chopped snow and soft bumps; it is not a carver for icy race pistes, and 78 mm is still narrow for real powder.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: 3D Multilayer Woodcore, harder wood where power transmission and edge grip are needed, lighter wood elsewhere; replaces the previous foam core.
• Sidewall: Full Sidewall ABS for direct power transfer to the edges.
• Laminates: 3D.Glass, multiple-folded glass layers in tip and tail for edge grip and rebound.
• Sidecut: 3D Radius Sidecut, three radii in one ski: long at tip and tail, tight in the centre.
• Profile: Tip & Tail Rocker, camber underfoot.
• Base: P-Tex 2100; edge tune 1.4° / 87.6°.
• Binding: iPT Lowride XL integrated rail system with the Lowride LR 11 TCX (TCX heel for easier step-in), GripWalk compatible.
• Dimensions: 127-78-106 mm. Radius: 9.8 m (149), 11.0 m (156). Lengths: 149, 156, 163 cm. Weight: 1,520 g per ski quoted by Völkl without a reference length.

Who it's for & comparisons

The Shine 78 is for intermediate to advanced women who ski mostly on piste but want one ski that copes with afternoon crud, soft bumps and the edge of the groomers, and who like short, lively turns more than long high-speed arcs. In Völkl's range the Volkl Peregrine 78 is the unisex twin with the same Lowride system and 3D Radius Sidecut in longer lengths; the Volkl Yumi 80 is softer and more forgiving, and the Volkl Blaze 82 w is the lighter, wider choice for more off-piste time. Among competitors the Head Discovery 78 sport is the direct rival at 78 mm, the Elan Wildcat 78 C is the women's-specific alternative with a lighter build, and the Head Total Joy (85 mm) is the step up in width for those who want more float.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• New multilayer wood core and full sidewall replace the old foam core for more grip and pop.
• 3D Radius Sidecut: very short centre radius for crisp short turns, calmer at speed.
• Low, wide Lowride binding with TCX heel for quick edge changes and easy step-in.
• Tip and tail rocker make it forgiving in mixed snow and bumps.
• Three short lengths suited to most women.

Cons

• Highest-priced Shine below the SC Carbon; premium system price.
• Integrated Lowride rail means no binding choice.
• Völkl gives no reference length for the 1,520 g weight.
• Only three lengths, 149-163 cm.
• Full sidewall and wood core demand a bit more than the Shine 76 from cautious skiers.

Verdict: The 26/27 Shine 78 is a real upgrade: wood core, full sidewall and 3D Radius Sidecut turn a comfort ski into a lively all-mountain piste ski for women who like quick turns. Choose the Shine 76 to save money on groomers only, or the Blaze 82 W for more off-piste.