The Atomic Redster Doubledeck 3.0 SL is a very good performant slalom ski. This year´s renewal of the Atomic´s top SL model has revived the SL category. This kind of ski quite often represents the brand´s flagship, and therefore it is a very important asset. All skiers around the world are continuously trying to make the perfect turn again and again, day after day, season after season. Slalom skis have become not only objects of desire but also cult objects.
Atomic Redster Doubledeck 3.0 SL
© ATOMIC Austria GmbH
The design changes in the Atomic Redster Doubledeck 3.0 SL have altered its feel quite signifficantly. The overall wideness increase is the main change cause. And when compared with the official FIS models, the design differences show off. Excellent slalom skis are always short, narrow, powerful skis. However, the Redster Doubledeck 3.0 SL is a bit wider and less powerful. And there’s a very good reason for that. This design is more forgiving than the FIS approved and we should be happy because of it. Everyone can feel the adrenalin rush and the liveness of an SL ski without the fear that the real ones can cause.
The turn iniation is a piece of cake with the Atomic Redster Doubledeck 3.0 SL under the foot. In a blink of an eye, we´ll be in. The “downside” can be found in the edge to edge maneuverability. It is 69mm in the waist and that is quite a lot, specially compared to other good performant slalom skis available in the market. Altough it doesn´t feel slow from edge to edge, it feels slightly different. This allows this particular model to cover a wider public scope since more people can handle it without feeling misplaced. Skiers without high skills will use any ski in a “flatter” way not inclining it that much. And anyone who has enough skills and knowledge actually knows what happens when riding a slalom ski flat. It doesn´t feel very stable. That sensation could easily harm the user´s view of that particular ski and indirectly the brand´s perceived quality. Did you ever think all the design decisions were taken from the purely technical perspective?
The Atomic Redster Doubledeck 3.0 SL just needs the proof of time to see if it´s a success by its own right or not. Besides the Doubledeck technology, this ski also incorporates the Ramp Tech as well as the Tappered Sideall and the Cap Construction methods. To fully understand what these technologies are all about, please read the Atomic Race article, but in short they are here to help us. That´s what the brand says, although it is not clear from this editor´s perspective. What bothers me the most is the following excerpt from the brand´s website: “This includes revolutionary RAMP Tech, which actively manages your body position to keep you perfectly centralized through every stage of the turn.” I like to ski on my own without anyone managing my body position. Specially when that management is “active”. Who governs that ski? I want to.
