Renoun Introduces the Earhart 88

[Tricia]

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Introducing our first ski designed for women. A limited release of the new 2021 Earhart 88. $899 — ships today​

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Here's the story​

It's 2020 and most women’s skis are still designed and tested by men. A bunch of guys get 'input' from one female and call it good. It's a bit like this:​

So how should it be done? Flip the script. Kick out the guys, bring in the gals. Start fresh from the ground up. Build some prototypes, test them. Do it again. Test some more. Repeat.​

Most ski companies will tell you a women's design is special. The truth? It's usually a men's ski with a different graphic and a softer flex — in the industry it's called "shrink it and pink it" — and it has no place in 2020. We can do better than that.​

Instead, we gathered a diverse group of female rippers of various ability levels and skiing styles who became our testing power crew over the next few months. Each prototype was a slight variation of a 'control ski' — only one variable was tested at a time. At the end of each day, we'd discuss the merits of each and go back to the drawing board for the next batch of prototypes. In all, the Earhart 88 became our most tested and refined ski we have ever built. We couldn't be more proud.​

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Final Prototype Version R2.02.3.005 "We're not trying to re-invent the wheel here. There are a few ski companies who design women's skis the right way — we just want to make sure Renoun is one of them" — Rhiana, Operations @ Renoun​

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So, how would we describe the Earhart 88? An all-mountain machine. High performance on groomed terrain & versatile in trees, bumps and light powder. Plenty of stability thanks to two partial strips of titanal metal and our patented non-newtonian HDT™ polymer — you will never feel more confident on a pair of skis. Many skiers hear "metal" and get intimidated... We adjusted the ski's flex for each size resulting in an extremely balanced and playful flex. Oh, and add 8 inlays of our patented non-newtonian HDT™ polymer? There's no ski like it out there. ​

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Ships today with guaranteed delivery by Valentine's Day for orders placed by 11am EST 02/12/20​

​ ​ Shop Now​

 

[coskigirl]

Holy cow, that's a gorgeous looking ski. The sizing is a bit interesting.

 

[CalG]

It would be curious to know the gender exclusive design differences compared to the "shrink it and pink it" approach.

Asking for my wife.

 

[Plai]

Why wouldn't a smaller sized guy (me) want one for himself? I find myself eyeing the 170 length.

 

[Tricia]

Why wouldn't a smaller sized guy (me) want one for himself? I find myself eyeing the 170 length.

You may like them.
Honestly, I got a set of these prior to leaving for OR but never had a chance to really get them set up to ski. I'll let you know.

 

[In2h2o]

The "recommended size" per the size chart is 'interesting' for a ski with tip and tail rocker.
@Tricia what size are you on?

 

[Tricia]

The "recommended size" per the size chart is 'interesting' for a ski with tip and tail rocker.
@Tricia what size are you on?

170

 

[peterm]

Nice looking ski. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to see the size chart doesn't go beyond 5’10”.

 

[fatbob]

Nice - but then ruin the empowerment with a line implying that its something for Valentine's Day at the end.

I know commercialism rules all but...somewhat contrary to independent women etc etc

If I can spot it as a luddite male then someone more woke than me almost certainly would.

 

[lisamamot]

The sizing is a bit interesting.

The "recommended size" per the size chart is 'interesting' for a ski with tip and tail rocker.

I am curious what your thoughts are on the sizing.

The 163/170 lengths have not worked for me with Volkl, but hopefully this skis more playful than the Kenja and Secret. I am 5’9”/140 and my daughter is 5’11”/150 and they are tiring. We own other women’s skis in 170, 172 and 177 that are not.

Since the Earhart tops out at 170 and a size chart height of 5’10”, I expect the rocker profile is small and hope the two partial sheets of metal are well-placed. If not, they may not have captured enough of the intended market.

 

[Tricia]

Nice - but

Any time you feel like saying Nice - But....
Don't.

I'm not sure how a mention of guaranteed delivery by Valentines Day negates an empowerment message. Maybe the empowered woman wants to buy herself a gift.
Fortunately, this ski is not marketed for you so you won't have to worry about it.

I am curious what your thoughts are on the sizing.

The 163/170 lengths have not worked for me with Volkl, but hopefully this skis more playful than the Kenja and Secret. I am 5’9”/140 and my daughter is 5’11”/150 and they are tiring. We own other women’s skis in 170, 172 and 177 that are not.

Since the Earhart tops out at 170 and a size chart height of 5’10”, I expect the rocker profile is small and hope the two partial sheets of metal are well-placed. If not, they may not have captured enough of the intended market.

I'm 5'6" 135 lbs and am skiing this ski in 170. At your height, you may want something longer, but at your weight, you should be fine. You're kind of in a middle ground there.
*Disclaimer - I was on the prototype ski and will be on the production version soon so I'll be able to give a better idea.

 

[Tricia]

Nice looking ski. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to see the size chart doesn't go beyond 5’10”.

I'm not sure about the size chart, but I'll ask.
My guess is that most women who are taller than that tend to get on unisex skis. Example @SBrown
And frankly, most women's skis in this category have the same size range as the line up Renoun is producing.
See our own product page on a ski that this one will go up against

 

[fatbob]

Fortunately, this ski is not marketed for you so you won't have to worry about it.

So I wouldn't be able to buy it as a present for a friend or partner or spouse. Good to know. (Not that I'd presume to)

BTW I really meant the nice - great that someone is breaking the mould

 

[In2h2o]

@Tricia at 5'4" the recomended size is 156 relaxed and agressive - that seems extreemly short for a ski with rocker. I will await your review on the 170

 

[Tricia]

@Tricia at 5'4" the recomended size is 156 relaxed and agressive - that seems extreemly short for a ski with rocker. I will await your review on the 170

How much do you weigh?
I would also think of a 163 for you, depending on your ability and what kind of terrain you like to ski.

 

[Tricia]

So I wouldn't be able to buy it as a present for a friend or partner or spouse. Good to know. (Not that I'd presume to)

BTW I really meant the nice - great that someone is breaking the mould

I said it wasn't marketed for YOU.
Wasn't aware that you've woo'd a partner or spouse for whom you'd like to purchase a set of skis. Congratulations.

 

[Winks]

I am curious what your thoughts are on the sizing.

The 163/170 lengths have not worked for me with Volkl, but hopefully this skis more playful than the Kenja and Secret. I am 5’9”/140 and my daughter is 5’11”/150 and they are tiring. We own other women’s skis in 170, 172 and 177 that are not.

Since the Earhart tops out at 170 and a size chart height of 5’10”, I expect the rocker profile is small and hope the two partial sheets of metal are well-placed. If not, they may not have captured enough of the intended market.

I have always been curious about why most women's ski lines stop at 170, I know there are plenty of skiers over 5'7" or so that would enjoy having a larger ski. I would like to see some of the sales numbers for sizing because for some reason I imagine that the shortest size is probably the least sold size. I say 177 or so should be the largest offering, but that is just one opinion among many i'm sure.

 

[lisamamot]

I'm 5'6" 135 lbs and am skiing this ski in 170. At your height, you may want something longer, but at your weight, you should be fine. You're kind of in a middle ground there.
*Disclaimer - I was on the prototype ski and will be on the production version soon so I'll be able to give a better idea.

I am happy on the Sheeva 9 172 and really enjoyed the Stockli Stormrider Motion 85 168.
I think the 170 is a good length if the rocker profile is small - just wondering what the stiffness is like. Looking forward to your review!

 

[Brian Finch]

Too funny, I thought I had the 1st one; the ski SIA rejected as a Renoun Women's submission: athletes' version of the E104 in Pink

 

[firebanex]

The ski looks fun! Loving that Renoun is expanding their offerings so much this year.