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2008 Black Diamond Joules | Reviewed On: January 20, 2009
Gear Reviews>>Skis>>Mid>>Black Diamond JoulesPRODUCT SUMMARY
By Swiss Miss
THE GOOD
My long and difficult search for the right ski to be mounted with my shiny new Dynafits took me to the Black Diamond Joules. The dimensions (125-95-112 for 165s) of these lovely mid-fat white boards seemed to be just what I was looking for. I consider myself a somewhat aggressive telemark skier, so I was initially torn between the 165's and 175's, but ultimately ended up with the 165's for lighter weight and more versatility in tight spots. Once you find the sweet spot on these stiff boards, you're in for a treat! They'll bust through crud, sastrugi, and crust or arc big fast turns through waist deep powder. A true quiver of one for the aggressive female skier.
THE BAD
My first reaction while skiing the Joules was one of frustration-- partly because my heel was stuck to the ski for the first time in over ten years, and also because it felt as though they were bucking me off at every wrong move. However, after a few laps of relearning how to alpine ski, I started to have a lot more fun. As with other Black Diamond skis, the Joules are not the lightest boards of these dimensions out there. I mounted mine with Dynafit ST's, which easily makes up for the weight difference.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
As another reviewer put it: "The Joule is more like that demanding friend who won't let you get away with bad habits or being lazy." The Joules are stiff for a womens ski, and therefore demand a lot of input (that said, I'm glad I didn't mount them telemark). Although they are labeled as a Women's ski, men looking for a lightweight version of the Kilowatt shouldn't be afraid to ski on these too (hey, at least they aren't pink!) Mount 'em with whatever you like, pair them with a 4-buckle boot, and ski fast-- these skis have no speed limit!
By Swiss Miss
THE GOOD
My long and difficult search for the right ski to be mounted with my shiny new Dynafits took me to the Black Diamond Joules. The dimensions (125-95-112 for 165s) of these lovely mid-fat white boards seemed to be just what I was looking for. I consider myself a somewhat aggressive telemark skier, so I was initially torn between the 165's and 175's, but ultimately ended up with the 165's for lighter weight and more versatility in tight spots. Once you find the sweet spot on these stiff boards, you're in for a treat! They'll bust through crud, sastrugi, and crust or arc big fast turns through waist deep powder. A true quiver of one for the aggressive female skier.
THE BAD
My first reaction while skiing the Joules was one of frustration-- partly because my heel was stuck to the ski for the first time in over ten years, and also because it felt as though they were bucking me off at every wrong move. However, after a few laps of relearning how to alpine ski, I started to have a lot more fun. As with other Black Diamond skis, the Joules are not the lightest boards of these dimensions out there. I mounted mine with Dynafit ST's, which easily makes up for the weight difference.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
As another reviewer put it: "The Joule is more like that demanding friend who won't let you get away with bad habits or being lazy." The Joules are stiff for a womens ski, and therefore demand a lot of input (that said, I'm glad I didn't mount them telemark). Although they are labeled as a Women's ski, men looking for a lightweight version of the Kilowatt shouldn't be afraid to ski on these too (hey, at least they aren't pink!) Mount 'em with whatever you like, pair them with a 4-buckle boot, and ski fast-- these skis have no speed limit!
OUR ADVICE
AVG USER ADVICE
Solid
AVG USER ADVICE
Solid
| DURABILITY | 4/5, No problems for me so far but a friend has some minor topsheet delamination issues. |
|---|---|
| POWDER | 4/5 |
| HARDPACK | 4/5 |
| VARIABLE CONDITIONS | 5/5, They'll bust through anything |
| GRAPHICS | 5/5, Pretty! not that it really matters... |
Gear Reviews>>Skis>>Mid>>Black Diamond Joules
WHERE TO BUY
| Evo Gear | $579.90 |
|---|---|
| Backcountry.com | $579.95 |
PRODUCT SPECS
| AVG PRICE | $599.99 |
|---|---|
| AVAILABLE LENGTHS | 155cm, 165cm, 175cm |
| LENGTH TESTED | 165 cm |
| BINDINGS TESTED | Dynafit TLT Vertical ST |
| BOOTS TESTED | Dynafit Zzero 4U |
| WEIGHT | 7 lb 4 oz (3289 g) |
| DIMENSIONS | 125 / 95 / 112 mm |
| CORE MATERIAL | 3D CNC Hybrid Wood Core (machined wood) |
| CONSTRUCTION | Formula One Tech, Double Torsion Box, Power Edge |
| TAIL | Flat |
| IDEAL TURN RADIUS | Giant Slalom (21m) |
| BEST USE | Backcountry Skiing, Telemarking |
| WARRANTY | 1 year, limited |
WHERE TO BUY
| Evo Gear | $579.90 |
|---|---|
| Backcountry.com | $579.95 |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS
That's Our Opinion. What's Yours?
Trever wrote on 01/21/09 at 6:48:18 pm pst:
Could not agree more. We have similar stories, I spent years telemarking.
I ended up with a pair of Kilowatts, same ski pretty much, and dynafit bindings.
A nice stiff, ski perfect for all of the conditions in the backcountry environment.
Spot on and good taste in skis.
Their Advice
n/a
Swiss Miss wrote on 01/26/09 at 4:37:33 pm pst:
Ladies who are concerned about the weight, stiffness, and unforgiving nature of this ski should check out next year's version of the Joule. BD made them lighter and softer... not to mention PINK!
Their Advice
n/a
other reviewer wrote on 02/09/09 at 09:18:10 am pst:
Hey Swiss Miss- nice review! I am loving my "demanding friends", and BD said that the delam problem was fixed before they went into production. But, PINK next year? Ick.
best
lw
Their Advice
Solid
Swiss Miss wrote on 02/10/09 at 10:48:27 am pst:
Good to hear-- mine have been holding up very well. Like all of BD's skis, they will have some sort of strange cryptic graphic; mostly light grey with some hot pink thrown in. Not as nice looking as this year's but even though I'm not a pink person, I found them to be tolerable (and I would certainly take the weight and flex differences for the change in color).
Their Advice
