Armada Invictus 99 Ti Review

Hands-On Review of the Armada Invictus 99 Ti

If you came here looking for a review of a classically playful Armada ski, you've come to the wrong place. The Invictus 99ti, which we reviewed in a 179cm length, was designed to be a hard charging all mountain ski, and because of that, this ski is fairly stiff unlike most of Armada's other lines. Not to say that this ski can't be fun in the right conditions and on the right terrain, but you wouldn't be reaching for a pair on a deep powder day or to go lap your favorite park features.

Stability at Speed

Like quite a few of the skis tested in the men's all-mountain category, the Invictus 95ti likes to go fast. It has a generous amount of camber underfoot, and our testers found it to be pretty stable and damp at high speeds, most likely due to the titanal layer found inside (hence the "ti").

We found it to be not nearly as stable as, say, the Volkl Mantra, but didn't experience near the amount of chatter and tip flap at high speed as the Salomon QST 99. Overall, if you like making large turns (20.5m turn radius) and don't have trouble setting a ski on edge, you'll feel comfortable at nearly any speed on these skis.

Carving Performance

With the Invictus line, Armada has proven they don't just make noodly skis that are fun in the pow and in the park. The 99ti was designed with carving the frontside in mind, and it does that well, especially at higher speeds.

At lower speeds, our testers found it took some more effort to get on edge. Once on edge, the ski felt stable throughout the turn, and the edge to edge transition is quick as long as you keep your speed up. But we found ourselves wishing for more pop and energy while carving, like the Nordica Enforcer 93.

Crud

The Invictus 99ti may not be the crud busting machine that the Volkl Mantra proved itself to be, but it does have a lot going for it in the world of crud. The 133mm tip combined with slight tip rocker allows the ski to push wet or soft snow away. The titanal layer does provide a bit of rigidity and dampness, but with too much speed, the Invictus tended to deflect quite a bit.

Powder

This competitor performed just as well as every other ski reviewed in this category. The generous shovel has just enough rocker to float the tips, and with 99mm underfoot, the entire ski stays on top of most powder days. Although there is no tail rocker to speak of, a turned up tail allows the ski to release out of the powder, similar to the Atomic Vantage 100 cti.

Overall, this charging ski held its own on all but the deepest of powder days and was right at home in wide open bowls of fresh snow.

Playfulness

The Invictus 99 is far from what we would consider a typical playful Armada ski. Most likely due to the double titanal layers found within, the ski lacks pop and sensitivity, and landings tend to feel stiff.

The skis also feels heavy, which forcers the skier to work harder to bring the ski around while in the air. The Invictus is similar to the Atomic Vantage 100 cti in that it has a titanal layer, but Atomic was able to create a lighter swing weight, which adds to the playfulness.

Bumps

Scoring only 5 out of 10, moguls are this ski's lowest scoring category. While not impossible to mash bumps on the Invictus 99ti, skis like the Volkl Mantra were much easier to navigate through mogul fields.

The ski felt slightly cumbersome and tended to get bounced around in firm conditions. An advanced mogul skier might appreciate the consistent flex throughout the ski and be able to tame the Invictus.

Best Application

As with all skis in the men's all-mountain category, this ski is designed to handle just about anything you can throw at it. While it does have specific areas it shines most in (carving and powder), in the right hands, this ski will be able to take you anywhere on the mountain.

Value

At a whopping $825, the Invictus 99ti is one of our most expensive skis that we reviewed.

Conclusion

The Invictus 99ti is Armada's venture in to a true all-mountain ski. While not our most highly rated ski, it does handle certain terrain and conditions well, and, for an advanced skier, it could be a great all around ski to explore the mountain on. The Invictus line is offered in many different widths. So, depending on average conditions on your local hill, a similar ski in the Invictus line may suit you better. We recommend this ski for advanced skiers that love arcing large turns on groomers who also want a ski that can handle powder on the side.