Dynastar S-Line is the Speed range of skis for men, including Speed race, Speed piste and Speed 4X4 all-mountain models.
Dynastar has changed the naming for many of their skis for the 21/22 season. They’ve incorporated their men’s 4X4 all-mountain range and the Speedzone piste skis into their Speed line-up, known as the S-Line. SkiKitInfo’s been testing products from the S-Line range, and in this article we’ve got all you need to know about the Speed piste and Speed 4X4 skis.
Dynastar women’s piste & all-mountain skis
The Intense piste and all-mountain skis for women is now the E-Line range, hinting at the Exclusive name that was last used for winter 12/13. Dynastar let us loose on some of the women’s skis for 21/22 season, and the reviews of these will be available on SkiKitInfo soon.
Dynastar Freeride & touring skis
If you’re more interested in freeride and off-piste skiing, we’ve also tested M-Line skis for men and women. We were loaned some of these skis by Dynastar, to put them through their paces. Jump on over to the review of the M-Line kit, to find out more.
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Born in 1963
Dynastar was founded in 1963, and for this coming season many of the ski names have changed to reflect this. This does make the model names a little confusing but, once you get your head around it, it’s not too bad. One saving grace is that it only applies to their men’s piste and all-mountain skis.
DYNASTAR S-LINE SKIS
The S-Line is Dynastar’s range of skis that are designed primarily for speed and firm-snow performance. The Speed 4X4 skis have design characteristics that make them more versatile when heading off the sides of the groomers, but they’re still made for skiers that stick predominantly to pisted runs.
The S-Line includes the Race and Master skis, but here we’re going to focus on the skis the vast majority of consumers will be looking at, namely the Speed and Speed 4X4 ranges, with an odd nod at one race ski in particular.
Born in 1963? It’s in the name
Apart from the race skis, all S-Line model names end 63, in homage to Dynastar’s founding year. They all have a number before this, such as 963, which indicates how high the ski sits in that category. For example, the Speed 963 is their top performance piste ski, with the Speed 263 aimed at those just getting into the sport.
In essence, you can forget about the 63, and just think of the Speed 9 as the top-of-the-line, while the Speed 2 is far easier for less experienced skiers, with a range between these models.
Look bindings
Dynastar is a sister company to brands such as Rossignol, Lange, Kerma and Look. Dynastar uses Look bindings on all of their skis. All of the bindings mentioned below are Grip Walk compatible bindings. You can find out more about Grip Walk in our article on Ski boot & binding compatibility.
Construction
Wood & PU cores
Dynastar combines the benefits of natural and synthetic materials to great effect in the S-Line. They use a mixture of wood and polyurethane (PU).
Wood is a superb material for skis as it provides power and energy, as well as being versatile and durable. PU is light and, when used correctly, can enhance the ski’s dampening. A pure PU core ski from Dynastar is around 50g lighter in a 170cm piste ski. Don’t think of PU core skis as soft and noodley though, like the foam-cored skis of yesteryear. PU cores are used across the ski spectrum by a host of brands, and can provide excellent skiing performance.
Dynastar tailors the woods they use and the arrangement with the PU in each model to give the characteristics they’re seeking.
Metal
Dynastar uses Titanal in many of their skis. Titanal can add stability and power to a ski, along with providing superb dampening. Dynastar utilises this material in different ways, and profiles, depending on what they want to achieve with the ski.
For most of the piste skis the Titanal layer is pretty much full width underfoot, as well as in-front of and behind the binding. It then forks out to just over the sides of the ski as you move further towards the tip and tail. Dynastar calls this V-Tech. This keeps the swing weight down, makes for smooth turn initiation and release, with loads of power and drive through the centre of the ski.
Powerdrive
Powerdrive has been around since the 16/17 season, when it was first introduced by Dynastar in the men’s Speedzone and women’s Intense piste skis.
A variety of materials is used just behind the sidewall of the ski. Originally this was the outer ABS layer, which many skis have. Inside this was a vertical Titanal layer, with an elastomer later between the Titanal and the main core of the ski. This provided incredible smoothness in the turn without sacrificing any of the bite and grip of a traditional sidewall ski.
Since then, Dynastar has done a lot with Powerdrive, including using different materials in the vertical sidewall laminates, to give the characteristics they want in specific applications. It has been used in piste, all-mountain and freeride skis.
Even though Dynastar has dropped the term from most of it’s info about their skis for the 21/22 season, it’s still used in many of the models.
Rocker
All of the skis in the Speed piste and all-mountain ranges feature some level of tip rocker. It’s shorter and less pronounced on the pure piste skis. It helps with turn initiation, it is the bend you force the ski into when making a turn. As the widest part of the ski is raised slightly it also prevents the tip from being to grabby and trying to force you into a turn.
In the Speed 4X4 skis, that we tested, the rocker line is longer than the equivalent Speed model. The rocker in the Speed 963 is shorter than that on the Speed 4X4 963, for example.
The 4X4 skis, while still aimed at those sticking mostly to the groomers, therefore make it easier to ski variable and challenging snow off the sides of the pisted runs.
DYNASTAR SPEED PISTE SKIS
If you love groomed runs and carving arcs, or know you aren’t going to ski off the sides a lot, the Speed models are for you.
TESTED: Dynastar Speed 963
Lengths: 156, 162, 168, 173cm
Sidecut: 122-68-104mm in all lengths
Radius: 13.0m in 168cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,750g in 168cm without binding
Measured weight per ski: 1,750g / 1,789g with Konect plate in 168cm
2,970g / 3,006g with Konect plate and Look SPX 12 Konect binding in 168cm
Price: £675 / €750 / $N/A* with NX 12 binding
£720 / €810 / $1,100* with SPX 12 binding
This is a new ski for Dynastar. It has a combination of poplar wood and PU for the core, with a Titanal V-Tech layer.
It comes mounted with the Konect plate and retailers can stock it as a system set-up with either the Look NX 12 or Look SPX 12 binding. We tested it with the SPX 12 option, which was the same for all Dynastar S-Line skis we tested.
The Speed 963 has sidewall construction along the length of the ski then, as it reaches the very ends, you get a short section of cap.
This ski has a lot of energy. It’s very easy to use for a ski with such performance and will suit a surprisingly broad range of skiers. It is a really smooth ski, with inspiring grip and the more you put in, the more you get out. Therefore, advanced and expert level skiers are the ones that will get the most out of this ski.
We tested this in the 168cm length, with a radius of 13m. The Speed 963 is very easy to feed into a turn, due, at least in-part, to the V-Tech layer above the core tapering away towards the shovel. Therefore the skis have a nice sensitivity as you roll them onto their edge to start your turn, and you don’t feel as though you’ve got to be right over the front of the skis to control them.
If you want something that’s a little more forgiving at low speed then look at the Speed 763. The Speed 563 has a lot of the new tech of 963, so if you want new V-Tech but easier to ski then select the 563.
TESTED: Dynastar Speed Omeglass Master SL
Lengths: 156, 162, 168, 173cm
Sidecut: 122-68-104mm in all lengths
Radius: 13.0m in 168cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,850g in 168cm without binding
Measured weight per ski: 1,934g / 1,950g with R22 race plate in 168cm
3,033g / 3,040g with R22 plate & Look SPX 12 binding in 168cm
Price: £795 / €880 / $900* with R22 race plate & Look SPX 12 binding ($ excludes binding)
£730 / €810 / $N/A* with Konect plate & Look SPX 12 binding
The 2022 Speed Omeglass Master SL ski is EXACTLY the same ski as the Speed 963. To save you reading the same thing twice, all of the info above applies to this ski. This ski doesn’t have a metal tip protector and is a different colour scheme, but the shape, profile and construction is the same as the Speed 963.
The difference is that we tested the Master SL mounted with the R22 race plate, rather than the Konect system binding plate.
The R22 plate makes a huge difference to the skiing experience. The R22 increases torsional stiffness (sideways / twisting rigidity) and it also boosts stiffness longitudinally (along the ski). This makes the ski less forgiving at lower speeds, but stronger when skied hard and fast. When you push hard, it has higher levels of bite and grip.
Therefore if you are a racer, or ex-racer, an expert level skier or are heavy / aggressive when skiing, and mostly ski hard and fast, then the R22 is a good choice.
If you want something you can easily use on slower days yet still dishes out plenty of energy and performance on faster sessions, the Konect set-up works superbly well. As both the Speed Omeglass Master SL and Speed 963 are available with the Konect plate you can pick the design you prefer.
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Race plates are flatter & higher, right?
Some think the R22 plate, with the visible step-up before the toe, makes them a flatter delta (difference in height between toe and heel), but this is not actually the case.
Using digital Vernier calipers we measured the height of the toe and heel above the top of the ski on each binding. We used the same boot (26.5MP, 300mm sole length) and measured in precisely the same location. The binding is the Look SPX 12 on both skis.
The distance between ski top-sheet and heel was 33.73mm on the Konect system, and 29.94mm on the R22 plate. The toe height was 34.32mm (R22) and 30.54mm (Konect), meaning a difference of -0.59mm (R22) and -0.6mm (Konect) respectively between toe and heel. The – (negative) shows the toe was higher than the heel, on both set-ups, but only just. The height difference is really very small and shows the ramp angle is almost flat (0.11°) on both the Konect and R22 binding rigs.
The main difference is in the stand-over height above the ski. Many people think a race plate puts you higher off the ski, for greater leverage and to avoid the boot hitting the snow when tilted over in the extremes of racing. For this Dynastar / Look system that is not the case. The R22 and SPX 12 puts the boot almost 3.8mm closer to the top of the the ski compared to the Konect SPX 12 system.
TESTED: Dynastar Speed 763
Lengths: 158, 166, 174, 182cm
Sidecut: 121-72-106mm in all lengths
Radius: 15.0m in 174cm
Stated weight per ski: 2,000g in 174cm without binding
Measured weight per ski: 2,074g / 2,082g with Konect plate in 174cm
3,294g / 3,301g with Konect plate and Look SPX 12 Konect binding in 174cm
Price: £525 / €650/ $N/A* with NX 12 binding
£595 / €700/ $1,000* with SPX 12 binding
This is the Speedzone 12 Ti of last season but with a new name and graphic. The build is unchanged, but we think it looks a ton better in the race range inspired red and blue graphic. As it’s a Speedzone piste ski, really, it has Powerdrive running along the sides of the ski.
This ski may be ‘old’ construction but it doesn’t mean it’s dull or boring. This ski is superb – it has been since it was released in 2016/17 and remains so. It is incredibly smooth through the edge, but don’t think this means lack of snow feel. You feel really connected to the skiing experience with a great sensitivity underfoot. The only real negative comment for this ski is that it’s not as sensitive through the shovelas the new Speed 963.
The Speed 763 has sidewall construction along the length of the ski, then as it reaches the very ends you get a very short section of cap.
As on all the Speed piste models, the 763 has V-tech written on it, but it doesn’t actually have V-tech in the ski. Dynastar are far from the only brand to do this with their skis, so it’s not worth judging them too much on this point.
If you want to push hard on the edge, irrespective of how hard or juddery the piste is, the 763 is more than powerful enough for the majority of skiers.
If you prefer a pure tight-turn ski, go for the 963. If you want something a little more all-round so you can ski shorts, moderates and longs, then the Speed 763 is arguably a better option.
The Dynastar Speed 763 is a great fit for higher intermediate through to expert level skiers. The sweet spot is higher intermediate and advanced.
Dynastar Speed 563
Lengths: 155, 162, 170, 178cm
Sidecut: 125-74-109mm in all lengths
Radius: 14.0m in 170cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,600g in 170cm without binding
Price: £450 / €550 / $N/A* with NX 12 Konect
The Speed 563 replaces the Speedzone 10 Ti, but it’s a new ski. Like the 963, it has a poplar wood and PU core, with a Titanal V-Tech layer. It’s stated turn radius is a little longer though. If you want a 13m radius in this ski you need to drop 6cm in length; 162cm compare to R13m in the 168cm Speed 963.
As with all of the Speed skis featured in this article, the 563 has some rocker through the tip.
This is a sidewall ski, with a little top-sheet roll over to meet the edge. This is pretty minimal though and the sidewall runs right through to the shovel and tip, before cap takes over just before the very ends of the ski.
Like the Speed 763, this ski is aimed that upper intermediate to advanced level skier.
Dynastar Speed 363
Lengths: 155, 162, 170, 178cm
Sidecut: 125-74-109mm in all lengths
Radius: 14.0m in 170cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,600g in 170cm without binding
Price: £400 / €500 / $N/A with Xpress 11 binding
For the eagle-eyed among you, you may notice the specs of the Speed 363 are the same as the 563. They are the same ski, just a different graphic and the 363 comes with the cheaper and lighter Xpress 11 binding. Hence the price of this model is lower than the 563.
If you read the notes on the Omeglass Master SL ski, above, you’ll have seen what a difference the binding system can make to a ski. The same applies here. The Xpress system is aimed at ease of use, while the Konect system and NX 11 binding provides a better mix of ease-of-use and performance. Therefore the 363 has skiing characteristics that can better suit lower level intermediates or lighter skiers.
Dynastar Speed 263
Lengths: 149, 157, 164, 171, 178cm
Sidecut: 125-74-110mm in all lengths
Radius: 13.0m in 164cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,450g in 164cm without binding
Price: £360 / €400 / $N/A* with Xpress 10 binding
This ski is a little more standard in it’s construction, having a pure poplar core. You therefore miss the PU of some higher Speed models. It is a full cap ski, where the top sheet rolls over the side of the ski to meet the metal edge. This is more forgiving and doesn’t get chips as easily as a sidewall ski, but you sacrifice grip and power to the edge.
It has V-tech written on the ski, like all piste Speed models, but it doesn’t actually have V-tech in the ski.
This ski is designed to be easy to handle and help you get into your carving journey. At higher speeds it won’t give the power, response and bite of upper-end models. At lower speed and for those with less developed ski technique, the 263 will work well. If you are someone who normally develops or learns quickly, look at the Speed 363 or 563.
DYNASTAR SPEED 4X4 ALL-MOUNTAIN SKIS
The Speed 4X4 skis may be new names for Dynastar, but they’re not new skis. They’re all carry-over models from winter 21/22, but with new names and graphics. They were the Speedzone 4X4 models.
They’re aimed at skiers who mostly ski on pisted runs, but want something a little more versatile than a pure piste ski. The rocker length is increased and they’re wider, to aid float and enhance the skiing experience in variable snow and terrain.
TESTED: Dynastar Speed 4X4 963
Lengths: 164, 171, 179, 185cm
Sidecut: 130-82-110mm in all lengths
Radius: 16.0m in 179cm
Stated weight per ski: 2,150g in 179cm without binding
Measured weight per ski: 2,227g / 2,241g with Konect plate in 179cm
3,449g / 3,461g with Konect plate and Look SPX 12 Konect binding in 179cm
Price: £680 / €810 / $1,000* with SPX 12 binding
This was the Speedzone 4X4 82 Pro. It’s a punchy ski and the beech wood, combined with PU, delivers power and stiffness over the softer paulownia core of the 4X4 763, below. This does compromise the ease-of-use at lower speed of for lighter skiers though.
The 4X4 963 is a performance model, with power and energy at speed. It behaves like a slightly wide piste ski on packed snow, with good lift through the shovel when the snow’s a little softer.
The powerful sidewall construction means power goes directly to the edge, while the 3D profile reduces tip and tail weight to enhance manoeuvrability. Like the piste focussed Speed 763, this ski has Powerdrive, so is lovely and smooth through the edge when conditions are less than ideal.
The basalt laminate in the ski further aids dampening without adding too much weight. It’s lighter than having a full metal laminate.
The Titanal insert further aids drive underfoot, ensuring enhanced grip through the centre of the turn.
The graphics depart from the race-inspired blue, red and black, with a colourway that feels premium and aimed at a mature skier. The flouro sidewall and details stops them feeling dull, which is great.
This is a strong ski that suits powerful or heavy skiers wanting a stable platform for blasting about the pistes. The benefit being, it works well in softer and more varied snow too. Excellent for advanced to expert skiers.
TESTED: Dynastar Speed 4X4 763
Lengths: 164, 171, 179, 185cm
Sidecut: 130-82-110mm in all lengths
Radius: 16.0m in 179cm
Stated weight per ski: 2,050g in 179cm without binding
Measured weight per ski: 2,143g / 2,145g with Konect plate in 179cm
3,363g / 3,366g with Konect plate and Look SPX 12 Konect binding in 179cm
Price: £525 / €650 / $N/A* with NX Konect binding
£620 / €710 / $900* with SPX Konect binding
Where the 4X4 963 has the beech and PU core, the 763 has lighter paulownia wood with the PU. Again, you get Powerdrive, 3D profile and the Titanal insert. This was the Speedzone 4X4 82 of winter 20/21.
We love the look of this ski, and it sits more harmoniously alongside the other blue, black and red S-Line skis.
The Speed 4X4 763 may, in theory, be a step down in performance from the Speed 4X4 963, but we think this is a better ski for a broader range of skiers. You still have a lot of grip, as it still has that beefy sidewall of the 963 and Titanal insert.
As with the 4X4 963, this model also has that dampening layer of basalt.
This 763 is easier to use at lower speeds and if your technique is not dialled in. If you sometimes find yourself in the back seat (weight back or more upright) and especially when the slopes a little scary, then the 763 is a much better choice. The shovel noticeably improves lift in soft and variable snow, so this ski behaves impeccably when skiing off the sides. Late afternoon spring snow is not an issue; the 4X4 763 makes it fun.
Even with the lighter, softer core the energy you get out of the turn on this ski is ace. It leaves you with a massive smile.
The 763 model in the 4X4 range is excellent for intermediate through to upper advanced and expert level skiers. It can be used on slow, lazy days or for charging hard when the conditions allow it. It’s also quite a bit cheaper than the 963. We would get the 763 with the SPX binding if you’re an advanced level skier or want to push hard; it’s just a much more capable binding for that style of skiing.
Dynastar Speed 4X4 563
Lengths: 158, 164, 171, 179cm
Sidecut: 122-78-106mm in all lengths
Radius: 15.0m in 171cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,900g in 171cm without binding
Price: £445 / €550 / $700* with binding
The Dynastar Speed 4X4 563 has a hybrid core of Sapelli wood and PU, with central sidewall. It is the same ski as the Speedzone 4X4 78 Pro of last season, with a new name and updated graphic. It has a 78mm waist.
The Speed 4X4 563 has sidewall construction underfoot with cap at the tip and tail. This makes them more forgiving front and back, yet still offers good levels of grip underfoot.
Rocker through the shovel makes it easier to feed the skis into the turn as well as improving flotation in softer snow.
They come pre-mounted with the Konect plate and the standard binding fitted to this ski is the Look NX 12.
The 4X4 563 is a great option for intermediate level skiers wanting a pair of planks to carve about the piste, with a little skiing off the sides. The shape and width of this ski also make it easier to get to grips with variable snow when you first head off the sides of the runs.
Dynastar Speed 4X4 363
Lengths: 158, 164, 171, 179cm
Sidecut: 122-78-106mm in all lengths
Radius: 15.0m in 171cm
Stated weight per ski: 1,850g in 171cm without binding
Price: £400 / €470 / $600* with binding
This is essentially the same ski as the Dynastar Speed 4X4 563, but with a different colour scheme and binding system. The 4X4 363 comes with the Xpress binding plate and the standard binding for this ski is the Look Xpress 11.
If you read the notes on the Omeglass Master SL ski, above, you’ll have seen what a difference the binding system can make to a ski. The same applies here. The Xpress system is aimed at ease of use, while the Konect system and NX binding provides a better mix of ease-of-use and performance. Therefore the 363 has skiing characteristics that can better suit lower level intermediates or lighter skiers.
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Want to see more of what Dynastar’s got to offer, you can visit their site at Dynastar.com.
Consumer testing
Dynastar is a strong believer in involving consumers in their ski design and evolution process. Dynastar states that 10,000 consumers test Dynastar skis every season, across a range of resorts. This review and feedback process is a fundamental part of how Dynastar improves and optimises their products. They also work really closely with their team of elite athletes, across a wide range of skiing disciplines, to innovate and develop new products.
If you’re interested in testing Dynastar skis, you can find out about dates of up-coming tests on the Dynastar Facebook page. Dates typically appear on there from early October, for the coming season. They also have a page on their own site regarding the consumer tests; here’s the link.
Independent, honest, unbiased reviews & tests
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Quoted Prices
*Prices quoted here can be a mixture of recommended retail price from the brand and prices that you can currently get the kit for from retailers in that territory. The prices may therefore be less or more than you can find in-store / online and are only intended to give you a guide as to what you may expect to pay.
N/A means a price, or the product, was not available to us in that territory at the time of writing this article.
Always ensure you do adequate research when buying ski equipment to ensure you’re getting the best service and advice from the retailer, combined with a price that works for your budget. Don’t always assume that cheaper means better value.
Titanal
Titanal is an of aluminium/aluminum (depending on where you live) alloy, made by AMAG of Austria. Titanal is composed mainly of aluminium but also zinc (around 7%), magnesium (around 2.5%), copper (around 1.7%) and zirconium (around 0.1%).
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