Gear Review | Faction Agent 1.0

However, with different lengths available and different designs, they are designed more for female ski tourers. In addition, the skis in the Agent series come from the moulds of the Dictator series and share the same shape. The Agents have a solid wood core, but in a lighter version to make them more suitable for touring. After all, the corresponding models weigh around 20% less, but they are also somewhat softer and less stable at high speeds as a result.

First impression

The first thing I notice is that the Faction Agent 1.0 is quite narrow and short for me. I have practically no skis under 98mm centre width and 186cm length. But of course, even a ski like this has its area of use. In contrast to many modern touring skis, the Agent 1.0 is not uncompromisingly trimmed for lightweight construction, but rather robustly built and harder tuned. I'm not saying that the ski is heavy (it's not), but it's not super light either. Thanks to the Titanal reinforcement under the binding, construction with wide edges, decent sidewalls and solid wood core (albeit made of light Karuba), the ski should be durable and suitable for downhill skiing.

On the descent, it must be made clear that, given the width, this is not and cannot be a powder ski. You can still ski down wonderfully in soft snow, but a rather high speed is required for a reasonable float. Otherwise you are left with a rather cosy downhill wobble. The ski is very reliable and predictable, there is practically no wobbling or blending. In combination with the rather tight flex and the high torsional rigidity, the Agent 1.0 ensures very good downhill performance in more difficult snow as well as on even, hard surfaces or firn. The narrow shape is not a disadvantage here. The ski has very good edge grip and high stability. Both in terms of speed and reliability in tough conditions on steeper terrain. Use on steep faces, in firn or on long spring tours with demanding descents is certainly the ski's greatest strength.

Overall, the ski is easy to ski, especially at higher speeds, and is also easy to control. At slower speeds, it requires a little more energy.

Conclusion

An unusually narrow ski in 2022, which is also likely to be rather heavy for many more ascent-orientated ski tourers. It proves its strengths in hard snow, on steep descents and on the piste. Certainly only for a few people the one ski for everything, but on the other hand a good addition, for example for long, steep firn tours.

Advantages & disadvantages

+ Very reliable

+ Top edge grip

- Rather heavy for the width

Information on

RRP € 599,-

Waist size: 120 | 86 | 110

Available lengths: 162cm (14m radius, 1310g), 170cm (16m radius, 1330g), 178cm (18m radius, 1490g) 186cm (20m radius, 1540g)

Lightweight core made from Karuba wood

Carbon fibres around the wood core

Elliptical sidecut

2.5mm XL edges

Surf Zones - Perfect balance between rocker and taper

Reinforced side panels

Titanal plate in the binding area

Glossy, extra-stable topsheet

Here is the link to the Faction website with further information.

The ski was provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. Find out how we tested it in our test statement.