REVIEW: MADSHUS EON- WAXLESS

The Ever-So-Popular Madshus Eon

What follows is my review of the Madshus Eon/Karhu XCD GT.  My current pair of Eons is a 205cm, with a waxless base.  I would like a waxable Eon as well!

The Madshus Eon is the replacement for the last generation Karhu XCD GT (the two are essentially identical).  With an 83-62-70mm profile; the Eon is a mid-width 1.5-cambered xcountry ski.  The “XCD” stands for “xcountry-downhill”.  These skis are hybrid xcountry-telemark skis- designed to offer a balance between off-track xcountry touring, and downhill-turning performance.  To my knowledge, in the North American market, there are few hybrid xcountry-telemark skis available in a comparable profile.  The Fischer S-Bound 78 & 88, the Alpina Discovery 90, and the Rossignol BC90, are all similar in design and intent- but you cannot get them in as long a length as the Eon.  The Fischer E109 has a similar profile to the Eon, but the the E109 is stiffer and has more of a double camber- more of a true xcountry ski than the Eon.

The Eon is an ideal backcountry XCD ski in up to about 12 inches of powder.  In my experience, once the pow get deeper than a foot- the Eon does not offer as much flotation as I would like.  Increasingly people are using the Eon as a recreational off-trail xcountry ski.  The Eon is extremely forgiving- with 1.5-camber under foot, and relatively soft tips/tails- it does not require as much skill and effort as a more traditional double-cambered backcountry-xcountry ski.

Here is a brief summary of the Eon specs:

• 83-62-70mm profile
• length to 205cm
• Progressive sidecut, with a relatively straight tail
• Full-length metal edges
• 1.5-cambered
• Relatively soft tips/tails (from a classic xcountry ski perspective)
• Waxless base under foot (Karhu’s “Omnitrack”); or a waxable base
• Traditional xcountry track groove

The Eon comes in lengths up to 205cm; and in waxless or waxable bases.

In my experience, the Eon seems to shine in two relatively specific conditions:

1. Telemark skiing on a relatively hard base
2. Xcountry skiing on up to a foot of powder (over a hard base)

The Eon is relatively “narrow” (compared to contemporary hybrid XCD skis), and fairly torsionally rigid- I have been able to stride through some effective telemark turns on this ski- even with relatively light-duty boots.  As a xcountry ski I find the Eon as a merely adequate performer.  (I do understand why so many people love this ski.)  I find myself yearning for more grip (waxable base), and more snap (double camber).  (I have briefly tested the current Fischer E109 (82-60-70mm), a trad double-cambered backcountry-xcountry ski.  In my opinion, the E109 would outperform the Eon as xcountry ski- the Eon would be easier to turn).  As far as traction; the Karhu “Omnitrack” waxless design offers excellent performance relative to other waxless designs.  The grip is lacking on very cold and hard/icy snow (this is a universal problem with all waxless traction )- this is where grip wax will outperform the waxless.  The Eon waxless traction pattern does not offer aggressive climbing traction- in my opinion it is designed more for classic kick & glide xcountry skiing.  You will definitely want climbing skins, if you plan on climbing any steep slopes. 

No matter what, as a xcountry ski; the Eon is not a great performer in deep, soft snow.  I have 205cm Eons (waxless) in a NNNBC Magnum setup, with Alpina Alaska boots.  The Eon is a highly versatile backcountry-xcountry ski.  However; when the snow is deep and soft- I leave it in the shed!  I have always been very pleased with the Eon, especially when I manage to maintain my own backcountry "track."  I have never been thrilled with the Eon when I am breaking trail- especially through deep snow.

As a primarily touring-focused XCD ski- I am using the Eon with an NNNBC-Magnum binding.  In my experience, NNNBC binding/boot systems offer much more efficient classic xcountry performance (i.e. stride and glide) than 75mm- allowing the complete extension of the Nordic stride.

For my everyday skiing- rolling terrain with only the occasional steep descent and climb- I much prefer the NNNBC system.  If my backyard skiing had much more vertical to it- I would probably be on 75mm.

Contrary to the marketing, I would recommend choosing a long length.  If you want them short for telemark turns; I would recommend considering a more downhill-orientated ski.

Camber/flex.  The Eon has relatively soft tips/tails with relatively smooth, long, camber.  The soft tips and tails, make the Eon very "forgiving" when covering variable terrain and snow conditions- that are often found in the backcountry.  It is described as having "camber-and-a-half"- offering a small, shallow wax/traction pocket.   The presence and effectiveness of this wax pocket utterly depends on the length of ski you choose.  For example, at my weight (185lbs), a 205cm Eon has a small wax pocket- at 195cm it does not.   In my opinion, if you end up choosing a short Eon for "easy-turns"- you will lose the touring efficiency this ski has to offer.

I would also recommend considering the waxable base (even though I have not tested it).  I have been a xcountry skier for more than 30 years, and in my experience, a waxable Eon would outperform the waxless (as a xcountry ski).  That being said- I will always want a waxless ski or two in my "quiver".  In the early winter and late spring, snow conditions are often poor and unpredictable- either Klister or a waxless base are a must.  Klister will always outperform the waxless base in terms of grip and glide- Kilster is fine for the clean,  groomed track.  However- I ski through the woods.  Getting forest debris (e.g. twigs, lichen) stuck to your Klister- is not fun!  If you ski in the woods- I highly recommend having at least one waxless ski for when the snow is littered with forest debris.

In conclusion- the Eon is a well-designed and very capable and versatile mid-width backcountry-xcountry ski.  It is easy to like- and easy to handle.  Combine that with a very reasonable price- its popularity is well deserved.