Armada Anti Matter 88W Review: A Light, Playful 88mm All-Mountain Ski Plus Two Alternatives

Introduction

Few skis manage to punch above their weight year after year, but the Armada Anti Matter 88W is one of them. Formerly known as the Reliance 88C, the ski returns structurally unchanged with a fresh top sheet and a new name that carries the Anti Matter line into a broader collection. The recipe remains the same: light, energetic, and surprisingly capable in a range of conditions.

This post covers the Anti Matter 88W in detail, then looks at two alternatives that make sense depending on how and where you ski: the Nordica Santa Ana 87 for riders who want a burlier, more freeride-leaning shape, and the Armada Anti Matter 92 W for those who want more metal underfoot.

Design and Construction

Armada builds the Anti Matter 88W around a poplar wood core with carbon strips in the tip and tail to add energy and pop without much added weight. The sidewall is thick underfoot for solid edge control, then tapers to cap construction in the tips and tails for quickness and agility.

At 1,412 grams in the 160 cm length, it is genuinely light. That low weight enhances the quick and agile character even for advanced and expert skiers, and the ski holds up better at speed than its weight might suggest. The flex is relatively soft, with a lot of lively feedback built into it, which is a big part of why skiers keep coming back to this platform.

The shape leans toward the all-mountain and frontside side of the spectrum. There is not a lot of taper, the widest point sits fairly far forward, and the contact point is high in the ski, giving you plenty of direct edge contact and easy turn initiation. Positive camber underfoot and modest tail rocker round things out, with just enough rocker at the back to keep you supported in bumps and trees.

On-Snow Performance

The 16.5 m turn radius suits the ski’s character well. Because it is light and soft enough to break free, you can vary your turn shape and style quite a bit, moving between shorter skidded turns and rounder arcs without much effort. The underfoot zone is torsionally stiff enough to hold up on firm groomers, too.

An 88 mm waist is an extremely useful width if your day is unpredictable. It works well on groomers, and when the day turns soft or you want to head into the bumps or the trees, it mixes terrain and conditions easily, especially given the lightweight construction.

Tester feedback summed it up well: very springy and playful, super light and maneuverable but stable at speed, a solid all-mountain one-quiver pick. It is an easy ski to put on your feet and just go, delivering strong versatility without demanding much from the skier.

Where It Reaches Its Ceiling

The Anti Matter 88W will run fast when asked, but it will not produce big, powerful high-speed GS turns the way a metal-laden ski will. If that is the kind of skiing you want out of an Anti Matter, stepping up to the Anti Matter 92 W makes more sense, since it brings an increased amount of metal even though it is a bit wider.

Within the 88 mm class, there are also more playful, freeride-influenced shapes available. The Nordica Santa Ana 87, with its heavier, burlier construction and considerably more freeride-leaning shape, is the obvious comparison if you want more playful character and more stability when you push hard.

Nordica Santa Ana 87

The Santa Ana 87 goes in a different direction from the Anti Matter 88W. It carries more metal in its construction and a considerably more freeride-influenced shape, which makes it feel burlier and more planted when conditions firm up or the terrain gets rough. If the Anti Matter is the light, nimble pick, the Santa Ana 87 is the one for skiers who want a bit more muscle underfoot.

Armada Anti Matter 92 W

Staying within the Anti Matter family, the 92 W is the natural upgrade if the 88W feels a touch light for your skiing. The added metal content gives it more power and high-speed composure, and while the waist is slightly wider, it still sits comfortably in the all-mountain category. For heavier or more aggressive skiers, this is the version of the platform worth considering.

Buying Advice

Pick the Anti Matter 88W if you want a lightweight, quick, and versatile 88 mm ski with a strong on-trail character and enough ceiling to push on firm snow. Choose the Santa Ana 87 if your skiing leans more freeride and you value a burlier, more playful construction. And if you like the Anti Matter concept but want more metal and stability at speed, the 92 W is the sensible step up.

Conclusion

The Anti Matter 88W earns its reputation by being easy to ski and rewarding across a wide range of conditions. With the Santa Ana 87 and the 92 W alongside it as alternatives, there is a clear path for every type of skier, from nimble one-quiver versatility to burlier all-mountain performance.