Trencher wrote:verbier_ski_bum wrote:I alsways thought that if a ski has at least a rocker in the tip, it's 'rockered' as opposed to 'banana' skis that are "fully rockered". I also understood that early rise, low rise are just variations of the design, as different companies patent it under different names by making slight alterations to the profile. I noticed how many manufacturers now add rocker to their skis including to their front side skis so there is definitely a trend and it can only be explained that it indeed makes skiing easier in general (just as they made powder more accessible to more skiers) easier to ski = more people start to ski = more skis sold or similar logic. It can well be that in a decade full-cambered skis will follow straight skis and will be only taken out on a "retro" days that resorts sometimes have (just like straight skis now).
I think what we are seeing in ski design is part of the new way of thinking that came about with the internet. Conventional wisdom is a lost expression these days. Designers are thinking laterally, cross benching, and out of the box At the same time, some basic rules still exist. Camber serves a purpose.
Agreed camber profiles do serve a purpose but (Yes im a snowboarder and know very little about skis) you can limit the amount of camber flex and substitute this with rocker which gives you a much more poppy/softer feel. Which in turn makes for a much more enjoyable ride (In my opinion). I ditched my camber board two seasons ago and now ride a yes typo camrock, I had reservations with regards to stability and edge grip at speed but I can honestly say I noticed no decline whatsoever. I agree with verbier that complete camber profiles will now fade away and start to be replace with new combo profiles.