Faction Agent 1 Touring Skis 26/27

The Faction Agent 1 is an 86mm unisex ski, the narrowest model in Faction's carbon Agent range, built for the uphill. Faction gives it a Float 3/10 rating — the lowest in the range — which sums up its purpose: skinning quickly and holding firm snow, not floating powder. There is no metal in it. A light Karuba woodcore sits beneath a full carbon weave, backed by a full-strength sidewall, tip-and-tail cap protection and XL 2.5mm edges that survive firm skin tracks and variable snow.

Faction splits the range by width and float: the 86mm Agent 1 for firm-snow climbing, the 96mm Agent 2 as the do-most middle, and the 106mm Agent 3 for the descent. The Agent 1 suits a skier who earns their turns and wants a light, nimble tool for spring corn, kick-turns and firm bootpacks — someone who cares more about an efficient climb and a precise firm-snow descent than about float. Independent reviews read it as calm and composed for a carbon ski, while noting it feels slightly heavy for its width and likes to be driven at low speed.

It is a specialist rather than a do-anything one-ski quiver. Skiers who only ride lifts will be happier on a resort all-mountain or carving ski. If you want float for soft snow, move up the range to the 96mm Agent 2 or the 106mm Agent 3. And the Agent line begins at intermediate, so it is not a first pair of skis. Unsure which width matches your touring? Tell us where and how you ski, and we will steer you to the right Agent.

The Agent 1 ships flat, without bindings. Bring your boots and we will fit and mount a tech/pin setup for pure touring or a hybrid for mixed use, and cut the matching Agent-series skins.