[This retread review pertains to a prior iteration of the e-Supershape Speed in the 2021 collection. The new iteration shares many of its predecessor’s attributes, which is why the latter is included here.]

The Head Supershape i.Speed should be called the i.Quick, for while it probably isn’t the fastest ski, it’s certainly the quickest edge-to-edge, superiority it’s itching to flaunt. Point the i.Speed down the fall line, tilt, pressure and repeat. You expect it to make short-radius turns at the expense of all others, but the i.Speed only executes its tightest turns when raked up to a high edge.  Relax the edge angle and you’ll discover the i.Speed’s stability in a long-radius arc is underrated.

Head uses Graphene, carbon in a matrix one-atom thick, to manage flex distribution. In the i.Speed, this means applying Graphene to the ski’s midsection so the reinforced center doesn’t have to be so thick. By apportioning more material to the tip and tail, the flex is not only rounder, it’s achievable with less pressure. This is one reason the i.Speed makes a better mogul manipulator than you might expect for ski with so much shape: the tip conforms to sudden terrain changes and the tail won’t wilt under any circumstances.

The i.Speed’s receptivity to arcing with a light rein masks a thoroughbred’s temperament that longs to charge the fall line. Only speed reveals its special skill: it responds to loading by slinging the ski forward, rather than popping off the snow and – perish the thought – losing continuous snow contact.  The extra energy comes from piezoelectric fibers that stiffen the tail when stimulated by high-velocity vibrations.   Matt Finnegan from Footloose cautions, “This ski isn’t for everyone. It’s very technical, but that being said, it’s technically rewarding.”

Unaffiliated tester Myles McCallum sketches this portrait of the i.Speed’s personality: “Great all round technical ski. Early to edge, incredible balance, good flex pattern, super accurate with lots of power out of a turn, but mellow when you don’t need or want the power. Not meant for off piste excursions but fine in a couple of inches. A tough go of it in springtime crud,” Myles concludes. While it holds on hardpack “like an ice axe,” according to another tester’s testimony, deep or clumpy soft snow don’t play to its strengths.