Ski: 2024-2025 Völkl M7 Mantra, 177 cm
Available Lengths: 163, 170, 177, 184, 191 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 178.0 cm
Stated Weight per Ski (177 cm): 2090 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski (177 cm): 2074 & 2076 grams
Stated Dimensions: 139-96-121 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 138.5-95.5-120.5 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (177 cm): 25 / 40 / 17 / 22 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 43 mm / 11 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 4.5 mm
Core Materials: poplar/beech + titanal (partial layers) + carbon stringers at tip + fiberglass laminate
Base Material: sintered P-Tex 2100
Factory Recommended Mount Point: –12.2 cm from center / 76.8 cm from tail
Ski: 2024-2025 Völkl M7 Mantra, 184 cm (click to expand specs)
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 183.0 cm
Stated Weight per Ski (184 cm): 2180 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski (184 cm): 2111 & 2144 grams
Stated Dimensions: 139-96-121 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 138.5-95.5-120 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (184 cm): 26 / 41 / 18 / 23 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 43 mm / 10.5 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 3.5 mm
Factory Recommended Mount Point: –12.2 cm from center / 79.3 cm from tail
Intro
Volkl has now had at least one ski called the “Mantra” for well over a decade, and for the 2024-2025 season, they released the latest generation.
The M7 Mantra and Secret 96, both of which are 96 mm wide and are functionally identical, represent Volkl’s newest metal-laminate all-mountain skis. To go with this makeover, Volkl also simplified the naming schemes of the skis that surround them. The Kendo, Kenja, and Katana names are no more — the 24/25 collection includes the Secret 84, Mantra 88, Secret 88, M7 Mantra, Secret 96, Mantra 102, Secret 102, and Mantra 108. Those other skis are constructionally unchanged, but the M7 Mantra and Secret 96 feature several tweaks to their builds.
Back at Blister Summit 2024, we got our first laps on these new skis, and we also sat down with Volkl to discuss all the updates to these new skis — as well as all the other new models they launched for the 24/25 season. Here’s our video from the event:
So, check out that video, and then keep reading for our breakdown of what’s new with the M7 Mantra. We’ll be getting back on this ski in just a few days, with a Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons to come in the next month. However, those who read our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s Guide already got our quick take months ago. And now, BLISTER+ members and those who purchased our Digital Access Pass can read our expanded initial impressions in our Flash Review of the M7 Mantra.
What Völkl says about the M7 Mantra
“How do you improve a legend? You retain the features that made the ski famous and add the latest innovations, such as the new 4 Radius Drive sidecut technology which allows progress where a year ago you couldn’t see any room to further push your limits.
These next-generation skis are characterized by increased stability, liveliness and maneuverability and offer even more versatility for an exciting experience on and off the groomers. The secret to their enhanced performance lies in Völkl’s innovations: the Tailored Titanal Frame ensures stability, while the Tailored Carbon Tips provide responsiveness. In contrast to its predecessor, the M6 Mantra, the M7 Mantra uses 4 Radius Drive design – an advanced development of the proven 3D Radius Sidecut and an innovation from Völkl that is not yet found in any other model. With this technology, Völkl sets a new benchmark for the ability to vary the turn radius to combine easy handling with rock-solid stability. Maximum versatility for various snow conditions both on piste and off piste, with increased stability on hard surfaces and improved performance on soft snow.
By adapting the Titanal components to the various ski lengths and thus to the skier’s proportions, not only can the tip and tail ends be weight-optimized, but the torsional stiffness can also be influenced, thereby improving the ride qualities. This retains the familiar stability of a Titanal ski while also making the Mantra M7 noticeably lighter and more agile to control. The handling characteristics of the Mantra M7 are also enhanced by the tailored carbon tip. The dedicated positioning of the carbon fibers results in a precise tip response and vastly improves the ski’s torsional stiffness.
Together, these advancements redefine skiing possibilities, setting a new standard for enjoyment on the slopes.”
Construction
As we touched on in our video with Volkl, the M7 Mantra doesn’t feature many changes to its core materials or construction, aside from a new version of the M6’s “Tailored Carbon Tips.” The carbon stringers in the M7’s tips are oriented in a new layout, with the goal of adding torsional rigidity for more precise turn initiation, but doing so without adding much weight. Otherwise, the M7 maintains the same poplar / beech wood core and segmented “Tailored Titanal Frame,” which features more metal in longer lengths and less metal in shorter ones. Check out our review of the M6 Mantra for more of the nitty gritty details on those design elements.
Shape & Rocker Profile
The M7 maintains the same rocker profile as the M6, with fairly deep, but very low-slung tip and tail rocker lines and a bit of camber in between. Its shape is almost identical, apart from some sidecut differences we’ll touch on in a moment.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 177 cm M7 Mantra:
Tips: 8.5
Shovels: 8.5-9
In Front of Toe Piece: 9-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-9
Tails: 9-8.5
And here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the 184 cm M7 Mantra:
Tips: 8.5
Shovels: 8.5-9
In Front of Toe Piece: 9-9.5
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-9
Tails: 9
Overall, these flex patterns feel very similar to the M6 Mantra. The M7 is still a ski that feels consistently quite stiff, particularly if you compare the ends of its tails and (more notably) tips to other skis in its class.
Sidecut Radius
This is one of the primary differences between the M6 Mantra and M7.
The M6 featured Volkl’s “3D Radius” design, which blends three different sidecut radii along the length of the ski. The longer radii at the tips and tails are meant to provide composure when making bigger, higher-speed turns, whereas the tighter radius underfoot was meant to enable tighter carves when needed.
The M7 Mantra now features a tweaked sidecut design that adds a fourth, shorter radius to the mix near the tip of the ski; they’ve dubbed this concept “4 Radius Drive.” In the case of the 177 cm M7 Mantra, Volkl lists its stated sidecut radii as 25 m (tip) / 40 m (shovel / forebody) / 17 m (waist) / 23 m (tail). For reference, Volkl’s stated radii numbers for the 177 cm M6 Mantra were 30 m / 17.5 m / 24 m.
The idea with this update is to maintain most of the benefits of the 3D Radius design while achieving quicker, easier turn initiation than the M6 design.
Mount Point
No significant change here — the M7 Mantra maintains a nearly identical and still quite setback recommended mount point of about -12 cm from true center.
Weight
The M7 Mantra is still a fairly heavy ski by today’s standards, but it’s not a major outlier in this regard. Our 177 cm pair weighs about 2075 grams per ski, while our 184 cm is about 2130 grams per ski. It’s definitely not the heaviest, but there are a lot of skis that are lighter. For our pairs of the M6 and M7 Mantra, the M7 is coming in a tad lighter, but we’re talking about a difference of 20-50 grams per ski.
Bottom Line (For Now)
With the M7 Mantra, Volkl seems to have taken an approach that’s more evolution than revolution, but there are still several small updates to pay attention to. Check out our Flash Review and Winter Buyer’s Guide (linked below) for our initial on-snow impressions, and then stay tuned for our Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons early this winter.
Get More Info: Our Flash Reviews & Winter Buyer’s Guide
BLISTER+ members and those who purchase our Digital Access Pass can check out the Flash Review below to read our initial on-snow impressions. Don’t have access? Get our Digital Access Pass to read all of our Flash Reviews and Deep Dive comparisons. Or, even better, become a BLISTER+ member to get that + the best worldwide Outdoor Injury Insurance, exclusive deals and discounts on skis, personalized gear recommendations from us, access to our annual Winter Buyer’s Guide, and much more.
On that note, you can also get our thoughts on this ski and 300+ others in our 2024-2025 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide. BLISTER+ members already have access, or you can purchase the guide on its own to get the the print copy + digital version at no extra cost, or the digital-only edition.
24/25 Volkl M7 Mantra
Last season we started spending time on Volkl’s newest Mantra (in two different lengths) to see just how much has changed between the M6 and M7. Here are some of our initial impressions.
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2024-2025 Blister Digital Winter Buyer’s Guide
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