G3 FINDr R3 Skis

When creating the new FINDr R3 Skis, G3 didn’t compromise the ski’s flex, weight, or durability and ensured the result was still a high-performance ski with all the same on-hill performance. The FINDr R3 Skis and the entire R3 line of skis are made from the same premium materials as before: carbon, polyurethane, resin, nylon, steel, magnets, titanal aluminum, and wood cores. The recycling process will recapture, repurpose, or recycle each of these materials which will help to reduce the demand for virgin resources and materials. The nylon top sheet, polyurethane sidewall & tail protector, steel edges, titanal aluminum, HDPE base, and wood core will all be recycled, while the carbon fiber, glass fiber, magnets, and resin will be reused to build new skis. G3 also uses eco-friendly materials and systems in order to deconstruct the R3 Skis into their original components to then be reused or recycled.

The FINDr R3 skis are lightweight touring ski that provides impressive edge hold and performance in bounds and out. Just like the non-recyclable version that we reviewed here, the FINDr R3 Skis have the same overall dimensions and construction. They feature generous early rise in the tips for float on deeper days and powering through broken snow. In the tails, there is a slight rocker to provide a little more fun and personality while skiing but not so much rocker that kick turns on the skin track are not possible. A built-in notch in the tails provides an easy way to secure skin clips while the rubberized tail bumper provides added durability.

Aside from the big story of the FINDr R3’s recyclability, the other new (to me) feature of these skis is the integration of magnets in the tips and tails. While the concept may sound a little odd at first, the real “ah-ha” comes when you pick up the FINDr R3s and carry them to your car, sans ski strap. The strategically placed magnets in the tips and tails of the skis hold them together with just enough force that no straps are needed. This streamlines not just carrying them to and from the resort but also backcountry boot packs as you can now just place them in a diagonal ski carry on your pack or carry them in your hands without first having to strap them. While these magnets do add some additional weight to the skis it is minimal and I feel the provided benefit more than offsets this. In fact, G3 actually lightened up the construction of the FINDr 102's when they integrated the magnets, they went from a weight of 1.58kg to 1.5kg (per 184cm length ski) so they are now lighter than before. The R3 version of the FINDr 102's put some weight back into the mix albeit minimal as they now weigh 1.59kg per 184cm ski.

G3 named this new line of skis R3 obviously because of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, but they have switched things up and used the R3 acronym to mean ride, repeat, recycle. Here’s how G3 describes the process working:
1. Ski the heck out of the new R3 skis. Push them hard to get full use of them. They are made with the same premium materials you have come to expect from G3 allowing for peak performance in the most demanding environments.
2. Ready to move on to another ski, but they still have some life? Pass them on to someone else as it will extend the useful life even further.
3. When the skis have finally reached the end of their life, send them back to G3. Our team separates each component using G3's proprietary eco-friendly materials and systems. We are left with the original ski materials to reuse or recycle.

Rather than go into all the details of the new FINDr R3 Ski’s shape, dimensions, construction, and performance have a read through our review of the original finder and find out why we gave them a perfect 10/10 score and bestowed upon them our Gear of the Year Award. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do that then just know that the FINDr R3 Skis are a freeride-inspired ski that provides a damp and powerful ride that is stable at speed and super fun and responsive in any conditions. If you are looking for a lighter more touring-friendly version of the FINDr R3 Skis they also are available in 94 and 86 versions.

• Premium co-extruded nylon topsheet
• PolyUrethane sidewall for durability & dampness
• Full thickness alloy steel edges - Rockwell C48 corrosion resistant
• Triaxial stitched carbon fibre - strong, light & torsionally stable
• 3D shaped Poplar Paulownia wood core - light & high performance
• Full thickness base - P-Tex 2000 Electra
• Titanal aluminum mounting plate
• Quadraxial stitched carbon fibre - strong, light & torsionally stable

• Polyurethane Sidewalls
• Built for a precision in steep and technical terrain
• Magnetic Contact Points
• Full Carbon Fibre Construction
• Super Light Textured Nylon Topsheet
• Lightweight Hardened Steel Edges
• 3D shaped Poplar Paulownia wood core - light, lively & high performance
• Full Thickness Base
• Titanal Aluminum Mounting Plate
• Traditional Camber Profile with Early Rise

Given that the original FINDr Skis were previously bestowed our Gear of the Year Award back when I reviewed them back in 2016, and a perfect score of 10/10 (the only one ever awarded to any product), it is no surprise then that the new FINDr R3 Skis are equally praised for all the same reasons. As mentioned before, I won’t go into the reasons why I simply love these skis so much, for that, read the original review over here. What I do want to speak about is the improvements in the new FINDr R3 Skis. First and foremost is their recyclability. While details are still sparse on precisely how G3 will perform this feat of magic, I give them full credit for tackling this problem that has been plaguing the ski industry ever since we admitted global warming was a real issue. Products such as skis and ski boots need to have a more closed-loop design where the manufacturer takes responsibility for their products through their entire life cycle—cradle to grave. I have no doubt that most of G3’s proprietary recycling process will remain a trade secret for competitive reasons, but hopefully, other brands will soon follow G3's lead. What really excites me is that we might be able to one day buy G3 Skis made from recycled materials as this would be the holy grail of a closed-loop ski manufacturing process. Recyclable and recycled skis all in one product.

The FINDr R3 Skis were mounted with a pair of G3 Ion 12 Bindings (which also won our Gear of the Year Award) and it was great to get back on a pair of Ions as it has also been a long while since our 2015 review of these bindings. While the overall specs and design seem to remain the same there is a noticeable addition in the way of a simplified rubber toe bumper which was affixed to the toe piece of the Ion’s for the 2017/18 season. This aids in boot alignment so there are very few if any fails when stepping into the Ion 12s. The Ion's have always been easy to step into and closed with a very firm and authoritative snap. This is now even easier with the toe bumper and I found it hard not to click in the very first try every time. A great little upgrade to an already great binding.

I have no issue with the FINDr R3's performance whatsoever, they ski identical to the original FINDr's from what I can remember and I love them just the same. My only grip, albeit minor, with the new FINDr R3 Skis is the fact that the ski’s top sheet is 95% white and this will be a problem should you ever leave your skis laying down in a snowstorm or lose one while touring. I have always been impressed with G3’s graphic treatment of their products, until now. The FINDR R3's white top sheet design is not a great colour as it shows dirt easily and snow is white so there is no contrast. A large majority of buyers are swayed by a ski’s top sheet design (sadly) and I feel that this white design may sway people's choice in the wrong direction. I know that this is superficial and this review is more about how the FINDr R3 skis perform and the fact that it is recyclable, but, if there is one thing I can highlight as a weakness it has to be the top sheet, especially when compared to how amazing the regular FINDr Skis look.

Minor graphic treatment gripes aside, the new FINDr R3 Skis are still a quiver of one ski that provides all the same great performance and versatility of their non-recyclable counterpart. I could not detect any noticeable difference between the original and the recycle-ready version, so bravo G3! You are once again pushing the boundaries of ski design and what a responsible ski manufacturing company should be.