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PTO Review
We know them. Here's how they stack up.
These skis span 2 categories (Freeride, Carving). Scores reflect each ski's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
Agent 3 — intermediate-to-expert backcountry and side-country skiers who want one touring ski that leans freeride — where a stable, confident descent in soft snow, chop and variable conditions matters more than pure uphill efficiency. Laser SX — piste skiers who want one comfortable, wide-range carver and prefer all-day ease to race-build effort. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all skis on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | Agent 3 | Laser SX |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 6 | 8🏆 |
| Park | 1🏆 | 1🏆 |
| Playfulness | 5🏆 | 5🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 5 | 6🏆 |
| Stability | 8🏆 | 7 |
| Powder | 7🏆 | 2 |
Intermediate-to-expert backcountry and side-country skiers who want one touring ski that leans freeride — where a stable, confident descent in soft snow, chop and variable conditions matters more than pure uphill efficiency. The skier who earns their turns but still wants the ski to plow and stay planted on the way down.
Resort-only skiers who never earn their turns — a carbon tourer is not a lift-served all-mountain ski. Efficiency-first ski mountaineers chasing minimum weight for big vertical, who should go narrower (Agent 1) or to a race-weight tourer. Firm-snow-only carvers, who want a narrow ski on ice. Skiers who love a light, snappy feel and find damp skis dead. And beginners — the Agent line starts at intermediate.
Piste skiers who want one comfortable, wide-range carver and prefer all-day ease to race-build effort. It suits medium-to-long-turn skiers at moderate-to-fast speed — the Laser SX runs the longest radius in the line — who value low-input, forgiving manners on groomed and variable hard snow over maximum edge bite. Stöckli's own brief calls it a genuine all-rounder among piste skis.
Powder and off-piste skiers: at 74 mm on a pure on-piste geometry the Laser SX has no float, and the wider range Stöckli talks about is range within the groomers, not off them. Short-turn and slalom-rhythm skiers: the radius bottoms out at 13.1 m, and quick edge-to-edge belongs to the Laser CX or the shorter Laser SL. Skiers chasing race-level grip and power: there is no Race Core, no carbon, and no racing sidewall here, and the 1.5° comfort base bevel is not the 1.0° race tune of the SC and WRT — that bite lives on those skis, not this one. Anyone who needs a published on-snow test before buying should wait: this generation is completely redesigned — every existing Laser SX review is of the older, narrower ski and does not apply. And Stöckli lists no skier level of its own; read this as an intermediate-to-advanced piste ski, inferred from its mechanics rather than measured on snow.
The Agent 3 is best for intermediate-to-expert backcountry and side-country skiers who want one touring ski that leans freeride — where a. The Laser SX is best for piste skiers who want one comfortable, wide-range carver and prefer all-day ease to race-build effort. The right choice depends on your primary terrain, ability level, and riding style.
The Faction Agent 3 scores highest in Stability at 8/10, making it the strongest all-mountain option. It handles groomers, chop, and variable conditions without losing composure, so it's the best single-ski choice for skiers who want one pair for the whole mountain.
The Stöckli Laser SX leads in Carving with a PTO score of 8/10. Its edge grip on hard snow and groomed runs is the strongest in this comparison.
The Stöckli Laser SX is the most forgiving option with a Forgiveness score of 6/10. It doesn't punish imperfect technique, making it the easiest ski to progress on among these.
Not sure? Ask us.
