Rogue Echo SKI challenges Concept2 with competitive price and design

Rogue’s new Echo SKI arrived in early hands-on testing as a serious contender to the established Concept2 SkiErg, pairing heavy-duty construction with competitive pricing and a few user-focused design changes that matter for boxes and home gyms.

Assembly and first impressions came quickly. The unit shipped in two boxes—Echo SKI and floor stand—and took about 57 minutes to assemble using the supplied hardware; Rogue included two D batteries for the console. The frame combines aluminum and steel, and the tester noted minimal flex and solid power transfer through the arms. Moving the assembled package is easier than older SkiErgs thanks to 8.5-inch poly turf-like wheels on the floor stand.

Dimensions and weight are concrete selling points. The Echo SKI stands 85.5 inches tall; the floor stand footprint measures 51 inches by 28 inches. The Echo SKI itself weighs roughly 55 pounds while the floor stand is about 44.5 pounds. That 28-inch stand is wider than Concept2’s 23.5-inch stand, and Rogue added foot-placement markings to the new base to help athletes position themselves consistently for workouts and testing.

On performance, Rogue worked with a third-party engineering partner to align the Echo SKI’s output numbers with Concept2 SkiErg values so results remain comparable for competition and tracking. The unit felt stiffer in the arms with less give, creating a very direct power transfer; that can create a perception that the device is easier, but calibration matched Concept2 numbers during testing. For athletes tracking times and meters across platforms, that parity is central to maintaining training and leaderboard consistency.

The console ships with two D batteries but also features self-generating power during use, reducing ongoing battery concerns for busy affiliate environments. Practical touches like the wider stand, marked foot placements, and turf wheels make the Echo SKI easier to integrate and move around a box.

Price positions the Echo SKI as a value alternative. At time of testing, Rogue listed the Echo SKI with floor stand at $995 versus Concept2’s $1,070; without the floor stand the Echo SKI was $825 compared with Concept2’s $850. If you already own a working Concept2 SkiErg, replacement is not strictly necessary; for first-time buyers, the Echo SKI’s stability, mobility, and price make it attractive. Consider the wider footprint when laying out floor space in your gym. Expect availability and broader user feedback to sharpen comparisons as more boxes put the Echo SKI into regular programming.