This was awesome. THIS is the type of skiing to show when reviewing this ski. The trees - moguls - terrain park. The floaty switch 180 mid run. This is how to review a free ride ski. THANK YOU - SOLD.
Love this ski. Almost a do it all: groomers, trees, soft snow...does get a little bounced around in mixed snow conditions due to its light weight and lack of metal, but it’s a true all mountain Swiss Army knife otherwise. Super fun and predictable. I've forsaken the other 2 pairs of skis I have in my massive quiver: The Bent 100 is my go- to ski buddy for both East and West. I think the review is very accurate to my experience with this great ski. I recommend going longer rather than shorter due to the soft flex pattern.
I absolutely LOVE my 2020 Bent Chetler 100s! I ski tele, and they’re perfect for that smeary style, but can carve when you need them to. And as a switch newbie, I’m much more confident in their tail rise when my tips are uphill. And in the mornings, I skin up and climb before the lifts open. I will always have a pair of Bents in my quiver.
First of all.. Nice mogul runs Bob and Emily.. and that Park stuff was cool Jeff but i can't do any of that.. I think where I am at with skis is hard skis for hard snow and soft skis for soft snow.. I was on my Enforcer 104 Frees today and when the snow started softening up I started sinking.. I think what I heard Bob say the difference between the 90s and 100s is that he had to start smearing his turns in the bumps and I would say that is what I started to do with my 104 Free when the snow started softening up..
Id really like to see some more rocker in the tail, i feel like the tails can be a little hooky mounted at -2.5 from center. Other than that, i enjoy them
Just a comment about mount point on these which might be of interest to some. I got a pair recently after losing one of my beloved Atomic Auto 102's in powder in Japan. Apart from the 1mm either side they are almost identical to my old skis - shape, flex, weight, balance point. I found they skied much the same but the tails felt a bit "stickier". Comparing the 100 with the old 102 I found the recommended boot centre mark is 20mm further forward on the 100s. Call me a dinosaur but I like directional skis and I've now moved my front bindings back 15mm (couldn't get more without moving the back binding plates as well). I haven't tried them out post change yet but I'm hoping they will now handle just like the old autos. If so I guess it will be another testament to the versatility of these skis.
Jeff, after your help with recommending mounting location on my Kores and now on this video you mentioned that you had them at +5. I was hoping that maybe you could do a video and discuss binding location with the +, recommended and - options. Your -2.5 from center seems to be where my Line TW Pro and Lib Techs are and that is a sweet spot for sure. Just hopping you can elaborate a bit in a video maybe with Bob or others to get their take and discuss the options vs riding style.
Mount point is even more subjective than ski selection. The last thing we want to do is convince people to put unnecessary holes in skis. There are some general rules to adhere to, and I think we've done a decent job in the past when a certain ski can accommodate multiple mount points. The further forward you go, the better the ski goes switch. The further back, the more directional it gets. My best advice is to stand on the flat ski with your boot on, and wherever it looks good, mark it there.
Well, thoughts about mounting positions.. I bought bent 100 about 2 months ago, mounted em +6 from factory and went to Italy. I had bad time while skiing steeps, at park it was chill but still tail felt long (because of that camber and 0 tail rocker) Then I came back home and mounted them factory, damn feels good.. now im thinking about mounting them +2,5 from factory. Maybe will mount, maybe not. Our ski season is over at Estonia but yeah, one last thing I did was that I managed to grab some 2023 bent 110 skis, they look nice on my livingroom wall. Have a great summer folks ;) !
I know this ski has changed for 2025, but can you offer a quick assessment on the differences between this version and the Dynastar M-Free 99? I have ordered, and currently have both in my hands after purchasing on sale, but can't decide which to keep! I'm 40yrs old, 68" & 175lbs, and a strong intermediate skier living in the east, but will also make multiple Colorado trips each winter to visit family. I own Volkl Kendo 88s, but really want this to become my daily driver. Thanks for any help you can offer!
I've been skiing the new Bent 100 for a good part of this winter and absolutely love it. I think one of the big differences is the amount of rocker and the resulting splay. The M-Free 99 has quite a bit more--if you put them both back to back and look at how much distance is between the tips and tails you should see what I'm getting at. This gives the M-Free more of a freeride and freestyle character while the Bent with the longer camber will operate better in an all-mountain setting. I think if you're looking to make this your daily ski, the Bent provides more upside. Neither are going to get you the carving power or precision of the Kendo, but I do think the Bent might get you a bit closer, especially when it comes to the smoothness of the carving and the ski's ability to find more different edge angles. M-Free works great when up on a high edge angle as you're able to take full advantage of that rocker and splay, but in lower angles, it's not as much fun.
@@SkiEssentialsyou guys are killin’ it with the response time, kudos! I’m certainly not expecting (nor trying) to replicate anything from my Kendos with either of these, but it’s interesting to weigh the differences of these skis without actually taking them for a ride. I’ve watched and read your pieces on both models over the past few years and the only thing missing is actual footage of Bob squashing the shovels and wiping out on his M-Free demo (better luck next time). Thanks again for the insight. Unless the gold Pivots arriving in the mail look too good with the Dynastars, I will likely go with the Bents. Cheers!
@@veterantales Thanks! Funny thing about the M-Free incident--I got to the demo early and took a solo run by myself. Nobody was there to witness the fall, although I still have a slightly bent pole as the last of the evidence. Totally ruined the rest of my day, not just from a confidence standpoint but also was pretty banged up.
I am really in between Bent90, Kore93, and now Bent100! My stats are, 195lb, 6'3, skiing at West coast, I started skiing this year and I am loving it, I can do hard blues/easy blacks and willing to improve further. I am planning to do 70 on piste / 30 off piste stuff like trees, definitely not a park guy. I like skiing at moderate speeds and I am not good at carving turns, I am skidding in the turns for the most part but willing to do more carving but definitely not gonna do any Gs turn type of stuff, mostly small to medium sized turns. I am looking for something forgiving, not hard to ski and fun. Given my application, which of them will be appropriate for a one ski quiver? (and size)
Another option to throw on your list could be the Solomon QST92 (or even QST98), since it will be similar to the bent but is directional and a little bit more damp, absorbing vibrations a bit more.
I'd say the Bent 90 is a great choice on your list. It falls between the 100 and the Kore in terms of flex and demand, and since you're 70% on-piste, it's okay to go a bit narrower. Your stats and application point to the Bent 90, and I'd go with the 184 in that ski. Have fun!
I’m similar weight but 5’10 and intermediate level…I bought the 90s last year in 175cm and really liked them, this week I had the opportunity to trial the 100s in 180cm and the stability difference at speed on groomers and the strength underfoot difference through chopped snow was incredible, maybe the length has a lot to do with it to but I found these just as easy to turn as the 90s so I hit the guys up and they offered a deal, I bought the new 100s and they sold my 90s virtually immediately so a win win…had a great week on my new 100s
Think I might pick em up, from my understanding it's quite a versatile ski. Since I ski offpiste, on piste and a bit in the park. These Might just suit me right. I'm a decent skier, not a pro by any means. But do you reccon these would work great for me? EDIT: I feel like this might be the "real" all mountain, since my skiing is both on and off piste, and park. And I like playfullness, and popping alot but I wanna be able to cruise and go fast.
The only main limitation here is carving performance at speed. You can still go fast, but don't expect it to bite in the whole time, especially on firmer snow. Other than that, it's about as capable as they come.
Kinda love/hate these skis. Great in the right conditions, anything soft, in the trees(really fun in the trees). Don't enjoy them in hard pack or crud though. I've moved on from them, but also had some epic days on them in the past
I've had a very similar experience on my 100's in 188. Love it in the trees, love it in softer snow, but anything firm and I'd much rather be on something else.
I would say on hardpack and powder they are weak. Too chattery on hard snow and too much camber/few rocker for powder. Anything in between they are perfect.
I am pretty obsessed with these skis. got the chance to use the 23 version at 164cm on my last day of the 23 season. I ski 70% intermediate with 30% advanced (a few steep black diamonds, moderate trees, etc). I am 170cm tall at about 150lbs. I fell in love with the ski at the 164 length, but have been encouraged by my local shop to trend towards the 172, especially for the longevity/increasing ski ability. Can you share any thoughts on choosing a length? thank you MUCH in advance!
These ski have a lot of camber so they feel true to size. I am 174cm and the 180 I have feel long at some occasions. The shops I went told me the same, go longer. After all, depends on what you do. For piste skiing they does not feel long at all, in the trees they and tight spots, they do feel.
my first skis, for light to medium freeride, broken trails and near pistes. my height is 168 cm, weight 67 kg. I can only buy size 172cm. won't they be big for me?
Where would you mount these? Factory Recommended? I know it depends on what you skiing, but mainly piste but still want playfulness for side hits and potential little bit of soft snow but not pure powder
I am really struggling to choose a ski. I am torn between the Fischer Ranger 102 and the Atomic Bent 100. I am blessed to live in a powder snow region and have the opportunity to ski about 20 powder days a year. I am 5'7 and like the 162 length on the Fischer but am intrigued by the weight of the slightly longer Bent 100, which measures 164 in length. Do you have a recommendation for me. I would appreciate any advice you or Bob could provide.
For powder and other snow, the Ranger seems to make some better sense. It's a more substantial ski, so yes there is some weight, but once the snow gets cut up, or for any other type of terrain and conditions, the Ranger stands up a bit better. If you're looking to quickly maneuver through trees and tight zones, it doesn't get a whole lot better than Bent.
Nice content as always Bob, Jeff & Emily! Looking to add the 100 or the 110. Do you think the 110 would be the better option for my sole west coast ski? I'm an eastern skier, 6' 190 lbs, advanced intermediate taking on single/doubles out in Utah. Which length do you suggest in the 100/110's?
Thanks! I still feel that the 110 is a pretty specific fresh snow ski while the 100 is a great floater and all-arounder for a lot of different conditions and terrain. I'd think the 180 in the 100 is your best overall option, but if you want that extra float, the 180 in the 110 is a lot of fun when it snows!
Hey great review guys. But of advice: my daily driver is a declivity 92, and i have a qst 106 for snowier colorado days. Wanted a 100 for a combo of mild park, trees and moguls, something a bit softer than the armadas. Would you pick this or the 90? I get the impression the 90 wins overall in those 3 categories except soft snow?
The Declivity and the Bent are different enough to warrant the width overlap--I'd go that route. No need to double up on floaty and fun skis like the Bent 100 and the QST 106--those are more similar than the 92/90 split. I'd take the 90 for your application.
@SkiEssentials ty! So you don't think a 90 is too thin for when there's 6 inches or so of snow? Admittedly at that point I should be on my 106s, but wondering if the Bents can handle it if I'm out on them.
How would these ski's handle some powder? And would these be a good choice for someone that wants to get into powder skiing but doesn't want to buy a dedicated powder ski, but rather wants something that's playful and still usable on piste? Or would the 110 be better?
Probably not a dedicated pow ski, but they handle quite well for 100 underfoot. Depends on where you live also. Out west this is not your dedicated pow ski and 110 would be better
I think they're fantastic floaters, especially for the width. The combination of the HRZN tech in the tips and tails to go along with the lighter weight makes them very floaty in fresh snow. It's also got the versatility to handle low/no snow days, so that's nice.
Hi guys, I'm looking for a ski to do it all but I want to improve my off piste abilities. I have thought about qst 98, ranger 102 and unlimited 104. How would you compare them, if you have another recomendation tell me. Thanks
You're in the right zone for sure! I'm a huge fan of the QST 98 in terms of being floaty, fun, pretty carvy, and solid. I've never really found a connection to the Ranger 102, it just doesn't turn as well as the other two. The Unlimited is great--on the lighter side--but very floaty and maneuverable. It sounds like you're looking for more of an all-around ski, in which case the QST 98 is likely your best option.
What are the best all mountain ski at arount 100mm width that ca still perform well on firm snow ? I've heard the bent 100 has its limits i was wondering if there was an all mountain/freeride skis that is playful and that can still perform well on firm snow groomers
If you're looking for a ski like the Bent but carves better, I'd check out the Salomon QST 98, Nordica Unleashed 98, or the Armada Declivity 102. Lots of great skis here!
It's a Bern Watts Carbon. The regular Watts works as well, but the carbon version is lighter and cooler looking. I like the brim style and low sit height.
They're great. It's a K130P--a 100mm last, 130-flex boot that's pretty darn stiff and stable. It's got thick plastic in the shell and a minimal liner, so it works great in warmer temps and feels about the same today as it did 20 days ago in terms of packing out.
I guess Bob is the best skier on the mountain. You guys should all get Carv inserts, review it and post your Ski IQ scores. Totally agree with the Bent 90 being sweet on the moguls.
We did get Carv this year and have used it a bit--enough to tell that it's not really aimed at us. If we leave it on all the time during the day, we get some bad data because one of us is usually high-speed snowplowing behind the other in order to get video. I (Bob) got a 159 for Ski:IQ at some point, but the averages are a lot lower. I'm surely not maxing it out or taking full advantage, mainly because we're trying to get content for videos first and foremost.
The QST is a stouter ski that has a higher performance ceiling. It's also a bit better of a floater due to the longer and more dramatic rocker profile and taper shape. That said, it's not quite as playful as the Bent 100, especially in a freestyle format.
