2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com
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- Опубликовано: 15 дек 2021
- We know a lot of you have been waiting for this one and we're excited to share our review of the new 2023 Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited!
Written Review: www.skiessentials.com/Chairli...
Buy Them: www.skiessentials.com/2023-no...
For the number of skis this review will sell, hopefully, Norida gives you both a free t-shirt - obviously, I now need this ski. Excellent review as always.
Thanks Paul! Could always use another Nordica t-shirt ;)
Super excited you guys got around to reviewing this.
I've been skiing the regular 104 for a while now. One of my favorite skis ever for my mountains out West. I have high hopes that this could offer a similar feeling if I pair it with an ATK 12 or 14.
Definitely one of its best applications. I expect there will be a lot of existing 104 skiers who end up owning both.
The fix camera shots where awesome, great job again to the whole team!!happy hollidays to you all.
Happy Holidays! Thanks, we'll try to work some of those into every review. I enjoy seeing how the ski interacts with the snow in those shots.
Loving the long format review! More of these please
Thanks for the feedback! I expected the opposite: someone to say it was too long!
Hi, great review
I am from Bulgaria, which is part of Europe. I mainly freeride in Bansko, sometimes in other parts of Europe. I rarely ski on piste. Here, the slopes are steep and it is also steep in the forest. Now I ride Line Sick Days 104 with Duke PT 16, and Dalbello Lupo Pro HD 130 With these skis I also do touring, as the routes are not easy, I climb peaks and descend them on steep slopes and forests. Sometimes there is a lot of powder and sometimes a hard layer on top. I ski 7-8 hours a day when the days are good. I'm 45 years old, I'm 6,15"', 209lb , and I'm well built. Until 3 years ago, I rode only on tracks with Head Rebels I Race and Head Raptor 140 shoes. I started to think about lighter and more maneuverable skis and looking at your wonderful reviews, I liked the Nordica Enforcer, but I hesitated between Free and Unlimited 186cm. I prefer unlimit for now because I haven't tried light skis with a touring profile yet, but I don't know how they will perform on steep slopes and between trees.What would you recommend for me?
I have to say... this is probably Bob's best skiing video..... he gets some awesome edge on those skis... thumbs up!
Wow, thanks! It's mostly the skis :).
Great review! I was fortunate enough to find the 94 unlimited a couple of weeks back (they literally just showed up when I was shopping for something new) and knew that they were the ski for me. Had a good trial with them this past weekend and really loved the ski overall and had a lot of fun with them.
Forgot to mention I mounted alpine bindings on mine :)
Pretty good stuff--can't wait to ski my 104's tomorrow!
Loving these slow-mo toe taps almost as much as the ski... nice form y'all
Thanks 👍
So pumped to see this review, great video! What do you guys think of this as an alternative to the normal 104 for someone looking for a more playful and less intense ski and might not actually use it to tour? I'd also been looking at the ripstick 106s so some quick thoughts about how they compare would be awesome-- I need to get out and demo them both but finding the time is hard haha. Thanks and keep up the awesome work!
Yeah I think both of those skis are perfect. The Enforcer 104 Unlimited feels like a pretty close comparison to the Ripstick 106. There are certainly some differences in how they feel on snow, but in a lot of ways they accomplish the same thing. Ripsticks have a more directional shape, Enforcer 104 has more freeski influence, at least I feel that way when I ski them. Hope that helps!
Can't wait for the review of 94 unlimited. I currently use 93 with Shift for touring but these are a lot lighter.
Awesome! We'll try to get to that one relatively soon. I may actually ski it tomorrow!
How would you decide between the 94 and 104? Mostly the density of deep snow?
Hey Guys! I've been skiing on Bonafide's for two seasons. At 187cm they are every bit the beasts you know them to be. A buddy of mine took me into Chin Clip Glades/side country last season. I loved it but the equipment was a drag. I'm keeping them along with my Dalbello Lupo SP's. I want to do more back/side country touring. It's between these and the Armada 104 Locator, Scarpa Quatro 4 XT and Solomon Shift. Thoughts?
Great depth in this review, thanks guys. I’m curious to hear how this Enforcer 104 compares to the Hustle 10.
We find the Enforcer feels more damp and a little smoother, but Hustle is quicker and more agile, with a little more energy too. Both great skis and a ton of fun to ski on, and those are fairly marginal differences to be honest.
Hey guy's, awesome review!
I started rider 104 frees recently after most of a season on ripstick 96. They're super burly, great in crud, but admittedly the transition in weight was a bit staggering. While they swing around ok, i find myself working pretty hard to get them sidewise in bumps and trees or when i need to kill speed, which, on these things is pretty necessary at times.
I just grabbed a pair of unlimiteds that were on season clearance (maybe by mistake) and I'm wondering if this will be a happy medium. The caveat is that they're 191s. I ride the 186 on the frees and it already feels like a lot of ski. Im 6'2" 200lbs so its ultimately a good size, i just need to train i. The off season and grow into them. Im worried however that those 191s will be unwieldy length wise. Something surprising about your review is that Bob almost always needs to size up, but it sounds like he was fully comfortable with the 186.
I'm curious to know if Bob had a chance to ride a 191, or if the 186 felt good enough on its own. Id also like to know how you would stack the Unlimited against a Ripstick 106. Planning to slap a marker duke on it either way. Lastly, Jeff usually moves his mount forward to test the freestyle capabilities, how did this feel for light park applications? No rails, just jumps and a box now and then. Recommended mount points for mostly all mountain with occasional park? Thanks guys 🙏
Hey Allen! Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Good job finding a pair of clearance Unlimited 104s, that's certainly wasn't supposed to happen! Hah.
I don't expect you'll find the 191 unwieldy. Bob hasn't felt the need to size up from the 186 to the 191, but I'm sure he could. I just asked him and he hasn't skied it either. He's very happy with his 186, but I bet he'd be very happy with a 191 too. You could totally use it for light park application. I (Jeff) have done plenty of that on my personal 104s. They're heavy, but the shape works well. I wouldn't want to slide rails on the Unlimited as I think you'd crack edges really quickly, but sounds like that isn't a concern. For mount point, I would do something like +2 cm from the recommended line.
Hope that helps! Sorry again for the delayed reply.
I took a trial run this ski. It’ｓ very good ski,I think.
Ahhh making me want a pair with jesters on them too!
I feel like you should be able to make that happen ;)
Just pulled the trigger on the UNLIMITED 179cm cant wait to shred on them !! super stoked based on what you guys have been commenting on reviews it almost reminds me of my favorite ski Nordica ever made back in 2014 NORDICA HELL AND BACK - super light super firm on the carves if needed to be on groomers but had the awesome shape perfect balance of rocker and camber so float was epic as well . I m lightweight 160lbs 5"6 - mounting on marker griffon 13- was thinking going with a 3cm forward mount - sound like a decent mount position for a tyoe 3 skier- for a daily driver?
Nice! I loved that Hell and Back too. More playful in that +3, but I like my tester on the line.
Hi guys,
Love all your videos and great info. I bought a pair of enforcer 104 free unlimiteds in December and have skied them probably 15 days so far. Today I cracked the sidewall directly under the boot. Really disappointed as I have thoroughly enjoyed the ski. Have you all dealt with any similar issues from these skis yet? Just wondering, thanks as always!!!
Hey Doug! Oh no! We haven't had any issues with that first hand, although the Unlimited is still relatively new. That said, Bob has probably logged that many days on his pair and they're still looking good. Did the skis come from us? Did you hit something or was it just random? I'm sure Nordica would at least be interested in learning about it...
Great review Jeff & Bob. I have been skiing on Enforcer 100s for 6 years. I am looking for similar performance in a less fatiguing ski. The 100s are awesome but only seem to shine for me when I really let them rip and they beat me up in the crud. The Enforcer 104 Unlimited and the Ripstick 106 Black are the 2 skis I am considering. Advanced / Expert but now in my 50s . Mostly ski out west. I prefer steep open bowl type terrain but move all over the mountain. I like a ski that will carve well also.
I did demo the 96 black and loved them but I am very intrigued by the 104 unlimited. Which do you think would be the better choice ?
Love your reviews. Thanks.
They're both so good! Hahaha. Maybe just get both?? Just kidding, but not about them both being really good. Between the two, you're going to feel more energy and responsiveness out of the Unlimited, and more vibration damping out of the Ripstick Black. Both carve well, both are a ton of fun in a variety of terrain, so focus on the difference between energy and vibration damping more than anything else.
Thank you for the great review! I am looking for a ski that I can pair a shift binding with to combine resort skiing with touring. I am a pretty agressive skier; 6ft 160lbs with a racing background in my youth. I previously owned a mythic with dynafit binding but have been frustrated a number of times with the skis stability and edge grip on ice + binding released a couple of times on me mid gs turn. I am therefore willing to sacrifice weight to an extent to ensure I have more fun on the decent. In your opinion do you believe the 104 unlimited will be “enough ski” for my application? Thanks a lot!
I've had it going pretty fast, and while it does lose an edge from time to time, for the weight, it's one of the more stable and fun skis I've been on. Versus more touring-specific skis, there's no comparison, the 104 Unlimited is a fantastic resort ski. Versus the 104 Free, it just doesn't stack up, but that's the sacrifice!
Currently skiing a pair of Armada TST. which I am have been a blast on. I live in Winter Park, CO and am looking for a ski that is playful and quick in the trees/moguls, holds a good edge in the bowls, and fun on side hits. I am looking at the Enforcer 104 unlimited, 4frnt Switch, Fischer Ranger 102 fr, or Liberty Orgin. Thanks 5'10 185 aggressive skier.
HI Brian!
If you're more on the aggressive end of the spectrum, I'd lean to the Ranger over the Unlimited, but not by a whole lot. I really like that Unlimited overall, but it's just not quite as powerful as the Ranger 102.
Love the content. How come you guys don't ever review Faction skis?
We are not currently a Faction dealer, so while it would be good for us from a content perspective, it's more beneficial for us to review that which we sell. When we have skied them, we've liked them! Candide 3 and Dictator 2 stick out for me.
Hello, Thanks for sharing these valuable info to the public every year. My go to channel for new skis.
My quest for front side ski is complete. My daily driver is Brahma 82 on 173cm. Might get another pair with 180cm length. (175lb, 170cm height)
carvs great, forgiving during transition even when my front back weight bias is wrong.
Rode Head Kore 93 initially I liked it but started compare with Brahma 88.
Both are great skis, Brahma was too stiff, great to carv but less unforgiving when carving. I did caught edges time to time.
When Brahma 82 came out, I tried and I fell in love. Easier to ride compare to Kore 89 and Brahma 88.
I can't ride Kore 93 anymore. Too damp rough on uneven terrains. I get exhausted.
Couple videos that I watched from your channel mentions about Brahma has similar characteristics or feel compare to Enforcer. is that true? I am looking for powder day skis.
Do you have recommendation? I am looking for powder ski that I can learn, playful, maybe there might be metal in the ski idk.
What power ski has similar feel to Brahma 82?
Thank you.
Check out Nordica Unleashed 98. Different feel and energy from Enforcer.
Another awesome review. So many options. I bought the '23 QST 106 but had to compromise to get the 189 which is quite a bit longer than I'm used to so am now looking at fun options between 180-186... A killer head-to-head would be the 104 Free vs the QST 106, and these Unlimited vs the Faction Agent 3. But how do these stand up against the Factions?
The Agent has more camber, and that's a big part of those skis' personality. If you're looking for a good amount of pop and energy out of your turn, the Agent is a fantastic choice. The Nordica has a similar build, but more shape to it, so it prefers cleaner, and rounder turns. You can say the same about the Free version of the ski, only using metal for a damper overall feel. I'm a huge fan of the 104 Unlimited in a variety of uses and applications.
Great to hear Nordica knocked it outta the park on this one. Looks like the Ripstick has some serious competition for a 50/50 ski or downhill oriented touring setup. Or as Bob admitted just a great lighter more accessible Enforcer
Your comment about a frame binding and how dynamic this enforcer is also interesting. With a 1700g weight kinda want to go frame to have something that really tours well perhaps stick with something with at least some heal elsaticity or jump up to a Kingpin.
Very curious if this versitility comes through as well in the 93/94
We're interested in the 94 and the 88 as well--sometimes these "lighter" builds work better in the wider shapes. I think the stand height of the frame binding takes some of the playfulness and surfiness away from skis like this, but it's all about having fun! Really any binding in the world will work on these skis (slight hyperbole).
Great review guys. I'm looking at wider skis that are different enough from my ARV 96s to add to the quiver. I'm an upper intermediate and looking for a stronger carver, more stable in the steeps, and better in soft snow. How does this enforcer 104 compare to the Rustler 10 and Declivity 102?
Enforcer 104 Unlimited is lighter and more energetic than both the Rustler 10 and Declivity 102. The 104 Free, on the other hand, is heavier and more damp. I assume you're looking at the Unlimited version since that's what you commented on. You also get more of a twin tip shape out of the Enforcer 104 compared to those two skis. Rustler 10 and Declivity 102 are pretty similar overall. Rustler is a little easier to ski and more forgiving, while the Declivity is a little stronger, but they're more similar than different IMO.
Thanks for the review! I wonder how the Enforcer Unlimited skis compare with the Blaze series skis from Volkl for downhill skiing, no touring at all.
Good question! We pair the Blaze series skis with alpine bindings on our site, as that's mostly what people seem to want. It'll be interesting to see where we go with the Unlimiteds in the future. I get the sense that for now, we're leaning to the touring side, but I really enjoy that 104 for riding the resort. Additionally, the bindings are getting a lot more versatile, so that may drive some of the demand one way or the other.
great video as always - is this ski available yet?
Yup! We've actually had them for a few weeks now, since the launch video.
www.skiessentials.com/2023-nordica-enforcer-unlimited-104-skis.html
This new enforcer unlimited line seems like the enforcer I always wanted. I demoed an older wide enforcer a couple years ago and just thought it was too heavy and just didn’t fit my style. Seems like it has a lot of the same attributes as the backland 107. Light energetic and maneuverable, carbon mixed in with a lightweight wood core. Nordica seems to be taking a page out of atomic book to some extent. Let me know what you guys think. I really love the backland and I’m sure I would like this enforcer unlimited as well.
We're big fans of the Backlands as well--very strong carving skis with great energy at a lighter weight. The 104 has more of a freeride feel to it versus the more directional 107, and I think the tail is the big difference between these skis. Both pull you into the turn but the 107 holds you in a bit more. That said, there's still a great deal of energy through the back of the 104's arc, while remaining surfy and playful for softer snow. Both the Backland and Unlimited series have that dual-use application to them, and you're totally correct in your comparison.
I know this is a bit unrelated, but I always appreciate your insight.
I just skied some 2022 DPS Pagoda 100 RPs at a demo day and fell in love. Problem is they are currently a bit out of my price range. What pair of skis would you say is most comparable to the Pagoda 100s??
Hey Tommy! That's somewhat of a tough one. The Pagoda 100 RP is a relatively unique shape in today's market. Not nearly as many companies use that drastic early taper/5 point sidecut shape, especially not with a 15 m turn radius. Elan Ripsticks are maybe one of the closest. Not the same, but close. The new Salomon QST 98 has some similar characteristics. It's heavier, but does have similar quickness and maneuverability. Kore 99 is in the same discussion too, mostly because the construction is relatively similar. It's stiffer than the DPS, however. Hopefully that at least gives you some skis to consider!
Decided to pull the trigger on these in the 172 length. Planning on pairing them with the ATK raider 12 with the freeride spacer for the heel and toe shims to reduce the delta/ramp angle. Can't wait to try them out! Do you think they would be a good combo?
Yup! They're fantastic skis with any bindings on them, but with a nice light binding like that, you'll have endless possibilities.
Thanks for the review! how would this ski compare to the Volkl Blaze 106?
That's certainly one that came up in our conversations. I skied my 104 again today on some nice packed powder, and still am amazed at how stable and smooth it is. I like the Blaze, and it's a great floater, but can't really touch the on-trail ability of the 104. I have yet to ski the 104 in fresh snow, but my guess is that it'll do just fine.
sounds almost like the Navigators.... so I wonder what the 88s feel like then... I've been eyeing the 85 navigators for a more relaxed ride but still want some performance of course... so maybe 88s ?..... also thinking about the Kore 87s
Honestly, I hadn't thought about that, but I think you're on to something. It would be interesting to see ow the Enforcer 88 Unlimited compares to the Navigator 85. My expectation is the Navigator will have a little more bite as the 88 Unlimited gets pretty light, but it will be really fun to test them back to back.
Any thoughts/experience on a tele binding? Love my current Enforcer 93's with Axls.
Yup, just so long as you're okay ditching the metal of the 93's. It's going to be a different feel, but I think it would make a fantastic telemark ski, although I never really liked metal in my tele skis.
Hi. Thanks for a great review! I will definitely get a pair of these, but struggling to make up my mind as to what bindings to put on them. I have a pair of Enforcer 88s with Jester 16 which I love for groomers and a pair of M Tour 99s with ATK 15 evo for touring. I am looking for something in between that would work well on those 50/50 resort days, but at the same time would not be too heavy to take touring on days where I want to maximise downhill performance (and accept that I won’t be setting any world records on the climb). Would you still consider putting the Duke Pts on these or rather sacrifice some downhill performance for weight with a Kingpin or Shift? I am 6ft 2, 220 lbs and ski the 186s both for the Enforcers and the M Tour.
I think being honest about how much you're going to tour on them might put a decision into a clearer perspective. I'd imagine you'll still lean to the M-Tour for the bulk of the touring, so I'd advise leaning more to the downhill side with the 104. I have the Duke PT 16 on my 104's, and it's heavy, but it skis great. This will be your favorite soft snow setup.
I assume carbon fiber fabric they used is weaved more densely rather than the “carbon” being “denser”. The numbers are probably ether the grams per square foot or threads woven per foot. It can get confusing because denser doesn’t always mean stronger with a carbon fiber laminate. It can depend on the type of resin used and the method and temperature of curing the resin (multiple variables).
That's how Nordica described it to us, a denser application of carbon than they've ever used, but I'll reach out and try to get an exact answer to your question.
I demoed the bent Chrysler 100s last year and loved them. How do these two skis compare?
Amazingly, the "touring" ski that's also wider carves better than the BC 100, but I love the Atomic in the bumps and trees more than just about anything. There's not a whole lot of difference in the uphill capacities, but the Enforcer is a cleaner turner with as much, if not more, energy than the already poppy BC 100.
You mention new 2023 skis and having a similar conversation… any chance that might include the new Fischer Ranger line that they’re starting to tease? Seen a lot of their folks on the prototypes!
mmmmmaaaaaayyyyybeeeeee
Hi guys, I already have the Santa Ana 93 from 2 years ago and love them for all mountain but find them quite heavy in powder. I bought the Elan Ripstick 94w with an ATK binding for touring but am wondering if I would benefit from the greater float of the 104 (although I see only in the Enforcer unlimited, not in the Santa Ana unlimited!). Thank you
HI Elaine!
I think the 104 is the way to go. The build of the skis works really well in that shape--more so than in the narrower versions, while the regular Santa Ana builds work better in the narrower shapes, I've found.
How does this compare to a Fischer ranger 102 for 80/20 resort and touring use? I'm currently on an armada tst and tested a bentchetler 100 last week...and I like the tst so much more for riding on and off piste, maybe because of the radius difference
Pretty comparable. I think the 104's got more of a consistent flex, allowing you to access the sidecut and carve clean and round turns. The Fischer's got a stiffer shovel so it's a bit more work to engage. I've been pretty impressed with the 104 in resort-specific use so far.
I’ve had a pair of Nordica NRGY 100s for a few season at 185.The natural replacement seems like a set of Enforcer 100s, however, all the reviews seem to make those skis seem like they reward hard charging and take a lot of power to get the best out of them. The NRGYs ways felt a damp, without a lot of pop, and I’ve found them heavy. They definitely like to go fast. These seem like the perfect blend of an all mountain ski with much less weight and more easy to access pop than an enforcer 100 which for an advanced skier who like to play everywhere seems like a great choice. Is that a fair take and point of comparison? I really want a more playful ski than the NRGYs.
Really, the Santa Ana 98 is closer to the NRGy than the Enforcer, with the partial metal laminate. If they made that ski in a 185, I'd recommend that for you. The Unlimited are a whole lot of fun and make great round turns, but they don't quite have the same stability as NRGY or Enforcer 100. That said, I'm 6/2 225 and feel that the Unlimited 104 is plenty of ski.
Hoping to see a video review for the santa ana unlimited 93. I saw your other video but I would love to see a video with them in action like you do with the men's enforcer unlimited of course from a girl perspective.
Hi Liz! We'll try to get to that one. We did have a handful of women test it this season and are planning on more reviews from a female perspective in the coming months, years, etc.
What do you guys recommend for length for an aggressive skier, 6 foot 180? I currently ski on 189’s (dps wailer alchemist 112’s) but was thinking I’d get the 186 for these to give a little more mobility on bumps but I don’t want to sacrifice stability
186 cm for sure. That length will work perfect for your size and how you like to ski.
So do you think the men's vs women's of these are probably the same ski, with the weight being so light already so no differance required?
Also the performance difference between these and the Frees really kinda sounds like a similiar discussion as between a traditional Enforcer and the Blizzard Rustler to me? Similiar but different depending on what you want to achieve.
Yes. My understanding is the Enforcer and Santa Ana Unlimited skis are using the same construction.
Also yes, I agree. It's not exactly the same, but it's a similar discussion. I would say realistically the Rustler falls somewhere in between the Enforcer Free and Enforcer Unlimited in general performance. Obviously there are other variables in there, mostly that the Rustler isn't the same shape, while the Enforcers are identical, but I do think that's a fair way to think about those 3 skis.
Weight aside, how would this ski compare to the Fischer Ranger 102FR? And when would this '2023' model be available? Thanks, great review!
I just pulled the trigger on the Ranger 102s this week! Been debating between the Enforcer 104 Frees and Rangers for a while now. So before I mount some Pivot 14s on the Rangers I'm very very curious to hear the comparison of the Unlimited to the Ranger 102s.
Great review as always guys!!
I think the best way to think about it is if you were to draw a line dictating the spectrum of performance from lightest, quickest, most playful to heaviest, most powerful, strongest it would go Enforcer Unlimited, Ranger 102 FR, Enforcer Free. Overall, there are a ton of similarities between those skis, it's mostly the differences in construction and thus the stability, vibration damping, etc etc.
Santa Anna Unlimiteds- getting a pair for wife. She is 5' 6" and 145 and skis fast. I thought the 88s but after looking at both your reviews I think the 94s will be better overall for Colorado resorts. So do I get her 172 or 165? I am thinking since these ski well edge to edge I should go for 172s which will help keep chatter down. You review of the thinner ski tail action pushed me to the 94s for her. Pairing with a Tyrolia Attack 14 GW Ski Bindings
HI Cramer!
I do like the 94 over the 88 for a resort option. I don't think the 172 will be too long, especially if speed and stability are strong considerations, and additionally if she prefers slightly longer skis. I think that binding is a fantastic pairing. Have fun, they're great skis.
SE
Greetings from Slovakia! Planning to buy new skis, I focus on riding freeride and also would like to learn some freestyle moves. Planning to put hybrid bindings on it and try some shorter tours but mainly I ride in resorts. I am thinking about maybe 110mm ski, but I also ride groomers when I have to so not sure if its not too much. I am 180cm and 70kg. Can you recommend me something? Thank you guys!
Hi Matej! Lots of good skis to choose from. To be honest, this Enforcer 104 Unlimited is basically perfect for what you're looking to do. Don't feel like you need to go super wide into 110. You could, of course, but you don't necessarily need to. In general, I would try to stick to a ski that's under 2000 g per ski (really under 1900 or lighter would be ideal) and that has a good amount of tail rocker, a twin tip shape is best. Hope that helps!
Great review as always…
Is the 104 UL directly comparable to the Fischer 102 RF?
In the wide world of skis, they're pretty darn close. From a narrower view, the Enforcer Unlimited is lighter, turnier, and even a bit more energetic due to the carbon. The Ranger has more heft to it, and feels a bit more planky while the Unlimited has more pop to it. I love the 104 in the trees and on the groomers, mainly due to the 104 Free's shaping. Have fun!
SE
@@SkiEssentials Thanks so much..
I have a length related question for Bob. I'm wondering if you were to buy the 104 limited would stick with the 186 that you demoed or move up to the 191? I'm 6'3", 205 lbs. I have a pair of Enforcer 100s (191) and 88s (186). Both skis are great on groomed, if I had to pick a favorite it would be the 100s. But the longer 100s can be a handful skiing in off piste conditions. I've been thinking about getting another enforcer for moguls and trees, either the normal 104 or the unlimited. Just curious what your thoughts are, thanks!!
I've thought about that from time to time. I'm more than happy on my 186, and sometimes I wish my Enforcer 100's were 186's as well. I think I'm done sizing up because I'm appreciating the shorter turn radii these days. I like the Unlimited because I just don't have to work as hard as on the 104 Free or the 100. Outside the box, though, if I were choosing an Enforcer for bumps and trees, I'd take the 94 with metal in the 186. Hope that helps!
SE/Bob
In the pnw. Need all mountain powder ski between enforcer 94 and my 1117 pow skis. Upper intermediate. Should I go rustler 10 or unlimited 104? Want somewhat playful but not too much crud deflection... please and thank you
Both could certainly work. Rustler will feel a little smoother and more damp, Enforcer quicker and more reactive. The Rustler basically feels in between the normal Enforcer 104 and new 104 Unlimited.
how do these compare to ripsticks 106, which i love the weight and are super fun.
They're definitely in the same conversation. Probably the biggest difference I notice is the Ripstick has a slightly softer flex pattern and also feels a little smoother than the Unlimited. More vibration damping from how they use carbon. On the other hand, the Unlimited feels snappier, more responsive, more energetic, etc. The Ripstick also has a more directional shape, which is something to consider. Longer tail rocker on the Enforcer, which gives it a little more freeride/freeski influence in its overall feel. Hope that helps!
Would you recommend this one for a beginner ski touring set up that would also be a wider ski for resorts, using a Shift binding? Thanks!
Yup! That's right in this ski's wheelhouse. Great for resort and light enough for putting a hybrid binding on for touring as well.
[Q] What was the binding you mounted for the testing? Couldn't catch it in the vid.
That's a Marker Duke PT 16 on that ski. A bit heavy, but full confidence in the resort.
Is that the 100mm brake on those Duke PTs? It fits on the 104? THX!
Yes the 100 does fit!
PNW skier, 210lbs, 6ft - skiing the Enf 110 186 now - [Q] Looking for easier initiation in cruddy bumps but still want some groomer control - 104U looks good to me - would the 179 length help, or better to stick with 186 for my size? (or 104Free?) - Love the site, just right length and info.
I'd stick to the 186. For a more different feel than 110, go with the UL, but the Free for a more similar experience in terms of weight and build.
How does it compare to the Ripstick 106 Black Edition?
It's interesting because the weights are quite a bit different if you compare Enforcer lines to Ripstick lines, but I actually think the Ripstick 106 Black Edition is a closer comparison to the Enforcer Free, while this Enforcer Unlimited is a closer comparison to the normal Ripstick 106. That's over-simplifying things a little bit as there are differences in their shapes and overall feel, but I think that's the best way to describe it. There's more vibration damping in the Ripstick Black than the Enforcer Unlimited, but on the other side of the spectrum, it doesn't feel as energetic.
How will these compare to the 104 Frees in (resort) powder and trees?
The lighter weight of the Unlimited makes it a great floater and a quick tree ski. If you're willing to put in the effort, you can get more performance out of the Free, but it does take work.
How do they compare to the original Enforcer 100s? That is to say, the ”benchmark Enforcer”? I understand that the new Enforcers are a bit different compared to the OG?
Lighter, quicker, more responsive, more agile, more playful, but not as strong overall. There's quite a difference in how the tails feel too just between the 100 and 104 in general. We skied the 94 Unlimited today and I'd say that's a closer comparison to the 100. The normal 100 is just such a strong, damp ski, however. The Unlimited skis just aren't as damp, that's the most noticeable difference IMO.
How do they compare to the BC Justis and Bent Chetler 100?
More Justis than BC 100, I'd say. The grip and shape are reminiscent of the Justis, and while the Justis has more power and stability, the 104 is more stable than the Atomic. Not by much, but I think by a bit. Since the Atomic doesn't have any carbon in it, it's not quite as responsive as the 104, but is more drifty and smeary and playful.
For the 186 cm version, how tall was the skier?
Both Jeff and Bob skied the 186--Bob is 6'2 and Jeff is about 5'10
How would to compare the Black Crows Atris and to this ski?
Atris feels sturdier, but at the expense of weight. For downhill skiing only, the Atris has more stability and power, but the Enforcer 104 has a good amount of kick and energy to it, not just for its light weight, but for any weight of ski.
How do you see this as Telemark-ski? I have at the moment Atomic Blog (really old) and I am trying to find the next ski pretty similar than Blogs are.
I think it'd be great. The shape is fun and floaty and there's good energy with the carbon and camber. You won't be weighed down, either, as the metal-free Unlimited is springier and more poppy than the metal version.
what do you guys think about the Enforcer 104 Unlimited vs Armada Locator 104 for a 1-ski 50/50?
I'm more of a fan of the Unlimited than the Locator for 50/50 use. Very round turning ski while the Locator has a straighter cut.
How do these skis compare to the new Ripstick 104?
While the Ripstick 104 is more of a dedicated touring ski, I think the Enforcer 104 has more range and versatility in an all-mountain and resort format. If I were going uphill more often than not and cared more about light weight climbing efficiency versus downhill performance, I'd go Elan, but for a slightly heavier ski and more confidence on the descents, the Enforcer 104 Unlimited is a great ski.
wow.. lots of good comments.. i have the nordica enforcer 104 free.. something that i have not seen mentioned yet is when i hit a bump on the groomers.. it goes straight to my back.. when i have back issues then i can't ski.. i am going to try my dps foundation skis to see if my back does better.. do these unlimited skis absorb bumps on groomers better than the free?
The Free is more damp, and I'd say that quality does a better job of absorbing bumps than a more carbon-oriented ski like the Unlimited.
@@SkiEssentials and it seams like the Free can't absorb the bumps on groomers like my Stormrider 88s or my Foundation 100 RP
How do you separate stiff and burly? I know the carbon in the Unlimited makes it stiff, and the 104 Free is burlier. Is one better than the other when skiing steep lines? Aside from the chatter at high speed or dealing with afternoon crud, I don’t really see a downside to this ski compared to the 104 Free
I'm in the same boat, even as a bigger skier at 6'2 225. The Unlimited is more approachable, a better floater, and just more fun overall. Sure, the ski lacks the top end stability of the Free, especially at speed, but how often is that part of your day? I think for most skiers, most of the time, the Unlimited makes more sense. I am also entering the latter portion of my ski career and have come to appreciate the lighter skis that are easier on the joints.
SE
How would you compare them to my volkl M5 from 2020? Looking for something a little lighter but still carving like they do
It's not quite as stable or precise, especially at speed on firmer snow, but pretty darn impressive for the weight. For a ski that behaves like the Mantra but at a lighter weight, I'd look to the Head Kore 99 or Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition
what's better for hitting and landing jumps on natural features, the new unleashed, The 104 Free or the 104 Unlimited? I'm stuck between the 3. I'm 6'1'' 190lbs
From all your comments, I think the Unleashed 98 is probably best for you. 104 Free is heavy and more demanding, but you'll get more stability and vibration damping out of the Unleashed than the 104 Unlimited. I also think you'll get slightly better durability, which will come in handy if you're jumping off a bunch of stuff.
@@SkiEssentials thank you so much for the replies. I have made my decision now! Thank you!
Would you mount these at factory recommendation point?
Yes
Would the 104 free be better in crud vs the unlimited due to weighing more.
Yes, but only if you're skiing aggressively. If you're more moderate in your speed and aggression, the Unlimited has more upside.
How would enforcer 104 compared with elan ripstick 106 reg/black??
Pretty fair comparison. The Ripstick Black 106 has more power and stability than the other two, but for the weight, the 104 Unlimited is quite impressive from a lot of different perspectives--clean carver, quick in the trees, and playful when asked. The Blue 106 feels a lot like the Black, just less stable at speed.
Hi Jeff/Bob,
I want to order Nordica 104FR 2023 and a wonder about lenght 191 cm.
I am 6'3'' tall and 198 lbs, agressive skier, love powder, love trees, love long downhill, speed.
I will appreciate your help ❄️❄️❄️
I'm 6/2 225 and I debate that all the time. If you're aggressive and love speed, I don't see the 191 as a stretch.
How does these compare to black crows atris for 50% trees/50% big mountain?
I think the Unlimited 104 is a fantastic choice for trees and tight turns. The Atris is more lively than ever before, but it's still on the burly side. I think you get a lot more agility and maneuverability from the Unlimited.
Classic question. Should i go for 179 or 186? I ride my dps wailer 112, 184 today. Im 176cm, 80kg. Directional skier. Please help me out now ;)
179. I think 186 will be on the long side.
Ok i trust you here. Even if it feels strange to go down 5cm. But its a stiffer ski and longer radius. So ur right
I bought the 186 luckely. Whst a ski. Best ever. Both carving in the pidt and deep. 5star
@@ferosportsu mean 179. 186 will be way to long for u if doing trees
Seems like 2 totally different skis. 104 free for hauling ass through crud at the bird. I have 2 pairs of them one as tele. You want metal for these days. Light skis without metal turn like crazy but you end up getting worked from all the bouncing around. Have not skied the Unlimited but if touring or sidecountry is the gig, lighter is better. That said I migt just have to try a pair.
Very interesting the similarities and differences. Sure, they're a bit chatterier on the ice, but that was really the only downside that I found, and well worth the tradeoffs.
There’s massive chatter on the close up slomo shots. You guys sure this ski is stable enough for groomer skiing? You’re calling it stiff but that chatter visual is clear evidence for flimsy. Obviously I haven’t skied it so can’t speak to the feel.
It doesn't feel like chatter to me. If you skied it back to back with an Enforcer 104 Free, yeah, the Free feels more damp and more smooth. I think what you're seeing is just some tip flap or tip movement, which realistically happens in just about any ski. If it doesn't, you're in for a wild ride, or you're skiing a WC GS ski. Even those you'll see some movement if you take a slow motion shot like that. Chatter generally comes across in video footage as the ski breaking free and not holding an edge.
Are there skiers in the world that wouldn't be satisfied with this ski on groomers? Yes, certainly. It's big and wider and has a lot of rocker. Given the shape, however (much like the Enforcer 104 Free), we think it carves very well and is quite impressive in how it holds an edge.
You should also note that digital camera shutters have some inherent properties that distort the fast vibrating objects on video. So the video might and will exaggarate the vibration to some extent.
2023? We still got a whole year to go lol.
Skiing's kinda funny with model years because each ski season includes 2 years. So, right now, we're in the 21/22 ski season. This year's products are referred to as 2022 model years. So, yeah, 2023 is over a year away, but 2023 model year skis are right around the corner.
You are lucky with these getting them a season early. Usually the Southern hemisphere gets skis first then the USA etc. So we would usually have had these next year 2022, then you guys next winter.....
We are the opposite way round with boots and clothing though.
You both seem knowledgeable and decent, but nobody needs a 28 minute ski review. Even someone really interested in these skis
Hey Chin, Appreciate the feedback. We get a lot of positive feedback about the longer videos, although we're well-aware they're not for everyone. We release a series of Ski Test videos each season that are generally 3-6 minutes in length. I expect you would prefer those. We think of these longer reviews as kind of like a cross between a traditional ski review and more of a podcast-style discussion.
Do you guys ever go off piste ? those skis are meant for so much more
A lot of the time you can find us off-trail. Filming and gaining content in those areas is another story. We would love to dial up a snow day and deep base whenever possible, but that just doesn't always fit in with our schedule. I put in a number of days on those 104's in the spring, when we had deep base and fresh snow and they were amazing.