2022 Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- We're excited to share our review of the 2022 Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition! There are a lot of similarities between it and the 96 that we talked about back in December, but different applications.
![ARGENTINA vs. BOLIVIA [6-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/C3wPtKNbAOA/mqdefault.jpg)
Your guys do a fantastic job with your ski reviews and have set a new standard as to how it ought to be done. Love the content and I recommend your channel whenever I’m talking to a friend about a new ski. Keep up the great work! We love it!
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it.
Riding the original 2020 Black 106 Ripstick with demo bindings set +3 forward for frontside, performs like a full-on GS ski. Solid in fresh 6" at 0 on-center, have not had the ski in deeper new snow. The best funniest ski I have owned, similar to an Icelantic Nomad but with a ton more pop. Fantastic hold on ice.
Love the videos guys! How would you compare the ripsticks and the QST line?
I think they're similar skis overall. The QST 106 and Ripstick 106 feel pretty similar. The Black Edition has more torsional stiffness, so I think the non-Black would be a closer comparison. Both are energetic, maneuverable, and playful, but also smoother than most skis that use that much carbon.
I'm really liking the blacked out graphic on these
Looks great in person too. There are more subtle details that probably don't fully come across on camera.
Would you recommend these ripsticks or Rustler 10s?
6’-1” / 180lbs / intermediate skier / Whistler
Looking for playful skis that can handle in powder and through trees. Trying to spend less time on groomers but the one that can still be easy to carve.
I prefer the Ripstick 106 Black, and that's more of a compliment to that ski versus any slight against the Rustler 10. I'd say the Rustler is slightly more playful, but the Ripstick is very well-rounded.
How much stiffer/damper are the blacks compared to the regular versions? I've mentioned a couple of times I find the 88s at 172cm too soft. 5'9" 170lbs. advanced fairly aggressive skier. Maybe I should have gone to the 180 which would have given me a longer stiffer portion of the ski? Is that a typical way of sizing softer skies, go up a size in lenght? Are the ripsticks simply a soft snow ski? Looking back I'm thinking I should have went 170ish on the rustler 9s and 180 on the ripsticks. Just opposite of what I did.
In my opinion the vibration damping is more noticeable than the stiffness. What happens with a ski with more vibration damping, however, is you get more consistent edge contact with the snow, which in this case translates to more edge grip. I also think the 180 cm would be more appropriate for an aggressive skier of your size on the Ripstick 88. I'm an inch taller, but 10 lbs lighter, and I prefer the 180 cm for sure.
This is a completely unrelated note but, for this coming season, can there be a more comprehensive women's ski reviews? I'm looking to buy a new pair for my girlfriend but there's not much out there and there's a massive amount of female skiers who would appreciate the info
Hey Josh! Yeah, for sure. Alli, who we typically have in our women's reviews, took a different role with out company with more responsibilities, so she has less time for reviews. We're going to work on a solution going forward to help integrate more women's reviews. I will say the women's side of the Ski Test will be excellent this year.
Hey there, I use the ripstick 106 together with Atomic Shift MNC 13 binding and simply love this combo! Using the Scarpa Maestrale RS I did around 15-20k vertical meters in the last two years and experienced everything with it. From great powder runs/hikes to completely crusty slopes and also firm old heavy snow and it worked absolutely fine. But the best is, that I can also use it with my regular alpine shoes Atomic Hawx Prime 130 too, if I only spend my powder day in the skiresort, but also carving on the regular slope works phenomenal for a ski with 106mm underfoot.
Best regards,
Lukas
Why did you go with the MNC 13 and not 10?
I am curios as I want to get the same combo . Elan 106 Black + Shift
@@chifortudor5105 when I bought it, only mnc13 120mm was available at that time, if I remember right.
Would you use these for east trees or Mad River? I have the Bonafide in 187 cm and they’re a handful. Oh wow, I just got to your talk regarding going into the trees. Nice!
Yes, absolutely, 100%. Night and day difference between a 187 Bonafide and these in tight trees.
Hi! How are you? Could you say what is the defferent between Ripstick 96 and Ripstik 106 ? I want to buy for freeride
It's basically a toss up between edge to edge quickness and more float. They basically use the same exact shape and they do use the same construction, so it's just a matter of which width works better for you. If it's truly a freeride application and you're in soft snow a lot, I'd go with the 106. It still carves well, but you get a lot more float and soft snow performance IMO.
You guys just rock! I'm thinking of switching to a 96 Ripstick and I consider myself an intermediate level skier. I'm 1.74m height and 69kg. Was thinking getting the 164cm lenght ones. What is your opinion? I always skied 171 and 179 till now, but I guess I want something more easy to turn and more fun everywhere.
Thanks! I would at least consider going with the 172 cm length. With the rocker profile of the RIpsticks, they're very manageable in the longer lengths. 164 cm just feels a little short to me even considering what you're looking for.
Wow. Such detail and so helpful. Sounds like these ski "big" and a 180 would be recommended for an aggressive but light skier (155lb and 5-11)? I usually ski on 183 or smaller, to contend with trees and bumps.
Also, what's the real difference btw the black and the standard 106? Thx!
Yes, I think at your stats if you're normally a 183, the 180 makes sense. Between Blue and Black 106, there are two extra carbon rods in the forebody and tail of the ski in the middle, and the carbon laminate is longer and wider on the inside edges. The interesting thing is that the carbon rods are lighter than the wood they're replacing, so there's no real weight difference. This extra carbon makes the skis stiffer, damper, and more responsive--it's an excellent replication of metal by use of carbon.
I'm stuck between the 106 green or black. I'm 5'7", 175 lbs and like to ski aggressively linking high speed turns and jumping side hits. 50/50 between east and west. Coming off 108 on3p Jeffreys. Mainly looking shed some ski weight but keeping stability at speed. What version would you assume would fit me best?
Do you mean 106 Blue/Regular, or 96 Green? I'm assuming 106 for this response. If you like playfulness and maneuverability, the 106 Regular is still a very strong and exciting ski. I really only lean to the 106 Black if you're particularly heavy or aggressive. For most skiers, most of the time, the regular 106 is a better overall option.
hey how would you compare these vs the standard 106 s ... any advice on how to pick between the black / normal edition?
They're definitely more similar than different. The standard 106 shares basically all the same properties and in general the same performance as the Black Edition. The only difference is the standard 106 is slightly softer flexing and doesn't have as much vibration damping. Black Edition is very, very smooth, normal Ripstick 106 is still quite smooth, but the Quad Rod upgrade to the Black is noticeable. My best advice on how to pick between the two is your personal skiing style. Do you ski really fast? Want limitless potential speed? Black Edition is probably best. Not the most aggressive skier on the mountain, or maybe a lighter weight skier? The standard will be just fine and you'll save some money for bindings. I'm 5'10" and about 150-160 lbs. I really enjoy skiing the Black Edition, but the standard Ripstick 106 holds up really well for my size too.
Any thoughts on length? I ski the regular Ripstick 106 @ 181cm. Its a great ski until you talk hard-pack at high speeds. I'm 6'1", 195 lbs. Interested in the Blacks and debating between 180cm vs. 188cm length. I'm an aggressive, advanced skier and the high speed chatter in the regular Ripsticks is my one demerit for the ski. Wondering if Blacks in 180cm would smooth that out, or if I should also go longer with the blacks. 188cm is a big jump in size. Confident I could handle it, but wondering if that length would take away the fun nimbleness and it would just be straight up work all the time. Thanks for your opinions! Great video.
I think it makes more sense to stick with the 180 cm length. There's noticeably less chatter in the Black Edition compared to the normal Ripstick 106. I do think moving up in length would take away some of the fun-factor and nimble feeling of the Ripstick. I suppose the downside here is that if you get a 180 cm Black Edition you may not really ever find justification to ski your normal Ripsticks, but you could always sell them?
Thx for input!
Jeff I am a long time skier like your Dad. I still ski on thin skies but would love to start carving Hills with these Newer skies. What would you recommend for Older skiers like your dad and I that want to pick up this wave of carving on the Hills? I love that Elan Black Edition 96 with Look Gold and Black Pivot...Wow Hot Looking ski!
Hard to go wrong with a Ripstick 96 Black Edition! I agree a gold Pivot would look really nice. You could consider going narrower too, especially if you're focused on carving. I'm a big fan of the Wingman 86 CTI to keep it in the Elan family.
Great review, how do these compare to the 2022 Head Kore 105? Are the tips stiffer/more supportive in the Kore?
It's an interesting comparison. The Kore is stiffer in a longitudinal sense, but I think it's fair to say the Ripstick 106 has more torsional stiffness, so better edge grip, especially at high speeds. Ripsticks are smoother too, more vibration damping combined with the softer flex, so it absorbs variations in the snow surface really, really well.
@@SkiEssentials would that also be true comparing Kore99 and Ripstick 96 black? TIA
@@RussianSkiAmateurs Yes, basically the same exact comparison.
Hey Guys, love your videos as I find them truly helpful. I have been searching for a replacement ski for my everyday ski here in Colorado. I ski most of my day trips at Mary Jane skiing moguls and trees (and occasionally groomers when the moguls are skied out). I am also fussy about when I ski LOL because I can be! At 65, and two artificial hips, I limit myself to soft days. With that as an intro, the ski I've been skiing at Mary Jane for years and loved is the 2012 K2 Ku Fujas in 179cm / 101mm under foot (which measure approx 184cm tip to tip I believe). I also ski the K2 Shreditor (112 under foot / 179cm) and the K2 Petitor (120 under foot / 179cm) That said while I loved this old K2 technology I have not been a fan of their new lines in recent years (although I have not skied their 2022 skis). I do tend to like wider ski as seen here. I am 6' 3" and 187lbs and still get after for my age LOL! The skis I am considering is the Elan Ripstick 106 black you show here or perhaps the Nordica Unleashed 98. What are your thoughts? Also, what about length recommendation? I also thought it might help to see my skiing style so here's a recent clip from a couple of years ago: ruclips.net/video/8sIvM7H-jiY/видео.html I appreciate any insight you can provide!
Hi Bob! I love the idea of a Ripstick 106 Black Edition in a 180 cm length. From the sounds of it, I think you'll benefit more from the directional shape of the Ripstick rather than the more twin tip shape of the Unleashed 98. In other words, if you're not skiing backwards at all, to me it makes more sense to go with a directional ski. The Ripstick 106 Black will do everything you like to do extremely well. Moguls, trees, anything un-groomed, it handles extremely well. On those days when you're stuck on groomers, you'll find good edge grip and a nice energetic finish to a turn. Watched your video, I think it'll mesh nicely with your skiing style. Go for it!
Hey guys. I’m trying to compare and contrast this ski with the enforcer 104. Do you have any insight to who each of skis may be for when comparing them to each other?
Hello! I think a good place to start is the Ripstick is more of a directional shape. There are certainly some similarities, but it is more directional while the Enforcer 104 has more freestyle/twin tip influence in its shape. That comes through in how they ski, at least in my opinion, and also allows for a more forward mount point on the Enforcer if someone should want it. The other difference to me is the construction and weight. The Enforcer is noticeably heavier by a few hundred grams. The Ripstick is lighter, so a little less fatiguing when you're making quick movements on it. The stability and vibration damping on the Ripstick is very impressive, especially given its weight, but it's not quite as powerful as the Enforcer 104. So, there's a difference in shape as well as a tradeoff between lightweight vs stability.
Nothing wrong with submerging skis. I love how long soft skinny skis used to porpoise in deep powder. Was fun being down in it rather than surfing on top. I haven't really hooked up on skis wider tha 96 in powder, (Being mostly an Easterner) but certainly remember loving powder on 70mm skis since starting skiing and not missing a year since 62'
Would you guys recommend the black or the regular ripstick for a 60:40 resort:touring setup?
Realistically, either one would work great for that application. Just think about whether you want a little extra vibration damping and overall stability of the Black. If you do, it's worth the slightly heavier ski, but if you're not particularly aggressive, it might make more sense to stick with the normal Ripstick.
@@SkiEssentials thank you! How would you compare the regular 106 ripstick to the 106 volkl blaze for the same application?
@@matthewfort5635 The Blaze isn't as smooth. It's extremely agile and very responsive, but doesn't have as much vibration damping as the Ripsticks. It's mostly coming from the construction and those carbon tubes Elan uses. I do think Blaze feels a little lighter, however.
Any thoughts on how the 2022 Black compares to the bent chetler 100? Have been riding those for some time after moving away from the enforcer 100, but I have found myself wishing for a little more backbone than what the BC is offering when it comes to chop and stability at speed
HI John!
It's hard to say that there's a perfect ski out there because we're all different, but for me, as both an Enforcer and Bent Chetler 100 owner, I found the Ripstick Black (both 96 and 106) to blend the positive attributes of those skis quite well. It's a very successful use of carbon in the Elan, making it strong and stable but still maneuverable and agile.
Thanks - bought my last two pairs of skis from SE and you have great reviews here on YT. I ski an all-mtn 2021 Kendo at 170 cm. I'm 5'8" 150 lbs. I'm looking for a good freeride ski to complement my Kendos on fresh pow days, for off-piste, very quick and playful, easy to turn on a dime, but stable on the groomers at speed. I had Mantra M5s 170 but they took a little too much work. Ripsticks look like they hit all my key needs but not sure if I should go with the regular or the BE, and I think the 106s, since my Kendos are 88. I suspect the size I should be looking at is 172 cm. Also, is there a year that makes a difference, 2019,2020,2021, 2022? My other issue is that green skis clash with everything else I own! ;-) Thanks for your input. Btw, I ski the west.
If you don't mind the extra price, I'd go with the Black Edition, and I'd go with 2022 if you can. The new version is definitely the best one, mostly thanks to the Quad Rod construction. Super smooth, but still very playful. 172 cm Ripstick 106 Black Edition feels like a great choice. Far easier to ski than your M5 and a very nice complement to your Kendos. Fantastic western ski. Go for it!
Excellent videos guys! How would you compare the Ripstick 106 BE and the Black Crows Corvus Freebird? For 50/50 ski?
Black Edition is more of a resort ski, while the Corvus is a better 50/50 product. While you certainly could put a hybrid binding on the 106, I would say the Corvus deserves the touring binding better. I love the on and off-trail capabilities of the Elan.
Hi! What is your opinion on the faction prodigy 3.0 and 4.0?
Fun skis! A nice blend of stability at speed with playfulness and versatility. We've tested the Prodigy series a handful of times over the years and I always have fun on them.
bought last years black edition 106, it's a blast.
Sweet! The previous Black Edition skis were really good too.
Great test guys I am in the market for a wider ski and am having a bit of a time deciding what width to go with. I am in Ontario so I suffer the same hard pack icy conditions of the east coast but I do travel to the west once a year. I am leaning to the 96 but still can’t make up my mind. I really liked the test results of the 106 that you came up with. This is a tough decision as I have a Wingman but it is a prototype that is only 80 underfoot. It is a great ski and hold on ice like nothing I have ever skied. Anyway thanks again for the insight into both widths…now I just have to pull the trigger . Cheers !!
I think if you have the 80, and like it, the 106 offers a better spread of attributes for you. If you had zero skis and were looking for one, I'd go 96, but since you have the carving component covered, the 106 makes a lot of sense.
You guys are the best!!
Would you put a Salomon binding on the black 106 s?
A Salomon Shift binding? Certainly!
Great review / Conversation. I have a question (since it is really hard to find a place that I can demo these skis). I currently ski a Salomon Q105 (2014 edition) at a 181cm length and I love them. I ski on the west coast and ski everything on the mountain. Fast sweeping turns on groomers, lots of big bumps runs, a lot of stuff through trees / side country, double black narrow chutes, and of course, the powder days when they do come in CA (PLEASE GODS LET IT SNOW). The big question though is that I am a heavier dude 250+ lbs and a pretty aggressive skier - Skis with a lot of flex just don't work for me.... the way you describe these - sounds like they may work.... any insights on how the flex and carving would feel compares to the Salomon QST 105/106 would be appreciated!
Hi Dean!
As a fellow heavier dude (225+ for me), I found nothing about the 106 Black that would hold me back. Great carver, not just for a 106 without metal, but for any ski. The shovel may be a bit more flexible than your Q's, but it ends there--the rest of the ski is stout, strong, and stable. If you're looking for something a bit stronger, check out the Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, but my guess is that RS106 Black is going to do the trick.
Good news Bob! The new skis are great! Hit everything on the mountain from groomers, to glades, to hardpack, to slush, to “powder”, to bumps, to double black chutes and even some ice. They really kicked ass! Turns out California in March is really good for trying out skis. I was really surprised at home much energy these things have and how much they kick you out the end of a turn. Really spot on review in this video - and if you any other heavier dudes are considering this ski… it’s definitely something that is going to work! Great choice for Cali skiing…
@Dean I'm almost that heavy high 180's to 191lbs on a bad day. Only 5-7 . The reviews really tout this ski. Guess I would use it at 172 ish.
@@choski76 You could go 172 or 180 depending on what you ski most. I am 6-1 and technically should have gone with the 188, but chose the 180s because I wanted to be a little more nimble in the bumps. If you tend to ski more bowls and hard charging stuff I would go longer (they will turn pretty well anyways)… but if you like the bumps I would go 172 for sure. I don’t feel hampered being on a slightly shorter ski…
@@MeAMuse thanks dude.
Hey guys!! How do these skis compare to the liberty Evolv 100??
More tail rocker, so they're more maneuverable and have easier edge release. I think the Evolv100 is a little more powerful, however. The flatter, stiffer tail has some power to it for sure. Both are exceptionally smooth, mostly just a different rocker profile and flex pattern.
I think I'm between this and the Nordica Enforcer 104 Unlimited for a western all mountain ski (moving out west before next season). 6'3" 250 lbs advanced, pretty aggressive skier. Also thinking of putting a Tyrolia Adrenalin 14 just to have the touring capability. Not sure which ski would be the better choice for a quiver of one.
I think if touring is remotely on the table, the Ripstick makes a bit more sense. It's a very strong ski on the downhills, and lighter for the ups. While the Enforcer is stronger and damper overall, the Ripstick Black can certainly handle aggressive skiing while remaining at least somewhat light enough for uphill efficiency.
How does this ski compare to the Enforcer 100?
More playful, easier edge release, and lighter. I think the Enforcer 104 is a closer comparison actually.
Compared to the Nordica 104 Free, it looked like you need a lot more input/effort w/Elans vs the Nordica.
I think I just ski differently on them. The 104 Frees that you usually see me skiing are also my skis, so I'm very accustomed to them and pretty much know exactly what they're going to do at all time. My weights a little further back when I ski my Enforcers, mostly because of where I have them mounted. I can tell you that it doesn't feel like more or less input, but I can understand why it would look that way.
Sold me, just picked up a pair.
You'll love them.
Cool video I love Elan. They make great quality skis. These are not my faves though. I tend to enjoy more lively skis like the BC 100 or a ski from the QST series. Great skis though
There are definitely some similarities between the Ripsticks and QSTs in my opinion! Which skis have you tried from Elan?
Damn Bob looking extra 🔥 and youthful 🤣🤣🤣 is it beanie or vaccine? 🤔🤔🤔
its the clean shave and low vid quality . : )
@@CaffeinatedDoggo 😋😋😋
Haha! Maybe both?
Those rc look fast
Great video! I'm in the market for this kind of ski (the Ripstick really appeals to me above others) and doing my own research has got me overwhelmed. I'm hoping to get some sound advice from experts. I've added the rundown of my situation as comments to this comment since youtube keeps removing my long comment.
I ski the west coast (although newer to the area) at a lower-advanced / upper-intermediate level. I’m not a big air or hard charger kinda guy. Instead, I prefer tight, adaptive, maneuverable, dynamic skiing - I love the trees, moguls, and pow. I appreciate skis that are poppy, responsive, and especially forgiving and playful. I’m currently looking to get a one-quiver ski that I can mount with hybrid bindings to ski 65/35 resort/backcountry-slackcountry-sidecountry. My current skis are Rossi Sky 7 HDs (172cm / 97mm) and I really enjoy them.
My biggest concerns are having a ski wide enough to float on west coast powder, but can handle variable terrain/conditions across the entire season. I don’t expect the ski to excel in variable conditions, but I do want to manage those days with confidence. I’d also like to push myself for longer skis - I’m 5’9.5” and gravitate towards a shorter ski for my ski ability and style. My research has lead me to the Elan Ripstick 106, Armada Tracer 108, G3 ROAMr 108, and Liberty Origin 108. What could be best for me, and at what length? Anything over 177cm is probably too long, while 172cm is familiar but might not challenge me as much. Any advice is hugely appreciated!
Hi Jacob! I think a Ripstick 106 would be a fantastic ski for you. It has an excellent blend of edge grip and stability on firm snow with float, maneuverability, and a super fun feel in soft snow. It's relatively easy to ski, but has a high performance ceiling too. It shouldn't feel more challenging to ski than your Soul 7, in other words, but will feel better at higher speeds and in variable, not-so-great conditions. For length, I actually wouldn't completely rule out the 180 cm length, specifically if you want to move to longer skis. I'm about your height and find the 180 cm length in that ski very easy to control. Chances are I'm a little more aggressive, but I do think it's worth considering. If you're worried about that length, no reason why you can't stick with the 172. Tracer or Origin could work too, but IMO the Ripstick feels like it's going to work really well for your application.