Ski: 2021-2022 Volkl Revolt 104, 188 cm
Test Location: Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado
Days Skied: 12
Available Lengths: 172, 180, 188 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length: 186.7 cm
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1973 & 1997 grams
Stated Dimensions: 132-104-122 mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 131.4-103.6-121.6 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (188 cm): 22.5 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 68.5 mm / 43 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 3.5 mm
Core: multi-wood core + fiberglass laminate
Base: sintered P-Tex 2100
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -1.75 cm from center; 91.6 cm from tail
Boots / Bindings: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S, Tecnica Mach1 130 MV / Marker Griffon
Reviewers:
- Dylan Wood: 5’11”, 155 lbs / 180 cm, 70 kg
- Luke Koppa: 5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg
[Note: our review was conducted on the 20/21 Revolt 104, which was not changed for 21/22.]
Intro
Last year we reviewed a new ski from Volkl — the Revolt 121. And turns out, several of us really liked it. It’s a ski that’s very surfy and playful, yet also quite damp and stable enough to ski hard (just check out Markus Eder’s FWT runs from last year for proof of that…).
But Volkl’s freestyle lineup had a very big gap in it, with nothing between the 121mm-wide Revolt 121 and the park-oriented, 95mm-wide Revolt 95.
That changed for 20/21, with the introduction of the brand-new Revolt 104. Volkl says about the new ski: “park, piste, and backcountry, one ski for every kind of freestyle skiing.”
We’ve now had two reviewers on the Revolt 104, and you can read our full review below. But first, let’s dive into the design of this ski:
Shape / Rocker Profile
Unlike the Revolt 95 & Revolt 87, which are both very traditionally shaped skis with little taper, the Revolt 104 looks much more similar to the Revolt 121. It’s definitely not as radically tapered as the much wider Revolt 121, but the Revolt 121 is more tapered than some similarly wide, freestyle-oriented skis like the Line Sir Francis Bacon, Armada ARV 106, and K2 Reckoner 102. Overall, the Revolt 104’s shape isn’t super far off from the Moment PB&J, Faction Prodigy 3.0, & J Skis Vacation.
When it comes to rocker profile, the Revolt 104 looks pretty radical for a 104mm-wide ski. While it has a bit of camber underfoot, it has very deep tip & tail rocker lines. Its tip rocker line is significantly deeper than its tail rocker line, but both of those rocker lines are very subtle and low-slung, similar to the Volkl Blaze 106 and in contrast to the Revolt 121’s very splayed-out rocker profile. While I’d still call the Revolt 104’s tail a twin, it’s not super high with our pair’s tail splay measuring at 43 mm.
There aren’t many skis in this width that have deeper rocker lines than the Revolt 104, though due to how subtle the Revolt 104’s rocker lines are, we’re very curious to see how loose vs. precise it feels in a variety of conditions.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Revolt 104:
Tips: 7-7.5
Shovels: 7.5-8
In Front of Toe Piece: 8.5-9.5
Underfoot: 9.5
Behind the Heel Piece: 9.5-8
Tails: 7.5-6.5
Especially compared to other freestyle-oriented skis, the Revolt 104 is pretty strong, particularly in its tips and shovels. The Revolt 104’s flex pattern is pretty symmetrical, though the very end of the Revolt 104’s tails is actually a bit softer than the tip, which may help its somewhat-low (for a freestyle ski) tail plane up better in soft snow. And another interesting thing is that the Revolt 104’s flex pattern doesn’t ramp up as quickly as many skis; while the Revolt 104’s tips and shovels are what I’d call “stronger than average” for a ski in this class, its flex feels more consistent for longer as you move from those shovels to the middle of the ski. Looking at the core profile, that seems to make sense — unlike many skis, the Revolt 104’s core doesn’t get dramatically thicker until you get pretty close to the bindings, which would at least partially explain its slow ramp-up in stiffness.
The two freestyle-oriented skis that come to mind when flexing the Revolt 104 are the Moment PB&J and the 19/20 Faction Prodigy 3.0. All three of these skis feel quite strong, given their playful design intentions. The PB&J is similar at the ends but it stiffens up quicker and is stronger through most of the ski. The 17/18–19/20 Prodigy 3.0 is a bit stronger overall, most notably at the ends, though after hand-flexing the 20/21 Prodigy 3.0 at Outdoor Retailer this year, the 20/21 version of that ski feels notably softer than the previous version and is likely a bit more in line with the Revolt 104’s flex pattern, if not softer.
Mount Point
If there was any doubt about the Revolt 104’s freestyle orientation, just check out its mount point. Our pair’s recommended line measured at just under -2 cm from true center, which is very far forward, especially compared to the mount points on skis like the Prodigy 3.0, Moment Wildcat 108, & Moment Meridian 107. The Revolt 104’s recommended mount point is in line with the Line Sir Francis Bacon, Armada ARV 106, & the K2 Reckoner 102’s “Team” line.
The Revolt 121’s mount point is also close to -2 cm from true center, but I found that I could still drive that ski pretty hard through the shovels (more so when mounted 2 cm behind its recommended line), so we’re curious to see if the same is true of the Revolt 104.
Weight
The Revolt 121 is a pretty hefty ski. Not so with the Revolt 104.
At an average measured weight of 1985 grams per ski for the 188 cm length, the Revolt 104 is pretty light. Its weight is not far off from the K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, & Moment PB&J, but notably lighter than skis like the Prodigy 3.0, ON3P Jeffrey 108, & Armada ARV 106.
For reference, here are our measured weights for some notable skis. Keep in mind the length differences to keep things apples to apples.
1787 & 1793 Fauna Pioneer, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
1806 & 1862 Armada Tracer 108, 180 cm (19/20–20/21)
1848 & 1903 Line Sick Day 104, 186 cm (17/18–20/21)
1875 & 1881 Line Sir Francis Bacon, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
1896 & 1942 K2 Reckoner 102, 184 cm (20/21)
1903 & 1912 Moment PB&J, 188 cm (19/20)
1973 & 1997 Volkl Revolt 104, 188 cm (20/21)
2002 & 2014 J Skis Allplay, 184 cm (16/17–20/21)
2005 & 2035 Liberty Origin 106, 187 cm (19/20–20/21)
2006 & 2065 Head Kore 105, 189 cm (19/20–20/21)
2011 & 2028 Moment Wildcat 108, 184 cm (19/20)
2019 & 2022 Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred, 182 cm (18/19–20/21)
2030 & 2039 Rossignol Soul 7 HD, 188 cm (17/18–19/20)
2049 & 2053 Whitedot Altum 104, 187 cm (19/20–20/21)
2067 & 2074 Line Blend, 185 cm (15/16–19/20)
2079 & 2105 Kastle FX106 HP, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2080 & 2089 Sego Big Horn 106, 187 cm (17/18–19/20)
2089 & 2105 Nordica Soul Rider 97, 185 cm (12/13–20/21)
2097 & 2113 DPS Alchemist Wailer 106 C2, 189 cm (19/20–20/21)
2101 & 2104 Fischer Ranger 102 FR, 184 cm (18/19–20/21)
2111 & 2125 J Skis Vacation, 186 cm (18/19–20/21)
2113 & 2140 Armada ARV 106, 188 cm (18/19–19/20)
2120 & 2134 Blizzard Rustler 10, 188 cm (19/20–20/21)
2126 & 2136 ON3P Magnus 102, 186 cm (18/19–19/20)
2133 & 2134 Faction Prodigy 3.0, 183 cm (18/19–19/20)
2144 & 2153 K2 Marksman, 184 cm (16/17–19/20)
2165 & 2219 Icelantic Nomad 105, 191 cm (19/20–20/21)
2170 & 2180 Dynastar M-Free 108, 182 cm (20/21)
2190 & 2268 Armada ARV 106Ti LTD, 188 cm (18/19–19/20)
2202 & 2209 Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, 186 cm (19/20–20/21)
2221 & 2245 ON3P Jeffrey 108, 186 cm (18/19–19/20)
2222 & 2229 Dynastar Menace 98, 187 cm (19/20–20/21)
2232 & 2244 ON3P Woodsman 108, 187 cm (19/20)
2233 & 2255 Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, 186 cm (19/20–20/21)
2240 & 2250 Volkl Revolt 121, 184 cm (19/20–20/21)
2318 & 2341 J Skis The Metal, 186 cm (16/17–19/20)
Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About
(1) Volkl says the Revolt 104 is designed to handle everything from the park to the backcountry, so will it feel more like a fat park ski, a narrow freeride ski, or equally comfortable in both scenarios?
(2) Given its near-center recommended mount point, how well will it respond to a more directional skiing style?
(3) The Revolt 104 is a pretty lightweight ski, so how stable will it feel when skiing fast in variable snow?
(4) How much similarity is there between the Revolt 121 & Revolt 104?
Bottom Line (For Now)
The Volkl Revolt 104 will fill a void that’s been in Volkl’s lineup for years, and we’re excited about the new ski. With very deep rocker lines, a pretty tapered shape, and a fairly low weight, it doesn’t look super similar to many other skis on the market. Stay tuned for our on-snow impressions.
Flash Review
Blister Members can read our Flash Review of the Revolt 104 for our initial on-snow impressions. Become a Blister member now to check out this and all of our Flash Reviews, plus get exclusive deals and discounts on skis, and personalized gear recommendations from us.
FULL REVIEW
Crested Butte Mountain Resort now has a wide range of terrain open, from long groomers to leg-burning mogul lines to a couple terrain parks and plenty of side hits. Dylan Wood and I have each been able to get several days on the new Revolt 104, in conditions ranging from icy early season groomers to untouched powder, so it’s now time for our full review.
Powder
Dylan Wood (5’11”, 155 lbs / 180 cm, 70 kg): Crested Butte had a couple good storm systems this past month, and I was able to get some untracked turns on the Revolt 104 in about 6 inches of light, Colorado snow.
While it certainly doesn’t match the flotation or surfiness of the Revolt 121, the Revolt 104 performs about as well as I’d hope for a freestyle-oriented, 104mm-wide ski in fresh snow. Its tips planed well when skied with a centered stance, and it provided a predictable ride when I needed to shut it down in deep snow. The Revolt 104 felt best when skiing in a more playful manner in soft snow, popping around off the tails and easily throwing it around.
One thing to note with this ski in deep snow is that its tips will dive if you try to ski it with a more forward stance. The Revolt 104’s mount point (-1.75 cm from true center) made it difficult to drive the shovels in deep conditions. Moving the mount point back to around -4 cm from true center definitely helped alleviate the issue, but certainly did not make it an entirely different ski. (More on that below in the “Mount Point” section.)
Overall, this ski felt best to me in lower-angle powder, but struggled a little bit when skiing deep snow on steeper slopes.
Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg): I didn’t get as many untracked turns on the Revolt 104 as Dylan, but was able to score some as ski patrol continued to open new zones. And I agree with Dylan for the most part.
For a 104mm-wide ski, I think the Revolt 104 performs very well in soft conditions, provided that you’re someone who likes skis with mount points close to center and skis them as such (i.e., without a ton of pressure on the shovels of the ski).
Doing that, the Revolt 104 feels pretty surfy and loose compared to some other options in its class, particularly those with less rocker and less tapered tips and tails, like the Dynastar Menace 98 and traditional-camber Prior Northwest 100. Ski it centered, and this Volkl ski is happy to go sideways.
The one area where I’m on a slightly different page compared to Dylan is probably the ideal terrain for this ski when the snow is deep. Personally, I find that I like skis that encourage a centered stance more in powder when the terrain is steeper, rather than lower-angle. This likely comes down to personal skiing style — when I’m skiing the ubiquitous “steep and deep,” I tend to ski with a more centered stance anyway, whereas I feel like I’m more prone to driving the shovels of my skis in deep snow when the slopes aren’t as steep.
Anyway, the main point is that the Revolt 104 can handle most storm days and provides a surfy, playful ride, provided that you aren’t trying to ski it like a directional ski. Compared to most skis of this width, I’d say the Revolt 104 is on the looser / more maneuverable end of the spectrum.
Soft Chop
Dylan Wood: In conditions that I can best describe as “noon on a pow day snow,” the Revolt 104 gets knocked around quite a bit. Skiing fast between tracked-out snow and patches left untracked caused the ski to get deflected and made for a fairly difficult-to-control ride. A heavier ski with a mount point farther back (e.g., J Skis Hotshot) outperforms the Revolt 104 by a longshot in these conditions, where the snow is generally soft enough to encourage me to ski fast, but where I’m frequently hitting abrupt changes in snow density.
However, in the days after a storm where there’s less deep chop but the snow is still pretty soft overall, the Revolt 104 felt most at home, and this is definitely where I had the most fun.
The Revolt 104 encourages me to boost off cat tracks, gap between moguls, and slash and slarve around. While it is no charger, it provides enough stability for me to ski fast and make big turns in soft, relatively consistent snow.
Luke Koppa: Again, I’m in agreement for the most part.
In deep chop, I found myself wishing that I could drive the Revolt 104 harder through the shovels. In those conditions, where the untracked snow encourages me to ski fast but I’m frequently hitting compressions when running into others’ tracks, I find that being able to really lay into a ski’s shovels goes a long way in terms of making it feel more composed at speed.
The Revolt 104, like many skis with similarly centered mount points, encourages a more upright, centered stance. That makes it better than most rearward-mounted skis in terms of feeling balanced in the air and ready to pop off just about anything. But for folks like me who are rarely mounting their skis really close to center, this is part of why I think the Revolt 104 feels a bit less stable at speed compared to other options like the Whitedot Altum 104.
In case it isn’t already clear, your personal experience with the Revolt 104 will heavily depend on your skiing stance and style. And putting that aside, the Revolt 104 performs in soft chop about as well as I’d expect for a ski this light. Compared to the softer options in this class like the K2 Reckoner 102 and Line Sir Francis Bacon, the Revolt 104 stays a bit more composed when skiing fast in chop, without feeling drastically heavier in the air or more challenging to throw sideways and shut down when I need to.
And I agree with Dylan in that my favorite laps on the Revolt 104 are when the snow base is still pretty soft, the visibility is good, and there are fewer giant patches of chop, and instead “mini-moguls” of pushed-around, yet slightly compacted snow. That equates to tons of things to jump off, and a more forgiving base than when it’s been weeks since the last storm. And for a lighter ski like the Revolt 104, that’s where I think I can take advantage of its strengths (low weight and balanced feel), and where its weaknesses (poorer damping and stability) are least noticeable.
Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain
Dylan Wood: In firm moguls, it felt necessary to dial back my speed on the Revolt 104. The ski still felt solid when making snappy, tight, controlled turns down the fall line. But it was difficult to ski fast on the Revolt 104 in the same manner as I was doing in soft snow. Its shovels just couldn’t be driven as hard as I would like in firm conditions, and this is still a pretty lightweight ski overall, so it doesn’t do the best job of smoothing out rough conditions.
This fairly forward-mounted ski also has pretty long tails. This resulted in a pretty unforgiving feel when I accidentally got a little too backseat. I experimented with skiing the Revolt 104 mounted about -4 cm from true center, and it felt slightly more forgiving while definitely not totally changing the way the ski felt. Having some more tip in front of me at this mount point also made the shovels feel just a tiny bit more supportive.
Overall, this lightweight ski feels just fine making controlled turns down the fall line, but gets a little loose and wild when skied fast. I’d opt for something heavier and more directional particularly for firm bumps.
Luke Koppa: I got along quite well with the Revolt 104 in tighter terrain, but I agree with what Dylan said.
We’ve both been skiing the 188 cm length of the Revolt 104, and with it mounted on the recommended line, that means there’s a lot of ski behind your boots. Personally, this wasn’t a huge issue for me, and skiing the Revolt around -5 cm from true center did make it feel a bit more forgiving of backseat skiing. But as someone who typically likes skis in this class in the 184–190 cm range, the 188 cm Revolt 104 doesn’t feel like one that will always let me get away with sloppy backseat skiing.
That aside, the Revolt 104 caters to a pretty neutral stance in tight terrain. The upside to that is that the Revolt 104 is really predictable when I decide I want to try to gap a bump or two, since it feels balanced in the air and supportive on landings. It’s also quite easy to get its tails to release, even from a pretty centered stance. So if you like to slip and slide your way through bumps and trees, the Revolt 104 could be a good option for you. But if you’re a more directional skier who likes to drive the shovels of your skis up and over bumps, I doubt the Revolt 104 will feel like the best fit.
And while the Revolt 104 is far from the smoothest, most damp ski on the market (the 188 cm length weighs about 1985 g per ski), I think its suspension / damping feels pretty good for its weight. It doesn’t absorb every little bump, but it felt smooth enough for me to still ski pretty hard in firm bumps and steeps.
Groomers
Dylan Wood: Overall, this ski isn’t the most exciting on piste. It carves just fine on a soft groomer, and struggles to dig into ice.
On the Revolt 104, I didn’t feel inclined to arc big GS turns on piste. Instead, this ski was fun to ski more casually on groomers, with the main goal of finding rollers to tail drag and butter. It also skis switch very nicely, thanks to its centered mount point.
If having the most fun as possible on the groomers back to the lift is a priority for you, I’d opt for an all-mountain-freestyle ski that holds an edge better, like the Sego Big Horn 106 or Line Sir Francis Bacon.
Luke Koppa: Yep. Carving on the Revolt 104 is predictable, but not exhilarating. Its tapered tips don’t offer a whole lot of engagement on piste, and combined with the centered stance it encourages, that makes the Revolt 104 happier to casually carve turns at moderate edge angles, rather than really laying it over and bending it into tighter turns.
I think this ski’s edge hold is pretty good, especially given how deep its rocker lines are. But I think Dylan put it nicely: the Revolt 104 is for those who think more about the rollers and side hits on the edges of the groomers, rather than the hard carves they could make down the middle.
Park & Freestyle
Dylan Wood: After skiing both rails and medium to large jumps on this ski, I believe it would make for a good, wider park ski. Its low weight makes spinning and flipping pretty easy, and its centered mount point also makes landing and taking off switch feel natural.
Those who like to take a slower, more creative approach to the park will appreciate the Revolt 104’s relatively soft-feeling (but consistent) flex pattern and deeper rocker lines. While it is no Line Blend, the Revolt 104 can definitely be buttered and pressed around the park.
I’d say the Revolt 104’s biggest weakness in the park would be large jumps. This ski does not feel very stiff, doesn’t have much camber, and has plenty of rocker. Consequently, it doesn’t provide the most supportive platform for landing big tricks on firm park jumps. And when I was trying to spin past 540°, I also found it a bit more difficult to lock onto the short effective edge of the Revolt 104 upon landing.
As a park ski, the Revolt 104 sits around the middle of the pack when compared to other all-mountain-freestyle skis of this width. Not the absolute softest or most playful, but also more fun at slower speeds than stiffer, more directional options.
While it wouldn’t be my top pick for frequent laps through really firm park jumps, the Revolt 104 is a blast when the snow is at all soft, and overall performs well in the park for a ski of this width.
Luke Koppa: Overall, I’d say the Revolt 104 is a very playful ski. It’s not as soft or generally as fun at slow speeds as the standouts in this category (K2 Reckoner 102 & Line Sir Francis Bacon), but the Revolt 104 feels more fun and happier to mess around compared to stiffer, more directional skis like the Whitedot Altum 104 and Moment Wildcat 108.
Mounted on its recommended line, the Revolt 104 feels very balanced, it skis switch very well, and that long tail provides nice support on landings (though I agree a less rockered, less tapered ski would be better for really firm landings).
The Revolt 104 is also very easy to slash around, and is less prone to catching an edge on an under- or over-rotated landing than most of those less rockered, less tapered skis that are better on firm conditions.
Mount Point
Dylan Wood: As I mentioned, Luke and I experimented quite a bit with mount point on the Revolt 104. The conclusion I’ve come to is that changing the mount point on this ski doesn’t change the nature of the ski enough for me to justify straying from that -1.75 mount point (at least for my skiing style).
The only change in mount point that I could personally justify would be mounting the Revolt 104 at true center. Now, I would only do this if I skied backward a lot (like, close to half the time), and planned on taking plenty of park laps on the Revolt 104. Trying these skis center-mounted did result in a noticeable improvement in switch-skiing performance and an even more balanced feel in the air, especially when flipping and spinning. Moving the mount point forward also didn’t really change how the ski felt to me outside of the park in moguls, trees, and on groomers.
Given that, I would recommend that most people just mount these at the recommended mount point, unless you’re someone who is already skiing a lot of your skis mounted true-center. In that case, I’d go for it if you’re gonna ski switch, spin, and flip often.
Luke Koppa: I never skied the Revolt 104 with the bindings even closer to center than its recommended line, but I did ski it around -4 and -5 cm from true center. And I agree with Dylan in that moving the bindings back does not significantly change the overall ride of the ski. Moving the bindings back a few cm does make the Revolt 104 feel a bit more forgiving if you get backseat in bumps, but I didn’t notice a significant change in terms of how hard I could drive its shovels.
Personally, I wouldn’t center-mount the Revolt 104 since I spend the majority of my time skiing with my tips pointed downhill, rather than up it. And with my aggressively mediocre freestyle skills, I don’t think I’d notice a significant difference in how balanced it feels in the air (it’s already great in that regard on the recommended line). For all-mountain freestyle skis that don’t have truly symmetrical designs, I think most people will be best off not mounting dead-center because that typically puts you ahead of the center of sidecut and / or center of camber, but to each their own.
Length
Luke Koppa: We’ve only skied the 188 cm Revolt 104, but this is one ski where I’d personally be tempted to size down (I felt a bit caught between sizes when looking at the 180 cm and 188 cm Revolt 104).
This is mostly because of the centered stance the Revolt 104 encourages. Since I’m not really able to lay into the shovels of the Revolt 104, I don’t feel like the extra tip (and extra tail) of the 188 cm length is helping a whole lot in terms of high-speed stability. Given that, I think I might prefer having a shorter length that’s a bit more forgiving in bumps, lighter in the air, and likely even easier to bend and press at slower speeds.
Who’s It For?
Dylan Wood: Beginner to Expert skiers whose home mountains often have soft snow with plenty of side hits, and who come from a playful, freestyle-oriented background.
Those who like a damp, stable ski that can be driven through the shovels will not find what they’re looking for in the Revolt 104. While it can be skied hard in soft conditions, it cannot charge through heavy chop and firm moguls like other heavier, stiffer skis (especially those with less centered mount points).
However, skiers who like to spin off every feature they encounter will appreciate the lightweight, balanced feel of the Revolt 104. Those who love to mess around at slower speeds will also enjoy the easy-to-flex tips and tails of this ski. If you lap through the park often or might session a jump on a pow day trying new tricks, the Revolt 104 offers a lot to like.
Luke Koppa: Yep, this is a freestyle ski that’s best suited for freestyle skiers. While several of the skis in the All-Mountain Freestyle section of our Winter Buyer’s Guide will cater quite well to a more directional, forward stance, the Revolt 104 is not the best choice if that’s a priority for you.
But if you spend most of your time on skis that are mounted close to center, you like a surfy ski that’s fairly easy to bend, and you don’t want a complete noodle that falls apart in soft chop, the Revolt 104 deserves a good look.
Bottom Line
In the end, the Volkl Revolt 104 really does feel like it was designed with a lot of input from pro freestyle skiers. It’s a ski that feels very balanced, and that suits the skiing style of folks who have spent many days lapping their local park. And for those people, it’s also a very capable all-mountain ski, provided that you’re not looking for the most stable ski out there for charging through chop and crud. While there are other skis that stand out more in specific regards like carving, butters, or high-speed composure, the Revolt 104 is one that predictably handles most conditions and terrain. And for freestyle-oriented skiers seeking a reliable all-mountain ski, the overall versatility of the Revolt 104 could make it a solid choice.
Deep Dive Comparisons
Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the Revolt 104 to see how it compares to the K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Dynastar Menace 98, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Prior Northwest 100, Whitedot Altum 104, Moment Wildcat 108, Sego Big Horn 106, Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred, Black Crows Atris, Dynastar M-Free 108, and ON3P Jeffrey 108.
Looking forward to the nosebutter and tailbutter report! Ride ‘em like a park ski
The geometry and sidecut are very similar to our Primary 104. It’ll be interesting to hear how those deep rocker lines ski and fit into the Revolt 104’s overall personality.
I will be interested to know if it skis short? This may depending on what style of skiing you have in mind?
This description sounds like a stable freestyle ski, similar to a 2017 Salomon Rocker2 100.
I like the ski but want to move mount point back as much as possible 3-5 cms.
Any input appreciated
I am also curious about “extreme mount point variations” on this ski. It would seem that a ski with this much taper (tip width-tail width) should ski well with a more rearward mount point? I am pretty optimistic about the build/shape going on here.
We’ll definitely be trying it at a few different mount points as we spend more time on it; that’s something I’m eager to test.
Great feedback on mount point. Excellent review. On another note: I am the same size as you, Luke. At some point, do you ever find yourself wondering, “is the biggest ski in the lineup the best size for me to be demoing?”.
I was definitely split on whether we should review the 180 cm or 188 cm length for this particular ski. We opted for the 188 mostly because of its deep rocker lines and low weight, since I worried they’d make the 180 cm feel too short / unstable for my preferences. My personal sweet spot for skis in this category tends to be around 183–187 cm and those are the lengths we typically have for other similar skis, so the 188 seemed like it’d make more sense and make for a more accurate comparison to the other skis we have and which lengths we have them in.
Hey Luke,
Were you guys given a pre-production version? Wondering because the company’s posted weight and Evo’s chart appear to offer a ski a full 200 grams heavier per ski. This is important to know when deciding witch binding to match up regarding overall weight. I am thinking of utilizing this ski in a short 172 in order to raise my game(and thereby improve my skiing overall) in the double black tight trees.
As far as we know (i.e., from what Volkl told us), our pair is a production pair and reflects the weight you should expect of production pairs.
Such a fun ski!
Do you guys knbow the wood type used in its core?
We never got clarification on that, but I’d be willing to bet that it’s poplar through most of the core and beech around the bindings, given that that’s the combo they use on many of their other skis.
I’m wondering what this ski is like compared to the Moment Wildcat 101, ON3P Woodsman 102, and the Fischer Ranger 102FR. Are you planning on reviewing the slimmer Wildcat and Woodsman?
Regarding the Ranger 102: the two feel very different. The Ranger 102 is far more accepting of a forward, driving-the-shovels stance, it carves much better, and it’s notably more stable overall. The Revolt, on the other hand, feels much easier to bend, it’s easier to slash / slide around, and feels more balanced in the air and when skiing switch. So if general playfulness is a priority, I’d lean Revolt 104. If you’re a directional skier who wants to be able to ski with a directional, forward-stance style when needed, you like to carve hard, and / or you care more about stability at speed than low-speed playfulness, the Ranger 102 is a much better choice.
As for the Wildcat 101, we haven’t yet been able to ski it, but I think it’s pretty safe to assume that what I said about the Wildcat 108 in the Deep Dive will apply to the Wildcat 101, given the similarities those skis share on paper, and my experiences with the Moment PB&J.
As for the Woodsman 102, I’m confident it will feel much more directional than the Revolt (let you drive it through the shovels much harder), and will likely be notably more stable overall. I think the Revolt will feel better and more balanced when skiing switch and in the air, while I’m guessing the two will feel similarly maneuverable. But I think the decision there would mostly come down to skiing stance.
We’re hoping to review both of those skis at some point this year, but haven’t been able to do so as of right now. If / when we get them, we’ll post First Looks ASAP.
Hey!
How would you compare this ski to a new prodigy 2.0 or 3.0 ? In terms of fun/playful/flex, park abilities and all mountain shred ?
Which one would you choose to be the more fun to skis ?
Thanks
How would you compare the volkl revolt 104 180cm to the Santa ana free 110 177cm. I’m 175 cm but light for my height, 63kg. I ski quite hard and enjoy charging through crud. But I also love to play and freestyle off drops and kickers. I want a ski that can enjoy powder days and also freestyle. How do you think these compare?