Expert Review: Moment Wildcat 108
Photo courtesy of Robbie M.
About this review This review is my own honest opinion of the skis, which I bought with my own money in December 2020. I was not paid by the manufacturer to write this review.
My take
The Moment Wildcat 108s are a fat all-mountain freestyle ski for advanced-to-expert skiers looking for a wide ski that can charge and play at the same time. The ‘cats can blow through variable snow at mach speeds but pivot and smear on a dime due to their mustache rocker.
Photos courtesy of Robbie M.
About Me
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Model: 2021 Moment Wildcat 108
- Size: 190 cm
- Boots: Tecnica Mach 90 Flex
- Boot Size: 28.5
- Bindings: Salomon STH2 WTR
- Experience: 10 years
Test Conditions
- When I bought these: December 2020
- Days tested: 5
- Where I’ve used it: Minnesota, Big Sky Montana
- Terrain: Groomers, 5-9” of fresh snow, chop
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking for a stiffer freestyle ski that I could push hard through variable snow and stomp bigger landings off of natural features. Coming from the Line Sir Francis Bacons and Sakanas, I wanted a ski that could still slash sideways to scrub speed but also blast through crud, something the Line skis weren’t designed to do.
Why I chose this gear
After speaking directly with the people at Moment Skis and doing a little more research about the largest ski brand in the US making skis in its own US-based factory, I was sold. They source top-quality materials for their skis and make them incredibly durable. Being heavily rockered, the Wildcat 108s are able to pivot sideways when needed, but the carbon/fiberglass layup mixed with aspen/ash core can tear through variable snow conditions without bucking me around.
Photo courtesy of Robbie M.
What I love about it
- Speed: I’ve yet to find a speed limit on these skis; the well-built layup keeps me stable even when I’m warping into another dimension. One thing to note is because of the large turn radius, these skis don’t do much turning below 20mph.
- Edge hold: For 108mm underfoot, these skis actually hold a pretty good edge because of their full length sidewalls and thick edges. However, with their large waist, these skis don’t do great on ice.
- Turns: The Wildcat 108s feel very comfortable making big GS (giant slalom) turns. At the 190cm length, the 25m turn radius is quite large but feels very comfortable at high speeds.
- Groomers: This ski is a ton of fun on steeper and faster groomers where you have the ability to make long turns.
- Powder: The Wildcat 108 is a good ski for “resort powder” due to its wider waist and “mustache” rocker.
- Trees: The deep rocker lines on the ski make it very easy to pivot and turn in tight terrain.
- Durability: Moment takes pride in using top materials in their skis. These skis will last me a long time.
- Weight: For a 190cm, 108mm waisted ski the Wildcat 108 doesn’t feel too heavy at 2100g per ski. Less material in the tips keeps swing weight down.
- Switch riding: Deep rocker lines on both ends of the ski means you can ski it backwards and forwards.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Moguls: Depending on how you ski moguls, the Wildcat 108s can be your best friend or worst enemy. In soft moguls I can straightline or jump bumps and have a great time! But icy or deep moguls won’t be your friend especially if you go with a size-up.
- Park: You can take the Wildcat 108 into the park and stomp big jumps because of its twin tip rocker, but you won’t necessarily want to hit rails with these big sticks. Rails aren’t the most enjoyable experience unless you severely de-tune the razor sharp edges
- Backcountry: The Wildcat 108 is not a touring ski. Moment does make a touring version of it, the Moment Wildcat Tour 108s.
Favorite moment with this gear
My favorite moment so far skiing the Moment Wildcat 108s was out in Big Sky Montana after a 9” storm. I blasted down a bump run at full speed and never once felt like I was out of control. The Wildcat 108s were stiff enough to prevent me from getting knocked around, while the rocker profile allowed me to make slashes whenever I needed to slow down or wanted to spray myself with snow. Later that day I took them down Lenin in 2’ of fresh snow and could not have been more happy with the larger GS turns I was making down the steep face of the slope.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Wildcat 108s are on the higher end of price at $759, but I resonate with how one reviewer put it on their website, “Skis like these are an investment and should last for years.” I also appreciated being able to support a US small business, founded by a couple dudes who love to ski.
Final verdict
The Moment Wildcat 108 skis are for advanced-to-expert skiers looking for a stiff freestyle ski that can burn through chop and turn the mountain into a playground.
