Review: Atomic Bent 100 Skis · 2024
Published on 11/25/2023 · 3 min readCurated Expert, Jake Renner, has tested this product to give you their unbiased, definitive take.By Curated Experts
Jake Renner and Ryan DiFloures
13 photos
The Curated Take
4.6/5
The Atomic Bent 100 skis make a good choice for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski. They excel in soft snow and off-piste conditions. With a 100mm waist, they offer decent flotation in powder, while their rockered tip and tail enhance maneuverability and make them easy to initiate turns. These skis are not specifically designed for carving groomers, but they still perform well in firmer snow conditions. They are particularly suitable for those who enjoy freestyle skiing and exploring the mountain. However, they may not be as stable on hardpacked terrain compared to traditional all-mountain skis.
Ideal for
- Relatively light swing weight with a well-balanced flex rating
- Can handle a wide array of terrain and snow conditions
Not ideal for
- Does not offer as quick of a turn radius as a narrower ski
Flotation
With a waist width of 100mm, the Bent Chetler 100 skis provide a decent bit of floatation in powder and soft snow. Their HRZN tech rockered tip and tail enhance...Read more
These skis are not the best at floating through powder, because they are only 100mm at the waist. But for a ski this size, it doesn't get much better than...Read more
Carving
While the Bent Chetler 100 skis excel in soft snow and off-piste conditions, they offer a different level of carving performance and edge hold than traditional all-mountain skis on hard-packed...Read more
Seeing that this ski is 100mm at the waist, they are extremely good at carving. A lot of people have a belief that a ski with this size of a...Read more
Playfulness
The Bent Chetler 100 skis have a playful and responsive feel, making them ideal for skiers who enjoy exploring the mountain, hitting natural features, and engaging in freestyle skiing. They...Read more
Out of all the skis I have owned or tested in the past, these Atomic Bents are definitely up toward the top of the list when it comes to playfulness....Read more
Turn Ease
HRZN tip and tail tech allow ease of turn initiation if someone is in ungroomed terrain and fresh powder with a pivoting motion. However, at 100mm underfoot, if they find...Read more
The Atomic Bent Chetlers are some of the easiest skis to put up on edge that I have ever used before. The ski does all the work — there is...Read more
Versatility
Overall, the Atomic Bent Chetler 100 skis are a solid choice for skiers seeking a somewhat playful and versatile ski that performs well in powder and soft snow. Their freestyle-oriented...Read more
For a ski that is extremely versatile, look no further than the Atomic Bent Chetler. With the 100mm at the waist, these skis can pretty much handle anything in the...Read more
High Speed Stability
The Bent 100s are slightly above average for high-speed stability, offering a relatively medium to firm flex rating. Camber underfoot allows for even weight distribution, a touch of pop, and...Read more
The Atomic Bent Chetlers do not have any metal in them, but that does not mean that they are not stable when flying down the mountain. These skis are overall...Read more
Durability
Although there is no metal in the core of this ski, it remains well balanced with its flex rating, offering a well-built companion to explore the mountains with. Although the...Read more
The durability on these skis is definitely top of the line when it comes to this style of skis. I have skied a lot of skis in which, after a...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Jake Renner
About the ski gear
- Model: Atomic Bent 100 Skis · 2024
Test conditions
- When I skied these: March 2023
- Days tested: 2
- Where I’ve used it: Aspen Snowmass, Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Terrain: Trees, moguls, light powder, groomers, ungroomed terrain
- How many times I've used it: 3
Expert Reviews of the Atomic Bent 100 Skis
Ryan DiFloures This ski is probably my favorite ski that I have ever owned. The amount of playfulness that this ski provides is insane. I can be ripping through bumps and trees and just throw the ski wherever I want it to go. The camber of the ski is one of the reasons it is so playful. Although this ski is so good in the bumps, I think it can handle groomers just as well. For a ski that is 100 underfoot, it is extremely easy to get up on edge and lay some huge carves. For a ski that can take off huge cliffs on one run and then lay some carves on a groomer the next, this is perfect.
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Flotation
4/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. With a waist width of 100mm, the Bent Chetler 100 skis provide a decent bit of floatation in powder and soft snow. Their HRZN tech rockered tip and tail enhance their ability to maneuver in deep snow, making it easy to initiate turns. While not designed for carving on groomed runs, they still offer decent edge hold and stability when skiing in firmer snow conditions. Suppose someone plans to ski powder deeper than about 10-12". In that case, I recommend bumping up their underfoot width to the Bent 110s or 120s, as this would provide more float and better powder performance than their "little brother."
Ryan DiFloures gave 4 of 5 stars. These skis are not the best at floating through powder, because they are only 100mm at the waist. But for a ski this size, it doesn't get much better than the Atomic Bent Chetlers. These skis handle powder that is medium depth well — it only struggles once the snow gets extremely deep.
Carving
4/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. While the Bent Chetler 100 skis excel in soft snow and off-piste conditions, they offer a different level of carving performance and edge hold than traditional all-mountain skis on hard-packed or icy terrain. If one's primary focus is carving on groomed runs, other options may be better suited to those conditions with a narrower underfoot width and tighter turn radius.
Ryan DiFloures gave 4 of 5 stars. Seeing that this ski is 100mm at the waist, they are extremely good at carving. A lot of people have a belief that a ski with this size of a waist will not be good at carving, but the technology in this ski couldn’t make that belief more wrong. Just lean into the ski and it takes off. It is definitely not as good at carving as a carving-specific ski, but that is to be expected.
Playfulness
5/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. The Bent Chetler 100 skis have a playful and responsive feel, making them ideal for skiers who enjoy exploring the mountain, hitting natural features, and engaging in freestyle skiing. They are designed to handle jumps, spins, and tricks, providing a forgiving platform for aerial maneuvers without jeopardizing their performance off-piste. Their 7/10 flex rating keeps this ski feeling a bit firmer than other freestyle skis, thus giving them a slightly more playful feel than the average all-mountain ski without feeling like noodles if someone leans into the tips or tails.
Ryan DiFloures gave 5 of 5 stars. Out of all the skis I have owned or tested in the past, these Atomic Bents are definitely up toward the top of the list when it comes to playfulness. When I am flying through bumps I can bounce the ski all around. It is also extremely playful when hitting side hits on the side of the trail.
Turn Ease
5/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. HRZN tip and tail tech allow ease of turn initiation if someone is in ungroomed terrain and fresh powder with a pivoting motion. However, at 100mm underfoot, if they find themselves on hardpacked snow or groomers, they cannot access the tighter turn radius and sidecut of a narrower ski. The Bent 100s receive a slightly above-average rating for turn ease due to their off-piste performance and turning.
Ryan DiFloures gave 5 of 5 stars. The Atomic Bent Chetlers are some of the easiest skis to put up on edge that I have ever used before. The ski does all the work — there is no need to force it to go in any direction. Just put your weight on the downhill ski, and it will automatically turn.
Versatility
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. Overall, the Atomic Bent Chetler 100 skis are a solid choice for skiers seeking a somewhat playful and versatile ski that performs well in powder and soft snow. Their freestyle-oriented design and maneuverability make them great for skiers exploring the mountain, hitting natural features, and adding a creative touch to their skiing experience. Versatility is a 5/5 for the Bent 100 as they are much more encompassing than the average all-mountain ski.
Ryan DiFloures gave 5 of 5 stars. For a ski that is extremely versatile, look no further than the Atomic Bent Chetler. With the 100mm at the waist, these skis can pretty much handle anything in the mountain. One lap I can be ripping huge cliffs in the side country and next I can be carving down some groomers. They can also handle the park quite well.
High Speed Stability
4/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. The Bent 100s are slightly above average for high-speed stability, offering a relatively medium to firm flex rating. Camber underfoot allows for even weight distribution, a touch of pop, and decent edge control. There is slight movement in the nose at super high speeds on hard-packed snow and ice, but not much. A ski with some titanal metal in the core would offer a bit more dampness and less movement. Still, it would feel heavier and less forgiving when jumping.
Ryan DiFloures gave 4 of 5 stars. The Atomic Bent Chetlers do not have any metal in them, but that does not mean that they are not stable when flying down the mountain. These skis are overall great at handling high speeds, especially when off trail. Since they do not have any metal in them, they do chatter slightly on groomers when going fast, but it isn’t scary chatter.
Durability
5/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. Although there is no metal in the core of this ski, it remains well balanced with its flex rating, offering a well-built companion to explore the mountains with. Although the lightweight core is sandwiched between layers of carbon and epoxy, it provides maneuverability and a bit of pop underfoot while remaining intact, even after heavy use. Sliding and grinding rails are my one concern with this ski, as the edging may crack and become damaged before the rest of the ski is compromised.
Ryan DiFloures gave 5 of 5 stars. The durability on these skis is definitely top of the line when it comes to this style of skis. I have skied a lot of skis in which, after a little while, the top sheet starts to chip and peel. But that does not happen with the Bent Chetlers. The bases are also plenty durable. I have cranked rocks, and I did not get any core shots, just little scratches.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Jake Renner I enjoy how versatile and nimble the Bent 100s are. They hold up well at higher speeds, offer a bit more flotation than narrower options, and are forgiving enough to hit jumps with. The HRZN tip and tail tech allows for ease of pivoting in ungroomed terrain and powder while still getting up on edge and holding their carves if I'm on some hard-packed or groomed snow. Ultimately, they're a freeride tool with a nod toward their freestyle roots.
Ryan DiFloures I love how playful this ski is and that I can throw anything its way.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jake Renner My favorite moment on the Atomic Bent 100s was when my buddy Hayden and I got to wake up to some fresh snow and test them out in about 6-9" of new snow. We skied the burn cliffs at Snowmass and lapped up as much fresh powder as possible. Testing them out in our lighter champagne powder here in Aspen was such a blast. We could not have had better conditions. This year, we used a selfie stick and GoPro 360 Max, so Hayden and I hooted and hollered, bopping over stumps and bumps, skiing neck and neck to try and double the shots our editing team could use. I had a blast on these skis and would ski on them again if given the chance.
Ryan DiFloures My favorite moment with this ski was when I hit a 30-foot cliff with them at Copper Mountain.
Why did you choose this product?
Jake Renner The Atomic Bent 100s are a versatile freeride ski that moved away from the pure freestyle performance ski known as the Punx (they were my favorite park ski). I rode on Atomic for many years and had been bitter to see the Punx removed from their lineup. That said, I gave the new and improved Bent Chetler models a go, and I'm glad I did.
Out West, we frequently see fresh snow, and ski less than 100mm underfoot doesn't offer quite the performance one needs on those snowy days. The Bent 100 provides me with float without sacrificing their performance on jumps in the park. Although the Bent 100s are not quite as forgiving or playful as a traditional freestyle twin tip, they offer more stability in choppy terrain and at higher speeds and the float I need for a daily driver in the Rockies. All in all, I had to bump up my underfoot width to get into the terrain I wanted to ski, and the Bent 100s provided that solution.
Ryan DiFloures I chose this product because I wanted a very playful ski that could aslo handle groomers well.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Jake Renner Atomic offers a two-year manufacturer's warranty for all their skis, ensuring they will be defects-free. A relatively medium to slightly more firm flex rating combined with layers of carbon laminates and wood in the core keeps this ski relatively stable and well-built. The longevity and durability of this ski play into its value.
I think the Bent 100 is worth the money relative to its competitors; its versatility and performance on the downhill allow it to shine while the solid build and construction keep it intact for seasons to come. It is just playful enough for freestyle and freeride skiing as there is no metal in the core build, and without cutting corners in the construction process, the Bent 100 retains its value longer than other freestyle skis.
Ryan DiFloures The price of the Atomic Bent is around the same as other top of the line skis but definitely outperforms a lot of them.
Jake Renner
Ski ExpertRyan DiFloures
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