Volkl 100eight Review

This is my review of 100eight from Volkl. In my opinion, it is an agile ski that gives you solid floatation and control but lacks liveliness.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.

Quick Summary

• Where to buy: Amazon
• Best for: Downhill skiers who enjoy getting out into powder conditions. A great option for tight conditions like moguls and trees as well.
• Pros: Stable and easy to control. Maneuverable and agile. Lightweight design. The ski also has good edge hold, is fun to ride, and comes with a sintered, absorbent base. Great for powder or soft snow conditions.
• Cons: Could be much more lively. Can suffer a bit in heavy chop. Not the most playful option either.
• Alternatives: Nordica Enforcer 94, Rossignol Soul 7, Volkl M5 Mantra

Why Trust Me

I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I spent ample time researching these skis by breaking down their characteristics, talking to people who used them across various conditions, and analyzing how they held up through multiple environments.

Detailed Review of Volkl 100eight

The 100eight is a consistent ski that offers its user smooth, agile performance. It does a great job when speeding downhill, but it’s light enough to be a reliable touring option as well. Those who want something they can take out to different parts of the mountain will enjoy the 100eight’s ability to handle chop, crud, and powder. Even if the ski isn’t the most fun model, there’s enough going for the design that you can use it as a true 50/50.

Hard Snow and Crud

As it’s a lighter ski, it’s easy to assume that the 100eight won’t hold up in chop or crud. However, that could not be further from the truth. Despite its thin construction, the model does a great job when smashing through mixed-conditions. It won’t give you the same aspects as you’d get from a true buster, but it still has a surprising amount of power and force that you won’t find in similarly light options.

The ski’s long effective edge helps it in such scenarios. The sidecut matches the rocker well, and the entire ski engages the snow when tipped on edge. As such, you won’t experience any real issues when mixing it up between soft and hard snow. It’s relatively stable over such terrain, even if it’s not the best option for deep, heavy chop. That makes it a good pick for going outside the resort.

Powder

This ski also does well in powder, which is a nod to its inherent adaptiveness. This an option you can use both on and off-piste with little issue, mainly thanks to the lighter build. Though there are skis with more tip out there, this model has a surprising amount of float thanks to the ample rocker. It does a great job in deep powder and has what it takes to glide over light, fresh snow easily.
This is another area where agility comes into play. The ski lets you quickly zip and pivot around shallow powder, which offers quite a bit of fun. Even if they aren’t as playful or as surfy as more specific powder options, they do a nice job under light and tough conditions. That’s a blessing for those who love fresh snow.

Stability

The 100eight is a stable ski. The model does a good job when you’re moving at both a slow and fast pace, doing everything it can to actively reduce chatter and up control. The innovative 3D glass/3D ridge construction puts denser, more active materials beneath the binding and through the center of the ski. That not only leads to better power transfer, but it also ensures you get a smooth ride both on and off-piste.

Bumps and Touring

One of the best parts of the 100eight is its light, agile design. It turns quickly and enables you to move around with total control quickly. That makes it an excellent option for people who enjoy getting out in moguls and trees. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time in those regions, this is a great pick.

Something particularly great about the way the Volkl 100eight handles in these categories is that it does quite well at higher speeds. You don’t lose any stability and can spin to your heart’s content. Not only does the control make it great off-piste, but the lightweight design helps it tour as well. This is not a true touring ski, but you can bring it just about anywhere and have a great time.

Price and Value

In terms of price point, the 100eight sits right in the middle. It’s not a real budget option, but it also won’t cost you nearly as much as premium models. In that way, it’s a pretty good value ski. You get a lot of versatility for the price, something I always value when breaking down cost, and the construction will definitely hold up. The model also has a 1-year warranty, which is never a bad thing in this category.

What I Like

The best part about these skis is how easily they work both in and out of bounds. Rather than locking you into one skiing style, as so many current models do, they come with 50/50 functionality. That means they are light enough to be used while touring and sturdy enough to be used in bounds without any issues. Add that they can be used in different environments, and you get adaptability I genuinely appreciate.

I also am a big fan of the 100eight’s agility. Not all skis can give you great control when you’re in the bumps and trees, but these handle exceptionally well. They’re responsive and come with a moderate taper that gives you the ability to quickly and easily change directions. I also enjoy the 3D ridge technology Volkl uses because it creates a smoother flex and greatly enhances agility.

What I Dislike

There isn’t much to dislike about this ski, but if I had to pick one weak point, it doesn’t have any traits that stand out. The versatility is a big plus, but it’s also a drawback. That’s because the skis aren’t going to blow the doors off in any one way. They do everything well, but nothing great. That’s undoubtedly going to rub some people the wrong way. This is not the pick for specialized riders or those who want a premium option.

The Alternatives

The 100eight is one of many well-rounded all-mountain style skis on today’s market. It holds its own, but the following choices also give you a similar feel if you want to branch out:

• Nordica Enforcer 94 – The Enforcer 94 is a strong all-mountain ski for seasoned intermediate or expert skiers. This well-rounded design is both sturdy and fun. It has a lot of durability as well. Though it’s not the best powder option out there, you’re going to get a lot of longevity and strength from what is an attractive, slick design.
• Rossignol Soul 7 – The Soul 7 (review) is a floaty ski that does well on powder, thanks to the special rocker. You get a lot of control in deep snow, and a lightweight, playful feel through Rossignol’s special Air Tip technology. This ski is easy to steer, simple to control and has a lightweight build that can still stand up to the elements.
• Volkl M5 Mantra – Another adaptable Volkl offering, the M5 Mantra (review) is a sturdy ski for all-mountain hard-chargers. Though this pair requires a strong pilot to work properly, and while it’s not playful, it has a lot of versatility and comes with a stiff, stable build that will give you good results when you’re pushing downhill.

Final Verdict

If you want a versatile ski that values stability and lightweight construction, the 100eight is worth a long look. It cuts down on weight without losing any power. That means it does an excellent job as both a resort and a touring option.

You can use it as a more specialized ski, but it also has a lot of functionality across many different terrain and weather conditions. While it doesn’t excel in any one way, the different traits make it fun to take into powder and crud.