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PTO Review
We know them. Here's how they stack up.
These skis span 2 categories (Carving, All-Mountain Freestyle). Scores reflect each ski's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
Octo — groomer-day skiers who would rather carry a light, lively 84mm carver than a heavy full-metal frontside ski; intermediates still hunting their first clean carve, with a flex that lets them find it at moderate speed; and skiers who count turns rather than miles per hour.. Bent 100 — intermediate and better skiers who value a light, quick, playful ride and drive the ski with finesse rather than muscle.. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all skis on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | Octo | Bent 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 8🏆 | 6 |
| Park | 2 | 7🏆 |
| Playfulness | 8 | 9🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 7 | 8🏆 |
| Stability | 5🏆 | 5🏆 |
| Powder | 2 | 6🏆 |
Groomer-day skiers who would rather carry a light, lively 84mm carver than a heavy full-metal frontside ski; intermediates still hunting their first clean carve, with a flex that lets them find it at moderate speed; and skiers who count turns rather than miles per hour. The Octo rewards rhythm over raw pace - and the swallowtail, stub-nose look stands out on the rack.
Skiers who need maximum grip on boilerplate: the official materials list names no metal beyond the tail insert, and full-metal frontside skis stay calmer and bite harder on genuinely icy snow. High-speed GS-style chargers: the flex is on the softer side, the radius is short, and the top end arrives early - shoppers who want race performance should buy a race carver. Anyone planning to spend real time off the groomers: that buyer belongs in a freeride line, and even off-piste dabbling officially goes to the Serpo - at 84mm the Octo stays on or beside the piste. And skiers who want a damp, planted, quiet tail: the swallowtail's lively early release is a character trait, not a comfort feature.
Intermediate and better skiers who value a light, quick, playful ride and drive the ski with finesse rather than muscle. It rewards people who like to press, slash and ride switch, plus lighter or less aggressive skiers who do not want to fight a heavy ski, and anyone after one do-it-all ski that still floats on a soft day. It also makes a light resort-to-sidecountry option.
Skiers who want a metal ski's hard-snow bite and race-like precision: with a light woodcore and no metal laminate, the Bent 100 handles a groomer but will not match a metal ski's edge hold on firm snow or feel as locked-in on ice. Heavier, aggressive skiers who charge through cut-up crud will feel the light build deflect - a metal all-mountain ski like the Nordica Enforcer 100 tracks that line better. True beginners should skip it too; independent reviews place it at intermediate and up. And if deep powder is the priority, the wider Bent 110 or Chetler 120 is the better tool.
Octo is best for groomer-day skiers who would rather carry a light, lively 84mm carver than a heavy full-metal frontside ski; intermediates still hunting their first clean carve, with a flex that lets them find it at moderate speed; and skiers who count turns rather than miles per hour. Bent 100 is best for intermediate and better skiers who value a light, quick, playful ride and drive the ski with finesse rather than muscle. The right choice depends on your terrain, ability, and riding style.
Black Crows Octo has the highest Stability score in this comparison at 5/10. That score compares composure; it does not by itself mean the product is the most versatile choice.
Black Crows Octo leads Carving in this comparison with a PTO score of 8/10.
Atomic Bent 100 has the highest Forgiveness score here at 8/10. Forgiveness is one factor in progression, not a claim that every beginner should choose it.
Not sure? Ask us.
