Loading...
Loading...
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.
KS-XX — the advanced hard-snow carver whose default turn is already medium or long, who buys on edge grip before anything else, and who wants a ski that rewards technique rather than one that flatters it.. 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 | KS-XX | Bent 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 9🏆 | 6 |
| Park | 1 | 7🏆 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 9🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 3 | 8🏆 |
| Stability | 9🏆 | 5 |
| Powder | 1 | 6🏆 |
The advanced hard-snow carver whose default turn is already medium or long, who buys on edge grip before anything else, and who wants a ski that rewards technique rather than one that flatters it. Also the skier who specifically wants the XX Collection build — bamboo and beech, the A7178 sheet, the 30th-anniversary KEO'S engraving — and accepts a narrow, heavy, expensive ski to get it.
Short-radius and slalom-style skiers: even the 162 turns at 14.7 m, and OGASAKA draws the KS-CX (9.5-12.5 m), the KS-CV, the KS-AP2 and the TC-S for that turn instead. Anyone who wants an easy day — the tester who rode this and the U-XX back to back said plainly that for easy skiing you take the U-XX, and flat it costs the same. Soft snow, powder, anything off the groomed: at 68 mm with a hard-snow brief, that was never the job. Skiers with less leg strength: OGASAKA builds the KS-CX for exactly them, no metal, 788 g/m, $820 flat. Budget shoppers too — this is the dearest KEO'S by a wide margin. And anyone who needs a length other than 177: this listing is the 177 on the SRED plate.
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.
KS-XX is best for the advanced hard-snow carver whose default turn is already medium or long, who buys on edge grip before anything else, and who wants a ski that rewards technique rather than one that flatters it. 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.
OGASAKA KS-XX has the highest Stability score in this comparison at 9/10. That score compares composure; it does not by itself mean the product is the most versatile choice.
OGASAKA KS-XX leads Carving in this comparison with a PTO score of 9/10.
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.
