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June, 2025

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Automatic 109 or Rocker2 108?

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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
Want a second pair of skis that will work in fresh snow (but not necessarily looking for a true powder ski) that I can also charge hard on on both sides of the mountain. Both get universally strong reviews, but a couple things I've seen concern me:

Read the Automatic isn't great for heavier guys. I'm 6'3" 215. I'd get the 190, but seeing that worried me a bit.

Rocker2 has more rocker and have read the edges and tails sometimes don't grab well. I'm not too terribly concerned about this, bc my current skis are mounted very close to center, so I am used to skiing that type of ski. Also reports of it not turning well under speed and it's probably a little softer than the Atomic

I've gone back and forth on these. The Automatic is probably a better ski for me, though I do like the prospect of dual rocker of the Rocker2, and I already have Atomic Panics, which are probably not too dis-similar from the Automatics, so the Rocker2 would be a totally new experience.

Anyone have experience with either? I'd be willing to entertain the idea of other models, but I have an in at Atomic/Salomon, so my next pair will be one of those brands.
9 years ago
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skidemon22
Posts: 4464 - Karma: 2,049
this is probably a little skinnier than you were looking for, but the Rocker2 100 has full sidewalls, and is pretty stiff. I'm not sure about the 108s flex, but i do know that it is a cap/monocoque construction, not sidewall. I have the rocker2 100 in a 186 and the things are pretty beefy. just a though. but Cody Townsend does ski the 108 pretty hard and he seems to do all right...
9 years ago
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
skidemon22this is probably a little skinnier than you were looking for, but the Rocker2 100 has full sidewalls, and is pretty stiff. I'm not sure about the 108s flex, but i do know that it is a cap/monocoque construction, not sidewall. I have the rocker2 100 in a 186 and the things are pretty beefy. just a though. but Cody Townsend does ski the 108 pretty hard and he seems to do all right...


Good info. Thanks

I have skis that are 90mm underfoot, so I am looking in the 108-115 range. R2 108 190 is actually 111 underfoot
9 years ago
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ModMommy
Posts: 10877 - Karma: 58,295
Go with the Automatic.
Are you looking to do directional skiing with them?? What terrain are you skiing?

I've skied the Automatics and the rocker2 100- not quite the ski youre looking at.
9 years ago
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9777 - Karma: 66,132
skidemon22I'm not sure about the 108s flex, but i do know that it is a cap/monocoque construction, not sidewall.


why is this?
9 years ago
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skidemon22
Posts: 4464 - Karma: 2,049
Titsandwich11why is this?


thats a very good question. I'm guessing that they wanted more solid construction in the 100 so that it could handle park skiing and all mnt skiing better, where as the 108 is really meant for soft/ fresh snow outside of the park, and trees. the 100 is pretty burly too, and a but on the heavy side
9 years ago
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9777 - Karma: 66,132
skidemon22thats a very good question. I'm guessing that they wanted more solid construction in the 100 so that it could handle park skiing and all mnt skiing better, where as the 108 is really meant for soft/ fresh snow outside of the park, and trees. the 100 is pretty burly too, and a but on the heavy side


okay that was my guess too, thanks. my knee jerk reaction to full cap is a negative one, but that reasoning seems to make sense
9 years ago
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
safarisamGo with the Automatic.
Are you looking to do directional skiing with them?? What terrain are you skiing?

I've skied the Automatics and the rocker2 100- not quite the ski youre looking at.


Bumps, trees, natural hits, freestyle type skiing, but no park.

I rarely ski switch outside of park or off groomers, but I do like the ability too. I'm really fine either way.

Haven't seen much in the way of comparison of 100s and 108s, aside from 'they're wider underfoot'
9 years ago
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oxiclean
Posts: 615 - Karma: 693
I have the Rocker2 108 and they're pretty fun for slow to medium speed jibbing all around the mountain. At Higher speeds, They hold up pretty well, but at higher speeds they get just a little bit twitchy, but nothing bad. They are super fun off piste and in the trees and they ski powder good. I'm 6'2" 170lbs and ski maybe 20/20/60 park/groomers/off piste and I like them. I'd say if you're looking to do a good amount of switch skiing, get the rocker2, if not though it seems like the automatics are liked better for charging.
9 years ago
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
sagerobI have the Rocker2 108 and they're pretty fun for slow to medium speed jibbing all around the mountain. At Higher speeds, They hold up pretty well, but at higher speeds they get just a little bit twitchy, but nothing bad. They are super fun off piste and in the trees and they ski powder good. I'm 6'2" 170lbs and ski maybe 20/20/60 park/groomers/off piste and I like them. I'd say if you're looking to do a good amount of switch skiing, get the rocker2, if not though it seems like the automatics are liked better for charging.


Very helpful. sounds about like what I have read. If they handle high speeds even decently, that's good with me
9 years ago
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
Doing a bit more research, I think I am going to hold out until September and get the new Salomon QST 106s. Looks like the exact ski I am looking for. Probably pair them with another set of STH2 16s. Have them on my current skis and really like them

Review to come next season.
9 years ago
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ModMommy
Posts: 10877 - Karma: 58,295
OutoftownerDoing a bit more research, I think I am going to hold out until September and get the new Salomon QST 106s. Looks like the exact ski I am looking for. Probably pair them with another set of STH2 16s. Have them on my current skis and really like them

Review to come next season.


YEW!!! Good luck with the skis- I demod some of salomon's new stuff @ powder week. You're gonna love em
9 years ago
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,196
I'd go for the automatics out of those 2. And maybe even wait til next year and get the ones with hrzn tech if you're in to that.

Also the Kartel 106/108 are some awesome skis. Highly recommend.
9 years ago
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
OutoftownerI'm 6'3" 215.


You'll overpower every ski mentioned in this thread.
9 years ago
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
LC.You'll overpower every ski mentioned in this thread.


That's what made me nervous about the Automatic.

Hoping the QST (or new Atomics for that mater) with the carbon and Ti inlays would be a better bet.
9 years ago
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