Ranger 94 fr vs Sick Day 94 vs Blade HELP ME DECIDE

you can't really go wrong with either of those skis - all are fine skis. In fact, there is a ton of good skis in this segment

Blade is the more directional/small turn oriented, sick day in between if still primarily directional and then the Rangers are probably the more precise, if still plenty playful - especially if you mount forward of recommended.

Blades are probably a ton of fun if all you want to do is carve, but I suspect most mortals are not able to ski them like the pros in their promo video.

Other skis to consider;
Dynastar MFree 99 (new this year, their wider sibling 108 is loose as a goose in soft snow snow and still slays groomers)
ON3P Jeffrey102 (prefer a more upright stance, better for upright stance not being driven hard through the shovels)
Moment Deathwish 104
Ranger FR 102 (the killer ski that the 94 is based upon - plenty different than SFB so could make for a more versatile addition than a 9x ski)
Rustler 9s (more akin to a narrower Rustler11)
Rustler 10s (if you want something slightly wider than R9s more geaedr toward smaller turn shapes)

I would probably opt for Rangers mounted forward a fair bit of the ones you list based on you description. They will be a bit of a departure from the SFBs, but are very versatile, precise and capable on hardpack, as well as being plenty playful. There is a reason everybody loves these skis.

If you want something even more playful, a bit more forgiving and loose, MFree 99s is an easy recommend - at least if their wider sibling is any guide (MF108s is probably one of the best skis to be released in last decade). Their mount point is a bit further back than SFBs, but deep rocker lines and a forgiving flex pattern / layup should make them excel at the same type of skiing as SFBs. Just keep in mind that their sizing is whack and the 185 is the same length as the MF108 182, so I would not size down on these.

Thanks for the detailed reply! Yeah I’ve thought of the death wish 104 and the M free 99 as options. A little more intrigued by the DW 104, but kinda want to hear some feedback once more people get on them.


Also, I have to get on the m free 108 at some point. So intrigued by what people have said, but just not my buying priority right now. Gonna try to demo them this season hopefully tho! would love to hear more of your thoughts on that one tho, if you’ve got em.

kid-kapowyou can't really go wrong with either of those skis - all are fine skis. In fact, there is a ton of good skis in this segment

Blade is the more directional/small turn oriented, sick day in between if still primarily directional and then the Rangers are probably the more precise, if still plenty playful - especially if you mount forward of recommended.

Blades are probably a ton of fun if all you want to do is carve, but I suspect most mortals are not able to ski them like the pros in their promo video.

Other skis to consider;
Dynastar MFree 99 (new this year, their wider sibling 108 is loose as a goose in soft snow snow and still slays groomers)
ON3P Jeffrey102 (prefer a more upright stance, better for upright stance not being driven hard through the shovels)
Moment Deathwish 104
Ranger FR 102 (the killer ski that the 94 is based upon - plenty different than SFB so could make for a more versatile addition than a 9x ski)
Rustler 9s (more akin to a narrower Rustler11)
Rustler 10s (if you want something slightly wider than R9s more geaedr toward smaller turn shapes)

I would probably opt for Rangers mounted forward a fair bit of the ones you list based on you description. They will be a bit of a departure from the SFBs, but are very versatile, precise and capable on hardpack, as well as being plenty playful. There is a reason everybody loves these skis.

If you want something even more playful, a bit more forgiving and loose, MFree 99s is an easy recommend - at least if their wider sibling is any guide (MF108s is probably one of the best skis to be released in last decade). Their mount point is a bit further back than SFBs, but deep rocker lines and a forgiving flex pattern / layup should make them excel at the same type of skiing as SFBs. Just keep in mind that their sizing is whack and the 185 is the same length as the MF108 182, so I would not size down on these.

there is a shit ton of info / feedback / hype on the MF108 in the Dynastar thread on TGR. Well worth the read if yo want info on that ski or if you are looking for justification for picking up a pair or two. MF108s are plain great, especially for looser, more playful skiers (though the 192s supposedly rages plenty hard).

My "concern" with DW104 would be that they are too similar to your SFBs. The idea is not to create overlap right? I have never been on Deathwish - so can't comment on how they ski, other than that people who ski like you do usually get on with them really well.

also, check out Blister's and SkiEssential's takes on the various skis if you have not already.

Again, I def think MFree99s is something you should consider, more so than the three you listed - at least based on your love of SFBs aka softer, more forgiving funsticks.

Yeah I agree, I have the same concern with the DW 104, really want to avoid that overlap. I feel like I’m going to reach for the SFB if the new ski doesn’t really offer something much better for the firm days. I’ll take a hard look at the M free 99. Thanks for that thought. It could be that perfect mix for my preference for playful skis.

Keep your soft snow skis and get something like the Blade/Ranger 94. Honestly if the snow is good enough to be off-piste, you will be in your other skis, right?

Maybe the Black Crows blade-like thing? Cant remember the name.

Yeah that’s exactly what I go back and forth about, but I am really curious about the MF 99 cause it seems like it offers a different kind of playfulness, a little more heft than a ski like the SFB. Plus it is narrower than what I got in my quiver right now, maybe not much, but from what little is on the internet about it, it prob has better edge hold than the bacon.

But it all might just being wishful thinking, talking myself into soft snow playful skis cause they sound more fun on paper

Humanbean55Yeah that’s exactly what I go back and forth about, but I am really curious about the MF 99 cause it seems like it offers a different kind of playfulness, a little more heft than a ski like the SFB. Plus it is narrower than what I got in my quiver right now, maybe not much, but from what little is on the internet about it, it prob has better edge hold than the bacon.

But it all might just being wishful thinking, talking myself into soft snow playful skis cause they sound more fun on paper

Not sure it will help with the back and forth, but you can find most of these skis in our database. Take a look here if you feel like comparing them with data. I find that the data matches kid-kapow description pretty well, and other on-snow evaluation out there. It is pretty clear that the MF99 is at the stiffer end (and heavier end) of the playful skis. I would say that it is playful because of its shape (tip/tail rocker), but it is a stiff ski. You can compare other lengths if you feel like it.

We have the SFB in our database, but not the width of the tip/tail because of the 3D shape of the base. This mess up our machine. We need to fix that.

The MF99 and MF108 are here. You can see that beside the width they are almost identical. The MF108 is heavier and stiffer (not by much, and it is probably all coming from the increased width). You can also see the weird scaling that kid-kapow is talking about. The MF99 179 and 185 are basically the same ski, just that the 179 has the tip/tail chopped a few cm shorter and is a tiny tiny tiny bit softer. You get roughly the same snow contact points in both model.

this ski has a very thick edge for park durability. If i didnt already have a great quiver i would totally buy these little guys. Very curious to see what ppl say about the durability of these skis. Im hoping they turn out to be tanks.

aludeIt is pretty clear that the MF99 is at the stiffer end (and heavier end) of the playful skis. I would say that it is playful because of its shape (tip/tail rocker), but it is a stiff ski.

hm, I have never thought of the MF108s as stiff - especially so the shovels. Good to see that my assumption (based on having had a pair of 102s) that the Ranger94FRs are stiffer was correct :)

Hm, I see that Blends are kinda close to the SFB. I did not realize that the SFB are that noodly - though it makes sense. Perphas you ougth to keep it in the Line family then with either the Blend or a Vision98. Neither will have the top end stability of stiffer, heavier skis, but should be super fun to noodle around on the mountain :)

I found both 94FR and sick day 94 to be a bit meh ...

+1 for the 102 FR

not wowed on the m-free 108 either for firmer days or onpiste I think I can name 20-30-40 better skis for that

**This post was edited on Nov 30th 2021 at 7:27:35am