2027 Atomic Bent 85 R Skiswith Dalbello Boots and Poles

At the narrow end of Atomic's Bent family sits the Bent 85 R, an all-mountain ski that keeps the line's playful, freestyle-influenced character in a more manageable width. An 85 mm waist makes it quicker edge to edge than its wider siblings while the soft, creative shaping still encourages slashes, butters, and the occasional switch landing. Skiers who want personality without a powder-specific footprint will find the balance here. We chose to pair the Bent 85 R with the Cabrio 100 MV because it's a nice, comfortable boot that provides a bit more performance than your average entry level boot. Thanks to the unique three-piece cabrio design, the boot flexes off the tongue for a more progressive feel that is both intuitive and smooth, giving developing skiers enough leverage to bend their skis, but not so much that the boot feels overly demanding.

Who it's for:

Skiers who want playful character without committing to a powder-specific ski. It suits intermediates and better who slash, butter and occasionally land switch but ski firm snow most of the time.

Things to consider:

Freestyle-influenced shaping means less edge on the snow than a dedicated carver has, so hard ice isn't where this ski shines. Skiers chasing real powder float should look at the wider Bents instead.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Playful skis work best at a length the skier can throw sideways, so staying at or near your height keeps the character intact. Going longer buys steadiness at speed and costs the loose feel this ski is bought for. Dalbello lists this one at a 101mm last, putting it in medium-volume territory with a slightly more generous instep than the number alone suggests, since the hinged tongue opens wide. Broad forefeet generally get on well here, while low-volume feet may find it roomy.