Two Comparisons:
• 2014-2015 / 2015-2016 LINE Supernatural 108, 186cm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions (mm): 137-107-125
Actual Tip-to-Tail Length (Straight Tape Pull): 184.2cm
Stated Sidecut Radius: 24.4 meters
Blister’s Measured Weight Per Ski: 2335 & 2399 grams
Tip / Tail Splay: ~54mm / ~23mm
The Line Supernatural 108 is a little heavier and a little straighter than the Boundary 107, and has a bit less tip and tail rocker.
I think the biggest difference between the two skis is their stability in variable conditions, where Heavier and Straighter are generally good things.
In deep pow, it’s pretty unclear to me which ski has the obvious advantage. The Boundary 107’s greater tip and tail splay is a plus here, but the Supernatural 108’s minimal camber underfoot seems to make the ski release a little easier than the Boundary 107. (Then again, detuning the 107 a bit more could make this difference between the two skis pretty negligible.)
• 2014-2015 / 2015 – 2016 Rossignol Soul 7, 188cm
You wouldn’t be wrong to think of the Boundary 107 as a more stable, heavier Rossignol Soul 7.
On the Playful / Demanding spectrum, the Boundary 107 falls between the Soul 7 and the Supernatural 108. So if you want a bit more stability than the Soul 7 (the Soul 7 is definitely the lighter, quicker, more playful ski), and a bit less burl than the Supernatural 108, it would make a lot of sense to check out the Boundary 107.
Who’s It For?
To recap: If you dislike the Blizzard Cochise (find it to be too much ski), and are worried that the Line Supernatural 108 might also be more ski than you’re looking for, then I’d recommend checking out the Boundary 107. Conversely, if you like skis like the Rossignol Soul 7 or the DPS Wailer 112RP, but wish they were a bit more substantial, then the Boundary 107 could also make sense.
I also think those who care less about top-end speed and are more interested in a stable ride at moderate speeds will be the group that likes the Boundary 107 the most. Again, it’s not that you can’t push this ski, it’s just that doing so will require more athleticism and a pretty dynamic style. Dial the speed back a bit, however, and the ski just works, and is pretty easy to pilot—especially in soft snow or on smooth groomers.
Bottom Line
The new Boundary 107 is a nice, all-around ski. Black Diamond has given it a shape and a flex pattern that I think will accommodate a pretty broad range of skiers—detune the ski a lot and mount forward to get a more playful, looser feel; sharpen the edges to make the ski an even better carver.
Black Diamond makes some fairly modest claims about this new ski—that it’s playful, fun, and easy-to-turn in soft snow. That modesty is refreshing in this industry, and I think that BD has actually been a little too modest. I suspect that this ski will have some pretty broad appeal for anyone looking for a ski that will rarely feel out of place anywhere on the mountain.
NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics
That is a good looking ski.
Does it prefer a forward stance or is it one of these “new school” centered bs snowblades?
It’s definitely not a snowblade, and doesn’t ski especially short – it wasn’t obvious that I would much prefer the 192s, and the only reason I’d be curious would be to see what kind of bump I might be able to get in variable conditions.
On good groomers or consistent snow, I could certainly get on the shovels. But in variable terrain & conditions at speed, I haven’t yet felt comfortable getting all over the shovels like I can on the Blizzard Cochise, Moment Belafonte, Supernatural 108, or the Liberty Variant 113.
It’s interesting – this is a pretty strong ski, but certainly not some traditional comp ski – for now, at least, I think the best I can do is still position it between the Line Supernatural 108 and the Rossi Soul 7.
Cool.
Would you be able to compare it to the Sidestash or Annex 108 at all?
Is this an “intermidiate” ski in the same way as the Rossignol Soul 7? I ski North Island New Zealand and was considering the Soul 7 as a first powder / touring ski but we given the amount of variable snow we get this may suit the conditions better. I’m 180cm / 80kgs and an improving intermediate, would 184cm be the right length for me in the Boundary’s?
Would you recommend the boundary 107 or the link 105 as a “only ski”? (Mostly used for powder but also on groomers)..
Nice review!
Jonathan, I just bought these skis in 184cm. I like to ski the whole mountain, pop off of everything I can find, and throw shifties a lot. The recommended mounting point seems far back. How far forward from it do you suggest I go? Don’t think it matters all that much, but I’m mounting it with Marker Kingpins.
Hey I was wondering if you would think of these as a good 50/50 ski. I’m looking at these right now and hoping to get a touring setup that I can also use for powder in the resort.