Second’s Wildcat Evolves into Its Newest And Lightest Kind
The Second Wildcat 108 Tour lives as much as its predecessor’s rep as a flexible powder-touring ski
The Wildcat is Second’s not-just-for-powder, powder ski. Initially often called the Bibby, it was designed to drift in deep powder, however the ski has developed through the years to do way more than that. The Wildcat Tour is similar outdated Wildcat, however with lighter development aimed toward larger days within the backcountry.
Regardless of its proximity to Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, Reno is much less recognized for being a hotbed of out of doors recreation than it’s recognized for being a plain outdated sizzling mattress… Err, basin.
However amidst the strip malls and strip golf equipment of the northern Nevada desert ground, Second Skis emerged in 2003 and rapidly grew to become beloved within the close by Tahoe scene and ultimately grew to become the biggest ski producer within the US, opting to ramp up their very own manufacturing facility as an alternative of establishing a white label association with one of many large European ski factories.
Recognized for championing the notion of fats skis and mustache rocker profiles (tail rocker wasn’t a lot of a factor within the early ‘00s), Second has solidified its place within the freeride, cliff-hucking quivers of Sierra skiers and past. Of us who love Second are fast to let you know about their loyalty and fandom, and I occur to be a kind of folks. After three seasons on the Wildcat 108 Excursions, listed here are my ideas.
Specs:
1710g per ski at 184 size. Gentle, however not the lightest of their class.
Paulownia and Ash core, a lightweight and low-density hardwood– the identical resilient stuff that Louisville Sluggers are made from. If Mark McGwire can beat the crap out of it, so are you able to.
Tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot.
22m sidecut at 184 size.
Obtainable lengths: 164, 174, 179, 184, 190
$849
Picture: Andy Cochrane
Confidence-Inspiring Versatility
Second has a legacy to uphold with regards to light-weight touring skis: the Bibby and Wildcat 116s are revered as a number of of one of the best powder skis you should purchase. With a narrowed-down waist, cute face, and a giant behind (good tail rocker) I can fortunately report that the 108 Tour maintains the attributes that individuals love about its predecessors.
The 108mm waist has change into the gold normal for all-mountain backcountry skis. The dimensions is a flexible crowd-pleaser as a result of its potential to deal with powder days, groomers, and chunder. In comparison with rivals, the Wildcat Excursions weigh in on the heavier finish of the spectrum, however the additional mass doesn’t really feel prefer it holds me again on multi-day excursions, and as an alternative retains them stable on practically all situations of snow and kinds of snowboarding.
Execs: Sturdy and Purrr-ty
In a nutshell, the Wildcats are enjoyable as hell. They really feel nice on groomers, powder, corn, and are nonetheless steady in crud. And if you wish to hit the sidecountry, the Wildcats are equally comfy on both aspect of the boundary line. The camber and huge sidecut radius are perfect for powder or delicate snow situations and huge open faces – however they nonetheless carve tight turns superbly. Whereas constructed to dig in deep to the large turns, they continue to be simply maneuverable and pivot on a dime. I actually admire that the Tour model is stout, sustaining equivalent geometries to their forefather. Due to this, they’re able to tackle no matter you throw at them.
And now, for the controversial: The Wildcat Tour topsheet designs have deviated from what I might name “traditional” Second graphics. I’ll get flack for this, however I really like the change. Belief me, I do know the historical past and the development of the traditional Bibby topsheets. It’s not Second, it’s me. I’m simply not cool sufficient to rock a Grim Reaper on my skis. The Wildcat Tour graphics have an summary sample, which continues to be badass and stands out, however in much less of a “hey, try how edgy we’re” form of method.
Cons: Not the Lightest Loafers
So far as touring skis go, the Wildcats might be lighter. At 1710 grams, they weigh about 100-150 grams greater than different touring-specific skis with related size and width. However this could not deter everybody from making an attempt or shopping for these skis. Sure, if weight is tremendous crucial to you and also you’re counting grams, then you must look into different choices. However I’m the man who carries cans of beer in his pack on a week-long backpacking journey. Why? As a result of I like having enjoyable. I don’t want a titanium spoon, and I’m definitely not stressing over 100 additional grams underfoot. That’s: IF the efficiency is value it, which I firmly imagine it’s. These skis rip.
The one situations I wouldn’t select the Wildcats are on icy days. Whereas I’ve skied them down bulletproof couloirs and managed, I might have most popular one thing skinnier and with a shorter radius. Should you stay on the East Coast or Midwest, these is probably not the skis for you.
Picture: Andy Cochrane
Verdict: The Ripper’s Backcountry Ski
The Wildcat was made to ski powder and located itself a cult favourite for all situations. The Tour mannequin has adopted go well with, and they’re as a lot enjoyable in low angle terrain after a giant storm as they’re on large open faces. If you wish to push the boundaries of what a touring ski can do, or what a powder ski can do for that matter, step right into a pair of the Wildcat 108 Excursions and be rewarded with skis which might be robust as a lion and but playful as a kitten.
Sean is a Truckee-based outside author and customized homebuilder with a love for snowboarding. Sean helped launch Out of Workplace in 2023, a gear and journey column for Males’s Journal. When he’s not designing and constructing customized properties, he’s exploring the Sierra on excursions and hut journeys in winter and mountain biking and dirtbiking in the summertime.
