2025 DPS Wailer 107

With a new build but a recycled name, the 2025 DPS Carbon Wailer 107 meshes the modern and the traditional. Fans of DPS shaping and profiling will love the maneuverable and agile Wailer 107 while the construction takes on a more sustainable and sturdier feel than ever before. While most skiers are interested in DPS due to the remarkable flotation, there’s also a surprising amount of carving power here, and the skis love to make shorter arcs. They do whatever it takes to adhere to the 15-meter turn radius, so shaping principles and rocker profiles are adjusted accordingly. That usually leads to the ski’s dramatic look and wild designs. In the mid 100’s, skis are meant to float well for sure, and also create some fun and excitement on softer groomers. While there’s not a lot of firm snow compliance here, they’re relatively good at carving compared to a lot of similar skis.

Built with their new Hybrid Laminate construction, the Wailer 107 starts with a full poplar wood core. In the past, DPS has fooled around with multiple wood laminates and two full sheets of carbon, but the new Wailer build is simpler and easier to discuss. On top and bottom of the wood core sits two sheets of carbon-infused fiberglass. These carbon strips do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to the ski’s energy and pop. By making a move towards sustainability, DPS uses their new Super Sap Bio Resin and Algal sidewalls. This, combined with the Handmade in the USA tag gives DPS an edge in the local and environmentally friendly departments. In the 184, we’re seeing a stated weight of 2040 grams per ski. This isn’t the light carbon-based Wailer of the past, there’s some sturdiness here, and skiers seem to enjoy it. Matt McGinnis felt pretty good on these skis: “I think what I skied was actually perfect for these skis. Chopped up crud, at a decent speed. With the beefiness in their core, the Wailer seemed excited to charge through anything I threw at it and never missed a beat. At the same time, it was happy to turn sideways and stop as soon as I asked it too. On soft days though, no matter how much fresh snow has fallen, you’ll want to take these out.” That’s a pretty good testament for a new build and a useful shape.

They do still have to hit that 15-meter arc, so that means a lot of rocker and taper. By bringing the wider points of the ski closer to the middle to hit that mark, the skis look a bit strange from the top. You do have to ski them a bit more centrally, even though they’re directionally shaped. We’ve found this to be the case for a lot of DPS skis due to the shaping properties. DPS incorporates 40% rocker into the ski with 60% camber. This makes it a remarkable floater, staying on top of deep snow. When you engage the edges though, you’ll find that the ski is eager and energetic to come around and finish a carved turn.

Skiers should have some sense of what they’re doing out there to maximize the potential of the Wailer 107. The other hangup is the price. At over $1000, these skis are not cheap. You get what you pay for in terms of material, quality, sustainability, and a USA made product. As a result, cost does factor into the ski buying decision in a bigger way than some other skis in this performance range. That puts ability level on a bit of a backburner, but it’s still certainly an upper-level ski with expert ramifications.