Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 vs Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023




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Side by side comparison | ![]() ![]() Out of stock | ![]() ![]() Out of stock |
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Price | $419.99 40% off | $390.00 50% off |
User rating | 5(1) | 5(2) |
The Curated Take | -- | Best for East Coast skiers exploring off-trail and Western skiers on low-tide days due to its maneuverability and carving ease. |
Ski type | Carving, All Mountain, Freeride | Freeride |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of all-mountain skis, the Völkl Kendo 88 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains, making them ideal for skiers who love to explore the whole mountain. The Kendo 88 is known for its stability at high speeds and excellent performance on groomers and hardpacked snow, while the Rustler 9 is praised for its versatility and playful nature. However, the Kendo 88 may not be the best choice for fresh powder days due to its narrower waist width, and the Rustler 9 might not be the best for deep snow. Both skis are well-suited for advanced to expert skiers, but the Kendo 88's firm flex rating may not be as forgiving for beginners. In the end, the choice between these two skis will come down to personal preference and the specific conditions you plan to ski in.
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 summary
The Völkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that offers a combination of performance and agility on a variety of terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions. The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance.
In terms of on-snow performance, the Kendo 88 skis excel in a variety of conditions with more of an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow, while the slight rocker in the tip and tail adds maneuverability and helps with turn initiation. This combination makes them effective on groomed runs, moguls, and even lighter amounts of soft snow. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow.
These are going to carve like crazy, and still let you hit the fresh snow, Groomers to trees lets do it with these. But these still have a wider shovel up front with a bit of rocker to handle some boot top powder if there's an unexpected storm. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, but if you want to arc them fast down wide open groomers, they'll stay stable and confident. These have Volkl's '3D turn radii', meaning that you have 3 different turn radii packed into one ski. So you can make short quick turns, or long GS style turns.
These are going to carve like crazy, and still let you hit the fresh snow, Groomers to trees lets do it with these. But these still have a wider shovel up front with a bit of rocker to handle some boot top powder if there's an unexpected storm. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, but if you want to arc them fast down wide open groomers, they'll stay stable and confident. These have Volkl's '3D turn radii', meaning that you have 3 different turn radii packed into one ski. So you can make short quick turns, or long GS style turns.
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023 summary
The Blizzard Rustler 9 skis are a playful all-mountain ski that can handle a variety of conditions. They are designed with a narrower waist width, making them a freeride ski that doesn't require a big powder day to do its job. The Rustler 9 skis are built with a wood core consisting of beech, poplar, balsa, and paulownia, which provides a blend of attributes that lead to the well-rounded nature of the ski. Two sheets of carbon/fiberglass add stiffness and energy, while a single, partial sheet of metal brings the dampness and edge grip to the equation.
The metal laminate is full-width underfoot and tapers to the tips and tails, ending precisely where the rocker begins. This leads to a playful feel and a lighter swing weight in the tips and tails while keeping the underfoot/middle-zone of the ski a bit more business-like. The Rustler 9 skis carve better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer and a true master of off-piste terrain and conditions. They are responsive and stable, yet super playful in softer snow and on varying terrain.
If I had to describe these skis, it would be in two words: very fun. I had a great time on these skis. It was recommended to me to size up in these from a 180 to a 188, and that was definitely the call for me. They carve really hard. They're super fun. I had a great time on them. They're extremely nimble, and I honestly felt like they shouldn't market these with just one turn radius because they were perfectly fine doing short radius turns and carving the entire thing. I had no problem asking these skis to do anything; they were just happy to oblige.
If I had to describe these skis, it would be in two words: very fun. I had a great time on these skis. It was recommended to me to size up in these from a 180 to a 188, and that was definitely the call for me. They carve really hard. They're super fun. I had a great time on them. They're extremely nimble, and I honestly felt like they shouldn't market these with just one turn radius because they were perfectly fine doing short radius turns and carving the entire thing. I had no problem asking these skis to do anything; they were just happy to oblige.
Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Völkl Kendo 88 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis are designed to be versatile all-mountain skis that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They both feature a combination of rocker and camber profiles, which provide a balance of stability, maneuverability, and edge grip. Both skis are built with high-quality materials, including a wood core and layers of metal, to enhance performance, stability, and power transmission.
Both skis are praised for their ability to carve well on groomed runs and hardpacked snow, and they both offer a playful feel and a lighter swing weight in the tips and tails. They are both designed for advanced to expert skiers and are known for their stability at high speeds.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are versatile all-mountain options, they do have some key differences. The Völkl Kendo 88 skis have a narrower waist width, which makes them more agile and quick edge-to-edge, but they may not offer enough float for fresh powder days. They are known for their stability at high speeds and their excellent performance on groomers and hardpacked snow. The Kendo 88 skis are ideal for advanced to expert skiers who spend the majority of their time ripping groomers and want a ski that can handle a range of conditions, including occasional boot deep powder.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis are a bit wider and more playful, making them a great choice for skiers who like to explore off the beaten path. They are designed to be a freeride ski that doesn't require a big powder day to do its job, and they carve better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer. The Rustler 9 skis are a great choice for intermediate to advanced skiers who are looking for a versatile ski that can perform on almost all terrain and conditions.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well in a variety of conditions and terrains, but the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis may have a slight edge due to their wider waist width and more playful nature.
In terms of carving performance, both skis are praised for their ability to carve well on groomed runs and hardpacked snow. However, the Völkl Kendo 88 skis are known for their excellent edge hold and powerful turns, making them the winner in this category.
For stability at high speeds, both skis offer a smooth and confident ride, but the Kendo 88 skis are particularly known for their stability at higher speeds, making them the winner in this category.
Finally, when it comes to playfulness, the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis take the win. They are designed to be a freeride ski that doesn't require a big powder day to do its job, and they offer a playful feel and a lighter swing weight in the tips and tails.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 skis are excellent all-mountain options for the 2023 season. They both offer a balance of performance, agility, and versatility, making them ideal for skiers who love to explore the whole mountain. The choice between these two skis will ultimately come down to personal preference and the specific conditions you plan to ski in. If you're looking for a ski that offers stability at high speeds and excellent performance on groomers and hardpacked snow, the Kendo 88 might be the ski for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more playful ski that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains, the Rustler 9 could be a great choice. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these top-notch skis.