Expert Comparison: Icelantic Nomad 95 Skis · 2023 vs Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $479.40 40% off | $390.00 50% off |
User rating | -- | 5(1) |
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 | All Mountain | Freeride |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of all-mountain skis, the Icelantic Nomad 95 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are two top contenders for 2023. Both skis are designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains, making them ideal for skiers who love to explore the mountain. The Nomad 95 is praised for its versatility, playful nature, and excellent edge hold, making it a great choice for intermediate to advanced skiers. On the other hand, the Rustler 9 is known for its precision, agility, and ability to carve beautifully, making it a fantastic option for skiers who love groomed terrain but also want to venture off-piste. While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and skiing style.
Icelantic Nomad 95 Skis · 2023 summary
The Icelantic Nomad 95 is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a range of features and benefits. The 95mm waist provides a balanced ski width for both on and off-trail skiing. The skis are designed to ensure maximum edge hold on hard-packed snow and icy surfaces, enhancing the skis' responsiveness and control. This allows skiers to confidently navigate tricky conditions and carve precise turns down groomer runs.
Despite its all-mountain focus, the Nomad 95 retains a playful nature, making it enjoyable for those skiers who love to add freestyle elements into their runs. The rubber foil dampener on the Icelantic Nomad 95 absorbs vibrations, enhancing stability on challenging terrain and reducing fatigue. This allows skiers to ride all day without feeling worn out.
The skis also come with ptex sidewalls that offer exceptional durability and impact resistance. Plus, they come with a bomb-proof three-year warranty, showcasing Icelantic's confidence in their product. The Nomad 95 is recommended for any intermediate or advanced skier looking for a ski that doesn't limit them to groomed runs or off-trail powder chasing.
The Nomad 95 is arguably the most versatile of Icelantic's infamous Nomad line. It sports Icelantic's Hybrid Flight Wood Core, an ultralight wood that keeps the ski super poppy and playful. Then they combine that with a 95 mm waist, which is enough girth for the powder days, but also flexible enough for carving effortlessly on groomers.
The Nomad 95 is arguably the most versatile of Icelantic's infamous Nomad line. It sports Icelantic's Hybrid Flight Wood Core, an ultralight wood that keeps the ski super poppy and playful. Then they combine that with a 95 mm waist, which is enough girth for the powder days, but also flexible enough for carving effortlessly on groomers.
Icelantic Nomad 95 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023 summary
The Blizzard Rustler 9 is a narrower freeride ski with an all-mountain character. It's built with a wood core consisting of beech, poplar, balsa, and paulownia, which gives the ski a blend of attributes that lead to its well-rounded nature. 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 design 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 carves better than expected while remaining an excellent soft-snow performer and a true master of off-piste terrain and conditions. It's a ski that can be relied on in any situation, making it a great choice for skiers who love groomed terrain but also want to venture off-trail.
I really enjoyed skiing the Rustler 9. I've rarely been on a ski this precise, as easily malleable into any turn shape I wanted. It almost turned before I initiated the movement. It was anticipating where I was going. I know that is verging on magical realism in the ski technical category, but I felt like that. That's how much I enjoyed the ride on these.
I really enjoyed skiing the Rustler 9. I've rarely been on a ski this precise, as easily malleable into any turn shape I wanted. It almost turned before I initiated the movement. It was anticipating where I was going. I know that is verging on magical realism in the ski technical category, but I felt like that. That's how much I enjoyed the ride on these.
Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Icelantic Nomad 95 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are all-mountain skis designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They both have a playful nature, making them enjoyable for skiers who love to add freestyle elements into their runs. Both skis are also designed with a focus on stability and control, allowing skiers to confidently navigate tricky conditions. They both have a versatile waist width that provides a balanced ski width for both on and off-trail skiing. Additionally, both skis are recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are versatile, they cater to slightly different skiing styles. The Icelantic Nomad 95 is known for its excellent edge hold, making it a great choice for skiers who love to carve precise turns down groomer runs. It's also praised for its ability to absorb vibrations, enhancing stability on challenging terrain and reducing fatigue. This makes the Nomad 95 a great choice for skiers who love to explore the mountain and ride all day without feeling worn out.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is known for its precision and agility. It's a ski that can be relied on in any situation, making it a great choice for skiers who love groomed terrain but also want to venture off-trail. The Rustler 9 is also praised for its ability to carve beautifully, making it a fantastic option for skiers who love to experiment with turn size and shape.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Icelantic Nomad 95 might have a slight edge due to its excellent edge hold and vibration absorption, making it a great choice for a wider range of conditions and terrains.
In terms of playfulness, both skis are designed to be fun and enjoyable to ride. However, the Blizzard Rustler 9's precision and agility might make it a bit more playful for skiers who love to experiment with turn size and shape.
For stability, the Icelantic Nomad 95's vibration absorption gives it an edge, allowing skiers to confidently navigate tricky conditions and ride all day without feeling worn out.
Finally, for carving, the Blizzard Rustler 9's ability to carve beautifully makes it a fantastic option for skiers who love to carve precise turns.
In conclusion, both skis are excellent choices, and the winner will depend on the individual skier's preferences and skiing style.
Conclusions
In the end, both the Icelantic Nomad 95 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are top contenders in the all-mountain ski category for 2023. They both offer a range of features and benefits that make them versatile, playful, and enjoyable to ride. The Nomad 95 stands out for its excellent edge hold and vibration absorption, making it a great choice for skiers who love to explore the mountain and ride all day. On the other hand, the Rustler 9 shines with its precision, agility, and ability to carve beautifully, making it a fantastic option for skiers who love groomed terrain but also want to venture off-trail. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're a groomer lover or an off-piste explorer, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. Happy skiing!
