Expert Comparison: Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2023 vs Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $359.40 40% off | $390.00 50% off |
User rating | 4.78(40) | 5(2) |
The Curated Take | Best for adventurous skiers exploring different terrains due to its versatility. | 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 skiing, the Faction Prodigy 2 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are two skis that have made a name for themselves. Both skis are designed for the 2023 season and are known for their versatility and performance. The Faction Prodigy 2 is a freestyle ski that is playful yet stable, making it a great choice for those who love to perform tricks and maneuvers on the slopes. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is an all-mountain ski that excels in carving and freeriding, making it a great choice for those who love to explore different terrains. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on your skiing style and preferences.
Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2023 summary
The Faction Prodigy 2 is a freestyle ski that is designed to be versatile and fun. It is part of Faction's Prodigy line, which is marketed as a do-it-all freestyle series. The Prodigy 2 is the most versatile ski in the series, allowing you to smash around the mountain and ski anything from all-mountain to park.
The ski is built with a solid platform underfoot and flexible tips and tails, which allow for butter tricks and other freestyle maneuvers. It has a 102 millimeter underfoot waist width, which is considered the most versatile waist width for park skiing and all-mountain skiing. The ski also has a rocker that begins about three quarters of the way up from the top of the binding, which is not substantially rockered but enough to make it not the best option for carving.
Despite its freestyle focus, the Faction Prodigy 2 is also a great carver for a park ski. It lays down nice turns on groomed and even icy terrain. It is also a fun ski that is more flexible than advertised, making it a great choice for those who want a balance between a stiff and supportive ski and a fun and playful ski.
I really enjoyed my time on the Faction Prodigy 2. I was skiing it in a 177, which is a shorter length than I prefer in a freestyle twin-tip ski. Although it was a short option for my height and my ability, it didn't feel unstable at any point. It's a really solid platform underfoot. It does have flexible tips and tails, which allow you to perform butter tricks, all ollies and nollies–those sorts of maneuvers really important for freestyle skiing in the park.
I really enjoyed my time on the Faction Prodigy 2. I was skiing it in a 177, which is a shorter length than I prefer in a freestyle twin-tip ski. Although it was a short option for my height and my ability, it didn't feel unstable at any point. It's a really solid platform underfoot. It does have flexible tips and tails, which allow you to perform butter tricks, all ollies and nollies–those sorts of maneuvers really important for freestyle skiing in the park.
Faction Prodigy 2 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2023 summary
The Blizzard Rustler 9 is an all-mountain ski that is designed to be versatile and perform well in a variety of conditions. It is the narrowest ski in Blizzard's all-mountain range, but it is still capable of carving well and performing excellently in soft snow and off-piste terrain.
The ski is built with a wood core consisting of beech, poplar, balsa, and paulownia, which gives it a well-rounded nature. It also features two sheets of carbon/fiberglass for stiffness and energy, and a single, partial sheet of metal for dampness and edge grip. The metal laminate is full-width underfoot and tapers to the tips and tails, which 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 Blizzard Rustler 9 is also a great carver. It has a 20-meter turning radius, which allows it to lay a carve quite well. It also has XL edges, which help with edge hold on groomers, especially on firmer days. Despite its all-mountain focus, the ski is also playful and poppy, making it a fun ski to ride on.
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 Faction Prodigy 2 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are designed to be versatile skis that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They both have a playful feel and are capable of carving well on groomed terrain. Both skis also have a solid platform underfoot for stability and flexible tips and tails for maneuverability. They are both designed to be fun and enjoyable to ride, with a focus on performance and versatility.
In terms of construction, both skis feature a wood core and use materials like carbon/fiberglass and metal to enhance their performance characteristics. They both also have a rocker-camber-rocker profile, which contributes to their versatility and performance in different conditions.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are versatile and perform well in a variety of conditions, they each have their own unique strengths and are designed for different types of skiers. The Faction Prodigy 2 is a freestyle ski that is playful yet stable, making it a great choice for those who love to perform tricks and maneuvers on the slopes. It is also a great carver for a park ski and is more flexible than advertised, making it a great choice for those who want a balance between a stiff and supportive ski and a fun and playful ski.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is an all-mountain ski that excels in carving and freeriding. It is designed to be versatile and perform well in a variety of conditions, making it a great choice for those who love to explore different terrains. It is also a fun ski to ride on, with a playful feel and a lighter swing weight in the tips and tails.
In terms of persona, the Faction Prodigy 2 would be a great choice for the adventurous skier who loves to perform tricks and maneuvers on the slopes, while the Blizzard Rustler 9 would be a great choice for the explorer who loves to carve and freeride on different terrains.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well, but the Blizzard Rustler 9 takes the edge due to its all-mountain design and ability to perform well in a variety of conditions.
In terms of freestyle performance, the Faction Prodigy 2 is the clear winner. Its playful yet stable design makes it a great choice for those who love to perform tricks and maneuvers on the slopes.
For carving performance, the Blizzard Rustler 9 takes the win. Its design allows it to carve well and perform excellently in soft snow and off-piste terrain.
Finally, in terms of playfulness, both skis are fun to ride on, but the Faction Prodigy 2 might have a slight edge due to its freestyle focus and more flexible design.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Faction Prodigy 2 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are excellent skis that offer versatility and performance. The Faction Prodigy 2 is a great choice for those who love freestyle skiing and want a playful yet stable ski, while the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a great choice for those who love to explore different terrains and want a ski that can perform well in a variety of conditions. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your skiing style and preferences. So whether you're a trickster on the slopes or an explorer of terrains, there's a ski out there that's perfect for you. Happy skiing!
