- Joined
- Mar 5, 2017
- Posts
- 1,202
Winks
Size tested: 172cm
Location tested: Sugarbowl
Conditions tested in: Cold wind buffed chop
Back when the original version of the Rustler came out, my eyes lit up because I was so excited to see an everyday ski over 100 that was a directional twin with a bit of metal in it. When I got my first pair I abused them to really find out where the faults were, and for a while I couldn't find any. Over time, I noticed this weird wandering feeling that made me lose a bit of confidence at speed. Fast forward two seasons and the Rustler went through some minor tweaks, one of those tweaks was the addition of a thicker piece of metal underfoot which was intended to quiet that unsettling feeling I mentioned before. I never felt the need to test the skis again based on the adjustments because I felt like I had a pretty good handle on how they skied. After meeting up with my Local Rep, I decided to re-visit the Rustler, and to my surprise I sort of fell in love all over again. The new changes are quite good, I ended up having the ski out most of the day and wasn't ready to give it back. Edge hold was fantastic, the unsettling weird teeter totter feeling was gone and they were just as playful in the tip and tail as I remember. Sometimes change is needed, and this time it proved to be just right.
Blizzard’s Rustler series is for those who don't need to grab the bull by the horns on a daily basis. I encourage everyone have this type of ski in their quiver, even if it‘s something a bit wider for use in the trees or the fresh pow!
FairToMiddlin: I was gaga over the Rustler 10 last year, and this year, Blizzard told us that it increased the wood core thickness by 1mm, gave it a new top sheet, and called it a day. So, all the loveliness from the original, with a supposed higher top speed, what’s not to like? Sorry to say, Blizzard didn’t seem to care if we found out. The pair handed to me easily wins the award for Most Appalling Tune this year. The base-high contour of the bottom robbed the ski of all the snappy responses its shape is capable of, and it skied nothing like the stellar pair I had last year. Only in very soft snow (or mindless straightlining, which I had to resort to) was the flex able to poke its nose past the unresponsiveness of the tune and reveal a bit more beef underfoot. The increase in stability is there, but wasn’t game changing, and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to ditch their current 10s.
So (combining this, and last year’s more actionable test): in either current or future form, the Rustler 10 is a hugely talented ski: its shape offers quickness in hard or soft snow, the medium/soft flex lets the driver easily select a variety of turns, and the construction offers enough beef to motor through crud at an amusing speed. I still want a pair.
Stephen: The Rustler 10 was my second favorite of the day -- mainly because I felt that it is a cross between the playfulness of the Tracer 108 and the business side of the Invictus 99Ti. I can see this being a great ski for a one- or two-ski quiver. Just add a carver for a 2SQ or stick with it through everything: it holds the snow well enough to carve a bit and make it through chop but also easily handles a bit of powder. I was impressed.
Size tested: 172cm
Location tested: Sugarbowl
Conditions tested in: Cold wind buffed chop
Back when the original version of the Rustler came out, my eyes lit up because I was so excited to see an everyday ski over 100 that was a directional twin with a bit of metal in it. When I got my first pair I abused them to really find out where the faults were, and for a while I couldn't find any. Over time, I noticed this weird wandering feeling that made me lose a bit of confidence at speed. Fast forward two seasons and the Rustler went through some minor tweaks, one of those tweaks was the addition of a thicker piece of metal underfoot which was intended to quiet that unsettling feeling I mentioned before. I never felt the need to test the skis again based on the adjustments because I felt like I had a pretty good handle on how they skied. After meeting up with my Local Rep, I decided to re-visit the Rustler, and to my surprise I sort of fell in love all over again. The new changes are quite good, I ended up having the ski out most of the day and wasn't ready to give it back. Edge hold was fantastic, the unsettling weird teeter totter feeling was gone and they were just as playful in the tip and tail as I remember. Sometimes change is needed, and this time it proved to be just right.
Blizzard’s Rustler series is for those who don't need to grab the bull by the horns on a daily basis. I encourage everyone have this type of ski in their quiver, even if it‘s something a bit wider for use in the trees or the fresh pow!
- Insider tip: Relax a bit, you don't need to drive this ski so hard.
- One thing I would change: A little stiffer in the tip could help reduce visual tip chatter.
FairToMiddlin: I was gaga over the Rustler 10 last year, and this year, Blizzard told us that it increased the wood core thickness by 1mm, gave it a new top sheet, and called it a day. So, all the loveliness from the original, with a supposed higher top speed, what’s not to like? Sorry to say, Blizzard didn’t seem to care if we found out. The pair handed to me easily wins the award for Most Appalling Tune this year. The base-high contour of the bottom robbed the ski of all the snappy responses its shape is capable of, and it skied nothing like the stellar pair I had last year. Only in very soft snow (or mindless straightlining, which I had to resort to) was the flex able to poke its nose past the unresponsiveness of the tune and reveal a bit more beef underfoot. The increase in stability is there, but wasn’t game changing, and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to ditch their current 10s.
So (combining this, and last year’s more actionable test): in either current or future form, the Rustler 10 is a hugely talented ski: its shape offers quickness in hard or soft snow, the medium/soft flex lets the driver easily select a variety of turns, and the construction offers enough beef to motor through crud at an amusing speed. I still want a pair.
Stephen: The Rustler 10 was my second favorite of the day -- mainly because I felt that it is a cross between the playfulness of the Tracer 108 and the business side of the Invictus 99Ti. I can see this being a great ski for a one- or two-ski quiver. Just add a carver for a 2SQ or stick with it through everything: it holds the snow well enough to carve a bit and make it through chop but also easily handles a bit of powder. I was impressed.
- Insider tip: Don’t judge this ski by its predecessor.
- Awards
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- Who is it for?
- Those seeking a wider daily driver that has a lot of versatility. A lot of people. Those looking for a wider, do-it-all ski. Off-piste aficionados who want to make all kinds of turns.
- Who is it not for?
- Big-mountain chargers will be better served with the Cochise. Those with a larger quiver. There are other skis that excel in the different areas.
- Skier ability
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- Advanced
- Expert
- Ski category
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- All Mountain
- Powder
- Ski attributes
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- Off Piste
- Trees
- Segment
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- Men
Specifications
- Available sizes
- 164, 172, 180, 188
- Dimensions
- 133-102-122.5
- Radius
- 17.5m@180cm
- Rocker profile
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- Camber with tip and tail rocker
- Size Scaling
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- Dimensions
- Construction design
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- New graphics
- Binding options
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- Flat
