Blizzard Rustler 10 Review

This is my review of Rustler 10. In my opinion, it is an all-mountain ski with ample traits and excellent versatility that makes it great for both intermediate and advanced skiers alike.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.

Quick Summary

• Where to buy: Amazon
• Best for: Powder skiers looking for superior performance. Those who want a good all-mountain model with multiple applications.
• Pros: Incredible pop. Versatile in both form and function. Extremely user-friendly. Lightweight. Easy to swing in the air. Great all-around ability.
• Cons: The length is a bit too long for certain applications. The skis also feel soft at times and aren’t the best at holding up at higher speeds.
• Alternatives: Volkl M5, Kastle FX96, Black Crows Daemon

Why Trust Me

I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I spent ample time researching these skies by analyzing their traits and characteristics across a range of different conditions.

Detailed Review of Blizzard Rustler 10

The Blizzard Rustler 10 is a solid all-around ski that will serve you well in many different areas of the mountain. While there are some better models out there for handling firmer snow, the Rustler 10’s will give you strong results in both soft and harder conditions. The pop makes them playful and, though you’re going to see some instability at higher speeds, there’s enough power to hold up throughout a range of winter environments.

A Mixed Bag of Stability

If the Rustler 10 has one weak area, it’s stability at speed. While this isn’t the worst model out there, you’re definitely going to see some problems when you really get going. It can perform when things get going, but it’s not the best option for those who want to travel quickly. Even so, you’re going to see a lot of great results during short, quick turns.

It’s not all bad, however. The saving grace for this category is the Rustler 10’s partial titanal layer. This is something that impressed me because it does a good job of reducing chatter. You also see strong vibration reduction from the poplar/beech core. That combination is a definite plus and something worth mentioning because of how much it helps out one of the Rustler 10’s few weak points.

Carving and Crud

Despite the mid-fat design (and the 104mm underfoot) this ski has a quick edge to edge transition. That makes it extremely fun to carve with, even if it does have a 19m turning radius. This is a case of a ski excelling in an area it wasn’t specifically designed for, and you’re going to see that when comparing it to on-piste models. There’s a lot of edge hold here, and the pop during transitioning provides a much lighter feel. It’s responsive as well.

Those high marks also continue when it comes to dealing with crud. The Rustlers have a soft flex in the tips and a rocker up front. Both of those traits seem like they wouldn’t hold up in tough conditions, but they do surprisingly well. This is another area where the titanal layer shines. You’ll have to do a bit of work, but nothing like you’d expect when looking at the specs.

A Powder Delight

Powder is truly where these skis shine. The pair does an amazing job in fresh snow. That’s mainly due to the float provided by the 104mm underfoot and 135mm tip. Their width also works well towards this end, and the narrow dimensions give you a lot of performance. It’s also worth mentioning the forgiving nature and poppy feel.

Both of those characteristics will ensure you can bounce around as much as you want to create a fun experience while you’re on the fresh stuff. The tip easily flexes from side to side in a way that gives you a lot more control and agility. This model is simply made for powder and it reinforces that idea through every single part of its construction. If you live for soft snow, this is worth it.

Extremely Playful and Fun

The Rustler 10 is a playful all-mountain ski that matches other high-end models in the category. It comes with a great blend of pop and forgiveness that actively works with the flex profile to deliver a playful ski. It’s truly a blast to pilot and makes each drop you hit just as enjoyable as the one that came before. You get great results when you get air in these skis. The soft tip does a nice job on both takeoff and landings. In addition, the stiffer tail helps you land smoothly.

Price and Value

This ski gets solid marks for value. You’re going to pay a bit for the pair, but that extra cash is almost certainly worth the different traits packed into the model. It’s a strong ski that checks just about every notable box, and that means you’re getting a lot for what you pay. Some people may want to go cheaper, but if you’re a skier who doesn’t mind the cost, you’re going to be very happy with this purchase.

What I Like

I love how well these skis do in powder. Fresh snow is a real treat out on the mountain, and few pairs can handle it like the Rustler 10’s. Everything you could want when Mother Nature dumps down is here. That includes the narrow dimensions, floaty feel, width, tip, and forgiveness. They are also agile and offer a lot of mobility. I would say this is the number one reason to get the skis. They absolutely live up to their intent.

Something else I appreciate about the skis is how well they do on bumps. The soft flex and forgiving nature go a long way there, giving you the ability to fully control them in tight, quick turns. They’re just a fun pair to use in most conditions, which is some of the highest praise I can give. I also want to give a special mention to the quick edge to edge transition as well.

What I Dislike

I don’t think there’s a lot to dislike about the Rustler 10, but if there’s one area where it didn’t quite live up to the rest of the package it’s that they don’t have what it takes to hold up at higher speeds. That’s not something that’s going to come into play for everyone, but it’s still definitely something worth noting. That loss of stability may prevent you from truly opening up, which is a shame.

The length is also a bit off. Coming in at a little more than six feet, the skis are just a bit too long for tighter bumps. They still do well in those scenarios, as noted above, but it’s something to be aware of if you do spend most of your time in moguls.

The Alternatives

There’s a lot to like about the Rustler 10, but it’s far from the only ski you’ll see on the market. If you want to try something else or look at similar models, these are all great options:

• Volkl M5 – The M5 (review) is a solid ski for riders who value speed. While you’re going to experience some chatter here and there, these can shoot down mountains in just about any condition or through any terrain. It’s incredibly consistent, fast, and goes above and beyond in several key areas.
• Kastle FX96 – Those who don’t mind paying a bit more for their skis should check out everything the Kastle has to offer. This model, while expensive, is good for hard-charging skiers because of how well it does at higher speeds. It’s definitely for experts, but those that can handle the pair will be happy with their overall performance.
• Black Crows Daemon – The Black Crows Daemon is a fun, hard-charging ski that’s surprisingly easy to use. It does have some chatter when you really start building up speed, but the titanal plate goes a long way towards agility, lightness, and bounce. I’m also a fan of the full reverse camber as well as the general stability.

Final Verdict

The Blizzard Rustler 10 is an amazing ski from an amazing brand. It offers incredible powder performance and great playfulness inside a unique design.

Though there are a few areas where it doesn’t quite hold up to the competition, mainly stability at speed, it tends to hold its own in just about every condition.

That not only means you’re getting a lot for the higher price tag, but you’re also getting an all-mountain option that will consistently deliver excellent results.