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Feeler: Icelantic Nomad 95 vs Line Blends

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messplay
Posts: 4483 - Karma: 1,054
I'm looking at a new pair of skis possibly for a 1 ski quiver. I ski out west and occasionally in CO. I prefer groomers but want the versatility for occasional trees and deep days to mess around in. I'm coming from 85 underfoot.

Looking at Nomad 95 and the Line Blends..open to other suggestions, I've slept on equipment last few years. Not really looking to go anything larger than 100 underfoot. I have FKS140 rn so dont want to get new brakes or binders if I dont have to
Nov 19 2018 12:35AM 1 0
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rojo.grande
Posts: 992 - Karma: 6,389
After owning the line blends, I can say that the durability isn't fantastic, but the skis are incredibly fun. Super surfey feel, soft enough to easily get creative with butters and presses, and very forgiving in variable terrain. Looking at the other half of this equation, the nomad 95 is more of a park ski. If you're looking for a one ski quiver, the nomad 105 is closer to what you're going to want. Stiffer than the blend, and a little wider under foot for variable conditions. Based on what you typically ski, I think that the nomad 105 is closer of a fit for you than the blend.
Nov 19 2018 8:45AM 0 0
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hi_vis360
Posts: 3677 - Karma: 31,639
the blends are definitely park skis, they aren't very stable at high speeds. I would go with something a little stiffer if you're looking for something that can charge through chop etc
Nov 19 2018 9:23AM 0 0
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Woos
Posts: 832 - Karma: 1,549
Why are you looking at park skis if you ski groomers? Don't buy something just because it's "cool". Look at ARVs or Kartels or something. Especially if you live out west. I can get away with my Wets and Domains for everything here but I'm in Wisconsin lol.
Nov 19 2018 5:01PM 0 0
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5664 - Karma: 4,149
I've only ever skied the wider nomads, and I skied blends once. I like the nomads better, especially for actually turning and stuff. I don't know why but the blends just didn't excite me, perhaps because their longer turn radius. That being said I just bought a pair of SFBs cause I skied them once and loved every second of it. They're also somewhat soft, but the turn radius is tighter and they just felt more lively. And they're not too wide in the middle, but the tip is sort of massive so they'll probably float. Pollard knows what's up.

If you don't ever plan to ski backwards or do much more than jumping off stuff, you might want to look at other stuff that's stiffer, more directional etc. That Icelantic sabre looks sort of like the Shaman or whatever they're very wide but deep sidecut ski was called. That thing was fun if you didn't want to do too much jibbing around.
Nov 19 2018 9:46PM 0 0
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Phillydog1
Posts: 195 - Karma: 298
Don't forget about CT2s, Armada ARV 96s, and K2 Poachers. All probably have more charging/mixed conditions power than Blends or Nomads. Cts are light(durability issues?), ARV 96s are middle, K2 Poachers are on the heavy side. CTs Probably similar to Nomads in flex, ARVs stiff, Poachers very stiff. Hope this helps!
Nov 19 2018 11:22PM 0 0
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mystery3
Posts: 3676 - Karma: 11,069
Phillydog1Don't forget about CT2s, Armada ARV 96s, and K2 Poachers. All probably have more charging/mixed conditions power than Blends or Nomads. Cts are light(durability issues?), ARV 96s are middle, K2 Poachers are on the heavy side. CTs Probably similar to Nomads in flex, ARVs stiff, Poachers very stiff. Hope this helps!


ARV 96 does not really charge at all, it's a fun maneuverable jibby ski that can do a lot of things but charging is not one of them. They're not very stable at high speed or very confidence inspiring in chunder or chop.
Nov 19 2018 11:50PM 0 0
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messplay
Posts: 4483 - Karma: 1,054
Thanks for the help guys. I'm coming from the Icelantic DaNollie, which is all I've had since like 2011 and I didnt ski for 3 winters. I love how it is a little stiffer but soft enough to mess around on. 118-88-118. I'm thinking the Nomad will be a good upgrade. I am looking at some of the other models mentioned but I love the topsheet of the Nomad 95 the best. I'd say I'm about 60% groomers, 20% park, 20% choppy/deep
Nov 20 2018 12:00AM 0 0
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saucemastrscotty
Posts: 69 - Karma: 232
messplayThanks for the help guys. I'm coming from the Icelantic DaNollie, which is all I've had since like 2011 and I didnt ski for 3 winters. I love how it is a little stiffer but soft enough to mess around on. 118-88-118. I'm thinking the Nomad will be a good upgrade. I am looking at some of the other models mentioned but I love the topsheet of the Nomad 95 the best. I'd say I'm about 60% groomers, 20% park, 20% choppy/deep

I have a pair of nomad 95s and they're very soft, stiffer than the blends but still soft af compared to a groomer ski. The other thing u have to take into account is the rocker, nomads have a shit ton of it which will make it harder to hold an edge they also only have 2mm of camber which compared to some more hard pack based skis is a lot. If u just want them for the twin tip try looking at something with more camber like an nfx
Nov 21 2018 10:49AM 0 0
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saucemastrscotty
Posts: 69 - Karma: 232
saucemastrscottyI have a pair of nomad 95s and they're very soft, stiffer than the blends but still soft af compared to a groomer ski. The other thing u have to take into account is the rocker, nomads have a shit ton of it which will make it harder to hold an edge they also only have 2mm of camber which compared to some more hard pack based skis is a lot. If u just want them for the twin tip try looking at something with more camber like an nfx

*not a lot
Nov 21 2018 10:50AM 0 0
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