Feeler: Icelantic Nomad 95 vs Line Blends

messplay

messplay

Active member
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
13962735:Phillydog1 said:
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!
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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.
 
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
 
13962756:messplay said:
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
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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
 
13963297:saucemastrscotty said:
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
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*not a lot
 
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