BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Blister reviews the Völkl Mantra 84.

Flash Review: 25/26 Völkl Mantra 84

Today we take a look at Völkl’s narrowest ‘Mantra’ — the redesigned Mantra 84.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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David Golay reviews the Project321 RG3 Hubs

Project321 RG3 Hubs

We’ve been very impressed with Project321’s G3 mountain bike hubs, and now they’ve got a pared-down road and gravel version: the RG3. Check them out here.

Read More »
BLISTER reviews the Norco Sight VLT CX

Norco Sight VLT CX

The Norco Sight VLT CX keeps its high pivot suspension layout but manages to pack a huge 800 Wh battery while weighing a claimed 20% less than the old one. That’s an impressive trick — let’s see how they’ve pulled it off.

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David Golay reviews the Pivot Firebird for Blister

Pivot Firebird V5

The Pivot Firebird is now in its fifth generation, and while the new bike looks a whole lot like the V4 iteration that it replaces, it’s got overhauled geometry, more adjustability, and several new features and refinements.

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David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2 for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox DHX2

We’ve started spending time on the new Fox DHX2. Check out how it’s going so far.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

Read More »
Blister reviews the ZAG Mata

2025-2026 ZAG Mata

The nebulous but growing class of ‘fun carvers’ is an exciting one, and ZAG’s Mata is one of the latest additions. Here’s our Full Review of this 90mm-wide, asymmetrical ski that ZAG describes as “aggressive but not exclusive.”

Read More »
Blister reviews the ZAG Mata

Deep Dive: ZAG Mata

We compare the ZAG Mata to the Line Blade, Black Crows Mirus Cor, Folsom Spar Turbo, Black Crows Octo, ZAG Harfang 96, Fischer The Curv GT 85, ZAG Slap 98, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Dynastar M-Cross 88, K2 Mindbender 90C, Salomon Stance 90, Wagner Summit 91, & 4FRNT MSP 91.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

Read More »
BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Stuff We Like: March 2025

In this month’s edition of Stuff We Like, our reviewers cover everything from multifunctional apparel to several gear-organization solutions, snowboard-boot liners, ski outerwear, snowsports backpacks, and more.

Read More »
David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2 for Blister

2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2

Right on the heels of giving their fork lineup a big overhaul, Fox has new versions of their Float X2 and DHX2 gravity shocks. It’s a big refresh, too, including completely different damper architecture and a bunch more. Check out what’s changed.

Read More »

BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Blister reviews the Völkl Mantra 84.

2025-2026 Völkl Mantra 84

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the brand-new Völkl Mantra 84.

David Golay reviews the Project321 RG3 Hubs

Project321 RG3 Hubs

We’ve been very impressed with Project321’s G3 mountain bike hubs, and now they’ve got a pared-down road and gravel version: the RG3. Check them out here.

BLISTER reviews the Norco Sight VLT CX

Norco Sight VLT CX

The Norco Sight VLT CX keeps its high pivot suspension layout but manages to pack a huge 800 Wh battery while weighing a claimed 20% less than the old one. That’s an impressive trick — let’s see how they’ve pulled it off.

David Golay reviews the Pivot Firebird for Blister

Pivot Firebird V5

The Pivot Firebird is now in its fifth generation, and while the new bike looks a whole lot like the V4 iteration that it replaces, it’s got overhauled geometry, more adjustability, and several new features and refinements.

Blister reviews the ZAG Mata

2025-2026 ZAG Mata

The nebulous but growing class of ‘fun carvers’ is an exciting one, and ZAG’s Mata is one of the latest additions. Here’s our Full Review of this 90mm-wide, asymmetrical ski that ZAG describes as “aggressive but not exclusive.”

Blister reviews the ZAG Mata

Deep Dive: ZAG Mata

We compare the ZAG Mata to the Line Blade, Black Crows Mirus Cor, Folsom Spar Turbo, Black Crows Octo, ZAG Harfang 96, Fischer The Curv GT 85, ZAG Slap 98, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Dynastar M-Cross 88, K2 Mindbender 90C, Salomon Stance 90, Wagner Summit 91, & 4FRNT MSP 91.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Stuff We Like: March 2025

In this month’s edition of Stuff We Like, our reviewers cover everything from multifunctional apparel to several gear-organization solutions, snowboard-boot liners, ski outerwear, snowsports backpacks, and more.

David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2 for Blister

2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2

Right on the heels of giving their fork lineup a big overhaul, Fox has new versions of their Float X2 and DHX2 gravity shocks. It’s a big refresh, too, including completely different damper architecture and a bunch more. Check out what’s changed.