BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 26/27 Icelantic Torrent 96
Icelantic’s new Torrent & Tempest skis look to be pretty different from the brand’s recent skis, and we’ve started testing them to see where these carbon-packed directional models fit into the market. Here are our initial thoughts on the Torrent 96.
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2026-2027 Icelantic Torrent 96
Icelantic is releasing a new collection of directional all-mountain skis. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Torrent 96.
Bitters, Ghost Towns, & Botanical Sodas w/ Shae Whitney of Dram (Ep. 102)
Eli talks with Dram founder, Shae Whitney, about Dram’s unlikely origin story; what led her to start making bitters with real botanicals; building a business in a Colorado ghost town; the strange history of their original production space; and how Dram navigated the rise of functional beverages without chasing trends.
Flash Review: 25/26 Heritage Lab AM110
Heritage Lab’s “progressive freeride” ski stands out on paper for many reasons, but what about on snow? Here’s what we’ve learned from our first several days with it, including comparisons to the Dynastar M-Free 112.
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.)
2025-2026 Heritage Lab AM110
Heritage Lab is offering a new collection of progressive freeride skis. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new AM110.
2026-2027 Fischer Nothing
Fischer has been teasing a mysterious experimental freeride project called “Nothing,” and now we finally have the skis in hand. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Nothing.
Flash Review: 26/27 Fischer Nothing
Befitting its name, the Fischer “Nothing” ski is deliberately mysterious, but now that we’ve started logging laps on it, we can shed some more light on this 112mm-wide freeride ski.
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.)
Specialized Turbo Levo R
Specialized has a surprise: a short-travel version of the full-power Turbo Levo. Check out our First Look on their new Turbo Levo R for the details.
Flash Review: Specialized Turbo Levo R
The Turbo Levo R is the shortest travel full-power eMTB we’ve ridden. Has Specialized zeroed in on something that was missing in the full-power category?
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.)
Race Face Era eMTB Wheels
Race Face has a new version of their Era carbon wheels, beefed up for eMTB use. Here’s what they’ve cooked up.
RockShox Boxxer D2 & Vivid Coil C1
There’s new RockShox suspension to go with SRAM’s updated Maven brakes and new XX DH Transmission. Meet the new Boxxer and Vivid Coil.
SRAM XX DH Transmission
SRAM’s Transmission has entered the DH realm. Here’s the rundown on the new 7-speed XX DH Transmission — and the new freehub standard that comes with it.
SRAM Maven B1
SRAM’s new second-generation Maven brakes promise to maintain the excellent power of the original version, while improving the lever feel and modulation. Here’s how they’ve gone about it.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, February 2026 (Ep.395)
Cody and Jonathan discuss responsibility in the backcountry; the verdict of an Austrian man facing manslaughter charges for leaving his girlfriend on Austria’s highest peak; the deadliest avalanche in California history; the Olympics; and what they’ve been reading & watching.
Flash Review: 26/27 Blizzard Canvas 118
This past week’s big storms meant that we’ve been getting back on big pow skis, including Blizzard’s new freeski model, the Canvas 118. Here are Jonathan & Luke’s initial takeaways.
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.)
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 26/27 Icelantic Torrent 96
Icelantic’s new Torrent & Tempest skis look to be pretty different from the brand’s recent skis, and we’ve started testing them to see where these carbon-packed directional models fit into the market. Here are our initial thoughts on the Torrent 96.
2026-2027 Icelantic Torrent 96
Icelantic is releasing a new collection of directional all-mountain skis. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Torrent 96.
Bitters, Ghost Towns, & Botanical Sodas w/ Shae Whitney of Dram (Ep. 102)
Eli talks with Dram founder, Shae Whitney, about Dram’s unlikely origin story; what led her to start making bitters with real botanicals; building a business in a Colorado ghost town; the strange history of their original production space; and how Dram navigated the rise of functional beverages without chasing trends.
Flash Review: 25/26 Heritage Lab AM110
Heritage Lab’s “progressive freeride” ski stands out on paper for many reasons, but what about on snow? Here’s what we’ve learned from our first several days with it, including comparisons to the Dynastar M-Free 112.
2025-2026 Heritage Lab AM110
Heritage Lab is offering a new collection of progressive freeride skis. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new AM110.
2026-2027 Fischer Nothing
Fischer has been teasing a mysterious experimental freeride project called “Nothing,” and now we finally have the skis in hand. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Nothing.
Flash Review: 26/27 Fischer Nothing
Befitting its name, the Fischer “Nothing” ski is deliberately mysterious, but now that we’ve started logging laps on it, we can shed some more light on this 112mm-wide freeride ski.
Specialized Turbo Levo R
Specialized has a surprise: a short-travel version of the full-power Turbo Levo. Check out our First Look on their new Turbo Levo R for the details.
Flash Review: Specialized Turbo Levo R
The Turbo Levo R is the shortest travel full-power eMTB we’ve ridden. Has Specialized zeroed in on something that was missing in the full-power category?
Race Face Era eMTB Wheels
Race Face has a new version of their Era carbon wheels, beefed up for eMTB use. Here’s what they’ve cooked up.
RockShox Boxxer D2 & Vivid Coil C1
There’s new RockShox suspension to go with SRAM’s updated Maven brakes and new XX DH Transmission. Meet the new Boxxer and Vivid Coil.
SRAM XX DH Transmission
SRAM’s Transmission has entered the DH realm. Here’s the rundown on the new 7-speed XX DH Transmission — and the new freehub standard that comes with it.