Recent Posts
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 2: Giro / Bell (Ep.150)
We talk about Giro & Bell’s approach to various helmet safety standards and certifications; the differences between a $65 helmet and a $260 helmet; the pros and cons of adding a chin bar to a full-face helmet, or a large visor to an enduro bike helmet; and more.
21/22 Fat-ypus D-Sender
This season we spent time on the Fat-ypus D-Sender, which was originally designed as their big-mountain comp ski. But it’s definitely not your typical comp ski. Check out our thoughts for more.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.
To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
If you’re already a 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.)
Win Hiking Boots from Hoka
This week the winner will get a pair of Hoka’s brand-new, lightweight hiking boots!
Vorsprung Secus Fork Air Spring Upgrade
MTB forks have gotten better and better, but there’s always room to improve. The Vorsprung Secus upgrade aims to do just that, and in a rare occurrence, we think it’s a product that offers a very significant performance boost without many significant downsides. Check out our long-term review to see if this air-spring upgrade would be worth adding to your own fork.
Reviewer Reports: Leogang; Long & Short Travel Bikes; & the Future of Mullets (Ep.70)
We discuss the DH races in Leogang; the long and short travel bikes we’ve been spending time on; whether mullet bikes will be more or less of a thing in 5 years; and the bike equivalent of telemark skiing.
Fox Speedframe Pro Helmet
Fox’s Speedframe Pro is a high-end, broad-coverage Trail / Enduro helmet with a 5-star safety rating from Virginia Tech. And given its solid coverage, it’s also been very impressive in terms of ventilation for hot rides. Check out our full review for more, including several comparisons to its competition.
Michele Graglia on Going ‘Ultra’ (Ep.87)
In one of our all-time favorite podcast conversations, we find out how a kid from a little town in Italy goes from working in his family’s floral business to being a top fashion model in Miami to being one of the best ultrarunners in the world. And now, Michele Gralia isn’t just about winning long-distance races and setting records. He is passionate about human potential, helping us redefine what is possible, and motivating each and every one of us to do the same.
2021-2022 Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad
In an age where big, burly chargers are a bit of an endangered species, the 194cm-long, 112mm-wide Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad is a refreshing shift away from the norm. Check out our First Look and Flash Review for more on this athlete-driven ski.
Skiing Indoors? Alpine-X & the Future of Snowsports (Ep.170)
We talk to the CEO of Alpine-X about his vision of developing indoor snowsports destinations in North American metropolitan markets. Could this have a similar effect that indoor climbing gyms have had on the popularity of climbing? Could such indoor facilities help create a more inclusive and more diverse snowsports demographic? Could this lead to a world where some people only ski indoors?
2021 Santa Cruz Nomad
The original Santa Cruz Nomad was one of the first bikes to shape the mold for the modern Enduro bike, way back in 2005. Now in its fifth generation, the new bike stands out from the rest of the market in some interesting ways. Check out our First Look for more.
Flash Review: 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad
The new, fifth-generation Santa Cruz Nomad is an interesting update to one of the longest-standing Enduro bikes on the market, and we’ve been spending time on it. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.
To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
If you’re already a 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.)
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 1: Sweet Protection (Ep.149)
In our new mini-series, we’re talking to key designers in the world of snowsports and bike helmets to stitch together a current state of helmet tech and helmet R&D. Today we talk with Ståle Møller about the pros & cons of the two different safety certifications; advances in materials; our understanding of head injuries; ventilation; the unique challenges of designing helmets for various activities; and how to know when you ought to replace your helmet.
Win any Pack from USWE
This week the winner will get any pack they want from USWE’s huge lineup, which spans everything from running to mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and more.
2021-2022 Elan Ripstick 106 & Ripstick 106 Black Edition
This season we spent time on both the standard Ripstick 106 and its extra-carbon-packed sibling, the Ripstick 106 Black Edition. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons for more on these two lightweight freeride skis.
Deep Dive: Elan Ripstick 106
We compare the Ripstick 106 to the previous Ripstick 106, Ripstick 106 Black Edition, Line Sick Day 104, Head Kore 105, Wagner Summit 106, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Black Crows Atris, Blizzard Rustler 10, Liberty Origin 106, Volkl Blaze 106, Armada Tracer 108, Sego Condor 108, J Skis Slacker, 4FRNT MSP 107, Whitedot Altum 104, Moment Wildcat 108, & Faction Dictator 3.0.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.
To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
If you’re already a 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.)
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 2: Giro / Bell (Ep.150)
We talk about Giro & Bell’s approach to various helmet safety standards and certifications; the differences between a $65 helmet and a $260 helmet; the pros and cons of adding a chin bar to a full-face helmet, or a large visor to an enduro bike helmet; and more.
21/22 Fat-ypus D-Sender
This season we spent time on the Fat-ypus D-Sender, which was originally designed as their big-mountain comp ski. But it’s definitely not your typical comp ski. Check out our thoughts for more.
Win Hiking Boots from Hoka
This week the winner will get a pair of Hoka’s brand-new, lightweight hiking boots!
Vorsprung Secus Fork Air Spring Upgrade
MTB forks have gotten better and better, but there’s always room to improve. The Vorsprung Secus upgrade aims to do just that, and in a rare occurrence, we think it’s a product that offers a very significant performance boost without many significant downsides. Check out our long-term review to see if this air-spring upgrade would be worth adding to your own fork.
Reviewer Reports: Leogang; Long & Short Travel Bikes; & the Future of Mullets (Ep.70)
We discuss the DH races in Leogang; the long and short travel bikes we’ve been spending time on; whether mullet bikes will be more or less of a thing in 5 years; and the bike equivalent of telemark skiing.
Fox Speedframe Pro Helmet
Fox’s Speedframe Pro is a high-end, broad-coverage Trail / Enduro helmet with a 5-star safety rating from Virginia Tech. And given its solid coverage, it’s also been very impressive in terms of ventilation for hot rides. Check out our full review for more, including several comparisons to its competition.
Michele Graglia on Going ‘Ultra’ (Ep.87)
In one of our all-time favorite podcast conversations, we find out how a kid from a little town in Italy goes from working in his family’s floral business to being a top fashion model in Miami to being one of the best ultrarunners in the world. And now, Michele Gralia isn’t just about winning long-distance races and setting records. He is passionate about human potential, helping us redefine what is possible, and motivating each and every one of us to do the same.
2021-2022 Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad
In an age where big, burly chargers are a bit of an endangered species, the 194cm-long, 112mm-wide Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad is a refreshing shift away from the norm. Check out our First Look and Flash Review for more on this athlete-driven ski.
Skiing Indoors? Alpine-X & the Future of Snowsports (Ep.170)
We talk to the CEO of Alpine-X about his vision of developing indoor snowsports destinations in North American metropolitan markets. Could this have a similar effect that indoor climbing gyms have had on the popularity of climbing? Could such indoor facilities help create a more inclusive and more diverse snowsports demographic? Could this lead to a world where some people only ski indoors?
2021 Santa Cruz Nomad
The original Santa Cruz Nomad was one of the first bikes to shape the mold for the modern Enduro bike, way back in 2005. Now in its fifth generation, the new bike stands out from the rest of the market in some interesting ways. Check out our First Look for more.
Flash Review: 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad
The new, fifth-generation Santa Cruz Nomad is an interesting update to one of the longest-standing Enduro bikes on the market, and we’ve been spending time on it. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 1: Sweet Protection (Ep.149)
In our new mini-series, we’re talking to key designers in the world of snowsports and bike helmets to stitch together a current state of helmet tech and helmet R&D. Today we talk with Ståle Møller about the pros & cons of the two different safety certifications; advances in materials; our understanding of head injuries; ventilation; the unique challenges of designing helmets for various activities; and how to know when you ought to replace your helmet.