Blister Reviewer BadgeEric Freson

Eric Freson reviews the Dynafit Tigard 130 for Blister

23/24 Dynafit Tigard 130 Boot

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This season, Dynafit launched a new 130-flex AT boot that was pretty different for the brand — 2-piece overlap construction, GripWalk soles, and 4 buckles. Eric Freson has been spending a lot of time with it in the backcountry this season — check out his initial thoughts.

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Eric Freson reviews the Yeti SB140 for Blister

Deep Dive: Yeti SB140

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We compare the Yeti SB140 to the Revel Rail 29, Ibis Ripley AF, Canyon Spectral 29, Santa Cruz Hightower, and Pivot Switchblade.

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Eric Freson reviews the Yeti SB140 for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Yeti SB140

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We’ve started spending time on Yeti’s long-awaited successor to the SB130 — so is the new SB140 a refreshed take on that longstanding and ultra-popular all-rounder, or is it something else entirely? Check out our early impressions.

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

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Eric Freson reviews the Five Ten Kestrel Boa for Blister

Five Ten Kestrel Boa

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Five Ten cut its teeth in the bike world by making gravity-oriented shoes, and they’re still best known for those offerings. But the new Kestrel Boa is a much more XC-oriented shoe than we’ve seen from Five Ten before, and it’s meant to add a little bit of their gravity shoe know-how to an XC shoe form factor.
Luke Koppa reviews the Salomon QST Echo 106 for Blister

23/24 Salomon QST Echo 106

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UPDATE 6.14.23: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on the QST Echo 106, including comparisons to several other touring skis from 4FRNT, WNDR Alpine, Moment, Volkl, & Line.

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

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Eric Freson reviews the GT Sensor ST for Blister

Flash Review — GT Sensor ST

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We got pretty excited about the new GT Sensor ST when it launched, and now we've started spending time on it. Check out our initial on-trail impressions.

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

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Eric Freson reviews the Fischer Ranger Pro 130 for Blister

23/24 Fischer Ranger Pro 130

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Fischer recently updated their freeride-touring boot and we've been testing the top-level Ranger Pro 130. Check out our initial impressions.

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

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Dylan Wood and Eric Freson Review the Revel Rail 29 for Blister

Flash Review — Revel Rail 29

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Update 9.27.22: Dylan Wood adds his initial impressions of this versatile long-travel 29er.

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

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Eric Freson and Dylan Wood review the Intense Tracer 279 for Blister

Flash Review — Intense Tracer 279

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Update 9.13.22: Dylan Wood adds his initial impressions of the Intense Tracer 279.

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

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Eric Freson reviews the LoamLab Counterpunch and Grips for Blister

LoamLab Components Grips and Counterpunch

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A lot of mountain bikers have probably crashed by clipping a tree with the outside of their bar. LoamLab’s Counterpunch is meant to save folks from some of those crashes (and potential broken pinkies) with a subtle aluminum guard that replaces the outer clamp of a lock-on grip — and having gone and punched some trees with them, they work.
Eric Freson reviews the Five Ten Trailcross Clip-In for Blister

Five Ten Trailcross Clip-In

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Five Ten’s new Trailcross Clip-In is the first, well, clip model in their Trailcross line, and Five Ten talks as much about its hiking performance as the on-bike portion of the program. So what does that mean for its performance as an actual bike shoe, and who is it going to work best for?
Eric Freson, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth review the 4FRNT Renegade for Blister

2021-2022 4FRNT Renegade

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We've now been able to get several reviewers on both lengths of 4FRNT / Eric Hjorleifson's pow ski. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Eric Freson & Luke Koppa Blister Mountain Bike Review on the Ibis Ripley AF

Flash Review — Ibis Ripley AF

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Update 8.3.21: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on Ibis's budget-friendly, shorter-travel Trail bike.

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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Eric Freson reviews the Salomon Shift Pro 130 for Blister

21/22 Salomon Shift Pro 130

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Eric Freson has been spending time (in the backcountry & resort) in Salomon's newest offering in the "50/50" category of AT boots. Here are some of his thoughts.

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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Eric Freson & Luke Koppa review the Banshee Phantom V3 for Blister

2021 Banshee Phantom V3

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We've had two reviewers spending a lot of time on Banshee's recently revised, "hard charging short travel 29er," the Phantom V3. Check out our full review.
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