Jonathan Ellsworth
The Hoka Hupana is billed as a bit of a do-everything shoe, so is it best thought of as a running shoe that can also work as a gym shoe and casual, everyday shoe? Or is it a casual shoe that can work at the gym or for the occasional run?
Best and Worst Product Names
In honor of Outdoor Retailer kicking off today — where we’ll be checking out a ton of new products with both very good, and very bad names — we figured it’d be a good time to go over some of the best, and worst product names we’ve ever seen. Check out what we’ve put together, then let us know your own nominations for Best or Worst. (And by the way, consider this post at least PG-13. Also, that pictured Kayak is called the Cocaine, FWIW.)
New DPS Skis & Products with Stephan Drake (Ep.22)
We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the new DPS Wailer 110; the DPS Spoon, Lotus 138, and 124; and some big news about DPS Phantom, their new ski and snowboard base treatment.
Deep Dive: Line Sick Day 114
Update: We compare the Line Sick Day 114 to the Moment Blister Pro, ON3P Wrenegade 114, Faction Dictator 4.0, Liberty Origin 112, Rossignol Super 7 HD & RD, Blizzard Rustler 11, Fischer Ranger 115 XTi, DPS Wailer 112 Alchemist, Line Mordecai, and more...
2019-2020 Line Sick Day 114
We spent more time this past season on both lengths of the Line Sick Day 114. Check out our updated review and our new Deep Dive comparisons (including the ON3P Wrenegade 114, Liberty Origin 112, and Faction Dictator 4.0).
Skier Survey from LINE
(Update: SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.) Line conducted this skier survey, and we think you should check it out. Because (1) you can win some skis, and (2) you can let them know which review publications and buyer’s guides you trust most for info on ski gear.
Bikes vs. Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1 (Ep.21)
Which ski company is most like which bike company? Who is the Moment Skis of the bike world? And which ski brand shares the most family resemblance with Yeti or Transition? Jonathan Ellsworth has been having this discussion for years with Blister's bike editor, Noah Bodman, and we're now taking it public. So give it a listen, then let us know where you agree, where you disagree, and where you've got the better analogies.
Deep Dive: 18/19 ON3P Wrenegade 108
We compare the Wrenegade 108 to the Blizzard Cochise, Nordica Enforcer 110, Faction Dictator 3.0 & Dictator 4.0, J Skis Metal, Folsom Hammer, and more...
2019-2020 ON3P Wrenegade 108
Since it’s Independence day, we figured we’d talk about a ski made by an Independent manufacturer, right here in America. Check out our full review of the new ON3P Wrenegade 108.
Alpenglow Mtn Festival + Stuff We Learned during Spring Ski Testing (Ep.20)
We talk with Blister editors, Luke Koppa and Sam Shaheen, about the recent Alpenglow Mountain Festival and running with our hero, Courtney Dauwalter. Then we discuss some of the key takeaways from our spring ski testing, including Domino's thin-crust pizza, dumb gear, and some great gear.
2021-2022 Nordica Promachine 130
Nordica is entering the lighter weight alpine boot category for 18/19, and they claim their new Promachine line combines “race-boot performance” with “all-mountain comfort and versatility.” (Yeah, right. Right?) Check out our measured specs, fit notes, and initial impressions of the new Promachine 130.
Julian Carr on Big Mtn Running & Massive Cliff Jumping (Ep.73)
We talk to Julian Carr about his series of big-mountain "adventure" races, the Cirque Series; on the preparation and state of mind required to send massive cliffs; and how his company, Discrete, has evolved over the past 10 years.
Deep Dive: Black Crows Daemon
We compare the Daemon to the new Volkl Mantra, the Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Masterblaster, Liberty Origin 96, and more...
2019-2020 Black Crows Daemon
After getting more reviewers and more days on it in even more conditions, you can now check out our full review of Black Crows’ reverse-camber, all-mountain ski, the Daemon.
Altra Escalante
The Altra Escalante is a zero-drop shoe with a more plush, cushioned ride than many of the more minimalist options out there. So is that a good thing or a bad thing? More importantly, is it a good option for you? Our full review should help you decide.
Runner Profile: Jonathan Ellsworth, Founder / Editor, Blister
Vitals: 5’10”, ~175 lbs.
(see my general bio & skier profile)
Running Background, Style, and General Preferences
I used to be one of those peo…
Deep Dive: DPS Alchemist Wailer 112
We compare the Wailer A 112 to the Rossignol Super 7 HD, Line Sick Day 114, Nordica Enforcer 110, Liberty Origin 112, Volkl V-Werks Katana, and more...
2020-2021 DPS Alchemist Wailer 112
We’ve now had a handful of reviewers on the newest version of the DPS Wailer 112. Check out our full review, where everybody weighs in.
18/19 Folsom Skis Primary — “The Hammer” Edition
Here are a number of our initial on-snow impressions of The Hammer.
2018-2019 Folsom Skis Primary — “The Hammer” Edition
Last year, we started talking to Folsom about creating an all-mountain charger named “The Hammer.” And after much back-and-forth, the ski’s been built, and we’re excited about how it turned out. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.