Sam Shaheen

Layering 101: Types of Apparel & How to Layer for Different Activities & Climates

by
What’s the best way to dress for ski touring when it’s sunny and hot? Alpine climbing in mixed conditions? Lift-accessed skiing in the dead of winter? There are a zillion new baselayers, midlayers, and shells out there, so we’ve put together a guide to help you sort out what makes certain types better / worse at certain things, and outlined how we think about layering for various cold-weather outdoor activities.
Sam Shaheen reviews the Moment Wildcat Tour 108 for Blister.

Deep Dive: Moment Wildcat Tour 108

by
We compare the Wildcat Tour 108 to the Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish Tour, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, Atomic Backland 107, Blizzard Zero G 105, K2 Wayback 106, Black Diamond Helio 105, Line Vision 108, Amplid Facelift 108, 4FRNT Raven, Renoun Citadel 106, Faction Agent 3.0, & Folsom Cash 106 Carbon.

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.)

Alex Rich joins Sam Shaheen on Gear:30 podcast to talk about Mystery Ranch Packs

Mystery Ranch Backpacks: From Special Ops to Backcountry Skiing (Ep.97)

by
Mystery Ranch has a long history of working with and making packs for the US military, fire departments, and law enforcement. They also make everything from backpacks for everyday use, to packs for backcountry skiing, and the company has quite a unique culture. So we sat down with product designer, Alex Rich, to discuss what it’s like to design packs for US special forces; how their military designs trickle down to outdoor packs (and vice versa); how their design ethos reflects their sustainability culture; and more.
On Blister's GEAR:30 Podcast, Sam Shaheen talks to United By Blue apparel designer, Brendan Raugh, about bison wool, bison down, and how United By Blue is using all sorts of bison fibers in apparel and more.

What You’re Wearing, Part 5: Bison Fibers? (Ep.93)

by
Bison Wool? Bison Down? That’s a thing? Well it’s being used by United By Blue, who started salvaging otherwise wasted bison fibers, and is now incorporating them into a growing range of products. So we talked with Brendan Raugh at United By Blue about how the company was founded as a waterway cleanup company; how they went on to develop an entire line of apparel around salvaged bison coat fibers; how bison fibers compare to sheep’s wool and goose down; and more.
Picture Organic's co-founder, Julien Durant, and their sustainability manager, Florian Palluel, go on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast to discuss the brand's new XPore membrane, Demain Jacket, and their sustainability practices

Sugar Cane, Castor Beans, & Poly Bags — Picture Organic Clothing (Ep.91)

by
Picture Organic Clothing is going way beyond common sustainability practices with things like castor bean oil waterproof membranes and sugar cane waste-derived polyester, and they are attempting to eliminate polybags from their entire supply chain. So we talked to Picture’s co-founder, Julien Durant, and their sustainability manager, Florian Palluel about these ambitious projects — including their new air-permeable membrane, Xpore, that they are putting in direction competition with Gore Pro and TNF Futurelight.

20/21 Renoun Citadel 114

by
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Citadel 114.

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.)

Ski Wax & Waxing Skis: What You Need to Know (Ep.89)

by
We talk with Graham Lonetto, the Alpine Director for the USA at Swix — the company that invented color-coded waxes, and one of the largest manufacturers of ski wax in the world — about different types of waxes and application methods; the most common mistake made when ski waxing; the FIS’s ban on fluorocarbons in waxes; and more.
Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa review the Fischer Ranger 99 Ti for Blister

2021-2022 Fischer Ranger 99 Ti

by
If the words "precision," "quickness," and "energy" come to mind when describing your ideal all-mountain ski, the Fischer Ranger 99 Ti should be on your radar. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa review the Fischer Ranger 99 Ti for Blister

Deep Dive: Fischer Ranger 99 Ti

by
We compare the Ranger 99 Ti to the Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Salomon QST 99, K2 Mindbender 99 Ti, Volkl Mantra M5, Volkl Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9 & 10, ON3P Wrenegade 96, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Liberty Origin 96, Renoun Endurance 98, Moment Commander 98, and Dynastar Legend X96.

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.)

Sam Shaheen reviews the Moment Wildcat Tour 108 for Blister.

19/20 Moment Wildcat Tour 108

by
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Wildcat Tour 108.

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.)

Scarpa CEO, Kim Miller, goes on Blister's GEAR:30 Podcast to discuss the new 2021 Scarpa F1 LT, the Scarpa Maestrale XT, and more

SCARPA CEO, Kim Miller, on the new F1 LT & More (Ep.84)

by
In part 2 of our conversation with SCARPA CEO, Kim Miller, Kim offers his predictions for the ski industry and how SCARPA is positioning itself for the future; discusses which materials they use in their boots and why; shares the lessons learned from the Maestrale 2017 recall; and unveils a brand-new boot, the F1 LT.
Sam Shaheen & Luke Koppa review the Atomic Backland 107 for BLISTER

Deep Dive: Atomic Backland 107

by
We compare the Backland 107 to the Black Diamond Helio 105, Blizzard Zero G 105, K2 Wayback 106, Line Vision 108, Ampler Facelift 108, G3 FINDr 102, 4FRNT Raven, & Moment Wildcat Tour 108.

Sustainable Products Roundup

by
Thankfully, “sustainability” is a word that more and more companies are thinking about when it comes to the products they make and sell. So from technical outerwear, to food storage, to everyday items you might not even think about, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite items that represent a step in this more sustainable / less environmentally harmful direction. Check them out here.
+ More