Sam Shaheen

Deep Dive: Dynastar Menace 98

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Luke Koppa and Sam Shaheen review the Dynastar Menace 98 for Blister

We compare the Menace 98 to the Rossignol Black Ops 98, Armada ARV 96 Ti, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Liberty Helix 98 & Origin 96, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9, Nordica Enforcer 100, 4FRNT MSP 99, Moment Commander 98, and ON3P Wrenegade 96.

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Patagonia SnowDrifter Bibs

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

The brand-new Patagonia SnowDrifter Bibs replace their well-loved Descensionsist Pants. So how do the SnowDrifter Bibs compare to their predecessor and the rest of the ski / snowboard pants on the market?

Sweet Protection Firewall Goggle

April 12, 2019April 11, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Sweet Protection has been making high-quality helmets and outerwear for years, and for 19/20, they’re breaking into a new category — goggles. Check out our review of their new budget-oriented Firewall Goggle.

Patagonia R1 TechFace Pullover

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Last year Patagonia released what quickly became one of our favorite layers for high-output activities in the mountains — the R1 TechFace Hoody. This year, they released a more minimal Pullover version, and for some people, it could be even better than the original. Check out our review.

Avalanche Beacons & Backcountry Safety with BCA Co-Founder, Bruce Edgerly (Ep.43)

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

BCA Vice President and Co-Founder Bruce Edgerly on Blister's GEAR:30 Podcast

Avalanche beacons might not be sexy, but their proper use and design can be the difference between life and death. So we sat down with BCA’s co-founder, Bruce Edgerly, to talk about avalanche transceiver design, backcountry safety research, and the most important — yet often overlooked — aspects of a rescue.

Deep Dive: Folsom Spar 88

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Sam Shaheen and Jonathan Ellsworth review the Folsom Spar 88 for Blister

We compare the Spar 88 to the Blizzard Brahma, Head Monster 88 Ti, Nordica Enforcer 93, J Skis Masterblaster, Renoun Z-Line 90, Atomic Vantage 90 Ti, Armada Invictus 89Ti, K2 Ikonic 84Ti, and Black Crows Orb.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.

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2019-2020 Folsom Spar 88

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Building a narrower “all-mountain” ski that actually works well all around the mountain is trickier (or, at least rarer) than you might think. But the Folsom Spar 88 does, and you can now check out our full review.

Deep Dive: Dynastar Legend X96

March 26, 2019March 26, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Jonathan Ellsworth and Sam Shaheen review the Dynastar Legend X96 for Blister

We compare the Legend X96 to the Volkl Mantra M5, Blizzard Bonafide, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, Moment Commander 98, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97Ti, 4FRNT MSP 99, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Liberty Origin 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, Renoun Endurance 94, and ON3p Wrenegade 96.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.

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.)

2019-2020 Dynastar Legend X96

April 4, 2019March 26, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Jonathan Ellsworth and Sam Shaheen review the Dynastar Legend X96 for BlisterJonathan Ellsworth and Sam Shaheen review the Dynastar Legend X96 for Blister

The Dynastar Legend X96 is low on weight, very stiff with respect to its flex pattern, and accessible in terms of its shape. Check out our full review to see the on-snow result of that combo.

Mammut Trion Spine 50 Backpack

March 19, 2019March 18, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Sam Shaheen reviews the Mammut Trion Spine 50 Pack for Blister

Mammut just released a new line of packs with a unique suspension system designed to move with you, rather than against you. So how does the Trion Spine compare to packs with similar designs, and where does this all-purpose alpine pack excel? Check out our full review.

19/20 Apparel — Sustainability, New Tech, & the Death of Full-Zip Jackets?? (Ep.40)

March 22, 2019March 15, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Luke Koppa and Sam Shaheen discuss a bunch of new apparel on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast

We’ve been inundated at HQ with new apparel from Patagonia, Mammut, Flylow, Sole, and much more in the past few weeks. Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa recently sat down to do their favorite thing — geek out on new apparel.

The North Face Ceptor Jacket

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

The North Face Ceptor Jacket brings a lot of what you’d expect from a technical 3L shell (great weather resistance, plenty of features, and decent breathability) but does so without an exuberant price tag. Check out our full review.

Prior Snowboards & Skis, with Dominic Morin (Ep.39)

March 11, 2019March 9, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa review the Prior CBC for Blister

We talk to Prior’s head snowboard and ski shaper, Dominic Morin, about the origins of Prior, their philosophy of ski and snowboard shaping, their craziest designs, their new shapes for 19/20, and the legacy of Chris Prior.

Colltex Clariden Climbing Skins

March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Colltex has been making climbing skins for more than 50 years, and it shows. Their Clariden skins’ low weight, great glide, and easy to use adhesive make them an excellent option for a lot of backcountry skiers.

Black Diamond Helio Active Shell

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

The Black Diamond Helio Active Shell is an extremely impressive Gore-Tex jacket, and is worth a good look if you’re a backcountry skier or snowboarder who appreciates weather resistance, breathability, and low weight. Check out our full review.

Flylow Baker Bib

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

The Flylow Baker Bib has garnered a cult following among skiers and snowboarders who are really hard on their gear. Check out our full review.

How to Care for Your Waterproof Outerwear & Down Jackets

February 15, 2019February 14, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Blister's guide to taking care of your waterproof, down, and other technical apparel

Ok, people, our outwear nerds / gurus want you to start properly taking care of and cleaning your waterproof jackets & pants, down jackets & mid layers, and other technical apparel to keep them performing at their best. So they’ll tell you how, and recommend several products to use.

2019-2020 K2 Wayback 106

February 26, 2019January 31, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Sam Shaheen reviews the K2 Wayback 106 for Blister

K2 overhauled their touring skis this year, and after spending a lot of time on it in a wide range of conditions, you can now check out our full review of the widest ski in the series, the Wayback 106.

Rab Sharp Edge Jacket and Pants

January 29, 2019January 29, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Sam Shaheen reviews the Rab Sharp Edge Jacket & Pants for Blister

There aren’t many kits out there designed specifically for ski mountaineering, but Rab’s Sharp Edge Jacket and Pants are. So how do they perform in big terrain, and should you still be considering them even if you’re not walking around in crampons and hacking your way up steep ice? Check out our full review.

2018-2019 Folsom Trophy Carbon

January 28, 2019January 28, 2019 by Sam Shaheen

Luke Koppa and Sam Shaheen review the Folsom Trophy Carbon for Blister

The Folsom Trophy Carbon is one of the few playful pow skis that’s light enough to tour on, and you can now check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.

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