Features | BLISTER Outdoor Media & Gear Reviews

What We’re Watching — January 2022

January 1, 2022January 1, 2022 by David Golay

Kick off the new year (or ride out the post-NYE hangover?) with this month’s installation of What We’re Watching, which includes everything from quick edits to a couple of feature-length ski, bike and climbing films.

Would You Rather: Mellow Groomer Laps vs. Nonstop Terror

December 18, 2021 by David Golay

Would you rather be scared on every run you take or limit yourself to mellow groomer laps? That’s the question we’re tackling in this week’s edition of Would You Rather.

Topic of the Week: On Motivation

December 11, 2021 by David Golay

Our Bike Editor has been doing a lot of riding in terrible weather lately, and he’s learning how to love it — or at least talking himself into it — and has some thoughts on how you can, too.

What We’re Watching — December 2021

December 4, 2021December 3, 2021 by David Golay

This month’s iteration of What We’re Watching includes a whole bunch of skiing and mountain biking videos from a huge range of athletes — and a physics video thrown in, for good measure.

Blister weighs in on blacking out topsheets for ski tests

Blacked-Out Top Sheets & Objective Ski Testing

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, we were discussing the best and worst practices for testing skis. This raised the question: would blacking out the top sheets of skis produce more objective results? Here is our take. Give it a read, and let us know what you think.

Blister Topic of the Week: Bigger Isn't Always Better

Debatable: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

November 30, 2021November 28, 2021 by David Golay

The bike industry likes touting stiffer parts as being better, but our Bike Editor makes the case for why that doesn’t always pan out.

Would You Rather: Early Season or Late Season Ski Conditions?

December 27, 2021November 22, 2021 by Luke Koppa

Which of the sub-par snow-sliding times of the year do you prefer?

Debatable: Make Daylight Savings Permanent

November 14, 2021November 13, 2021 by David Golay

Our bike editor is fed up with changing the clocks in the spring and fall, and makes his case for why we should stop doing it.

What We’re Watching — November 2021

November 12, 2021November 7, 2021 by David Golay

This month’s What We’re Watching features a baker’s dozen ski, bike, and freedive(?) videos for your viewing pleasure.

Debatable: The Worst Bike Maintenance Task

October 30, 2021October 29, 2021 by David Golay

What’s the worst bike maintenance task you can think of? In this edition of our “Debatable” series, our editor lays out his nomination, and his potential solutions to it.

Blister Mountain Bike Fork Service Guide

Tech Tip: DIY Fork Lower Service

December 2, 2021October 22, 2021 by David Golay

You can dramatically improve your suspension fork’s performance at home, in under an hour. Let us show you how.

Getting Here: Blister's guide to traveling to the Gunnison and Crested Butte Valley

Getting Here: Gunnison & Crested Butte

November 8, 2024October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We're big fans of our home valley, and for anyone who's interested in visiting, we put together this guide to give you the information you’ll need to make your trip here easier and better.

What We’re Watching — October 2021

November 12, 2021October 9, 2021 by David Golay

Our recurring What We’re Watching series is back, and we’ve got a dozen skiing, biking, and fishing videos for your enjoyment. There’s everything from quick shredits to some longer options, and a bit of recent event coverage, too.

Debatable: You Don’t Need a Big Quiver of Bikes

October 2, 2021October 2, 2021 by David Golay

Having a huge quiver of mountain bikes sounds exciting, but maybe isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Our Bike Editor would rather have the right couple bikes than a massive assortment of options, and makes the case for why.

Tech Tip: Tubeless Tire Tricks

September 25, 2021September 25, 2021 by David Golay

Tubeless tires are ubiquitous on mountain bikes these days, but they can still be a real headache. Fortunately, we’ve got a bunch of tips and tricks that can help make setting them up and maintaining them much easier.

Blister Q&A: Suspension Setup, Value Parts, & Bike Geometry Trends

November 17, 2021September 17, 2021 by David Golay

In our new recurring Blister Q&A series, we’re tackling your questions on whatever topics you might want to hear about — we’re kicking it off with some Q’s about suspension setup, value MTB parts, and more.

Blister Would You Rather: Old Parts vs. Old Geometry Edition

Would You Rather: Old Parts or Old Geometry?

September 12, 2021September 10, 2021 by David Golay

Dated parts, or an ancient frame? That’s the question we’re tackling this week in our “Would You Rather?” series. Check out our reviewers’ individual takes on the site, and let us know what you’d do in the comments.

Blister Topic of the Week: Internal Cable Routing isn't Worth It

Debatable: Internal Cable Routing Isn’t Worth It

December 22, 2021August 28, 2021 by David Golay

It seems like almost every bike comes with internal cable routing these days, but why? Our Bike Editor lays out his case for why cables ought to stay external.

Tech Tip of the Week: Quieting Shimano Brake Pad Rattle

August 21, 2021August 21, 2021 by David Golay

Shimano’s brakes are some of the most popular options out there, but their finned brake pads also have a reputation for rattling. Luckily there’s an easy DIY fix to quiet them down. Check it out.

Blister Would You Rather: Hardtail vs. Full Suspension

Would You Rather: Dream Hardtail or Mid-Price Full Suspension?

September 10, 2021August 14, 2021 by David Golay

Dream hardtail or more modest full suspension bike as an everyday ride? That’s the question we’re tackling in our new “Would You Rather” series. Check out our reviewers’ individual takes on the site, and let us know what you’d do in the comments.