Stuff We Like: May 2025
This month’s assortment of gear includes several impressive cycling components, coolers made from coconuts, some summer apparel favorites, and much more. Check it out to see what our reviewers have been liking lately.
Apparel
Stuff We Like: April 2025
In this month’s edition of Stuff We Like, our reviewers discuss a wide array of gear they’ve been digging, from burly bike stands to shoulder-season layers, ultra-breathable touring kits, mesh duffels, and lots of multifunctional summer apparel for the hot months to come.
Fox Speedframe Helmets
Safety is the whole point when it comes to helmets, and two of the updated models in Fox’s Speedframe lineup are now #1 and #2 in Virginia Tech’s safety rankings. But how does the new Speedframe Pro fit and feel compared to the prior generation? We’re ready to weigh in.
MTB Pant Roundup — 2024
We’ve been testing a whole bunch of MTB pants from ultra-lightweight summer options to fully waterproof winter options. Check out our latest roundup to get the rundown.
How Do You Know How “Safe” Your Helmet Is? | Blister Summit Video
Testing standards are hugely important, but when it comes to ski/snowboard and cycling helmets, the current ones have limitations. In this clip, Steven Kennedy, Sr. Director of R&D at Giro, shares some thoughts on Giro’s in-house testing approach, the Virginia Tech helmet testing standards, and more.
When & WHY Should You Replace Your Helmet? | Blister Summit Video
How do you know when or why you should replace your ski, snowboard, or bike helmet? It's not a simple or easy question to answer, but at Blister Summit 2024, we got some insight from Steven Kennedy, Frederik Kjellberg, Drew Petersen, and Sascha Anastas.
New Glade Goggles, Sunglasses, & Helmets | Blister Summit Video
Glade quickly made a name for themselves in the goggle market, offering versatile photochromic options that could be functional across a huge range of light conditions — and did so without eye-watering price tags. Since then, they’ve continued to refine their lenses, add new models, and expand into helmets and sunglasses. In this video from Blister Summit 2024, we got all the details on Glade’s newest collection of goggles, helmets, and sunglasses.
Ski / Snowboard Outerwear Roundup — Women’s (2023-2024)
This year we got in a whole lot of outerwear, from cozy insulated kits to burly shells — and a lot of those pieces are now on sale! In this roundup, we compare and contrast nearly a dozen of the latest women’s ski / snowboard jackets, pants, and bibs we’ve been testing.
Ski & Snowboard Goggle Roundup — 2024
A good pair of goggles can end up being one of the most essential pieces of gear for a fun day on snow. We’ve been testing a *lot* of them lately, and in this roundup, we compare and contrast more than two dozen — from ultra-high-end flagship models to more budget-oriented (but still impressive) alternatives.
Women’s Midlayer & Insulation Roundup – 2024
The right insulator can be the difference between a great day and a terrible one, especially when it comes to balancing cold temperatures with high-output activities. In this Midlayer & Insulation Roundup, several of our female reviewers discuss some of their recent favorites.
Midlayer & Insulation Roundup – 2024
As the temperatures continue to drop in the northern hemisphere, many of us are thinking about and adapting our layering setups. Midlayers and insulators are a vital part of this, especially when it comes to balancing cold temperatures with high-output activities. In our new Midlayer & Insulation Roundup, several of our reviewers discuss some of their recent favorites.
Ski / Snowboard Outerwear Mega Roundup — Men’s (2023-2024)
Over the past couple of seasons, we have been testing *a lot* of ski / snowboard outerwear. So in this huge, “mega roundup,” we’re comparing all of these pieces head-to-head to help you figure out which ones might be worth considering. In Part One, we cover 20 different jackets & pants.
Flash Review: Luke’s Opening Day Gear: 23/24 Rossignol Forza, Lange Shadow, Rab Vapour-Rise, & Anon Goggles
We're back on snow! And in this special opening-day Flash Review, Luke Koppa shares some thoughts on the Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti, Lange Shadow 130 LV, Rab Vapour-Rise Summit Jacket, & Anon M5 goggle.
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What We’re Wearing, Skiing 23/24: Kara Williard
Next up in our new “What We’re Wearing” series — where our reviewers run us through their head-to-toe kits for resort skiing / riding and touring — is senior editor, bootfitter, and veteran outdoor retail worker, Kara Williard.
What We’re Wearing, Skiing 23/24: Luke Koppa
Most of our reviews and conversations have the goal of helping you, our audience, figure out what gear might work best for you and your particular preferences, circumstances, etc. However, it can be fun (and sometimes, maybe, even illuminating) to occasionally shrug off the cloak of objectivity and just talk about what we personally use and enjoy. In our new “What We’re Wearing” series, we’re doing just that, having several of our reviewers run us through their head-to-toe kits for this winter. First up, our managing editor and self-diagnosed apparel obsessive, Luke Koppa.
Layering 101: Types of Outdoor Apparel & How to Layer for Different Activities & Climates
There are a zillion new baselayers, insulators, and shells out there — and the options are constantly evolving and diversifying. So in our updated "Layering 101" guide, we sort out what makes certain types better / worse than others, and outlined how we think about layering for various cold-weather outdoor activities.
2024 Ortovox Ski & Snowboard Gear | Blister Summit Brand Lineup Video
At Blister Summit 2023, we sat down with Ortovox’s Alexander Cernichiari to discuss the brand’s path from making avalanche transceivers to just about everything you’d wear / use in the backcountry. We cover their 2024 apparel collection; how and why they use merino wool; their wide-ranging outerwear lineup, and more.
Fox Proframe RS
Fox released the Proframe RS as an evolution of their long-standing Proframe helmet, adding a swath of new features and safety technologies. After a long winter season in the Proframe RS, we think it's a great option for folks looking for a lightweight, highly-ventilated full-face helmet.
Lazer Coyote Kineticore
The Lazer Coyote is the newer, less-expensive addition to their line of Kineticore helmets (after the Jackal that we reviewed last year) and it’s an especially impressive offering for the price — at exactly half the cost of the top-tier Jackal.
Ski / Snowboard Outerwear Mega Roundup — Women’s
In this updated mega roundup, we discuss over 30 different pieces of ski / snowboard outerwear that we've been testing over multiple seasons, from lightweight touring shells to insulated jackets and pants for cold resort days, including several new pieces for the upcoming 23/24 season.