Reviews
These days "mountain bike shorts" can be a lot of things, from highly-technical pieces with fancy fabrics and bike-specific fits to more casual options that look good on or off the bike. We’ve been testing 10 options across the whole spectrum, and you can check out our latest roundup here.
Stuff We Like: June 2021
We're back with this month's edition of "Stuff We Like." The June version includes everything from bandanas to MTB pedals to kayak paddles and much more.
2021-2022 Volkl M6 Mantra
The Volkl Mantra has been a reference ski in the all-mountain category for over a decade, and Volkl updated it for 21/22. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons to see what's new, what isn't, and how this new ski compares to the current market.
Craft CTM Ultra Carbon
The CTM Ultra Carbon is Craft's top-of-the-line, ultra-cushioned, ultralight, carbon-plated shoe for fast-paced running on and off road. But now that a lot of brands are making similarly high-end shoes, what sets this one apart? Check out our review to find out.
Fox Speedframe Pro Helmet
Fox’s Speedframe Pro is a high-end, broad-coverage Trail / Enduro helmet with a 5-star safety rating from Virginia Tech. And given its solid coverage, it's also been very impressive in terms of ventilation for hot rides. Check out our full review for more, including several comparisons to its competition.
2021-2022 Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad
In an age where big, burly chargers are a bit of an endangered species, the 194cm-long, 112mm-wide Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad is a refreshing shift away from the norm. Check out our First Look and Flash Review for more on this athlete-driven ski.
2021-2022 Elan Ripstick 106 & Ripstick 106 Black Edition
This season we spent time on both the standard Ripstick 106 and its extra-carbon-packed sibling, the Ripstick 106 Black Edition. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons for more on these two lightweight freeride skis.
Specialized 2FO DH Clip Shoe
Specialized recently launched the 2FO DH Clip shoe with design input from Loic Bruni, and after several months with it, we think a lot of gravity-oriented riders should be considering it — not just those racing DH tracks.
Flash Review: Commencal Meta TR 29
We've got five rides on the latest version of Commencal's Trail bike — check out our initial thoughts.
2021 Transition Spire
Transition’s just-released Patrol was the longest-travel non-DH bike in their lineup — for just 48 hours. Enter the all-new Spire, Transition’s 170mm-travel 29er. So how do the two bikes differ, and who should be most interested in each? Check out our First Look on the Spire for all the details.
Flash Review: 2022 Fox 34
Fox gave their 34 a substantial update for 2022, and we've been spending time on the new one. Check out our Flash Review for our initial impressions, including how it compares to the new and old Fox 36.
2021 Transition Patrol
The Patrol has long been in Transition’s lineup as their longest-travel Enduro bike, with 27.5’’ wheels. Today they dropped an updated version, and while the 160 mm of rear travel remains, the new Patrol gets the mullet treatment, with a 29’’ wheel and 160mm-travel fork up front. There’s a lot more that’s new than just wheel sizes, so check out our First Look for all the details.
Stuff We Like: May 2021
In our new monthly series with the remarkably descriptive title, “Stuff We Like,” our reviewers share a broad range of products they’re currently using — and really liking — from small accessories to the clothes they’re lounging around in, to just about anything and everything else.
Flash Review: EXT Era Fork
We loved EXT's rear Enduro / Trail shock, the Storia, and now we've been spending time on the Era, the fork meant to pair with it. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
2021-2022 Atomic Maverick 95 Ti
The Maverick 95 Ti is part of Atomic’s overhauled 21/22 all-mountain lineup, and it’s a notable improvement over the skis it replaces. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of this new ski.
Blister Brand Guide: Giant / Liv Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
With a wide range of bikes spanning entry-level hardtails to high-end Enduro bikes, Giant and its sister brand, Liv, offer a little bit of everything. Check out our Brand Guide for the rundown on the two brands' entire 2021 lineup.
Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max
Inov-8 say their "graphene-enhanced" TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max is "the first max cushioned shoe that adapts and reacts to terrain." That's a bold claim, but during our time with this shoe, it has proven to be a very appealing option for long days on the trail where comfort, efficiency, and stability are paramount. Check out our full review for the whole story.
2021 Marin Alpine Trail
The Marin Alpine Trail is one of the most playful Enduro bikes we’ve been on recently, but also manages to keep a great deal of capability in technical terrain — and is an impressive bang-for-buck to boot. We think it’s a really compelling option for the right sort of rider, and you can check out our full review to find out who we think will get on best with this unique offering from Marin.
Blister Brand Guide: Santa Cruz / Juliana Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
Santa Cruz and its sister brand, Juliana, have been steadily updating several of their long-standing bikes over the past year. Check out our Brand Guide for more info on their whole 2021 lineup, and which of their bikes might make sense for you.
Ride Concepts Hellion Elite Shoe
Ride Concepts recently added a new flat-pedal shoe to their lineup, the Hellion Elite, which is a relatively low-profile option with the brand's stickiest rubber. But how does it compare to popular options like the Five Ten Freerider Pro, and which riders are going to like this new shoe the most? Check out our full review to find out.