BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: 2024 Trek Slash
We compare the Trek Slash to the Contra MC, Cannondale Jekyll, Norco Range, Forbidden Dreadnought, Canfield One.2 Super Enduro, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Santa Cruz Megatower, and Propain Tyee.
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‘The Blackcountry Journal’ with Mallory Duncan & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.2)
The Blackcountry Journal is a new, truly different, 10-minute-long film by Mallory Duncan that packs a lot into its short running length, bringing together the worlds of jazz and skiing, and incorporating ideas, words, and scenes that you won’t soon forget.
Women-Specific Avalanche Education Scholarships
The American Avalanche Association and Backcountry Access (BCA) are once again offering a scholarship program for female-identifying individuals who are pursuing a Professional Level Avalanche course in the 2023-2024 season. Applications are now open!
Jones Ultralight Stratos Splitboard
The Ultralight Stratos Splitboard is a high-end board designed to excel on the up and down in a variety of conditions. So… does it? And what sort of riders ought to be considering it?
2024 Trek Slash
The recently overhauled Trek Slash combines a high-pivot layout, wheel-size options, and a lot of adjustability into an impressively well-rounded package for such a big, game-on bike.
Paul Forward on His 1st Ski Day of the Season; Ski Movies; Hunting; & Cooperation Across the Outdoors Community (Ep.287)
Jonathan and Blister reviewer (and guide, doctor, & bow hunter), Paul Forward, discuss Paul’s 1st day of the ski season; his favorite ski movies; why we need to broaden the tent of who — and what — counts as, “the outdoor community,” and some ideas that the broader outdoor industry should adopt.
3-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (23/24)
Wrapping up our reviewers’ picks for 3-ski quivers are Jonathan Ellsworth, Noah Eckhouse, and Paul Forward. Check out which 3 skis they’d pick for this season, as well as all our other reviewers’ selections.
The Pro’s Gear: Ted Ligety (Ep.272)
We talk with Ted Ligety (2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 5x World Cup champion) about his approach to gear; the specific gear he’s using today; how to best deal with flat light and low-vis conditions; his take on the current state of skiing and ski racing; and more.
Win Apparel from KAVU & Minus33
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a sweet apparel package from KAVU & Minus33!
‘G.N.A.R.’ with Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.1)
Cody and Jonathan dissect the 2011 film, G.N.A.R., and discuss the significance of the film; what’s aged the best; what’s aged the worst; who won the movie; and more.
Cornelius Kapfinger on Founding Intend, Inverted Forks, and Doing Things Differently (Ep.196)
It can be hard to stand out as a smaller component manufacturer, but Intend BC isn’t shy of doing things differently, and their forks, shocks, brakes, and other components don’t look like much else out there. Founder Cornelius Kapfinger is here to tell us all about it.
Deep Dive: REEB Steezl
We compare the REEB Steezl to the Ibis Ripmo V2S, Trek Fuel EX, Guerrilla Gravity Smash, Starling Murmur Enduro, Orbea Occam LT, Orbea Rallon, We Are One Arrival 152, Santa Cruz Bronson, Propain Tyee, Yeti SB160, Cotic RocketMAX, and Banshee Titan.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
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REEB Steezl
REEB calls the Steezl an “Enduro bike for big rides in big terrain.” During our time with it, the Steezl has not only proven to provide some fairly unusual — but potentially really fun — ride traits, but it’s also much more versatile than you might expect.
Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company (Ep.36)
Based in Vermont, where they still make their products, Bag Balm is an American company with a 125-year history and one very remarkable story. Bag Balm’s president, Libby Parent, joins us to tell us about it all, from cow udders to celebrity endorsements.
Introducing: Blister Cinematic Podcast
Blister Cinematic is our new movie podcast that brings on your favorite skiers, snowboarders, climbers, runners, filmmakers, and outdoor personalities to revisit and dissect the most iconic ski, snowboard, and outdoor films of all time; discuss their personal favorites; reassess the underappreciated movies of the past; and highlight new and upcoming projects that ought to be on your radar.
Our first episode drops November 16th, where Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth will be revising the 2011 film, G.N.A.R.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win MTB Gear from POC
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will both get mountain bike riding gear from POC!
Brook Macdonald on Fresh Starts, DH Race Bike Design, Moving to Forbidden, & More (Ep.216)
Brook Macdonald’s return to racing World Cup DH after breaking his back at Mont Sainte Anne in 2019 was nothing short of remarkable, but the last few race seasons have still been difficult ones for Brook. On this week’s episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, he opens up about a lot of those struggles, and the things he’s changed in order to come into the 2024 season feeling refreshed, reenergized, and with a renewed hunger to compete.
Propain Sresh CF
Propain calls the new Sresh CF a lighter, more Trail-oriented eMTB alongside their burlier Ekano, but it’s got a full-power drive system and options for more Enduro-oriented builds, too. So what have they come up with? Check out our First Look for all the info.
2024-2025 Black Crows Corvus
Black Crows is once again overhauling their original ski, the Corvus, and the new version looks very different from the previous one. Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, rocker profile pictures, & some basic info about the latest Pink Crow.
Reynolds Blacklabel 307 and 309 Enduro and DH Wheels
Reynolds says that their Blacklabel 309 Enduro Pro wheels offer a massive increase in compliance over their predecessors while still being strong enough for DH use. We’ve logged a ton of vert on their flagship Enduro wheels over the past 6 months and are ready to weigh in.
Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra: Stories from the Field
In this video from Blister Summit 2024, Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra share stories about their all-time favorite days in the mountains; their scariest experiences; times they were the most starstruck; what they wish they could tell their younger selves; and more.
Flash Review: 24/25 K2 Mindbender 116C W
Kara Williard just wrapped up a pow-skiing trip to Alaska, and one of the skis she brought with her was the recently updated Mindbender 116C. Here are her initial on-snow impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review — Kavenz VHP 16 V7
The Kavenz VHP 16 V6 was a surprisingly versatile, playful high-pivot Enduro bike, but what about the new V7? Check out our early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, March 2024 (Ep.303)
Cody and JE discuss the end of The Fifty; the Crankworx riders’ strike; JHMR’s parking lot controversy; the drugged-up Olympic Games; the ‘Road House’ remake; & more.
Flash Review: 24/25 Rossignol Sender Free 118
The Rossignol Blackops 118 is one of the all-time favorite skis of several of our reviewers. So, when we heard that Rossignol changed it for the 24/25 season, we couldn’t help but hold our collective breath. This week, we finally spent a few pow days on the new model, the Sender Free 118. So, can everybody exhale now, or can Rossignol expect an angry mob at their doorstep? Check out Luke Koppa’s Flash Review to find out.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
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New Shift2 Binding, QST X Ski, Race Boots, & More | 2025 Salomon Ski Gear
Salomon has a LOT of new products coming for the 2024-2025 season. In this video from Blister Summit 2024, we got the backstory and details on a whole bunch of them, including the new pow-oriented QST X ski; why and how they tweaked the original Shift binding when designing the new Shift2 binding; their brand-new Shift Alpha BOA & S/Pro Race boots; their fully recyclable Brigade INDEX Helmet; several new apparel pieces, and more.
Moment & Icelantic Skis on Ski Design & U.S. Ski Manufacturing (Ep.291)
What’s in and what’s out in ski design? And how have U.S. ski companies been doing over the past few years? We discuss this and much more with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, and Icelantic Skis founder, Ben Anderson.