BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, September 2023 (Ep.280)
This week, Cody and I pay tribute to Robb Gaffney, then discuss the growth in snowsports and who is more passionate: alpine skiers, cross country skiers, or snowboarders; the sale of Silverton Mountain; the Most Canadian News; Cody’s latest FIFTY film, ‘Split’; & more.
Vitus Escarpe
Vitus is making a return to the US mountain bike market, and their Escarpe looks like an especially good value for an all-rounder Trail bike. But is there a catch?
Phantom Glide: Rethinking Ski & Snowboard Bases | Blister Summit Brand Lineup Video
At Blister Summit 2023, we sat down with Phantom Glide’s Shaun Spacht to discuss the origins, evolution, and future of Phantom Glide’s permanent base treatment; how it differs from wax & permanently affects the performance of ski and snowboard base materials; the ways in which the folks at Phantom Glide have shifted how they think and talk about their base treatments, and more.
Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon
SRAM launched their new Eagle Powertrain last week, and the first bike to feature it is here. Meet the Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon.
Norrøna Owner & CEO, Jørgen Jørgensen, on Norrøna’s History & Design Philosophy (Ep.265)
Norrøna aspires to make the best outdoor recreation products on the market. So we talk with Jørgen Jørgense, the 4th-generation owner & CEO of Norrøna, about the brand’s approach to product design & testing, and the origins, evolution, and future of the brand.
Win Goggles from 100%
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get goggles from 100% Snow, with one winner receiving their flagship Norg Goggle and the other winner receiving their Snowcraft S Goggle!
Liv Intrigue LT Advanced Pro
The Liv Intrigue LT Advanced Pro 0 is a women-specific Enduro bike that’s proven to be an adaptable partner for a huge range of trails over the last several months. It’s also the most expensive mountain bike we’ve ever reviewed.
Stuff We Like: September 2023
For September’s edition of Stuff We Like, our reviewers have submitted everything from denim overalls and a wide assortment of clothing to fishing waders, glasses, hip packs, and more. Check it out to see all the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Archibald Cycles on Canadian Manufacturing & the Wild AC1 (Ep.189)
The Archibald Cycles AC1 — a Canadian-made, steel-frame, high-pivot bike with a gearbox — doesn’t look like much else out there, and the story of its conception and journey toward production is an interesting one.
Round House Sports Center
Round House Sports has been a staple on Main Street in Bozeman, MT for over 50 years best known for its excellent customer service & year-round gear selection.
SRAM Eagle Powertrain
SRAM is officially in the eMTB drive-system business, and it’s about time. Check out our First Look for all the details on how the SRAM Eagle Powertrain compares to the alternatives from Bosch, Shimano, Specialized, and more.
Harvest
In her latest Open Mic piece, Angel Collinson asks each of us about ‘that place,’ and what we are harvesting?
Angel Collinson on Leaving Pro Skiing, Passion, Purpose, & More | Blister Speaker Series Video
Angel Collinson came to Western Colorado University for another edition of our Blister Speaker Series. We talk about her ski career, purpose, passion, and how to think about when it might be time to alter the path you’re on. Check out this video of the conversation.
Canyon Torque:ON CF
The Torque:ON is Canyon’s burliest eMTB, with lots of suspension travel and a massive battery to match. After several months aboard this 54+ pound giant, it has proven to be an interesting take on the ever-diversifying long-travel eMTB category.
The Future of Snowsports (Ep.279)
What does the future of snowsports look like? At our last Blister Summit, we asked Nina Waters, Dr. Len Necefer, Dan Abrams, & Hanna Whirty to discuss some of the current realities, biggest challenges, and significant opportunities for the outdoor sports industry.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 24/25 K2 Reckoner KF
Karl Fostvedt’s new pro model, the 114mm-wide Reckoner KF, is one of the wildest-looking new skis — at least on paper. Check out our initial on-snow impressions of this super-rockered, super-soft ski.
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Zebras, Fashion, & Ski Culture: Hadley Hammer & Kellyn Wilson (Ep.300)
We talk to professional skiers, Hadley Hammer and Kellyn Wilson, about their new project, TOGS, which is dedicated to widening ski culture and making it more acceptable for each of us to be our full selves.
Flash Review: 23/24 Moment Commander 92
Here are some of our thoughts so far on Moment’s directional, metal-laminate, and narrowest ski, the Commander 92 — including how it compares to the Commander 102 and several other ~90mm-wide all-mountain skis.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Helmet Tech, Head Injuries, & Best Practices for Skiers & Snowboarders (Ep.288)
We discuss current helmet technology, head injuries, and best practices for skiers & snowboarders with Blister reviewer (and physician assistant), Sascha Anastas; Steven Kennedy of Giro; Frederik Kjellberg of MIPS; and pro skier, Drew Petersen.
Flash Review: 24/25 Atomic Maven 103 CTI
We’ve been spending time on an all-new women-specific ski from Atomic, and the widest in the collection, the Maven 103 CTI. Check out our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win Skis from K2
The winner of this week’s Gear Giveaway will get the Mindbender 106C from K2!
Reviewing the News w/ Ryan Palmer, February 2024 (Ep.212)
Ryan Palmer and Simon Stewart are back for another episode of Reviewing The News and there’s plenty to talk about: Kyle and Rachael Strait’s possible new bike sponsor; Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania; brake lever lawsuits; the Dutch police crackdown on modified e-bikes; a groundbreaking new eMTB from Cannondale; and more.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Santa Cruz has created something truly special in the Heckler SL. Check out our Full Review to learn more about what makes the Heckler SL stand out in the lightweight eMTB category, plus a bonus head-to-head comparison vs. full-power eMTBs.
Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Heckler SL
We compare the Heckler SL to the Trek Fuel EXe, Pivot Shuttle AM, Specialized Turbo Levo, and Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay.
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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2024-2025 Armada ARG II UL
The original Armada ARG was one of the earliest “superfat,” ultra-powder-specific models to hit the market in the mid-2000s. Today, the modern ARG II UL carries on its legacy, but these days, its specialist design is far, far less common. So, why is that, and why has Armada opted to keep it around? Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Armada ARG II UL
We compare the ARG II UL to the previous ARG II, Armada ARV 116 JJ UL, Heritage Lab C132, K2 Crescendo, Folsom G-Wagon, Liberty Genome, Faction La Machine 5 Max, Moment Chipotle Banana, 4FRNT Renegade, Folsom Rapture, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, and some other, more conventional powder skis.
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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K2 Announces 24/25 Reckoner & Omen Skis + New Ski Boots
K2 is overhauling nearly all of their freestyle skis for 24/25, from fat pow sticks to competition park & pipe models. They’re also launching several new boots, including two lightweight 140-flex models & a Karl Fostvedt 3-piece pro model. Here are all the details.