Climbing skins often receive less attention than skis, boots, & bindings, but the skins you stick to your skis can make or break your days in the backcountry. So in this guide, we go through the qualities to look for in a pair of skins, then directly compare 13 different skins from 5 different brands.
Ted Hesser on “Chains of Habit” & Destigmatizing the Conversation Around Mental Health (Ep.142)
We spoke to adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser, about his latest project, Chains of Habit, a short film focused on his lifelong battle with depression and the ways trail running has helped fend off its symptoms. We also talk about ways to destigmatize conversations around mental health; steps to take if you’re struggling; and much more.
Flash Review — Canyon Spectral 125
There are a lot of good ~120mm-travel Trail bikes out there, but the Canyon Spectral 125 offers a very different take on the category than most — and we’re having a lot of fun on it. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
Trail Running 101: How to Choose a Headlamp
For many runners, headlamps are no mere accessory; they’re as indispensable to trail running at night as properly fitting trail shoes are to running during the day. Yet much like footwear, finding a lamp that best suits your needs can be a process cloaked in difficult jargon, numbers, and minutia. So in part eight of our Trail Running 101 series, we help explain some of the main things to look for when choosing a headlamp that will best suit your needs.
Blister Speaker Series: Jeremy Jones (Ep.231)
Jeremy Jones came to Western Colorado University for another installment of our Blister Speaker Series to discuss filming, snowboarding, founding POW, the ‘outdoor state,’ POW’s ongoing and evolving efforts to address climate change, and more.
Our 22/23 BLISTER Winter Buyer’s Guide Recap (Ep.218)
A bunch of our reviewers discuss why our 22/23 Winter Buyer’s Guide is still unique and still the best resource for your winter gear; what’s new & different this year; some of our personal favorite gear of the season; some industry trends and speculation; and why pumpkin-flavored pastries make Drew Kelly sweat.
Win Norse Skis
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will get to pick from Norse's 100mm-wide Enduro or 110mm-wide Freeride!
Flash Review — 2022 Manitou Dorado
The Manitou Dorado is one of the few inverted forks left in the MTB market, and we've been spending time on multiple versions of the new one.
Petzl Bindi
The best pieces of gear are often those you forget about, products that integrate so seamlessly into your experience that they become, quite literally, afterthoughts. With the Bindi, an ultralight, ultra-compact headlamp that doesn’t compromise on features despite its size, Petzl offers a capable lighting option for daily use that does exactly that. Functional, intelligent, and smartly designed, the Bindi will benefit just about every type of runner.
2022-2023 Head Kore 120
Here are our initial impressions, images, and specs for the new Head Kore 120 GW.
Matthew Fairbrother’s Outrageous EWS Tour (Ep.139)
Racing a full EWS season is hard. Bikepacking between all the races makes it a lot harder. But that didn’t stop Matthew Fairbrother from doing just that, and on this week’s episode of Bikes & Big Ideas we sat down with him to get the whole crazy, hilarious, remarkable story.
Blue Collar Fine Art: Rob Dickinson of Precise Painting (Ep.9)
In addition to being one of our favorite people and favorite skiers, Rob Dickinson is the owner of Precise Painting, an interior and exterior paint and finishing company that does extremely fine work, and employs 25+ people in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado. We talk to Rob about the craft of painting and finishing homes; what anyone thinking about building, purchasing, or maintaining a home in mountain towns ought to know about exteriors; how to think about aesthetics vs. price v.s durability; and more.
Ride Concepts Tallac BOA
The Ride Concepts Tallac BOA is a high-end bike shoe for flat-pedal riders, with several useful features for improved on- and off-bike performance. Here's our full review.
On Death, Life, and Love
This piece is in honor of the heart, spirit, and legacy of Hilaree Nelson, and is a token of love to all those left behind after our loved ones leave us.
David Kilgore talks Pro Trail Teams, On Running, & Leaning Into the Grind (Ep.141)
We sat down with David Kilgore, On Running’s Sports Innovation Manager, budding race director, and professional ultrarunner, to learn about how each of his different roles offer him a unique perspective on a trail running industry that continues to rapidly professionalize. Along the way, we also chat about On’s trail running team; athlete sponsorships; and much more.
Mountain Sense & Backcountry Education w/ Mark Smiley (Ep.230)
If you spend time in the mountains, then it’s crucial to always be learning — there are new skills to acquire, and old skills to brush up on. Today, we’re talking about mountain safety, backcountry education, and pedagogy with IFMGA guide, Mark Smiley, the creator of Mountain Sense.
OChain Anti-Pedal Kickback Device
OChains — the floating crank spiders meant to mitigate pedal kickback — are everywhere in the World Cup Downhill pits, but do they really work, and are they going to be a benefit for mere mortals? Check out our full review to find out, and take a deep dive into the often-misunderstood topic of pedal kickback.
A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt. 3: Stance Balancing with Pulse Boot Labs (Ep.217)
Canting, cuff alignment, stance balancing — these are common phrases in the world of bootfitting, but what do the processes actually look like, and what methods can be applied to create the best result in your ski boots? Listen to this conversation with Kai from Pulse Boot Labs to see what a systematic and analytical approach looks like.
Rossignol Mandate
Rossignol's Mandate Trail bike is an exceptional value for money in terms of parts spec, but how does it all add up on the trail?
Win the Line Blade Optic 114
This week one lucky winner will get a pair of Line's new playful-yet-stable powder ski, the Blade Optic 114!