BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

David Golay Reviews the Orbea Occam for Blister

2026 Orbea Occam SL & Occam LT

Orbea has updated the Occam SL and Occam LT Trail bikes, and while the changes aren’t massive, there are a couple of nice tweaks — including the option to forgo headset cable routing.

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David Golay reviews the Salsa Blackthorn for Blister

Salsa Blackthorn 125 C & Blackthorn 145 C

Salsa’s new Blackthorn siblings bring some interesting design details — and a ton of on-bike storage — to a new Trail / All Mountain platform with two different travel options on the same frame. Check out what they’ve cooked up, and our early impressions of the Blackthorn 145 C.

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David Golay reviews the Shimano XTR M9220 Brakes for Blister

Shimano XTR M9200 & M9220 Brakes

Alongside their new XTR Di2 drivetrain, Shimano also updated their longstanding and very popular XTR brakes, and we’ve been testing the Trail / Enduro version for the past few months. Here’s the design rundown on both of the new XTR stoppers, and our take on how the four-piston option has performed.

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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Flash Review: Yeti MTe

We’ve been spending time on Yeti’s brand-new MTe, a mid-travel, light-assist eMTB that includes TQ’s new HPR60 drive system. 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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Luke Koppa reviews the Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 BOA for Blister

Flash Review: 25/26 Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 BOA

Several of our reviewers have become big fans of Atomic’s low-volume Hawx boots, but what about the roomier ‘Prime’ version? Here are Luke Koppa’s initial thoughts on the freeride-touring Hawx Prime XTD 130 BOA.

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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Zack Henderson reviews the Magura Gustav Pro brakes

Flash Review: Magura Gustav Pro

Magura’s Gustav Pro brakes promise consistency and heat management, so do they deliver? Our Flash Review has initial impressions from the first couple of rides with Magura’s latest stoppers.

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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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

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.

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In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But today our team is zooming out and comparing the ski vs bike industry to identify the significant similarities and differences; assess the relative health of each; and see how the trends in one might align with trends in the other.

Ski vs Bike Industry, Part 1: Similarities, Differences, Trends, & the Health of Each (Ep.349)

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But today our team is zooming out and comparing the ski vs bike industry to identify the significant similarities and differences; assess the relative health of each; and see how the trends in one might align with trends in the other.

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Pivot Shuttle SL/AM

Flash Review: Pivot Shuttle SL/AM

We’ve started testing Pivot’s Shuttle SL/AM, and its combination of impressively low weight and solid all-mountain capability has it looking like a compelling new option in the light-assist category.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Simon Stewart reviews the Esker Woodsy

Flash Review: Esker Woodsy

We’ve started testing Esker’s Woodsy Trail / All Mountain bike, and its combination of a compliant ride, efficient suspension, and all-day comfort has it looking like an interesting option in a crowded category.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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Simon Stewart reviews the Esker Woodsy

Esker Woodsy

Esker’s new all-metal All Mountain bike can be had in either aluminum or titanium and features 145 mm of DW-developed Orion Dynamics suspension. Check out what they’ve come up with, and our early impressions of the aluminum Woodsy.

David Golay reviews the Shimano XT M8220 Brakes for Blister

Shimano XT M8200 & M8220 Brakes

Shimano’s XT brakes have gotten an overhaul to go with the new wireless XT Di2 drivetrain. Here’s what’s new, what isn’t, and the full rundown on the XT brake options.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

‘Forrest Gump’ w/ Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.41)

Forrest Gump premiered on June 23, 1994, and Tom Hanks won the Oscar for Best Actor. But according to Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com), the real story is that Gump introduced millions of people to ultrarunning. Brendan and Jonathan discuss that and a whole lot more.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Jib League & the Future of Freeskiing with Woodsy (Ep.361)

We talk with James Woods (aka Woodsy) about how he and fellow pro skiers, Ferdinand Dahl and Oystein Braaten, created Jib League to fill voids that they were noticing in the freeskiing world. The unique event series they created has been loved by athletes and viewers alike, and the story of how it came to be is just as interesting as all the absurd tricks put down by the riders at each stop.

David Golay reviews the Aenomaly Switchgrade 2.0 Evo for Blister

Aenomaly Switchgrade 2.0 Evo Seat Angle Adjuster

The Aenomaly Switchgrade is a clever way to allow on-the-fly seat angle adjustment, but how beneficial is it in practice? We’ve been testing the updated Switchgrade Evo 2.0, and are ready to weigh in.