BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Brand Building, Trend Chasing, & Our Advice to Ski, Bike, & Running Shoe Companies (Ep.259)
Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, talks with Blister bike editor, David Golay, and running editor, Matt Mitchell, about all of these topics and how companies can reduce customer confusion and strengthen their brand identity.
23/24 Majesty Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
At Blister Summit 2023, we sat down with Majesty Skis founder, Janusz Borowiec, to discuss the origins, evolution, and future of the Polish brand; new models in their 2023-2024 collection; their “4Radius sidecut x 4Radius rocker” design; making skis in Poland; launching Majesty Skis America, and more.
2023-2024 Scarpa 4-Quattro XT W
Here are our measured specs, photos, and a quick rundown of Scarpa’s 50/50 boot, the women’s version of the 4-Quattro XT.
Flash Review: 23/24 Salomon Stance 96
Salomon updated all their metal-laminate Stance skis for 23/24 — check out our initial thoughts on the ski in the middle of the range, the Stance 96.
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Flash Review — Revel Ranger
We’ve been spending time on Revel’s newest bike, the Ranger, which is so far proving to be a nice mix of XC efficiency and Trail bike capability. Check out our initial 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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Win a BCA Spring Touring Prize Package
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a late-season spring touring prize package from BCA!
Safeback SBX: A New Avalanche Survival System (Ep.244)
If you spend any time — inbounds or in the backcountry — skiing or riding in avalanche terrain or near tree wells, then you need to listen to this episode.
Flash Review: 23/24 Ferreol Surfeur 112
Quebec ski manufacturer Ferreol is launching a brand-new, powder-oriented touring ski for 23/24, and we’ve been testing it. Check out our initial thoughts.
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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Fischer’s 23/24 Ski Boots | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Fischer’s Christoph Lentz to discuss all the new ski boots they’re releasing for the 2023-2024 season. We cover their all-new line of RC4 boots, including their use of the BOA Fit System & stock ZipFit liners; how they used 3D foot scans to come up with their new boot lasts, and more.
2023-2024 Nordica Unleashed 114
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Nordica Unleashed 114.
2023 Transition Smuggler
The Transition Smuggler is back in their lineup after a lengthy hiatus, and it’s one of the most well-rounded, aggressive, short(ish)-travel Trail bikes we’ve ridden. Check out our full review for the whole story, including how it compares to several other bikes in its class.
Payson McElveen on “Crossing Tasmania” & Finding Joy Beyond Racing (Ep.168)
Payson McElveen is best known for his exploits as a racer, but his upcoming short film “Crossing Tasmania” documents a very different side of his on-bike persona, an absolutely bonkers physical effort, and the ways that old habits die hard. We sat down with Payson to get the whole story, which he tells in beautiful detail.
COROS Vertix 2
The updated Vertix 2 is the most feature-laden (and expensive) watch in COROS’ lineup. As the brand’s flagship model, it’s intended to support an exhaustive list of activities for an exhausting amount of time with one of the longest estimated battery lives we’ve tested. But at what point does taking the idea of “do-it-all” begin to subtract from a watch’s functionality? Check out our full review to learn more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Shaggy’s Mohawk 98
One of the new models Shaggy’s released this past season, the Mohawk 98 mixes traits from a wide range of all-mountain skis — 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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Athletes & Product Design | Blister Summit 2023 Video
When it comes to gear, how do you balance the specific needs of world-class athletes with those of average skiers and riders? McKenna Petersen (K2 athlete), Drew Peterson (Salomon athlete), Tyler Curle (Moment athlete & ski builder), and Jed Yeiser (K2 engineer) discuss that balancing act; the weirdest prototypes they’ve tried; what “evolutionary” and “revolutionary” changes we should expect in the future; which discontinued products they’d like to bring back, and more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
If you’re already an active member, please log in.
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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.