BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blister Labs: the Evolution of Outdoor Gear Testing | Blister Summit 2023 Video
How are we advancing the state of ski testing? At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Jeni Blacklock, Sean Humbert, Leo Beuken, and Travis Hainsworth to discuss what we’ve been working on and why it matters, and we announce our latest initiative that we’ll be rolling out soon: Blister Community Reviews.
Flash Review: 23/24 Line Chronic 101
The Chronic name has been in Line’s collection for years, but now there’s a new, wider version. Check out our initial thoughts on the new Chronic 101.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Speedland Founders Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon On Their Latest Hyper-Performance Trail Shoe, the GS:TAM (Ep.169)
We sat down with Speedland co-founders Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon to talk about their latest shoe commission, the GS:TAM; growing a boutique hyper-performance trail running brand; future projects; and much more.
Story Time with Hoji, Rory Bushfield, McKenna Peterson, & Forrest Shearer (Ep.257)
In this hilarious conversation, Jonathan asks Hoji, Rory, McKenna, and Forrest about their favorite lines, closest calls, and craziest stories from their years of professional skiing & snowboarding.
Pivot Shuttle LT
The long-range eMTB market is heating up, with companies turning up the capability, and battery size bragging rights featuring prominently. But while the Pivot Shuttle LT’s battery isn’t the biggest out there, it might actually be a better bike for it.
Skis, Boots, Bindings, & More: Salomon 23/24 Ski Gear | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Salomon’s Joe Johnson to cover all the new products they’re rolling out for the 2023-2024 season — and there is a LOT. We discuss the brand-new touring-oriented QST Echo 106 ski; the role that Cody Townsend & their other athletes play when developing new products; Salomon’s revamped metal-laminate Stance skis; the new S/PRO Supra BOA boot collection, and more.
2023 Sea Otter Classic Recap, Part 2
We’re onto the last day of Sea Otter, and have some more new stuff to show and tell about.
2023-2024 Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W
Here are our measured specs, photos, and a quick rundown of Salomon’s new medium-volume boot, the S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W.
2023 Sea Otter Classic Recap, Part 1
We’re at Sea Otter, and there’s a lot of new stuff to check out. Here’s some of the early stuff that caught our eye.
2023-2024 Peak 98
The Peak 98 is the do-everything model in Bode Miller’s new ski company’s lineup — check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see where it slots into the market, and whether it might work for you.
Deep Dive: Peak 98
We compare the Peak 98 to the Peak 88, Peak 98SC, Peak 104, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Volkl M6 Mantra, Salomon Stance 96, Nordica Enforcer 100, Black Crows Justis, Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, Blizzard Rustler 9, Moment Commander 98, Fischer Ranger 102, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Faction Dancer 2, Atomic Maverick 100 Ti, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Volkl Mantra 102, ZAG Harfang 96, Wagner Summit 97, Head Kore 99, J Skis Masterblaster, Salomon QST 98, & 4FRNT MSP 99.
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.
(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)
Coalition Snow: 10 Years of Skis & Snowboards, 23/24 Lineup, & More w/ Founder & CEO, Jen Gurecki (Ep.242)
Kara Williard talks with Jen Gurecki, founder and CEO of Coalition Snow, about operating a women-owned ski and snowboard company for the past 10 years; how the vision has evolved; their brick-and-mortar storefront; inclusive trips around the world; initiatives to grow the sport and the community; their 23/24 lineup; and more.
Blizzard’s New Rustler & Sheeva Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Blizzard’s Christian Avery & Leslie Baker-Brown to go over all the new skis they’re rolling out for the 2023-2024 season. We discuss the new Rustler & Sheeva lines; how they differ from the previous iterations; Blizzard’s Women 2 Women program & how it influences their ski concepts; the purposes of their “FluxForm” & “TrueBlend” technologies, and more.
Win La Sportiva Ski Boots
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Vanguard or Vanguard Women’s ski touring boot from La Sportiva!
2022-2023 Shaggy’s Fun Carver 88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Shaggy’s Fun Carver 88.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 23/24 Scarpa Maestrale RS
Update 11.6.23: We’re skiing again! Check out Dylan Wood’s thoughts after he got his chance to try the updated Scarpa Maestrale RS.
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.
(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)
Blister Speaker Series: Trevor Kennison & Level 1 director, Josh Berman (Ep.285)
Trevor Kennison & Level 1 founder, Josh Berman, came to Western Colorado University for our Blister Speaker Series for a follow-up conversation about their new film, Full Circle. We discussed what life’s been like for both of them since the film premiered; we take questions from the audience; and Trevor answers the big question: is he glad his injury happened?
Win Outerwear from Flylow
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a bib + jacket outerwear kit from Flylow!
Jeremy Jones & Xavier Nidecker on Re-Up Tech: What it Is & Why it Matters (Ep.270)
We talk to Jeremy Jones and Xavier Nidecker about Jones’ new Re-Up Tech — what it is, how it works, and what it could mean for the greater ski & snowboard industry. We also discuss FIS and POW, and which board Jonathan ought to start on.
Candide Thovex Launches New Ski Brand: Candide Skis
The speculation & waiting is over: Candide Thovex has finally unveiled his new ski brand, aptly named Candide Skis. Here’s what we know so far.
Lachlan Morton on the Tour Divide Record, Bears, Payday Bars, & More (Ep.194)
The Tour Divide route covers 2,670 miles from Banff, Alberta to the US-Mexico border near Antelope Wells, New Mexico — Lachlan Morton just completed it in a record-setting 12 days, 12 hours, and 21 minutes. So we sat down with him to hear all about it.
2024 Transition TransAM
Earlier this year, Transition brought back their Smuggler after a lengthy hiatus. Now, they’re reaching even deeper into the vault to bring back the TransAM, their do-everything aggressive hardtail that was last offered back in 2016, but now in a version that feels like a worthy modernization of a classic.
Tectonic Altar V2 Pedals
It’s hard to make a flat-pedal design truly stand out from the vast sea of options out there, but Tectonic has pulled it off with their made-in-Colorado Altar V2, and the on-trail results are quite good, too.
What We’re Wearing, Skiing 23/24: Kara Williard
Next up in our new “What We’re Wearing” series — where our reviewers run us through their head-to-toe kits for resort skiing / riding and touring — is senior editor, bootfitter, and veteran outdoor retail worker, Kara Williard.
Which Skis Would You Bring Back from the Dead?
Here at Blister, we hate to see good gear get discontinued. But what if you could resurrect one of your favorites? That’s what we asked several of our reviewers — what would YOU pick?
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, October 2023 (Ep.284)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the latest FIFTY film, Comstock, and the conflict that lies at the heart of the FIFTY Project; FIS vs POW; a new division of Blister: Blister Cinematic; bigfoot & aliens; the Most Canadian News; and more.
Giray Dadali on the new Daymaker Touring TEKDAPTERS (Ep.269)
A very intriguing — and extremely affordable — new piece of ski-touring gear has just been released, the TEKDAPTERS, so we dive into all the details with designer and pro skier, Giray Dadali.