David Golay reviews the Rocky Mountain Element for Blister

2022 Rocky Mountain Element

The Rocky Mountain Element has long been a traditional XC race bike, but the new one very much is not. It’s got a bunch more suspension travel and wildly more aggressive geometry than the bike it replaced, but still maintains a fair bit of XC influence, too. So how does that all add up, and who is it going to work best for?

Trail Running Glossary of Terms: Shoe Anatomy

Trail running shoes come in all different shapes and sizes, and finding the appropriate pair to suit your needs can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with the technical terms commonly used to describe them. So, in the first installment of our Trail Running Glossary of Terms, we’ll break down each of the features routinely found on trail shoes to help you get a better sense of what to look for.
For our first episode of Blister's CRAFTED podcast, we’re talking with Brandon Capps, the founder and owner of New Image Brewing. Brandon is exceptionally good at — and passionate about — discussing the intricacies of brewing, growing a business, and doing things differently, so we cover all of that; what other breweries inspire him; coming up with 600+ beer recipes over the years; New Image’s constant production of new one-off beers vs. year-round options; and what truly makes a “Craft” company.

New Image Brewing on Constant Experimentation, Inspiration, & Evolution (Ep.1)

For our first episode of CRAFTED, we’re talking with Brandon Capps, the founder and owner of New Image Brewing. Brandon is exceptionally good at — and passionate about — discussing the intricacies of brewing, growing a business, and doing things differently, so we cover all of that; what other breweries inspire him; coming up with 600+ beer recipes over the years; New Image’s constant production of new one-off beers vs. year-round options; and what truly makes a “Craft” company.

Trail Running 101: How to Run Uphill

Hills can pose a challenge to runners new to the trails. Steep and sometimes rocky inclines have a way of disrupting the rhythmic stride found on the roads, often leading to frustration, less efficient running, and the following fatigue. Confronting a climb doesn’t always have to feel like a tremendous obstacle though, and in part seven of our Trail Running 101 series, we cover a few techniques for how to navigate them with ease.

Alex Nichols on Coaching College Cross Country, Pikes Peak Streaking, & Beekeeping (Ep.132)

After being named the head coach of Colorado College’s cross country program last year, trail and ultrarunner, Alex Nichols, has made a habit of inviting some of his athletes out to support his own racing endeavors, including his 8th-place finish at the Western States 100 back in June. So, we talked to Alex about the intersection between coaching full-time at his alma mater and running trails professionally, and a whole lot more.
Blister Open Mic

Introducing: Open Mic

We’re launching a new written series on BLISTER called, Open Mic, where athletes, artists, and others will be tasked with an unusual assignment. Jonathan Ellsworth explains.

Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280

Road-to-trail shoes are becoming an increasingly popular option for runners who might not have immediate access to trails from their front door. Asking a shoe to feel smooth on pavement and grip on dirt is a tall order, but after testing Inov-8’s Parkclaw G 280, we think it’s up to the task. Check out our full review for the whole story.