BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
23/24 K2 Ski Boots | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We talk with K2’s Tom Pietrowski about all the new boots they’ve got coming for 23/24, including tons of BOA models, their 3-piece FL3X collection, & more.
Flash Review: 23/24 RMU Apostle 106 Pro
The standard Apostle 106 has been a favorite of ours, but what happens when you add 2 layers of metal to it? Check out our initial thoughts on the Apostle 106 Pro.
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2023-2024 RMU Apostle 106 Pro
Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, and rocker profile pictures for the RMU Apostle 106 Pro.
2022-2023 Renoun Atlas
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Renoun Atlas 80.
Canyon Strive:ON CFR
Canyon launched two new long-travel full-power e-MTBs simultaneously, and the new Strive:ON is meant to be the racing-oriented compatriot to the freeride-focused Torque:ON — but the two share nearly identical geometry and both rock a mullet, so what sets the two apart? Turns out that there’s quite a bit.
Richie Schley on Inventing Freeride MTB, Bike Evolution, Fixing Rampage, & More (Ep.169)
Richie Schley had a big hand in the formation of freeride mountain biking as we know it, and he’s still got his finger on the pulse of the sport. So we sat down with Richie to hear his (often hilarious) stories from the early days, chat about where he wants to see freeride go and grow from here, and a whole lot more — including getting the rundown on his recent bachelor party.
Brooks Catamount 2
After some wide-ranging testing, the Brooks Catamount 2 has all of the makings of a dynamic mid-distance trail shoe that draws comparisons to models we’ve been quite fond of in the past. Check out our full review to learn more.
Guitars & Guitar Making with Fretboard Journal’s Jason Verlinde (Ep.24)
Today we’re discussing all things guitars and guitar making with the publisher of the Fretboard Journal, Jason Verlinde, including where guitars are being made; boutique vs. mass market brands; who is pushing innovation; guitar quivers; the greatest guitarists ever; & more.
Hillary Allen: Share More, Compare Less
In our latest Open Mic, ultra runner and gravel cyclist Hillary Allen discusses the danger of comparisons and finding connection in our struggles.
BOA & the Death of Buckles? 23/24 Ski Boot Design | Blister Summit 2023 Video
Ski Boot Design: how did we get here, and where are we headed? We brought together ski boot designers, Tom Pietrowski (K2), Christoph Lentz (Fischer), Riccardo Bonaiti (Dalbello), and Ross Herr (Dynafit) for this conversation — and pro skier / designer / obsessive tinkerer, Hoji, joins in, too.
2023 Trek Fuel EX
The Trek Fuel EX has grown in just about every respect from its fifth to sixth generations — suspension travel, wheelbase, degree of adjustability, and so on — and the end result is an extremely well-rounded Trail bike that we think could work for a ton of different riders.
2023-2024 Ferreol Explo 96
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Ferreol Explo 96.
Sarah Keyes on Living & Training in the Adirondacks, US Long Distance Team Dreams, & Pastry (Mis)adventures (Ep.171)
In her first season running for The North Face, Sarah Keyes just secured a spot on the US Long Distance team ahead of next month’s World Mountain Running Championships. So, Matt Mitchell sat down with her to chat about how the opportunity came about; calling the Adirondacks home; East Coast vs. West Coast trail running scenes; pastries; and much more.
2023-2024 Jones Storm Wolf
From fall-line chargers to tight-tree slashers, modern surf-inspired boards span a wide range these days. So where does the Storm Wolf, one of the latest collabs between surfboard shaper Chris Christenson and Jeremy Jones, slot into the mix? Check out our full review to find out.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 23/24 Fischer RC4 Pro LV
We’ve been spending time in Fischer’s new 140-flex boot — check out our initial impressions, including comparisons to the Lange Shadow, Tecnica Mach1, and the RC4 Pro MV 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.
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.)
1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (23/24)
After weeks of ski-quiver discussions, we’ve finally arrived at the hardest question of all: what single ski would you use for all the skiing you do? In the last update, we get to hear from Jonathan Ellsworth & Paul Forward. Check out their selections and a bunch of our other reviewers’ personal picks.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, November 2023 (Ep.289)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the *trillion* dollar outdoor industry; e-bike bans?; the business of retro sneakers / retro skis; Cody snowboarding; mtn town relationship advice; & more.
A Message to Our Blister Members
Jonathan Ellsworth discusses some important changes to our Blister Membership that are happening in 2024 — and a special offer for all current Blister Members.
Win a Pack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Crux 40 ski mountaineering pack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear!
Flash Review: 23/24 RMU Apostle 96 Pro
We just got our first day on the metal-laminate version of RMU’s narrower all-mountain ski — here are some 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.
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.)
Reviewer Reports: Early-Season Ski Gear Testing, Mtn Biking in Nepal, & More (Ep.274)
Luke, Kara, and Jonathan discuss getting back on snow, ski boots, frontside skis, mountain biking in Nepal, engagement taco parties, and new apparel.
Dynafit Releases New Ridge Ski-Touring Binding
Today, Dynafit announced a limited-edition release of their newest binding, the Ridge, which they’re calling “the most comfortable ski touring binding on the market.” Here are the details.
Albatross Bikes on the Super-Adaptable Apogee Module (Ep.198)
There are lots of custom hardtail builders out there, but the constraints of pivot locations, maintaining frame alignment, and the tooling needed to make it all work means that fully-customizable full-suspension bikes are a lot rarer. Albatross Bikes has taken a very creative approach to offering customizable full-suspension bikes with their Apogee Module, and we brought them on to hear all about it.
The Blister Speaker Series at Western
NEXT GUEST: On Tuesday, December 5th, Courtney Dauwalter, Salomon athlete and one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time, is coming to Western Colorado University for another installment of our Blister Speaker Series.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2023 – Stocking Stuffers
‘Tis the season for giving, and our reviewers are here to help. We are kicking off our annual Holiday Gift Guides with some top stocking stuffer ideas for the bikers, skiers, snowboarders, campers, hikers, travelers, and just about any other type of person on your list.
‘Apocalypse Snow’ with Mike Rogge, Justin Bobb, & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.3)
We discuss the craziest and probably the greatest snowboard / ski / monoski / snowblade film of all time. The film was seen by millions of people when it came out, and nearly 40 years later, it still feels wildly innovative and fresh.