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

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

David Golay reviews the EXT Vecta for Blister

EXT Vecta

EXT has made a name for itself building unapologetically high-end suspension products. However, their new Vecta coil shock is their take on a more affordable offering, and it’s impressively fully featured relative to the brand’s flagship options. Here are all the details.

Read More »
David Golay reviews Hope Carbon Cranks for Blister

Hope Carbon Cranks

Hope has added a carbon fiber crank to go along with their Evo aluminum one, and we’ve spent a ton of time on it to see how it stacks up. Check out what we’ve found.

Read More »
Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy

Flash Review: Specialized Turbo Levo 4

We’ve been spending time on the Specialized Turbo Levo 4. Find out how the new motor compares to the competition, plus some initial ride 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.)

Read More »
Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy

Specialized Turbo Levo 4

Specialized is adding aluminum models to the Turbo Levo 4 lineup. The Turbo Levo 4 has a more powerful motor and a bigger battery than the outgoing Turbo Levo 3, plus a host of other innovations that, combined with the new drive system, make us eager to spend time on it. Check out our First Look for the details.

Read More »
Zack Henderson reviews the Pivot Trailcat LT

Pivot Trailcat SL & LT

Pivot’s twin Trailcat models share a frame, but their on-trail differences are bigger than one might expect. We’ve spent the spring testing the Trailcat LT alongside its shorter-travel sibling, the Trailcat SL, and are ready to share our thoughts.

Read More »
On this episode, you — our prestigious GEAR:30 listeners — provided the questions, and Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa are offering their answers. Topics include our go-to backpacks for ski-touring; how a given brand’s size, location, and ethos factor into our own purchasing decisions; what skis to get if you’re spending a lot of time cruising slow-speed groomers; when and how to replace ski boot liners when they wear out; and we answer one of the most frequent questions we get: what were our favorite skis this season?

Your Questions: Our Favorite Skis This Season; Big vs Small Brands; Quiver Overlap; & More (Ep.348)

Jonathan and Luke answer your questions, including our go-to backpacks for ski-touring; how a given brand’s size, location, and ethos factor into our own purchasing decisions; what skis to get if you’re spending a lot of time cruising slow-speed groomers; how we view “Quiver Overlap”; and one of the most frequent questions we get: what were our favorite skis this season?

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

Win Cycling Gear From Lezyne

The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Super Drive 1800+ Smart Front Bike Light, Saddle Ai Alert 250 Rear Bike Light, & Pocket Drive Pro Bike Hand Pump from Lezyne!

Read More »
David Golay reviews the Orbea Rallon for Blister

2026 Orbea Rallon

FMD Racing unveiled the prototype Orbea that they’ve been racing on at the Bielsko-Biala DH World Cup last weekend, and it turns out that it’s the new Rallon — historically Orbea’s Enduro bike. The new version is meant to fill double duty as both a DH and Enduro rig, with a big range of adjustments to suit, and looks to be a massive departure from the Rallon of old. Check it all out here.

Read More »
Blister reviews the 2025 Propain Tyee

Propain Tyee — 2025 Update

Propain has revisited the Tyee, but instead of a full overhaul, they’ve focused on smaller refinements, new colors, and new build kit options. Check out the changes in our First Look.

Read More »
Blister reviews the Head Kore 112 Ti

Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kore 112 Ti

The new Kore 112 Ti features many of the same updates as the rest of the overhauled Kore collection, but the 112 (and 118) offer something a bit different on snow. Here are our initial thoughts on how the Kore 112 Ti compares to the Kore 118 Ti, the previous Kore 111, and the narrower Kore Ti models.

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.)

Read More »

BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

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

Flash Review: 24/25 ON3P Woodsman 92

Update 6.13.25: Jonathan Ellsworth adds his thoughts on the Woodsman 92, where it excels, and what sort of skiers ought to consider it.

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.)

David Golay reviews the Santa Cruz Bronson

Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Bronson 5

We compare the Santa Cruz Bronson 5 to the Santa Cruz Bronson 4, Santa Cruz Hightower 4, Santa Cruz Nomad, Yeti SB165, Ibis Ripmo, Specialized Stumpjumper 15, Spot Mayhem 140, Esker Woodsy, Propain Tyee, Norco Sight, Transition Sentinel V3, and Kona Process 153.

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.)

Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Bronson

Santa Cruz Bronson 5

The Santa Cruz Bronson has evolved a lot over the years, and while the updates to the latest Bronson 5 look relatively subtle on paper, it’s a very different bike from the Bronson 4. We’ve had multiple editors in different locations spend time on the Bronson and have a comprehensive Full Review to share.

Chris McCaffrey on Riding His Bike Around the World (Ep.278)

Chris McCaffrey on Riding His Bike Around the World (Ep.278)

The day after he submitted his final college paper, Chris McCaffrey set off to ride his bike around the world. He made it back to his hometown of Boulder, CO, seventeen months later. The story of the trip is a wild, inspiring, beautiful one, and you don’t want to miss it.

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

Steve Matthiasson on Wine, Punk Rock, Bikes, & Fireworks (Ep.73)

Steve is one of the most respected winemakers in Napa Valley, and he produces wines that buck some of the most fashionable trends in the valley. Steve is also a passionate mountain biker and snowboarder, a teacher, and a wine consultant; today, we dive into all of these aspects.

Zack Henderson reviews the Revel ReRun

Flash Review: Revel ReRun

Revel Bikes is back in action after being reacquired by its founder, and that means their new bikes, like the ReRun, are hitting the market. Check out how we’re getting along with Revel’s first eMTB so far.

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 reviews the Salsa Spearfish

Flash Review: Salsa Spearfish

Salsa has jumped right into the modern XC bike mix with the new Spearfish. Check out our Flash Review to see how we’re getting along with it after a few rides.

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 reviews the Salomon QST 106

Flash Review: 25/26 Salomon QST 106

We’re rounding out our Flash Reviews of the updated Salomon QST series with the longest-standing model, the QST 106 — check out our initial thoughts on how it compares to the prior-gen version and other QST models.

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 reviews the Salomon QST 106.

2025-2026 Salomon QST 106

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for Salomon’s updated QST 106.