BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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
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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
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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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2023-2024 Wagner Summit 91
The Summit 91 is the newest and narrowest addition to Wagner’s line of semi-custom skis, and we’ve spent the past two seasons testing against the rest of the ~90mm-wide all-mountain category. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see the results.
Deep Dive: Wagner Summit 91
We compare the Wagner Summit 91 to the Wagner Summit 97, Salomon Stance 90, Folsom Cash 93, Shaggy’s Brockway 90, Stereo Piste V3, Peak 88 by Bode, Nordica Enforcer 88, Parlor Cardinal 90, Romp Zorro 89, Black Crows Serpo, Salomon QST 92, Line Blade Optic 92, J Skis Fastforward, K2 Mindbender 89Ti, 4FRNT MSP 91, Folsom Spar 88, Blizzard Brahma 88, Head Kore 93, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, & Volkl M6 Mantra.
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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Deep Dives with Angel, December 2023 (Ep.291)
What things should you consider when you’re wondering about turning a passion into a career? Should you pursue your passions at the cost of relationships? How do you say No to someone if they aren’t the right fit for a project? Angel Collinson is back on the show to discuss.
Flash Review: 23/24 Folsom Spar 78
We’ve started spending time on Folsom’s narrowest ski, the Spar 78 — check out our initial on-snow 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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Skiing with Your Eyes Closed, Shop Pizza, Egg Beaters, & Ski Boots with Greg Klein (Ep.276)
Shane McConkey’s college roommate is back, and Jonathan talks to Greg (president of Willi’s Ski & Snowboard Shops) about all the stuff in the episode title, plus the $10,000 bet made at our Blister Summit that it looks like he’s won?
2023-2024 Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon
Despite it being Tecnica’s first foray into the 1-kg class of touring boots, the Zero G Peak Carbon is an extremely impressive product. Check out our full review to learn more, including how it compares to several other boots in its class.
Win Any Renoun Ski
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get to pick any unique, “VibeStop”-equipped Renoun ski they want!
EXT’s Franco Fratton on the History, Basics, & Details of MTB Suspension (Ep.200)
EXT founder Franco Fratton has more experience working on suspension than just about anyone, and today, we’re revisiting our first conversation with him that kicked off our “Very Deep Dive on Suspension” series, where we discuss all the details when it comes to suspension design and tech.
2023-2024 Nidecker Supermatic Snowboard Binding
For decades, brands have been trying to come up with snowboard bindings that are quicker and easier when it comes to getting into and out of them. However, those attempts have historically come with various downsides. With their Supermatic binding, Nidecker aimed to address those compromises while maximizing ease of use. So, how’d they do? We spent all of last season in them — check out our full review.
Flash Review: 23/24 Blizzard Rustler 9
Blizzard updated all their Rustler & Sheeva skis this season, including the Rustler 9, which features a new width and new construction. Check out our initial on-snow 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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(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.)
2023-2024 J Skis Joyride
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the J Skis The Joyride.
‘Here, Hold My Kid’ with Elyse Saugstad & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.5)
We talk with Elyse Saugstad, one of the stars of Here, Hold My Kid, about the hilarious new film she made with fellow professional skier, Jackie Paaso, and their husbands, Cody Townsend and Reine Barkered, who also happen to be professional skiers, which of course doesn’t matter, because this film is not about them…