BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Ski Binding Design: Past, Present, & Future | Blister Summit 2023 Video
At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Eric ‘Hoji’ Hjorleifson (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) for an extremely interesting and wide-ranging discussion on the past, present, and future of ski bindings.
2022-2023 Meier Wrangler
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Meier Wrangler.
On Art & Sport
In our latest Open Mic piece, Angel Collinson discusses the power of art, sport, and straight-lining crud with a skip-proof Walkman.
Preston Cates on Aid Station Dance Parties, Gas Station Go-To’s, & Redefining His Limits (Ep.168)
Nike Athlete Preston Cates just punched his ticket to represent the US at the World Mountain Running Championships in Austria at just 25 years old, so we sat down with him to talk about developing as a young athlete; never paying for shoes again; what he grabs at a gas station mid-run; and more.
Fox Float and Float SL
Fox is launching two new inline shocks — the Float and Float SL — that essentially replace the Float DPS and split it into two slightly different versions, for weight-conscious Trail riders and XC folks, respectively. Check out our First Look for all the info.
Flash Review: 23/24 Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120
Update 4.17.23: Luke Koppa adds some more thoughts on the new Backland XTD Carbon 120 after spending more time in it in the backcountry on a wide variety of skis.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Tori Palmer, Helicopter Pilot (Ep.256)
Jonathan talks with Chugach Powder Guides helicopter pilot, Tori Palmer, to get her pilot’s perspective on their day in the mountains; her path to becoming a heli pilot and the training that’s involved; what you should – and should not – do as a passenger in a heli; and more.
2023-2024 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada ARV 106.
2023-2024 DPS Koala 111
DPS has added a new ski to fill the void between the Koala 103 & Koala 118 — check out our Full Review of the new Koala 111 to see how exactly it blends together the playfulness of the 103 with the high-speed stability of the 118.
Deep Dive: DPS Koala 111
We compare the Koala 111 to the DPS Koala 118, DPS Koala 103, Rossignol Sender Free 110, Dynastar M-Free 108, Salomon QST Blank, Icelantic Nomad 105, Rossignol Sender Squad, K2 Reckoner 112, Meier Leeper, Rossignol Blackops 118, Moment Wildcat, Line Blade Optic 114, Moment Countach 110, Head Kore 111, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, RMU North Shore 110, Black Crows Anima, Fischer Ranger 108, Black Crows Corvus, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, J Skis Friend, 4FRNT Hoji, Nordica Unleashed 108, Blizzard Rustler 11, Atomic Bent 110, & Parlor McFellon Pro.
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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Bacons, Chronics, & More: 23/24 Line Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We discuss all the new skis Line is launching for 23/24, including the new Bacon 108 & Bacon 115; how they compare to the previous Sir Francis Bacon & Outline; the revised Chronic 94 & brand-new Chronic 101; we get some teasers about upcoming projects, and more.
Marin Rift Zone E
A new Marin Rift Zone eMTB drops today from Marin, a brand making a strong case as a value leader in eMTBs.
Powder Skis in AK with Paul & Jonathan (Ep.241)
Jonathan is currently in AK with Paul Forward, Chugach Powder Guides, and a great crew. So he & Paul talk about the skis they’ve been getting time on (from Heritage Lab, Folsom, DPS, K2); some new skis we’d like to see; crème brûlée crust; and the new Lange Shadow boot.
Win Tickets to our 2024 Blister Summit
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get two free passes to our Blister Summit 2024 (Feb 4-8) in Mt. Crested Butte, CO!
Flash Review: 23/24 Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA GW
Update 4.14.23: Jonathan adds some of his thoughts on how the Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA has performed in Alaska, including with the addition of Atomic’s “Gnar Bar” and Mimic Professional Liners.
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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Paul Forward on His 1st Ski Day of the Season; Ski Movies; Hunting; & Cooperation Across the Outdoors Community (Ep.287)
Jonathan and Blister reviewer (and guide, doctor, & bow hunter), Paul Forward, discuss Paul’s 1st day of the ski season; his favorite ski movies; why we need to broaden the tent of who — and what — counts as, “the outdoor community,” and some ideas that the broader outdoor industry should adopt.
3-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (23/24)
Wrapping up our reviewers’ picks for 3-ski quivers are Jonathan Ellsworth, Noah Eckhouse, and Paul Forward. Check out which 3 skis they’d pick for this season, as well as all our other reviewers’ selections.
The Pro’s Gear: Ted Ligety (Ep.272)
We talk with Ted Ligety (2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 5x World Cup champion) about his approach to gear; the specific gear he’s using today; how to best deal with flat light and low-vis conditions; his take on the current state of skiing and ski racing; and more.
Win Apparel from KAVU & Minus33
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a sweet apparel package from KAVU & Minus33!
‘G.N.A.R.’ with Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.1)
Cody and Jonathan dissect the 2011 film, G.N.A.R., and discuss the significance of the film; what’s aged the best; what’s aged the worst; who won the movie; and more.
Cornelius Kapfinger on Founding Intend, Inverted Forks, and Doing Things Differently (Ep.196)
It can be hard to stand out as a smaller component manufacturer, but Intend BC isn’t shy of doing things differently, and their forks, shocks, brakes, and other components don’t look like much else out there. Founder Cornelius Kapfinger is here to tell us all about it.
Deep Dive: REEB Steezl
We compare the REEB Steezl to the Ibis Ripmo V2S, Trek Fuel EX, Guerrilla Gravity Smash, Starling Murmur Enduro, Orbea Occam LT, Orbea Rallon, We Are One Arrival 152, Santa Cruz Bronson, Propain Tyee, Yeti SB160, Cotic RocketMAX, and Banshee Titan.
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.
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REEB Steezl
REEB calls the Steezl an “Enduro bike for big rides in big terrain.” During our time with it, the Steezl has not only proven to provide some fairly unusual — but potentially really fun — ride traits, but it’s also much more versatile than you might expect.
Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company (Ep.36)
Based in Vermont, where they still make their products, Bag Balm is an American company with a 125-year history and one very remarkable story. Bag Balm’s president, Libby Parent, joins us to tell us about it all, from cow udders to celebrity endorsements.
Introducing: Blister Cinematic Podcast
Blister Cinematic is our new movie podcast that brings on your favorite skiers, snowboarders, climbers, runners, filmmakers, and outdoor personalities to revisit and dissect the most iconic ski, snowboard, and outdoor films of all time; discuss their personal favorites; reassess the underappreciated movies of the past; and highlight new and upcoming projects that ought to be on your radar.
Our first episode drops November 16th, where Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth will be revising the 2011 film, G.N.A.R.
Flash Review — TRP EVO12 Drivetrain
SRAM and Shimano have had a stranglehold on the high-end mountain bike drivetrain market for decades now, but TRP is trying to break in — and we’ve started spending time on their new EVO12 drivetrain. Check out our early 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.)
Deep Dives with Angel, November 2023 (Ep.286)
Angel Collinson and Jonathan discuss a subject that we don’t talk much about in the outdoor community, and yet, it’s an experience that every single one of us will deal with at some point in our lives: grief