BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win the Line Blade Optic 114
This week one lucky winner will get a pair of Line’s new playful-yet-stable powder ski, the Blade Optic 114!
Pulse Boot Lab
With all the bootfitting techniques Pulse has developed, their goal of getting you to love your ski boots is no exaggeration. It’s why they have the reputation of some of the most skilled bootfitters in the industry. Find out more about their innovations in our summary below.
Altra Olympus 5
Altra demonstrated a level of self-control in the updates they made to the Olympus 5, smoothing out its predecessor’s imperfections but otherwise keeping the shoe mostly the same. Check out our full review to learn how the latest version of the Olympus stays true to the model’s identity as one of the best ultra-cushioned, maximalist trail shoes on the market.
Brake Shootout, New RockShox Pike, Revel Rail 29, & More (Ep.138)
We’ve got updates on a ton of the bikes and gear we’re testing, including the new Santa Cruz Tallboy and the new RockShox Pike that came on it; the Revel Rail 29; our upcoming brake shootout; & much more.
Amateur Hour: Paul Forward on Traditional Bows (Ep.8)
We talk to Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about the art, ethics, and craftsmanship of traditional bows; when and how Paul became fascinated by them; and why we ought to appreciate their rich history and ethos, too.
MTB Knee Pad Roundup — 2022
Knee pads are probably the most commonly worn bit of mountain bike protection (after helmets) and we’ve been testing 16 different at a wide range of styles, weights, and levels of protection. Check out our roundup to find the best ones for you.
Reviewing the News & Mountain Sex w/ Cody Townsend (September 2022) (Ep.229)
We discuss the life & legacy of Hilaree Nelson; Yvon Chouinard giving away Patagonia; Kipchoge & GOATs; burro racing; mountain sex; what we’re reading & watching; the return of The Fifty Project; and more.
Ibis Oso
Ibis launched their first e-bike, the Oso, today, and it looks nothing like Ibis models of old. Check out our First Look for all the info.
Claire Bernard Miller, PT, on Building Strong Feet, Pelvic Floor Health, & Running Injury Free (Ep.140)
This time of year, many of us will feel the stress from all those hard summer miles take the form of unexpected aches and pains, which sometimes demand more involved treatment than just some extra time foam rolling. So, we sat down with Claire Bernard Miller, PT, to learn about how strong feet and a healthy pelvic floor can help prevent common running injuries.
Blister Brand Guide: VJ Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
VJ has been making footwear for trail running, obstacle course racing, and orienteering for over 40 years, though they’ve only been available in North America as recently as 2019. Their current lineup, though few in number, has some standout models designed to thrive in rugged conditions. Take a look at our Brand Guide to learn more about each one of their 2022 trail shoes.
How to Think about Ski Length
One of the most common questions we get is, “Which length of this ski should I get?” So in this updated GEAR 101 article, we outline the factors that go into answering that question.
Yvon Chouinard: Open Letter
We are proud to publish in our Open Mic series this letter by Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, explaining his decision to give away his multi-billion-dollar company.
Endura MT500 Burner Clipless Shoes
Endura’s MT500 Burner Clipless shoes are meant for a variety of all-around mountain bike use, and offer a combination of fit and features that aren’t quite like anything else we’ve recently tried.
Kästle Launches New Ski Boot Collection
After decades of making skis, Kästle just launched their first-ever collection of ski boots — here are the details.
Folsom Custom Skis: 22/23 Updates (Ep.216)
Folsom builds custom skis in Denver, CO, and they have a LOT going on these days. So we talked with Folsom owner, Mike McCabe, about their 22/23 lineup; new shapes; new construction materials; their very cool Junior Skis Trade-In Program; and more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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
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2023-2024 Salomon QST 92
This season we got on the latest version of the QST 92 to see how much of its wider siblings’ traits it carried over into a narrower package, and what the end result would be. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see what we found.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST 92
We compare the QST 92 to the Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 90, Blizzard Rustler 9, DPS Pagoda 90 RP, Line Blade Optic 92, Line Blade Optic 96, Folsom Cash 93, Black Crows Serpo, Folsom Spar 88, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, J Skis Fastforward, K2 Mindbender 89Ti, Line Blade, 4FRNT MSP 91, Nordica Enforcer 94, Blizzard Brahma 88, Head Kore 93, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Volkl M6 Mantra, & Fischer Ranger 90.
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.)
The Craft Skiery: 23/24 Meier Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Meier’s Michelle Kidd & Parker Davis to discuss the brand’s origins and some of their latest and most popular ski models. We cover their sustainability efforts, including using bio-based resins, beetle-kill pine, and repurposing waste materials; creating skis that meet the demands of athletes like Owen Leeper while still catering to more average skiers, and more.
Yeti SB160, Pivot Shuttle LT, SRAM Transmission & More (Ep.165)
David Golay and Simon Stewart sat down to chat about a bunch of the new bikes and gear they’ve been testing, including the Yeti SB160, Pivot Shuttle LT vs. Specialized Turbo Levo, the new SRAM Transmission, and a whole bunch more — plus some teasers of upcoming new bike releases.
Flash Review: 23/24 Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti
Rossignol is launching a whole new line of piste-oriented skis, and we’ve been spending time on the top-end model. Check out our initial thoughts on the Forza 70D V-Ti.
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.)
Fizik Terra Artica GTX Shoe
A lot of the waterproof mountain bike shoes on the market are also very heavily insulated and warm, but if you’re after a wet-weather clipless shoe for cool-but-not-frigid temperatures, the Fizik Terra Artica GTX might just be the ticket.
Blister Summit 2024: What, When, & How to Join
We’re very excited to be bringing back the Blister Summit bigger and better for its fourth year — register now to reserve your spot at one of the best events of the winter!
Tea: Origins, Trends, & State of the Union (Ep.23)
Jonathan talks to Jing Tea founder, Ed Eisler, about the origins, production, and culture of tea; “Duckshit” tea; what goes into making an exceptional cup of tea; the pros and cons of coffee vs tea; and more.
Pomoca Skins: Proper Care & Latest Models | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with Pomoca’s Gaël Baudet to discuss several of the brand’s latest skins; how their Free & Climb collections differ; how to properly care for your own climbing skins during — and after — your ski season, and more.
Pete Willauer: The One with the Knife
In our latest Open Mic, Pete Willauer talks about his Uncle John, mentorship, and responsibility to the people we love.