Win Pedals & Tools from OneUp
This week the winner will get OneUp's pedals & their excellent EDC tool system!
Blister Summit Panel on Ski Design (Ep.159)
We are airing the panel session on ski design that we held at the Blister Summit. We talk to the designers behind the skis from Blizzard, Folsom Custom Skis, Rossignol, Dynastar, and Wagner Custom Skis to get their respective design philosophies; discuss current trends in ski design; debate whether skis are being dumbed down today; determine once and for all whether stated sidecut radius numbers are fake; & more.
Gear of the Year (So Far) (Ep.79)
We check in with several of our reviewers to discuss the gear they’ve been most impressed with so far this year; the new products they’re most excited to check out; and along the way we talk about mullet bikes, bike shop pranks, and unveil several genius new ideas that we definitely shouldn’t be giving away for free.
2022 Canyon Lux Trail
The Canyon Lux has seen plenty of action (and results) on the World Cup XC circuit, and now it’s got a bigger sibling, the Lux Trail. The new bike is a lot more than just an XC race bike with a little extra suspension, though — check out all the details in our First Look.
New 4FRNT Switch & MSP 107
4FRNT just launched their 2021-2022 ski lineup, and back at the Blister Summit, we sat down with 4FRNT’s Sam Kimmerle & Nick Africano to get the rundown on the brand-new Switch; the consistently positive feedback surrounding the MSP 107; who has the coolest name in the ski industry; and more.
Dakota Jones on the Footprints Running Camp (Ep.91)
We talk with Dakota Jones about how motivation evolves, different chapters of life, and what led to the launch of the Footprints Running Camp.
Benji Alexander’s Bid to Become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic Alpine Ski Racer (Ep.178)
Benji Alexander is a passionate ski racer and backcountry skier with a stranger-than-fiction backstory. So we talk to Benji about how Burning Man got him into skiing; what inspired his Olympic aspirations; the numerous logistics he has had to navigate to make this happen; the financial hurdles that all Olympic hopefuls have to face; and what motivates him to keep pushing forward.
EXT Era Fork
After making a big splash with their rear shocks, EXT’s first fork is here. There’s a whole lot that’s interesting and unusual about the Era, but how does it all add up on the trail? Check out our full review to find out — now with some additional thoughts from Xan Marshland.
Would You Rather: Dream Hardtail or Mid-Price Full Suspension?
Dream hardtail or more modest full suspension bike as an everyday ride? That’s the question we’re tackling in our new “Would You Rather” series. Check out our reviewers’ individual takes on the site, and let us know what you’d do in the comments.
Fanatik
Fanatik is an outstanding mountain bike-specific shop in Bellingham, WA, with a focus on custom bike and wheel builds, and a large e-commerce presence. They're the local go-to for parts, service, and complete bikes, as well as an integral part of the Bellingham mountain biking community.
A Very Deep Dive on Coffee (Ep.158)
You had to know we’d do this, right? We sat down with Sam Higby to talk about Sam’s time in the outdoor industry and in the coffee business; the difference between good and bad instant coffee; light roasts vs. dark roasts (and what some dark roasts have in common with hot sauce or double IPAs); the brewing process & brewing at altitude; how to make great coffee on a budget; and more.
Win Packs & Jerseys from RMU
This week TWO people will each get RMU's Enduro 5L fanny pack + one of their Party Time Tech Tees!
Mountain Bike Tires: A Guide & Comparisons
In this guide, we're comparing more than a dozen of the most popular Trail, Enduro, & DH tires to each other, highlighting their pros and cons, and helping you figure out which option might work best for you. In our latest update, we've got a couple of new additions from Schwalbe and Michelin.
Mtn Biking 201: A Guide to Tire Casings & Rubber Compounds
What are tire casings and rubber compounds — and why should you care? And how do one brand's casing and compound options compare to another's? In this Gear 201 article, we answer those questions and more, and we've just added our thoughts on the latest rubber compounds and casings from Schwalbe and Michelin.
Steve Vanderhoek on Le Tour de Gnar, Freeride, and Firefighting (Ep.78)
Steve Vanderhoek just put out one of the best video edits of the year, where he & Yoann Barelli rode just about all of the gnarliest features in the Sea to Sky Corridor in one truly wild day. We sat down with Steve to talk about the mental challenges of riding scary, high-consequence lines; filming & riding with Yoann & Remy Metailler; balancing all that with his career as a paramedic and firefighter; & a whole lot more.
Ian Sharman & Dana Kracaw on the Leadville 100; the Art of Pacing; & How to Get Away with Murder (Ep.90)
We talk to Ian Sharman and Dana Kracaw about how they met; the art of pacing; the art of DNF-ing; Tanya Harding; deer costumes; trolling; all-mountain roller skates; and yes, murder.
Flash Review — Canfield Lithium
We've been riding Canfield's new longer-travel 29er — check out our thoughts on the bike so far.
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Flash Review — Canyon Spectral 29
We've been spending time on Canyon's overhauled Spectral 29 — check out some of our initial impressions and comparisons.
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.)
2021 GT Force
High-pivot Enduro bikes are popping up all over the place these days, and now there’s another option on the market — the all-new GT Force. Check out our First Look for more info.
Mountain Town Economics, Pt 1: Affordable Housing, Short-Term Rentals, & More (Ep.177)
Our guest is Dr. Jenny Stuber, a sociologist and author of the book, Aspen and the American Dream. Jenny talks about some of the policies that the town of Aspen has employed, and which of them might be applicable to other towns trying to navigate the needs of full-time residents, part-time residents, local workers, and the visitors that many of these towns rely on.