BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win Folsom Custom Skis
This week one lucky winner will get to design a pair of custom skis with Colorado ski manufacturer, Folsom Custom Skis!
Best Skis for Beginners: Our Top Picks, 2022-2023
In Part 2 of our top picks for skis that are well-suited to less experienced skiers, we’ve added several women-specific all-mountain skis; some that are worth considering for those getting into backcountry touring; and others for those who will be skiing deeper snow.
Kavenz VHP 16
There are a lot of good Enduro bikes out there these days, but the Kavenz VHP 16 manages to package an unusual combination of traits in a way that still feels very coherent as a whole. Check out our full review to find out just what the VHP 16 does so well, and how it stacks up to a whole bunch of its competitors.
2022-2023 K2 Dispatch 110
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for two lengths of the new K2 Dispatch 110.
2022-2023 Fischer Ranger Pro 130
Here are our measured specs, images, and initial impressions of the new Fischer Ranger Pro 130.
Product Names: the Good, the Bad, & the Confounding
The seemingly simple process of naming a product can actually be quite tricky. And as a result, we end up with some that are odd, confusing, complex, hilarious, and/or absurd. Here are some of our reviewers’ nominees — let us know your own!
Blister Brand Guide: Merrell Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Over their 40-year history making hiking boots, Merrell has learned a thing or two about crafting footwear for trails, much to the benefit of their running shoe line. Sturdy, hard wearing, and protective, many of Merrell’s models fall back on the design principles that brought the brand so much early success, and continue to do so today. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of their 2022 trail running shoes.
BTR on Hardcore Hardtails, Bike Geo, & Building to Last (Ep.137)
There are a lot of options for hardcore hardtails these days, but BTR set the template for the genre with their original Belter over a decade ago. And so we sat down to chat about the company’s origins, their philosophy on geometry, the BTR lineup, and a whole lot more.
Ride Concepts Wildcat Shoe
The Ride Concepts Wildcat is a protective mid-top flat pedal shoe that’s more versatile than its burly looks would suggest.
Flash Review — Revel Rail 29
Update 9.27.22: Dylan Wood adds his initial impressions of this versatile long-travel 29er.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Drew Petersen: ‘Tis the Season
On this week’s Open Mic, professional skier Drew Petersen shares some thoughts on seasonal traditions, how they’ve evolved for him, mindfulness, and more.
Victor Diaz on Renegade Running, Representation, & Creating Space for New Communities (Ep.139)
Specialty-running stores often act as community hubs, places where runners of all skill levels can gather to learn, connect, and train. However, the demographics these small businesses cater to frequently fail people of color. So, we spoke to Victor Diaz, owner of Renegade Running, a run-specialty store rooted in Oakland, CA, to learn about how he’s creating a space that’s engaged with and reflective of the diverse culture it helps serve.
2022-2023 K2 Dispatch Pro
Here are our measured specs, images, and preliminary questions about the new K2 Dispatch Pro.
Stuff We Like: September 2022
The September edition of our “Stuff We Like” series is packed with an assortment of items, from bike shoes, bike gloves, and bike shorts, to ultralight tents and hiking apparel, running socks, anti-chafe products, and much more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt 4: The Good Food Collective (Ep.228)
For the final installment of Moutain Towns & Local Food Systems, Rachel Landis of the Good Food Collective in Durango, CO, discusses what it means to build connectivity, bring people together, and be a facilitator of local food for a regional food hub.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Blister Brand Guide: Craft Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
Craft is perhaps better known for making moisture-wicking technical layers than shoes, but since breaking into the footwear space a few years ago, they’ve already turned out an impressive lineup of innovative shoes for roads, trails, and everything in between. Check out our 2023 Brand Guide to see what’s new from Craft this year and which of their models might make the most sense for you.
Devinci Chainsaw
Stevie Smith was an enormous inspiration to the current generation of Canadian mountain bikers, and his longtime frame sponsor, Devinci, has launched a new, more-affordable Enduro / DH bike in his honor — appropriately named the Chainsaw.
Andy Wacker on Creating A Roadmap to Professional Trail Running (Ep.167)
Earlier this year, Salomon Athlete Andy Wacker launched The Trail Team, an independent development program aimed at providing mentorship, skill development, and media exposure to 6 aspiring pro trail runners in the US. We spoke to him, as well as two of his Trail Team athletes, Lauren Gregory and Sam Hendry, about the organization’s backstory, their respective goals, and much more.
New Moment Countach 110 & 23/24 Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We discuss the origins and design of Moment’s new Countach 110; how it fits into their lineup between the Wildcat and Commander series; their new extra-long Wildcat; who should get a Moment Wildcat vs. a Moment Deathwish; their new, much bigger factory in Nevada, and more.
Flash Review: 23/24 DPS Kaizen 105
For 23/24, DPS discontinued their Pagoda line and replaced it with the brand-new Kaizen series. Check out our initial thoughts on the Kaizen 105.
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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The Future of Snowsports(?) | Blister Summit 2023 Panel Video
At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Nina Waters (Blizzard-Tecnica), Dr. Len Necefer (Natives Outdoors & Sonoran Avalanche Center), Dan Abrams (Flylow), & Hanna Whirty (Icelantic) to cover a broad range of topics regarding the future of the snowsports industry. They discuss how they think about expanding the snowsports community and the resulting benefits; the role of crowding and potential solutions; how DE&I, Advocacy, & Climate Change are all linked, and more.
Deep Dives with Angel (April 2023) (Ep.255)
Angel Collinson and Jonathan discuss her life since retiring from professional skiing, our Blister Open Mic series, and her recent piece, “How to Not Burn Out.” Then Angel answers your questions about finding peace; marriage & kids; and whether she thinks she’ll ever ski again.
Flash Review: 23/24 Blizzard Rustler 10
Here are some of our initial thoughts on the revised Rustler 10, how it compares to the previous version, and the rest of the market.
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.)
Salomon Sense Ride 5
Despite what may be considered conservative updates, the Salomon Sense Ride 5 keeps with the model’s established role as a versatile option intended for everyone from experienced ultrarunners in search of a no-frills daily trainer to folks looking to venture out onto the trails for perhaps the first time. Check out our full review to learn more.
The Good Old Days
In our latest Open Mic piece, our editor-in-chief reflects on closing days, the good old days, and more.
The Past, Present, & Future of Ski Manufacturing | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We brought together ski designers and manufacturers from DPS, Folsom, Majesty, and Meier to get their take on the current state of ski design; why wood has remained the go-to choice for ski cores; what we should expect from ski cores in the future; how to identify a properly constructed and “finished” ski, and more.
Win a BCA Prize Package
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a Float E2 25 Avalanche Airbag Pack and BC Link 2.0 Radio from BCA!