BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Nomad
The new Santa Cruz Nomad looks a lot like a mulleted Megatower on paper, but our early impressions of the V6 Nomad are pretty surprising.
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Bootfitting 101: Sizing
Ski boots are arguably the most important bit of gear when it comes to enjoying your time on snow, but they’re also probably the most difficult to get *just right*. In our Bootfitting 101 series, we’re trying to make this process easier, kicking things off with a foundational, but not so straightforward, step — figuring out the right size.
Win Renoun Skis + POC Helmets & Goggles
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will not only get to pick any Renoun ski they want, they’ll also get POC’s sweet new Obex Helmet + Nexal Goggle combo!
Shop Talk: Hickory & Tweed (Ep.219)
We talk with Skip and Mac Beitzel, the owners — and father / son duo — from Hickory & Tweed, located in Armonk, New York. We go over the history of the shop; Skip’s background in ski ballet and hot dogging; seasonal lease programs; personal ski quivers; & more.
Flash Review — 2022 Fezzari La Sal Peak
The Fezzari La Sal Peak is billed as a “versatile” Enduro bike, but how does that mean it stacks up to its competition?
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Rab Talus Ultra Shorts & Phantom Jacket
As part of Rab’s Skyline Collection, the Talus Ultra Shorts and Phantom Jacket are gram-conscious pieces of trail running apparel intended for moving quickly through rugged terrain. By pairing a minimalist design with ultralight premium materials, Rab has created activewear that still manages to be protective and comfortable while weighing as little as possible. Check out our full review to learn more.
A Very Deep Dive on Suspension with EXT’s Franco Fratton, Pt. 1 (Ep.140)
EXT founder Franco Fratton has more experience working on suspension than just about anyone, and we brought him back on Bikes & Big Ideas to kick off a series of episodes where we’ll be going very deep on suspension design and tech.
Deep Dive: Salomon Ski Boots Brand Lineup, 22/23
Our Deep Dive series on ski boot lines is back for the 22/23 season, starting with Salomon’s expansive collection, including their brand-new S/Pro Alpha and MTN Summit series. We discuss all notable specs, features, most similar boots from other brands, and more. Become a Deep Dive subscriber or Blister Member to check it out.
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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2022 Intense Tracer 279
The Intense Tracer 279 is a capable and intuitive Enduro bike best suited for going fast and pushing your limits downhill, but its mixed-wheel configuration also helps make it stand out in a few key ways. Check out our full review to see how it compares to the latest batch of Enduro bikes on the market.
The Alchemist, Pt. 3: Sustainability, Beer, & the Bigger Picture (Ep.10)
This week Jonathan was back at The Alchemist to sit down with its founders, Jen & John Kimmich, to dive into their philosophy on sustainability — in all of its forms — and to hear how they created a company that is leading the way on a number of these fronts. It’s an impressive story driven by shared principles, and we hope this conversation serves as an inspiration to other companies across many sectors.
Climbing Skins: A Guide & Comparisons
Climbing skins often receive less attention than skis, boots, & bindings, but the skins you stick to your skis can make or break your days in the backcountry. So in this guide, we go through the qualities to look for in a pair of skins, then directly compare 13 different skins from 5 different brands.
Ted Hesser on “Chains of Habit” & Destigmatizing the Conversation Around Mental Health (Ep.142)
We spoke to adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser, about his latest project, Chains of Habit, a short film focused on his lifelong battle with depression and the ways trail running has helped fend off its symptoms. We also talk about ways to destigmatize conversations around mental health; steps to take if you’re struggling; and much more.
Flash Review — Canyon Spectral 125
There are a lot of good ~120mm-travel Trail bikes out there, but the Canyon Spectral 125 offers a very different take on the category than most — and we’re having a lot of fun on it. Check out our Flash Review for 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.
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Trail Running 101: How to Choose a Headlamp
For many runners, headlamps are no mere accessory; they’re as indispensable to trail running at night as properly fitting trail shoes are to running during the day. Yet much like footwear, finding a lamp that best suits your needs can be a process cloaked in difficult jargon, numbers, and minutia. So in part eight of our Trail Running 101 series, we help explain some of the main things to look for when choosing a headlamp that will best suit your needs.
Blister Speaker Series: Jeremy Jones (Ep.231)
Jeremy Jones came to Western Colorado University for another installment of our Blister Speaker Series to discuss filming, snowboarding, founding POW, the ‘outdoor state,’ POW’s ongoing and evolving efforts to address climate change, and more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 23/24 K2 Mindbender 106C
K2 updated their lighter “Mindbender C” skis for 23/24, and we’ve been skiing the new Mindbender 106C. Check out our initial 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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Blister Brand Guide: Altra Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
While all Altra shoes share their signature zero-drop platform and “FootShape” fit, there’s still a ton of variation within both their road and trail lineups, including several new models for 2023. Check out our Brand Guide for a full breakdown of what sets each shoe apart from the others, and which ones best match your running style.
Mindbenders, Waybacks, & More: 23/24 K2 Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with K2’s head ski designer, Jed Yeiser, to discuss all the new products they’re rolling out for the 2023-2024 season, including their overhauled “Mindbender C” skis; implementing materials that are both higher-performing and more sustainable; K2’s updated Wayback touring collection and how those skis compare to their Dispatch series, and more.
Powder Ski Design w/ Folsom’s Mike McCabe (Ep.243)
Today Mike McCabe and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the design elements of skis built for the deepest of days, and their recent trip to Alaska.
Win Deuter Ski Touring Packs
This week the two winners of our Gear Giveaway will get the Freerider Pro 34+ or the Freerider Pro 32+ SL ski touring pack from Deuter!
23/24 Nordica Ski Collection | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We talked with Nordica to cover how their Enforcer and Santa Ana skis have evolved over the years; their touring-oriented Enforcer Unlimited and Santa Ana Unlimited series; the introduction and expansion of their playful Unleashed collection; where their Wild Belle and new Steadfast series slot into their lineup, and more.
Stuff We Like: April 2023
The April edition of Stuff We Like includes a variety of items that our reviewers have found useful lately, from pocket knives to ski poles, racks that carry kayaks via your bike, ski-touring apparel, gels, and more. Check it out to see the latest items our reviewers have been digging.
Sea Otter 2023 Recap (Ep.167)
Blister editors David Golay and Simon Stewart were on site at the Sea Otter Classic and sat down to chat about a bunch of the most exciting new gear and broader industry trends that they saw at the show.
Fox Proframe RS
Fox released the Proframe RS as an evolution of their long-standing Proframe helmet, adding a swath of new features and safety technologies. After a long winter season in the Proframe RS, we think it’s a great option for folks looking for a lightweight, highly-ventilated full-face helmet.
Blister Brand Guide: Topo Athletic Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
Topo Athletic continues to expand their line of low-drop, wide-toebox running shoes — check out our Brand Guide for the full rundown on their 2023 lineup and which model might make the most sense for how and where you run.
Blister Labs: the Evolution of Outdoor Gear Testing | Blister Summit 2023 Video
How are we advancing the state of ski testing? At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Jeni Blacklock, Sean Humbert, Leo Beuken, and Travis Hainsworth to discuss what we’ve been working on and why it matters, and we announce our latest initiative that we’ll be rolling out soon: Blister Community Reviews.
Flash Review: 23/24 Line Chronic 101
The Chronic name has been in Line’s collection for years, but now there’s a new, wider version. Check out our initial thoughts on the new Chronic 101.
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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