BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
On the James Webb Space Telescope (Ep.218)
We’re still trying to process what we’re seeing, and what this all means. So today, we’re offering another brief attempt to wrap our heads around the images — and the significance — of the James Webb Space Telescope, and I provide a few recommendations for further reading & listening.
2022-2023 Head Kore 85 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Kore 85 W.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Drew Kelly (Ep.205)
We talk to the man with the best turn in Crested Butte about choss monsters, cave trolls, geek beaks, his Tinder profile, birding, the universe, gear preferences, and more.
Flash Review — Diamondback Release C
The Diamondback Release 5C is proving to be a fairly nimble, versatile mid-travel Trail bike. 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
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Diamondback Release C
The Diamondback Release 5C is an unusual offering these days — a mid-travel 27.5’’ Trail bike with somewhat moderate geometry — but we think that’s exactly why it could be a great option for the right riders. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more.
Win Sunglasses or Eyeglasses from Roka
This week TWO lucky winners will each get a pair of sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses from Roka, plus a backpack!
2022-2023 Lange XT3 Tour Pro
Here are our measured specs, images, and initial questions about the Lange XT3 Tour Pro.
Eric Olsen on Bikepacking the EWS (Ep.126)
Eric Olsen just returned from bike touring between the first three rounds of the EWS, so we sat down with him to hear where he got the idea in the first place; how it all went, including encountering golf-ball-sized hail and a flock of schoolchildren mid-race; the notion of bikes as transportation & European bike touring culture more broadly; and much, much more.
La Sportiva Karacal
La Sportiva is synonymous with hardwearing shoes for running in difficult, mountainous terrain. However, the brand has lately focused on making more accessible models for runners who prioritize comfort over technical performance. With the Karacal, we think they’ve mostly succeeded in meeting that demand.
2023 Santa Cruz Megatower
The V2 Santa Cruz Megatower is a very different bike from its predecessor, and we think it’s a whole lot better for it. But what all has Santa Cruz changed, and how does that add up on trail? Check out our full review to find out.
Blister Brand Guide: Nike Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Nike continues to expand their trail-running options, and in our Brand Guide we cover every shoe in their 2022 Trail lineup to help you figure out how each shoe differs and which might make the most sense for you.
Paddy O’Leary on Racing Horses, Fell Running, Lacrosse, & Community Building (Ep.128)
Paddy O’Leary’s path from the farm he grew up on in Wexford, Ireland to becoming an elite runner for The North Face is by no means a linear one. So we sat down with Paddy to talk about how he ended up racing on the trails (with and without a horse); growing the sport of lacrosse in Ireland; community building; fell running; and a whole lot more.
2022-2023 Line Blade Optic 96
Line’s brand-new Blade Optic 96 is an extremely versatile all-mountain ski that isn’t easily pigeonholed into a particular category, which is exactly why so many people should have it on their lists. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Line Blade Optic 96
We compare the Blade Optic 96 to the Line Blade Optic 104, Line Blade Optic 92, J Skis Masterblaster, Line Blade, Blizzard Rustler 9, Season Kin, Rossignol Blackops 98, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Volkl M6 Mantra, Wagner Summit 97, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Salomon Stance 96, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Salomon QST 98, Black Crows Camox, Moment Commander 98, Renoun Endurance 98, Faction Dancer 2, Dynastar M-Free 99, Nordica Unleashed 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, 4FRNT MSP 99, & Black Crows Serpo.
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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(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.)
Blister Summit ’23: New Info, Dates, & Details (Ep.217)
On our Blister Podcast, Jonathan and Blister Summit Director, Kristin Sinnott, discuss the new format for our next Blister Summit; how to get the best pricing; what we learned from past Blister Summits; and who ought to come. (Answer: YOU.)
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v3
New Balance continues to make inroads into the trail space in 2023 and the recently updated FuelCell Summit Unknown v3 marks an auspicious start to their year. As one of the most versatile and affordable options in the brand’s catalog, the shoe benefits from a bevy of features that prepare it for just about every type of run and trail condition. Check out our full review for the whole story.
Ministry Cycles on Suspension Design, Machining Frames, & Launching a Bike Company (Ep.157)
Chris Currie has taken a long, winding road to founding Ministry Cycles, and the bike he’s launching with, the Psalm 150, is every bit as interesting. So we sat down with Chris to get the whole story.
2023-2024 Salomon QST Echo 106
Salomon just announced a new QST ski, and the QST Echo 106 might look familiar to keen-eyed viewers of Cody Townsend’s Fifty Project. Check out our First Look of the QST Echo 106 for more info on this new touring ski.
Jeff Pelletier on Adventure Filmmaking, Storytelling Through Trail Running, & ‘Racing Georgia’ (Ep.159)
We recently sat down with adventure filmmaker, Jeff Pelletier, to talk about what makes ultra-distance trail running the perfect subject for visual storytelling; the challenges that filming POV-style videos add to running ultramarathons; his new series, ‘Racing Georgia’; and much more.
Blister Summit 2023 Recap & Photo Story: Day 1
Blister Summit 2023 is off to a great start! Check out the photos, stories, and recaps from the first day.
Drew Petersen on Skiing with College Kids, Mtn Towns & Mental Health, & More (Ep.247)
Jonathan sits down with Drew Petersen in Blister HQ to talk about skiing with Western Colorado University’s freeride team, and to dive deeper into certain topics around mountain towns and mental health that Drew explores in his film (that you can watch on YouTube), Ups & Downs.
Flash Review: 23/24 Rossignol Sender Free 110
We’ve had several reviewers spending time on two different lengths of the new Sender Free 110 — check out their thoughts so far.
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.)
Win Any Blizzard Rustler or Sheeva Ski
The winner of this week’s gear giveaway can pick any new Rustler or Sheeva ski from Blizzard!
2022-2023 WOVN Kingfisher 120
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the WOVN Kingfisher 120.
Flash Review: 22/23 Dynastar M-Pro 108
This season Dynastar updated one of their longest-standing and most “legendary” skis — here are our initial thoughts on the new M-Pro 108.
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.)
Neko Mulally’s World Cup DH Bike Development (Ep.156)
When we last caught up with Neko Mulally he had just launched his Frameworks self-designed World Cup DH race bike project, and now a year later, he’s learned a whole lot — and changed a lot of the frame design details along the way. So we sat back down to get the whole story.
2023 Santa Cruz Nomad
The newly mulleted Santa Cruz Nomad is pretty different from the bike that it replaced, but it’s still the more playful, less-demanding Enduro bike in Santa Cruz’s lineup — and it’s excellent.