BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
Powder7
With their robust online retail presence and uniquely vast selection of ski equipment, Powder7 is a ski shop we love in the greater Denver area.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 23/24 Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120
Update 4.17.23: Luke Koppa adds some more thoughts on the new Backland XTD Carbon 120 after spending more time in it in the backcountry on a wide variety of skis.
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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Tori Palmer, Helicopter Pilot (Ep.256)
Jonathan talks with Chugach Powder Guides helicopter pilot, Tori Palmer, to get her pilot’s perspective on their day in the mountains; her path to becoming a heli pilot and the training that’s involved; what you should – and should not – do as a passenger in a heli; and more.
2023-2024 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada ARV 106.
2023-2024 DPS Koala 111
DPS has added a new ski to fill the void between the Koala 103 & Koala 118 — check out our Full Review of the new Koala 111 to see how exactly it blends together the playfulness of the 103 with the high-speed stability of the 118.
Deep Dive: DPS Koala 111
We compare the Koala 111 to the DPS Koala 118, DPS Koala 103, Rossignol Sender Free 110, Dynastar M-Free 108, Salomon QST Blank, Icelantic Nomad 105, Rossignol Sender Squad, K2 Reckoner 112, Meier Leeper, Rossignol Blackops 118, Moment Wildcat, Line Blade Optic 114, Moment Countach 110, Head Kore 111, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, RMU North Shore 110, Black Crows Anima, Fischer Ranger 108, Black Crows Corvus, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, J Skis Friend, 4FRNT Hoji, Nordica Unleashed 108, Blizzard Rustler 11, Atomic Bent 110, & Parlor McFellon Pro.
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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Bacons, Chronics, & More: 23/24 Line Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We discuss all the new skis Line is launching for 23/24, including the new Bacon 108 & Bacon 115; how they compare to the previous Sir Francis Bacon & Outline; the revised Chronic 94 & brand-new Chronic 101; we get some teasers about upcoming projects, and more.
Marin Rift Zone E
A new Marin Rift Zone eMTB drops today from Marin, a brand making a strong case as a value leader in eMTBs.
Powder Skis in AK with Paul & Jonathan (Ep.241)
Jonathan is currently in AK with Paul Forward, Chugach Powder Guides, and a great crew. So he & Paul talk about the skis they’ve been getting time on (from Heritage Lab, Folsom, DPS, K2); some new skis we’d like to see; crème brûlée crust; and the new Lange Shadow boot.
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
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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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.)