BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win MTB Gear from 7iDP
This week TWO lucky winners will each get to pick any pair of 7iDP knee pads they want, and they’ll get a pair of gloves + a T-Shirt!
Sage Flow Motion
The Sage Flow Motion is a beautifully constructed titanium Trail hardtail, but unlike the XC-oriented options of yesteryear, it’s got modern, aggressive geometry and 29’’ wheels, and the result is a whole lot of fun.
Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280
Road-to-trail shoes are becoming an increasingly popular option for runners who might not have immediate access to trails from their front door. Asking a shoe to feel smooth on pavement and grip on dirt is a tall order, but after testing Inov-8’s Parkclaw G 280, we think it’s up to the task. Check out our full review for the whole story.
Rae Morrison on 8 Years on the EWS, Race Strategies, & Forging Her Own Path (Ep.129)
We sat down with EWS racer Rae Morrison to chat about her mental approach to racing and dialing in when to push and how hard; staying positive and returning from injuries; her unique team setup and having her husband as her mechanic; and much more.
2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 130
Here are the specs, images, and our initial impressions of the K2 Mindbender 130 boot.
Danielle Snyder on Rewarding Failure, Taper Tantrums, & Mental Health in Ultrarunning (Ep.131)
You’ve probably encountered the adage that running is 90 percent mental, yet despite this feeling (and how true it may be), most runners dedicate the majority of their training to making sure they’re physically fit. But the brain fatigues too, so we talked with running coach and licensed clinical social worker, Danielle Snyder, about the importance of mindset training and the connection between mental well-being and physical performance.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (July 2022) (Ep.220)
We cover Gunstock Mountain Resort’s fight to operate; access issues & potential solutions; WC DH MTBers forming a union; mountain-town advice; what we’re reading & watching (answer: TOP GUN!) and more.
Blister Brand Guide: The North Face Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
While trail running shoes are not new to The North Face, the brand recently gave their lineup a complete overhaul to showcase “VECTIV,” the patented technology system driving their footwear design process. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about VECTIV, how it’s expressed in each of The North Face’s shoes, and which one might make the most sense for how and where you run.
Domestic Apparel Manufacturing, Supply-Chain Logistics, & More (Ep.207)
Domestic production of apparel has all but disappeared from the US, but Kitsbow is leading the charge to bring it back and hopes to be a blueprint for how other brands can do the same. And their CEO, David Billstrom, has a lot to say about how it’s been good for their brand, their customers, their community, and the planet.
Black Diamond Issues Voluntary Recall of Certain PIEPS & Black Diamond Avalanche Transceivers
Black Diamond has issued a voluntary recall for several Black Diamond and PIEPS avalanche transceivers — learn more here, including what to do if you have one of the affected models.
Flash Review: 22/23 Fischer Ranger 102
Update 7.29.22: We spent more time on the new Ranger 102 this past spring, and have some updates on it, including how it performs at some different mount points.
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Win Merino Wool Apparel from Ibex
The TWO lucky winners this week will each get a sweet prize pack from Ibex, including four of their high-end merino wool layers.
Five Ten Trailcross Clip-In
Five Ten’s new Trailcross Clip-In is the first, well, clip model in their Trailcross line, and Five Ten talks as much about its hiking performance as the on-bike portion of the program. So what does that mean for its performance as an actual bike shoe, and who is it going to work best for?
2022-2023 Head Raptor WCR 140S
Here are the specs, images, and our initial impressions and questions about the Head Raptor WCR 140S.
2023 Norco Fluid FS
Norco’s affordable all-rounder Trail bike, the Fluid FS, just got a big update, and while the new bike is marketed to beginner and intermediate riders, it’s got great-looking geometry and a nice build spec that seems like it could attract plenty of price-conscious experts, too.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2023-2024 Armada ARV 116 JJ UL
The Armada ARV 116 JJ UL is a lightweight, freestyle-friendly pow ski that we’ve been skiing in everything from Japanese pow to resort chop. Check out the Full Review and Deep Dive Comparisons to see what makes it stand out.
Deep Dive: Armada ARV 116 JJ UL
We compare the ARV 116 JJ UL to the Armada ARW 106 UL, Armada ARG II UL, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Line Outline, Line Vision 118, Moment Wildcat, Majesty Vadera Ti, Salomon QST 106, K2 Mindbender 115C, K2 Reckoner 112, Blizzard Sheeva 11, & Head Kore 117.
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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Galfer Shark Rotors
We really like Galfer’s standard Wave rotors, but how about the fancier Shark versions that they’re launched more recently? And in general, who should think about upgrading their existing rotors? Check out our review to learn more.
Anthony Costales on Smashing Course Records, Chasing States, & Sharpening His Competitive Edge (Ep.162)
Anthony Costales just dropped the longstanding course record at the Black Canyon 100k by a dizzying 19 minutes, securing a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100 in the process. We recently caught up with him to recap his race; dish about training; explore where he gets his competitive drive from; and more.
Nnormal Kjerag
Positioned as Nnormal’s max-performance model, the Kjerag (pronounced: sche-rak) is already an early front-runner for standout shoe of the year. It offers an implausible amount of energy return and cushioning for how light it is, often feeling like it disappears on foot in the best way possible. After nearly 200 miles of testing, the Kjerag has exceeded the lofty expectations we set for it after our initial impressions. Check out our full review to learn more.
Flash Review — Esker Rowl
We’ve started spending time on the Esker Rowl, and its wild Orion suspension is an early standout. Check out our Flash Review for 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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Flash Review: 23/24 Armada Declivity 102 Ti
We’ve now spent a few days skiing (and crashing…) on Armada’s metal-laminate Declivity 102 Ti — 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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2023-2024 Line Blade Optic 114
We’ve been skiing the widest, burliest ski in the Blade Optic family for quite some time now, and it’s proven to be a bit of an outlier within its series. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see why.
Deep Dive: Line Blade Optic 114
We compare the Line Blade Optic 114 to the Moment Wildcat, Black Crows Anima, DPS Foundation Koala 118, Dynastar M-Free 118, Rossignol Blackops 118, J Skis Friend, Volkl Revolt 121, Salomon QST Blank, 4FRNT Renegade, 4FRNT Inthayne, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Line Vision 118, Season Forma, Line Outline, K2 Reckoner 112, Prior Northwest 116, Icelantic Nomad 115, Nordica Enforcer 115 Free, Head Kore 117, and Elan Ripstick 116.
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.)
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (February 2023) (Ep.250)
Cody & Jonathan discuss the state of Warren Miller; Mikaela Shiffrin & Lebron James; Eddie Bauer dropping its team of professional athletes; the Most Canadian News; Mtn Town Advice; & more.
Trinity Gravity
Trinity MTB has been developing one of the wildest, most interesting new bikes in recent memory and now the result of their efforts is available to pre-order. Check out our First Look with all the info on the Trinity Gravity — and there’s a *lot* going on here.
Shop Talk: Skiing with Kids w/ Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.236)
For this edition of Shop Talk, we are back with the owners of Spokane Alpine Haus to talk kids and skiing, growing the next generation of skiers and snowboarders, and the gear that helps make it possible.