BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2021-2022 Head Kore 117
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Kore 117.
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Ski Development & Ski Testing with AJ Kruajitch & Jake Stevens (Ep.202)
Few people spend as many days as we do testing skis on snow. But Rossignol’s AJ Kruajitch definitely does. So Jonathan Ellsworth spent a day at Les Deux Alpes going through AJ’s testing process, then talking with him and Jake Stevens about the similarities and differences in our approaches.
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Win Yakima Bike Pads
The TWO winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get Yakima’s Gatekeeper truck bed tailgate pad!
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Flash Review — Pivot Firebird
We’ve started spending time on the new Pivot Firebird, and it feels like a big Enduro bike first and foremost, but a notably efficient, fairly nimble one. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
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Running Vest Roundup — 2022, Part 1
Running vests can add a lot of versatility to what you can do and how far you can go out on the trails. They can also vary a lot, from high-volume packs designed for multi-day trips, to trimmed-down models for races. Check out Part 1 of our running vest roundup for more info on four options we’ve been testing.
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2022-2023 K2 Dispatch LT W
Here are our measured specs, photos, and a quick rundown on K2’s new lightweight “freetouring” women’s boot, the Dispatch LT W.
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“North Shore” Betty Birrell on MTB at Age 73
Few 45-year-old women were taking up mountain biking in the early 1990s, and even fewer are still riding the North Shore nearly 30 years later — but Betty Birrell hasn’t let that stop her, and at 73, she’s still getting after it. So we sat down with Betty to talk about what keeps her going, and along the way she shares some great insights on motivation, role models, and not letting the expectations of others slow you down.
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Bike Pant Roundup — 2022
Modern bike pants vary a lot, from lightweight options for warm days to burly, waterproof heavyweights for when conditions aren’t so favorable. Check out our updated bike pant roundup for more info on fourteen of the men’s & women’s options we’ve been testing.
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2022-2023 Dynastar E-Pro 99 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Dynastar E-Pro 99 W.
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Blister Brand Guide: Topo Athletic Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
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 2022 lineup and which model might make the most sense for how and where you run.
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2022-2023 J Skis Masterblaster
The latest J Skis Masterblaster continues to stand out because of its rare combination of suspension, stability, and maneuverability. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
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Deep Dive: J Skis Masterblaster
We compare the latest Masterblaster to the previous J Skis Masterblaster, J Skis Fastforward, Volkl Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Black Crows Camox, 4FRNT MSP 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Faction Dancer 2, Salomon QST 98, Volkl M6 Mantra, Nordica Enforcer 100, Dynastar M-Free 99, Atomic Maverick 100 Ti, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Wagner Summit 97, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Moment Commander 98, Renoun Endurance 98, Fischer Ranger 102, Line Blade Optic 96, Salomon Stance 102, & Salomon Stance 96.
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Roxanne Vogel on Lightning Ascents, Flavor Science, and GU Energy Labs (Ep.125)
Ultramarathons are sometimes called eating competitions with a bit of running thrown in, and with so many different nutrition products and approaches at our disposal these days, it can be hard to know how to fuel properly. So, we talked to GU Energy Labs’ Nutrition and Performance Research Manager, Roxanne Vogel, about the ins & outs of eating on the run; how GU’s line of products fit into that equation; and much more.
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Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower
We’ve been spending time on the new 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
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Stuff We Like: June 2022
In the June edition of our “Stuff We Like” series, we’ve got everything from sun hoodies to ski racks, fishing gear, handlebars, water-treatment options, and much more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
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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.
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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.
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Jeremy Jones: The Art of Shralpinism
In our latest installment of Open Mic, we are publishing the opening pages of Jeremy Jones’ book, The Art of Shralpinism, with an introduction by Jonathan Ellsworth that focuses on the artistry of the book itself.
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2022-2023 Majesty Dirty Bear XL
This season Majesty opted to take a longstanding ski in their lineup and split it into two different models — check out our full review for more on the new, 105mm-wide Dirty Bear XL.
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Deep Dive: Majesty Dirty Bear XL
We compare the Dirty Bear XL to the Black Crows Atris, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Salomon QST 106, K2 Reckoner 102, J Skis Hotshot, 4FRNT Devastator, Moment Deathwish 104, Elan Ripstick 104, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, Whitedot Altum 104, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Line Blade Optic 104, 4FRNT MSP 107, Sego Big Horn 106, Armada ARW 106 UL, Black Crows Camox, Volkl Revolt 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, DPS Koala 103, RMU Apostle 106, & ZAG Slap 104.
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In Search of the ‘Best’ Coffee Gear (& Ski Boots), Pt. 2 (Ep.20)
Sam Higby, co-owner of First Ascent Coffee Roasters, joins Jonathan to talk pour overs, grinders, brewing at altitude, programmability, and more. Listen up, then let us know what your pick is for the best coffee-making setup out there.
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Katie Asmuth on Beating the Injury Bug, Mom Strength, & Golden Ticket Season (Ep.158)
While running injuries are undoubtedly the suckiest part of the sport, they’re also perhaps the most inevitable, so learning how to approach them mentally can make time on the shelf an opportunity for growth. After being sidelined with a broken foot for most of 2022, we talked to Saucony Athlete Katie Asmuth about how she used her injury as a way to engage with the trail running community in different ways, and much more.
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NF Heavyweight Pants
The NF Heavyweight Pants are the Canadian brand’s take on a cold / wet weather mountain bike pant, and they go about things rather differently from a lot of other options out there — with excellent results.
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22/23 4FRNT MSP 91
Here are two of our reviewers’ initial impressions of the narrowest and newest ski in 4FRNT’s metal-laminate MSP collection.
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Janji Repeat Merino Tech Long Sleeve
The art of winter layering for running is a skill often learned through patterns of mistakes. You’re just as likely to have an uncomfortable time out on the trails if you overdress or underdress, and threading the needle between takes an intuition gleaned from experience. Janji’s Repeat Merino Tech Long Sleeve, the brand’s new cold weather performance staple, is designed to give you a bit more room for error when it comes to dressing for chilly runs. Check out our full review to learn why we think it’s a must-add piece to most runners’ wardrobes.
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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (January 2023) (Ep.246)
Cody and Jonathan discuss Kyle Smaine, tragedy, & avalanche safety; separating vs always staying together in the backcountry; Mountain Town Advice, the most Canadian news; coffee gear; & more.
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