BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Introducing: Open Mic
We’re launching a new written series on BLISTER called, Open Mic, where athletes, artists, and others will be tasked with an unusual assignment. Jonathan Ellsworth explains.
2022-2023 Head Kore 87
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the new Head Kore 87.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 1: Setting the Stage (Ep.221)
Jonathan and Kara respond to a listener’s question about what local food is and how you can support it; how to grow food in cold places; chicken tractors and therapy chickens; and how a robust local food system keeps our mountain towns healthier.
Blister Brand Guide: On Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
On’s shoes are instantly recognizable due to their unique, bulbous midsoles / outsoles. But how do each of their road and trail shoes differ, and which one should you get? Check out our Brand Guide to find out.
An Update on Blister Labs’ Mountain Bike Wheel Testing
Our Blister Labs team is well underway with mountain bike wheelset testing that is going to provide far more detailed information and real-world quantitative data than anything that has previously been available to consumers. Here’s an update on what we’re up to and how it’s going.
Our (Massive) Ski Binding Shootout + Wildlife Encounters (Ep.208)
Luke, Kara, and Jonathan talk about our upcoming test, where we’ll be mounting up 20+ pairs of the same ski with 20+ different alpine bindings in the attempt to find out what really separates the most popular alpine (and 50/50) bindings from one another.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
SRAM’s New Eagle Transmission and Stealth Brakes (Ep.162)
SRAM’s new Eagle Transmission is some of the biggest new tech to hit the bike world recently, and we sat down with SRAM’s Chris Mandell to get the rundown on the new T-Type parts, including why SRAM went to a direct mount derailleur and a whole lot more.
2023-2024 Blizzard Sheeva 9
The newly redesigned 23/24 Blizzard Sheeva 9 took the biggest departure from its predecessor, relative to its wider siblings, but how does it slot into the ~95mm-wide all-mountain category? Read our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to find out more.
Deep Dive: Blizzard Sheeva 9
We compare the 23/24 Blizzard Sheeva 9 to the Fischer Ranger 90, Blizzard Sheeva 10, Nordica Santa Ana 93, Atomic Maven 93 C, Faction Dancer 2X, Volkl Secret 96, Salomon Stance 94 W, Blizzard Black Pearl 97, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, & 4FRNT MSP CC.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Trail Running 101: How to Run While Traveling
While one of running’s virtues is how well it travels, requiring little in the way of gear and possible in just about every type of setting, knowing exactly what to bring and how to safely explore a new place on foot can be daunting. So, in part eleven of our Trail Running 101 series, we put together some best practices for running while on the road (or trail).
Flash Review: 23/24 Line Bacon 108
The new Line Bacon 108 is proving to be quite different than the Line Sir Francis Bacon it replaces. Check out our 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.)
Max Romey on “No Lost Shoes,” Nnormal, and Striving for Sustainability in the Footwear Industry (Ep.164)
We talked to artist, filmmaker, trail runner, and proud Alaskan, Max Romey, about some of the environmental challenges facing the footwear industry outlined in his latest film for Nnormal, “No Lost Shoes.” Along the way, we also explore the imperfections of painting in water color; Nnormal’s forward-thinking sustainability model; grassroots climate activism; and more.
How to Not Burn Out: 5 Lessons from a Stoked Kook
In her latest Open Mic piece, Angel Collinson shares what she’s learned about how not to destroy – but rather deepen – our passion for the things we love.
Flash Review — SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission & Code Ultimate Stealth Brakes
We’ve been testing the new SRAM Eagle Transmission and Stealth Brakes for a while now — check out 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.
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.)
SRAM Eagle Transmission
There have been spy photos of what appeared to be a new direct-mount derailleur, plus updated Eagle cranks, cassettes, and controllers from SRAM floating around the internet for a while now — and today it all breaks cover, along with some new brakes and much more. Check out our First Look for all the info on the new Eagle Transmission.
2023-2024 Black Crows Nocta
Black Crows recently announced a major update to their widest ski, the Nocta, and reviewer Paul Forward has been spending a lot of time on it, both while heli-ski guiding and lapping the resort. Check out our Full Review to see how the latest Nocta performs in everything from deep pow to breakable crust.
Pit Viper Co-Founders on String Theory; their Origin Story; Hotdogs; New Products; & More (Ep.252)
Chuck Mumford and Chris Garcin started Pit Viper to inject more fun into skiing. But behind all the party vibes, they’ve also been sneaking in a good bit of functionality and performance into their products, too. Here’s their story. (Mostly, Chuck needed a place to shower.)
2023 Marin Alpine Trail E
The Marin Alpine Trail E gets a refresh today, and while its geometry hasn’t changed much, it’s still pretty out there for a ~150 mm travel bike — and the value for money in terms of the build specs is especially impressive.