BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2023 Line Blade Optic Skis | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We talk with Line’s marketing manager, Connor Clayton, about Line’s new collection of metal-laminate freeride skis, the Blade Optics. We discuss the origin of the series, how it combines elements of the Line Blade and Line Vision skis, Line’s “Gas Pedal Metal” construction, and the four Blade Optic models.
Trail Running 101: What is Trail Running?
Trail running — it’s only one word away from road running. Is it really that different? Yes and no. While trail running is simply running, just not on pavement, its depth of nuances, styles, and considerations demand a bit more explanation. So in our first installment in our new Trail Running 101 series, we cover some of the basics.
Kavenz on Engineering a Better Enduro Bike (Ep.117)
Kavenz had been working on a high-pivot Enduro bike long before it was cool, and the VHP16 and new VHP18 that came out of the project have a lot of unique design features. So this week on Bikes & Big Ideas, we sat down with Kavenz founder Giacomo Großehagenbrock to talk about the founding of Kavenz; the design philosophy behind their bikes; starting and growing a business; and much more.
Flash Review — 2022 Rocky Mountain Element
“Longer” and “slacker” might be the go-to buzzwords for modern bike releases, but the Rocky Mountain Element made a way bigger jump than most — while still staying true to its XC roots, too — and the results are very interesting. 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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Galfer Brake Pads and Rotors
Brake pads are an underappreciated factor in mountain bike brake performance, and Galfer’s offerings make a strong case for why a lot of riders should pay closer attention. And rotor sizing is a big piece of the puzzle, so we cover that in detail, too.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (April 2022)
We talk with Cody about what he’s been up to and get an update on the Fifty Project, then we run through some of the latest news, including faked plane crashes; Vail Resorts’ minimum wage increase; fuel for backcountry skiing; golf; and what we’re reading & watching.
2022-2023 Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104
The Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 shares a lot in common with the original Enforcer 104 Free, it just ditches a whole lot of weight — and the upsides and downsides that come with it. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to learn more about this new touring ski.
Deep Dive: Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104
We compare the Enforcer Unlimited 104 to the Volkl Blaze 106, Faction Agent 3.0, Line Vision 108, Atomic Backland 107, 4FRNT Raven, Movement Alp Tracks 106, Blizzard Zero G 105, WNDR Alpine Vital 100, Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, Ronin 108, and Weston Summit.
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.)
Brian Metzler on a Writer’s Life & the Art of Running Free (Ep.119)
Brian Metzler has been writing about running, in one form or another, for the better part of the last 25 years. His latest book, Trail Running Illustrated: The Art of Running Free (which he co-authored with Doug Mayer) is a genre-bending book with an interesting backstory, so we talked to Brian about how it all came together; his writing (and running) career; and much more.
2023-2024 Ferreol Pionnier 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Ferreol Pionnier 104.
La Sportiva Akasha II
The best decision La Sportiva made when updating the Akasha, their long-distance trail shoe, was not to change much about it. The Akasha II is strikingly similar to its predecessor, and will work really well for certain runners for the same reasons as before.
2022-2023 K2 Dispatch 120
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for two lengths of the new K2 Dispatch 120.
2022-2023 Faction Dancer 2
The Faction Dancer 2 isn’t a super easy-going, “made-for-everyone” ski, but it is a unique ski that could make certain people extremely excited to be on the mountain. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to learn more.
DPS Skis: State of the Union + 22/23 Product Lineup (Ep.195)
We talk with DPS’s VP of product and operations about the recent history of DPS; discuss some of the specific skis in their lineup; hear a defense of carbon fiber; define a new rule for product design; clarify DPS Phantom; & more.
Win Magnetic Pedals from Hustle
This week TWO lucky winners will each get a pair of Hustle Avery REMtech pedals, which blur the lines between clipless and flat pedals.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Any Season Ski or Board
The winner of our gear giveaway this week can choose any ski or board they’d like from Season!
BLISTER+: Real-World Testimonials
When you play outdoors, injuries happen. And those injuries can be expensive. So we launched our BLISTER+ Membership to address this, and here, we provide our own real-world stories of why it’s valuable and how it works.
Flash Review: 22/23 Stöckli Stormrider 102
We were able to get a day on Stöckli’s widest ski, the Stormrider 102. 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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Andrew Gardner on Open-Mindedness, Gravel Riding, Velocio, & More (Ep.150)
We’re joined by Velocio co-founder Andrew Gardner to recap a recent “gravel” ride that he and Jonathan Ellsworth went on, and to discuss gravel riding more broadly, including the limitations of the term “gravel”, the ways that bikers group themselves into specialized cliques (possibly to their detriment) and much, much more.
Hoka Mafate Speed 4
While it may not yet have the same name recognition as the Speedgoat, Hoka’s Mafate line has steadily worked its way into being considered one of the brand’s principal models over the last couple of years. Now in its 4th iteration, the Mafate Speed 4 introduces some exciting new technology and design concepts to Hoka’s trail side, correcting many of the aspects we felt fell short on the latest Speedgoat 5. Check out our full review for the whole story.
Flash Review: 22/23 Fischer Ranger 90
Here are a couple of our reviewers’ initial impressions of Fischer’s brand-new all-mountain ski, the 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.
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Dalbello 22/23 Boots | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We discuss Dalbello’s 2022-2023 lineup of ski boots; the age-old debate about the pros and cons of 3-piece Cabrio boots vs. 2-piece Overlap ones; Dalbello’s brand-new Veloce overlap series; the industry finally settling on boot sole norms; the rise of Alpine boots with tech toe fittings; the lightweight Quantum Free and Quantum Evo series and their unique 2-piece bonding construction; working to close the loop on boot manufacturing waste; and more.
2022-2023 Majesty Vadera Ti
After some time this season and last, we have quite a bit to say about Majesty’s women-specific, metal-laminate freeride ski, the Vadera Ti — check out our Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons for the rundown.
Deep Dive: Majesty Vadera Ti
We compare the Majesty Vadera Ti to the Armada ARW 106 UL, Blizzard Sheeva 11, Faction Dancer 3X, Fischer Ranger 102, K2 Mindbender 106C, K2 Mindbender 115C, Line Blade Optic 104, Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, Majesty Vadera Carbon, Salomon QST Stella 106, & Wagner Summit 106.
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.)
Jeff Colt on Chasing Western States, the Beats, & Managing Expectations (Ep.152)
For On athlete, Jeff Colt, the chase for a coveted spot into Western States had been a multi-year saga fraught with close calls and near misses, that is until a near-perfectly executed run at the Black Canyon 100k in February earned him a Golden Ticket and automatic entry. We pick up Jeff’s story there and hear all about his journey leading up to Western States, a play-by-play of his 11th-place finish, and much more.
Next Blister Happy Hour Livestream: Wednesday 12.28.22
Our next Blister Happy Hour Livestream will be on Wednesday 12.28.22 at 2pm MT / 4pm ET, this time with a special guest: Matt Manser! If you’re a Blister Member, join us and ask any of your questions.
Ski / Snowboard Outerwear Mega Roundup — Men’s (2022-2023)
In this updated mega roundup, we compare and contrast more than two dozen pieces of ski and snowboard outerwear, from burly resort shells to breathable touring kits.