BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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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.
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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.
Deep Dive: Faction Dancer 2
We compare the Dancer 2 to the Faction Dancer 3, Faction Mana 2, Volkl M6 Mantra, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Salomon QST 98, J skis Masterblaster, Black Crows Camox, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Salomon Stance 96, Moment Commander 98, Nordica Enforcer 94, Black Crows Serpo, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Fischer Ranger 102, 4FRNT MSP 99, and K2 Mindbender 99Ti.
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 K2 Dispatch & Mindbender Skis | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We sat down with K2’s head ski designer, Jed Yeiser, to go into the weeds on several of the new skis they’re releasing for the 2022-2023 season, including the all-new lightweight freeride Dispatch series, as well as their overhauled metal-laminate freeride Mindbender Ti series, each of which feature some very interesting new tech.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Sweet Turns: Tele May Save Us All
Blister reader, podcast listener, and ‘Crash Course’ video watcher, Scott Conarroe, has been paying close attention to our talk about telemark skiing around here, and it led him to send this piece that he hoped we’d share with you. It’s a compelling (and fun) defense of telemark, and it’s definitely worth your time. Enjoy.
Barney “Scout” Mann on the Pacific Crest Trail, “Journeys North,” & the Future of Thru-Hiking (Ep.153)
We’re joined by one of thru-hiking’s elder statesmen, Barney “Scout” Mann, to talk about his deep connections to America’s long-distance trails; Journeys North, the memoir he wrote about his own 2007 thru-hike of PCT; life as a “trail angel”; and much more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Nordica Unleashed 108
New for 22/23, the Nordica Unleashed 108 is the brand’s take on a wider, playful all-mountain ski — 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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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (December 2022) (Ep.242)
We discuss Cody’s not-so-excellent recent adventures; nuclear fusion; nationalizing ski areas?; iPhones, Apple watches, & 911 calls; Relationship Advice; The White Lotus; and more.
2024-2025 Faction Studio 2
The ski formerly known as the Candide 2, then the Mana 2, Faction’s Studio 2 manages to blend typically counteractive traits into a very cohesive, adaptable, and plain fun ski. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Faction Mana 2
We compare the Mana 2 to the Faction Mana 3, Faction Dancer 2, Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, Salomon QST 98, Line Blade Optic 104, Fischer Ranger 102, Volkl Revolt 104, DPS Foundation Koala 103, Moment Deathwish 104, K2 Reckoner 102, Whitedot Altum 104, Majesty Dirty Bear XL, Dynastar M-Free 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Norse Enduro, Atomic Bent 100, J Skis Masterblaster, and. 4FRNT Switch.
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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Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT + Crashes & Close Calls (Ep.229)
We talk ski gear, customer trends, & sustainability initiatives (from the POV of a shop owner) with Mike Donohue of OGE, and we have a great listener-submitted story for “Crashes & Close Calls.”
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.