BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Benji Alexander on the Olympics, the Aftermath, & What’s Next (Ep.205)
Benji Alexander is back on the podcast to talk about becoming Jamaica’s first Olympian alpine ski racer; his experience in Beijing and his race runs; competition and representation at the Olympic games; and more.
2021-2022 Stereo Lynx MK 4
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Stereo Lynx MK 4.
Blister Summit Recap & Ski Reviews (Ep.188)
Kristin Sinnott, Kara Williard, and Sascha Anastas talk about the Blister Summit and discuss a bunch of the gear they spent time on from Fischer, Salomon, Dynastar, Renoun, Rossignol, and more.
Flash Review: 22/23 K2 Mindbender 99Ti
K2 is updating all their Mindbender Ti skis for 22/23, and we’ve been spending time on several of them. Check out our Flash Review of the 99Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2022-2023 Nordica Santa Ana 98
The Nordica Santa Ana series has been a Blister favorite for many years, but how does the latest iteration of the Santa Ana 98 compare to the current market? Check out our full review.
Win Any 22/23 Icelantic Ski
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get to pick any ski they want from Icelantic’s expansive, new 22/23 lineup!
2022-2023 Tecnica Cochise Pro W
This season Tecnica updated their long-standing Cochise series of 50/50 boots, and we think the current design is a really appealing option for those who want a boot with a walk mode that makes minimal compromises when it comes to downhill performance. Check out our full review of the top-end women’s model, the Cochise Pro W.
Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe
Kane currently only makes one product, their Revive “active recovery shoe.” Cy Whitling has been using them for a while now, and says he might not be able to live without them. Check out his review to see why.
Martin Maes on Team Changes, Bike Setup, & Fatherhood (Ep.109)
Martin Maes makes his podcast debut to talk about career progression, the value of a change of pace, fatherhood, bike setup, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Faction Dancer 3
Faction is tweaking their line of metal-laminate skis for the 2022-2023 season — check out our initial impressions of the Dancer 3
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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2022-2023 Nordica Unleashed 98
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the new Nordica Unleashed 98.
Flash Review — RockShox Flight Attendant
RockShox launched their Flight Attendant electronic suspension a few months ago and we’re now spending time on it — and it’s pretty mind-blowing.
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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Adam Hill on Anxiety, Addiction, Ironmans, & Personal Transformation (Ep.111)
We talk to Adam Hill about how dealing with anxiety disorder led him into Ironman competitions; his new book, Shifting Gears; and the process and mechanisms of personal transformation.
2021-2022 Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95
We’ve spent the past season testing two different versions of the Ahmeek 95 — check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons for our thoughts on this made-in-Michigan all-mountain ski.
Deep Dive: Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95
We compare the Ahmeek 95 to the Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, J Skis Masterblaster, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, J Skis Fastforward, Blizzard Rustler 9, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Black Crows Serpo, 4FRNT MSP 99, Black Crows Camox, Moment Deathwish 104, Volkl M6 Mantra, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Dynastar M-Free 99, and Salomon QST 98.
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.
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Connor Ryan & Drew Petersen on Skiing, Running, & the Salomon QST Film Tour (Ep.235)
Connor Ryan and Drew Petersen were in CB for the Salomon Quality Ski Time Film Tour, so we sat down with them to talk about the tour, their friendship, Hilaree Nelson, the act of celebrating others, skiing, running, and a whole lot more.
2023 Marin Rift Zone
Marin’s new Rift Zone is proof that good geometry doesn’t have to be expensive, and looks like an extremely promising option for an affordable mid-travel Trail bike. Check out our First Look for the rundown.
Win Wagner Skis
The winner of our gear giveaway this week will get to pick a ski from Wagner’s excellent Factory lineup!
5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (22/23)
With ski season kicking off soon (or already) in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s once again time to think about ski quivers. We’re starting by asking our reviewers what they’d pick if they were putting together a 5-ski quiver — check out Part 2 of their selections.
2022 Pivot Shadowcat
We’ve had three reviewers spending time on the Pivot Shadowcat, and while it’s a bit of an unusual offering in 2022 — a very light, efficient 27.5’’ Trail bike — it’s proven to be a ton of fun, and a great example of why 27.5’’ wheels should stick around.
Shop Talk: Celebrating 10 Years of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK (Ep.222)
Our Blister Recommended Shop, Powder Hound, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, so we caught up with one of the owners, Eric Helmbrecht, to go over some of the major trends, takeaways, and reflections he has after a decade of running a local, year-round shop in Girdwood, AK.
Blister Brand Guide: Nnormal Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Nnormal, which launched earlier this year, is a collaboration between one of trail running’s most accomplished figures, Kilian Jornet, and Camper, the Spanish footwear giant. As a brand whose core values are largely environmentally focused, Nnormal shoes are intended to be replaced less often and versatile enough to perform many different roles within a runner’s quiver. Take a look at our Brand Guide to learn more about each one of their 2022 trail shoes.
Hannah Otto on Setting the Whole Enchilada FKT (Ep.143)
Hannah Otto just demolished the FKT for the Whole Enchilada trail in Moab — including the road climb to the top — and we sat down with her to get the whole story.
Amateur Hour: ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, on Knives (Ep.13)
ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, is known for being maniacal about the craft of building skis. But today, we talk with Scott about his other obsession: knives — how he got into them; knife quivers; patina chasing; price ranges; cutting boards; and more.
Maxxis Shorty
It’s turning to wet-weather riding season in a lot of places, and the Maxxis Shorty is a great option for a soft-conditions tire that still maintains some versatility when things firm up. Check out our review to see where it excels and how it compares to the competition.
Chef Soraya Smith & CEO Duane Primozich on the Future of Backpacker’s Pantry & Making Adventure Food Sustainably (Ep.145)
Backpacker’s Pantry recently welcomed a new leader to take the company into its exciting next chapter. As CEO, Duane Primozich will prioritize Backpacker’s Pantry’s role as environmental stewards, a commitment to sustainability that goes above and beyond. We recently sat down with Duane and Backpacker’s Pantry owner and head chef, Soraya Smith, to hear all about where the company is headed; climate change’s adverse effects on the food industry; what Backpacker’s Pantry is doing to reverse them; and much more.
2023 WNDR Alpine Skis & Snowboards | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We talk with WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, about all the wide-ranging projects the brand has been working on over the past year, including their first-ever snowboards and splitboards; new “Spiral Plate” and how it’s helping them make their production more circular; the revised Intention 108 ski; the future plans for their bio-based Algal Tech (including WNDR Alpine french fries?); and much more.