BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 22/23 Icelantic Saba Pro 117
We just spent a day on Icelantic’s reverse-camber pow ski, the Saba Pro 117 — check out our initial impressions.
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Flash Review: 22/23 Atomic Bent 110
Update 2.22.22: We just got back on the Bent 110 at the Blister Summit, this time with 8″ of new snow. Check out some of our additional impressions.
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Logan Williams on the Black Canyon 100k; Recovery; & Running as an Art Form (Ep.108)
Our running editor, Matt Mitchell, sat down with Salomon athlete Logan Williams to discuss his recent top 10 finish at the Black Canyon 100K. This top-10 finish happened after Logan ruptured his achilles last year at Black Canyon, so Logan talks about what returning to the scene of the crime meant for him; his relationship with injury; how he’s recovering from racing 62 miles through the desert; his thoughts on running as an artform, and a whole lot more.
Blister Summit 2022: Panel Session Topics, Participants, & Schedule
Here’s a rundown on all of the panel discussions we’ll be hosting at our 2022 Blister Summit, as well as a schedule, list of panelists, and a way for you to submit your own questions for all panel discussions.
Blister Summit Panel Session Topics & Speakers + Product Design & Innovation (Ep.185)
We give an update on the topics we’ll be discussing at our upcoming Blister Summit, and tell you who the athletes, founders, product designers, and snow safety experts are that we’ll be discussing these things with. Then, we’re reposting a fantastic conversation on product design and innovation — it’s a must-listen for anyone interested in either of those things.
2022-2023 4FRNT Hoji
The middle ski in Eric Hjorleifson’s signature series got a big update this season, and we think the changes make for a notably more versatile ski — whether you use it in the backcountry or at the resort. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of the Hoji.
Deep Dive: 4FRNT Hoji
We compare the Hoji to the 4FRNT Renegade, 4FRNT Raven, 4FRNT Devastator, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, Black Crows Corvus, Salomon QST Blank, 4FRNT Inthayne, Black Crows Anima, Line Vision 118, K2 Reckoner 112, Moment Deathwish, J Skis Friend, Wagner Summit 106, Head Kore 111, RMU YLE 110, Sego Comp 110, Icelantic Nomad 105, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, and J Skis Slacker.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win Kästle Skis
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will get a pair of the Kästle ZX100, their all-round, playful freeride ski.
Starling Cycles on Simplicity, Design, & Building Bikes in a Shed (Ep.105)
Starling Cycles have made a name for themselves building simple, elegant steel single-pivot bikes, and we sat down with founder Joe McEwan to talk about going from working on aerospace composites to building metal bikes, his thoughts on bike design — including why simpler is often better — and a whole lot more.
On the Creation of a “Hyper-Performance” Trail Shoe Company: Speedland (Ep.107)
Why would two friends who’d been working at the highest levels of product design at Nike and Under Armour leave to create a hyper-specific, hyper-performance trail running shoe company? We talk to Speedland co-founders, Dave Dombrow and Kevin fallon to get the answers; to learn about their journeys into and through the design world; and to discuss the design elements of what a “hyper-performance” trail shoe looks like to them.
Flash Review: 22/23 Head Formula RS 130 & Formula 130
We’ve been spending time in two of Head’s new “Performance” alpine boots, and so far, the results have been quite promising.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2022-2023 Salomon QST 106
For the 22/23 season, Salomon is updating one of their most popular skis, and we’ve been spending a lot of time on the new QST 106. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST 106
We compare the new QST 106 to the previous QST 106, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Blizzard Rustler 10, 4FRNT MSP 107, Moment Deathwish 104, Dynastar M-Free 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Black Crows Atris, DPS Koala 103, Season Nexus, RMU Apostle 106, Head Kore 105, and J Skis Hotshot.
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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2021 Canyon Spectral 29
Canyon’s Spectral 29 Trail bike got a major overhaul last year, and then the 27.5 version followed suit for 2022, with a Mullet version added for good measure. We’ve been testing the 29er version, and think it’s a very versatile bike that’ll work well for a lot of people — and it’s a killer value, too.
Search And Rescue: What You Need to Know, and How / Why You Should Get Involved (Ep.203)
When things go wrong in the backcountry, your local Search And Rescue organization becomes crucial. But what do you know about how Search And Rescue actually works? We talk with our friend, Cy Whitling, about how and why he got involved in Search And Rescue, why we all need to understand how SAR units operate, and why you should consider getting involved.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
On the Benefits of Not Having Friends
Sometimes, you might not have anyone to go with you. And sometimes, that can be a good thing.
Bootfitting 101: Selection, Fine Tuning, & Customization
In this edition of our Bootfitting 101 series, we discuss some of the factors to consider and approaches to take when figuring out which ski boot is best for you, and then cover some of the common methods bootfitters will use to take that boot’s fit from “good” to “great.”
Canyon Woodward on “Rural Runners,” Life on the Campaign Trail, and the Value of Showing Up (Ep.143)
The key to both trail running and politics is mostly about just showing up, something Canyon Woodward knows well. As a seasoned political strategist, passionate climate activist, trail runner, and published author, he’s been asked to do that quite a bit. So, we sat down with Canyon to hear about how his new film, Rural Runners, captures what it takes to show up for yourself and your country, rain or shine; the importance of grassroots organizing; and a whole lot more.
Stuff We Like: October 2022
The October edition of our “Stuff We Like” series offers an assortment of items, from packable chairs to cozy yet breathable midlayers, casual pants, headlamps, bike bibs, and more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
J Skis founder, Jason Levinthal (Ep.232)
Jonathan met up with Jay Lev last week at the new J Skis Intergalactic HQ in Burlington, VT. They discuss J’s new space; predictions for the upcoming season; industry trends, and one big thing that the entire ski industry needs to work on.
Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Nomad
The new Santa Cruz Nomad looks a lot like a mulleted Megatower on paper, but our early impressions of the V6 Nomad are pretty surprising.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Bootfitting 101: Sizing
Ski boots are arguably the most important bit of gear when it comes to enjoying your time on snow, but they’re also probably the most difficult to get *just right*. In our Bootfitting 101 series, we’re trying to make this process easier, kicking things off with a foundational, but not so straightforward, step — figuring out the right size.
Win Renoun Skis + POC Helmets & Goggles
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will not only get to pick any Renoun ski they want, they’ll also get POC’s sweet new Obex Helmet + Nexal Goggle combo!
Shop Talk: Hickory & Tweed (Ep.219)
We talk with Skip and Mac Beitzel, the owners — and father / son duo — from Hickory & Tweed, located in Armonk, New York. We go over the history of the shop; Skip’s background in ski ballet and hot dogging; seasonal lease programs; personal ski quivers; & more.
Flash Review — 2022 Fezzari La Sal Peak
The Fezzari La Sal Peak is billed as a “versatile” Enduro bike, but how does that mean it stacks up to its competition?
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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Rab Talus Ultra Shorts & Phantom Jacket
As part of Rab’s Skyline Collection, the Talus Ultra Shorts and Phantom Jacket are gram-conscious pieces of trail running apparel intended for moving quickly through rugged terrain. By pairing a minimalist design with ultralight premium materials, Rab has created activewear that still manages to be protective and comfortable while weighing as little as possible. Check out our full review to learn more.
A Very Deep Dive on Suspension with EXT’s Franco Fratton, Pt. 1 (Ep.140)
EXT founder Franco Fratton has more experience working on suspension than just about anyone, and we brought him back on Bikes & Big Ideas to kick off a series of episodes where we’ll be going very deep on suspension design and tech.