BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Deep Dive: Lange Ski Boots Brand Lineup, 21/22

Second in our new Deep Dive series on ski boot lines is the 21/22 Lange ski boot collection, which includes everything from racing to free-touring boots, and we discuss all notable specs, features, most similar boots from other brands, and more. Become a Deep Dive subscriber or Blister Member to check it out.

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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Michele Graglia has racked up a number of major victories in his career, including wins at the Badwater 135, Yukon Arctic Ultra, the Moab 240, and more. But in this Off The Couch conversation, we focus on some of Michele’s recent struggles, disappointments, and difficulties, and Michele talks about what he’s learned along the way — and what he’s still learning.

Michele Graglia on Success & Struggle (Ep.102)

Michele Graglia has racked up a number of major victories in his career, including wins at the Badwater 135, Yukon Arctic Ultra, the Moab 240, and more. But in this conversation, we focus on some of Michele’s recent struggles, disappointments, and difficulties, and Michele talks about what he’s learned along the way — and what he’s still learning.

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Kara Williard reviews the Head Kore 103 W for Blister

Flash Review: 21/22 Head Kore 103 W

Here are some of our initial thoughts on the widest ski in the women’s Head Kore series, including comparisons to the Nordica Santa Ana 104.

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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Guerrilla Gravity just celebrated their 10th anniversary, so on our latest episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, we sat down with co-founders Will Montague and Matt Giaraffa to talk about what inspired them to start a bike company in the first place; going from aluminum single-pivot DH bikes to pioneering an entirely new way of making carbon fiber frames; weathering the Covid-19 pandemic; and doing all that while building every single frame in Denver, CO.

Guerrilla Gravity on 10 Years of US-Made Bikes (Ep.98)

Guerrilla Gravity just celebrated their 10th anniversary, so we figured it was a good time to check in with co-founders Will Montague and Matt Giaraffa and get some stories from their first decade, hear what’s next for the not-so-little-anymore brand, get their predictions for the future of the bike industry, and a whole lot more.

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Luke Koppa reviews the RMU North Shore YLE 110 for Blister

Flash Review: 21/22 RMU North Shore YLE 110

Here are our initial impressions of RMU’s big-mountain pow ski, including comparisons to the RMU Apostle 3.0 106 & Head Kore 111.

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 — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Flash Review: 21/22 Head Kore 111

With all the snow here in Crested Butte, we’ve been spending more time on Head’s new Kore ski. Check out Dylan Wood’s 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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Eric Freson, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth review the 4FRNT Renegade for Blister

2021-2022 4FRNT Renegade

We’ve now been able to get several reviewers on both lengths of 4FRNT / Eric Hjorleifson’s pow ski. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.

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Eric Freson, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth review the 4FRNT Renegade for Blister

Deep Dive: 4FRNT Renegade

We compare the Renegade to the 4FRNT Inthayne, Moment Chipotle Banana, Folsom Rapture, Dynastar M-Free 118, DPS Foundation Koala 118, Volkl Revolt 121, K2 Reckoner 122, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Kye Shapes Numinous, Line Pescado, Rossignol Blackops Gamer, and Line Outline.

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.)

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David Golay Blister mountain bike review on the cascade components.

Cascade Components Full Guide

Cascade Components’ new chain guide promises great chain retention, low weight, and easy setup — i.e., all the things we look for in a chain guide. But does it deliver? And are there any downsides?

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On GEAR:30, we discuss some of the backcountry gear that Paul’s been testing in Alaska, including Moonlight and Movement skis; Moment and Dynafit bindings; G3 and Pomoca skins; and Scarpa boots. We also discuss current trends (fads?) in ski poles, and the underrated value of a good snow saw.

Reviewer Reports: Backcountry Ski Touring Gear (Ep.176)

We discuss some of the backcountry gear that Paul Forward has been testing around Girdwood, Alaska, including skis from Moonlight and Movement; bindings from Moment and Dynafit; skins from G3 and Pomoca; and Scarpa boots. We also discuss current trends (fads?) in ski poles, and the underrated value of a good snow saw.

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Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth review the Black Crows Serpo for Blister

2021-2022 Black Crows Serpo

The new 93mm-wide Serpo isn’t like most skis in its class, yet we’ve found it to be a very versatile ski that could work for a wide variety of skiers. Check out our Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons.

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Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth review the Black Crows Serpo for Blister

Deep Dive: Black Crows Serpo

We compare the Serpo to the Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Volkl M6 Mantra, Nordica Enforcer 94, Blizzard Rustler 9, Black Crows Camox, Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 96, 4FRNT MSP 99, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Moment Commander 98, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Dynastar M-Pro 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Liberty Origin 96, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, and DPS Pagoda Piste 94 C2.

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.)

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

On our latest CRAFTED podcast, we talk with one of our favorite artists, John Fellows, whose signature style can be found across the outdoor industry. We discuss John’s background in art; the business of art & graphic design; the development of his trademark style; and we announce our new Blister Artist Series.

John Fellows: Artist, Illustrator, & Graphic Designer (Ep.5)

John Fellows is one of our favorite artists, and his signature style can be found across the outdoor industry. We discuss his background in art; the business of art & graphic design; the development of his style; and we announce our new Blister Artist Series that we are launching with John.

David Golay reviews the 2023 Santa Cruz 5010 for Blister

2023 Santa Cruz 5010

The mullet-ification of Santa Cruz’s formerly-27.5’’ models continues today with the 5010, and Santa Cruz is talking a big game about the new bike, calling it “the best handling trail bike ever”.

For BLISTER's Open Mic series, Angel Collinson talks about the merits of cooking — greasy, messy, sweaty, cooking, while out at sea.

In Praise of Cooking & Cussing

For this edition of our Open Mic series, Angel Collinson talks about the merits of cooking — greasy, messy, sweaty, cooking, while out at sea.

David Golay reviews the Pivot Firebird for Blister

2022 Pivot Firebird

Pivot talks a big game about the Firebird being a hardcore Enduro race bike first and foremost, and having spent several months on the bike, they’re right to — it’s a good one.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Blister Brand Guide: Scott Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

Scott has quietly been making a wide range of performance footwear for both roads and trails since 2006, when they contracted a research and development lab in Portland, Oregon to help them design a lineup of shoes to meet the diverse demands of their athletes. Now over 15 years old, Scott’s trail and road running lines continue to offer innovative options for all sorts of runners. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Hickory & Tweed

This family-owned-and-operated ski shop provides excellent customer service, with a major focus on quality in-store experiences for every customer.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Blister Brand Guide: Craft Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

Craft is perhaps better known for making moisture-wicking technical layers than shoes, but since breaking into the footwear space a few years ago, they’ve already turned out an impressive lineup of innovative shoes for roads, trails, and everything in between. Check out our 2022 Brand Guide to see what’s new from Craft this year and which of their models might make the most sense for you.

Few things in the world of ski gear are as complex, important, or misunderstood as bootfitting. So in this 1st episode of our new GEAR:30 podcast series on bootfitting, we dive into the basics with Sam Tischendorf, Masterfit University instructor, former clinical podiatrist, and lead bootfitter.

A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt 1: The Basics (Ep.212)

Few things in the world of ski gear are as complex, important, or misunderstood as bootfitting. So in this 1st episode of our new series on bootfitting, we dive into the basics with Sam Tischendorf, Masterfit University instructor, former clinical podiatrist, and lead bootfitter.

Dylan Wood, Kara Williard, and Luke Koppa review the Pivot Shadowcat for Blister

Flash Review — Pivot Shadowcat

Update 9.2.22: Luke Koppa is now the third reviewer we’ve had on Pivot’s new lightweight, 27.5″ Trail bike, and he’s a fan — check out his 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.

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.)

David Golay reviews the 9point8 Fall Line for Blister

9point8 Fall Line Dropper Post

The 9point8 Fall Line is a lightweight dropper post with a bunch of unusual features that set it apart from many of its competitors.