BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Armada Skier, Todd Ligare, on Big-Mountain Skiing, Ski Racing, & His New Films: On the Hunt Part 1 & 2 (Ep.349)
Jonathan talks with Todd Ligare about his career in big-mountain skiing; his background in ski racing; movies & marriage; his two new 5-minute ski films; Sammy Carlson; Mikaela Shiffrin; the current world cup alpine ski race season; & more.
Flash Review: Pivot Trailcat LT
Pivot’s new Trailcat LT has made its way into our test fleet — so does it deliver its promised all-rounder performance? Our Flash Review has our early impressions.
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New Gear from Blister Summit 2025 (Ep. 337)
Blister reviewers Jonathan, Luke, Sascha, Kristin, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb discuss some of the new ski and snowboard gear they spent time on at last week’s Blister Summit, including several prototypes.
Win Skis From Majesty
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Havoc 100 Ti in their preferred length from Majesty!
Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
We racked up the miles on Rocky Mountain’s Instinct Powerplay SL to put their new house-made Dyname S4 Lite motor to the test, and to see how Rocky Mountain’s take on the hot light-assist category measures up to the competition.
Deep Dive: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
We compare the Instinct Powerplay SL to the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Pivot Shuttle SL, Canyon Spectral:ONfly, Norco Fluid VLT 130, Cannondale Moterra SL, and Pivot Shuttle AM.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Dynastar M-Free 112
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Dynastar M-Free 112.
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, February 2025 (Ep. 264)
Mike and Simon recap the incredible RedBull Hardline event in Tasmania, as well as some good and not so good bike industry news. Plus Mike tries to get out of his bet with Simon to eat his microphone, a fun conversation about some new cycling startups, and a whole lot more.
Industry Nine Hydra2 Hubs
Industry Nine’s Hydra hubs took high-engagement to a new level, and now they’ve released the Hydra2 based on the lessons they’ve learned. That means new bearings, burlier materials, and somehow even faster engagement. Read on to find out what they’ve changed.
Flash Review: 25/26 Salomon QST 100
We’ve started our long-term testing of Salomon’s updated QST series, and recently spent several days on the all-new QST 100. Here are our initial impressions.
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2025-2026 Salomon QST 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for Salomon’s all-new QST 100.
2025-2026 Moment Siren 104
Moment is releasing a brand new women’s ski based on the foundation of their Countach models. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Moment Siren 104.
Highlights from Blister Summit 2025 w/ Jonathan Ellsworth & Kristin Sinnott (Ep.348)
We just wrapped up another outstanding Blister Summit, so Blister Summit Director, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth caught up to share a few of their favorite moments, discuss the new things that took place this year (including the DJ set / dance party that broke out in Blister HQ); and talk about the future of the event.
Flash Review: RockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate RC2T
The RockShox Vivid Coil has taken over where the old Super Deluxe Coil left off — and while it’s similar in many ways, its new features seem to have a meaningful impact on performance. Check out our Flash Review to find out how we’re getting along with it so far.
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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2024-2025 J Skis Best Friend
Giray Dadali at J Skis has incrementally refined a new asymmetric powder ski design. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the J Skis Best Friend.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Ted Ligety on Ski Tuning, World Cup Racing, & the Art of Going Fast (Ep.340)
As part of the 5850 Fest at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Jonathan talked with Ted Ligety about the tricky conditions and the very challenging course here in Sun Valley for the Super G and GS races, and the incredibly demanding business of going fast.
Win Running Apparel From Path Projects
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a Graves PX Shell Jacket, Kessler LS Tee, and Graves PX shorts from Path Projects! Enter before Friday, April 4th for your chance to win.
2025-2026 Völkl Peregrine 72
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Völkl Peregrine 72.
Atherton Bikes on Their Development Process, Gearboxes, & the A.200.G (Ep.267)
Gearbox bikes are popping up all over the World Cup Downhill circuit, and Atherton Bikes have joined those ranks with the new A.200.G. So we sat down with Atherton’s Head of Design, Rob Gow, to hear all about the bike, its development, the trajectory of gearboxes, and a lot more.
Flash Review: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
Mechanical SRAM Transmission is here. Check out our take on the Eagle 90 groupset so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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SRAM Eagle 70 & 90 Transmission
The long-rumored mechanical version of SRAM Transmission is here, in two variants — Eagle 70 and Eagle 90. Check out what’s new with the cable-actuated Transmission variants, what’s shared with the existing electronic versions, and our on-trail impressions so far.
Revel Rascal SL
The Revel Rascal spent some time in the gym since its V2 refresh, and the new Rascal SL is the result. It keeps the same geometry as the popular original Rascal, but through some layup tweaks, Revel has pulled nearly half a pound of weight out of the frame. Check out the new Rascal SL in our First Look.
Flash Review: SRAM Motive Ultimate Brakes
SRAM is making some big claims about their new Motive brakes featuring a combination of solid power at a low weight. Do they deliver? We’ll need more time to answer that definitively, but we’ve got a feel for things after a few rides — check out our Flash Review for more.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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SRAM Motive, Maven Base, DB6, and DB4 Brakes
SRAM has shaken up its brake lineup with some new members of the family — including the all-new Motive, plus additions to the Maven and DB lineups. The new brakes are an all-mineral-oil affair, but there are other noteworthy changes too — let’s dig in.
2025-2026 Völkl Revolt 101
Völkl just announced a new addition to their freeski collection, and the Revolt 101 is reportedly inspired by their progressive big-mountain ski, the Revolt 114. Here are our measured specs, rocker photos, and more info on the new Revolt 101.
2025-2026 K2 Reckoner 102
The Reckoner 102 quickly became a favorite of several of our reviewers when K2 first released it, but when they recently overhauled the wider Reckoners, K2 also updated the 102. So, does the latest version stand out as much as the original? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: K2 Reckoner 102
We compare the K2 Reckoner 102 to the previous Reckoner 102, K2 Reckoner 110, K2 Omen Team, Line Chronic 101, Black Crows Camox, Fischer Nightstick 97, J Skis Allplay, Head Oblivion 102, Dynastar M-Free 99, Dynastar M-Free 100, Armada Edollo, Season Kin, Nordica Unleashed 98, 4FRNT Switch, Faction Studio 2, Völkl Revolt 104, and Salomon Depart.
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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