BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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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
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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.
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Flash Review: 22/23 Armada ARW 106 UL
Three of our reviewers have been spending time on Armada’s lightweight all-mountain freestyle ski, the ARW 106 UL – check out Kara Williard, Luke Koppa, & 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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Flash Review: 22/23 Line Blade Optic 104
We’ve had multiple reviewers on two different lengths of Line’s new Blade Optic 104 — check out Kara Williard & Luke Koppa’s thoughts on the 178 cm and 185 cm models.
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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 22/23 Head Supershape e-Titan
Here are our thoughts so far on the widest ski in Head’s Supershape lineup.
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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A Very Deep Dive on Suspension with EXT’s Franco Fratton, Pt. 2 (Ep. 146)
EXT founder Franco Fratton is back on Bikes & Big Ideas to continue our deep dive on suspension design and technology, and he’s got a ton to teach all of us about damper design, performance, and some of the common misconceptions about them in the mountain bike world.
2-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (22/23)
We’re continuing to have our reviewers trim down their personal ski quivers for the 22/23 season, and things are finally starting to get tricky — check out Part Two of our reviewers’ picks for their personal 2-ski quivers, with additions from Kristin Sinnott, Paul Forward, Luke Koppa, & Jonathan Ellsworth.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2022 — Stocking Stuffers
Struggling to find the perfect gift for someone in your life? Our reviewers are here to help — check out some of their top stocking stuffer ideas for this year, with several new suggestions here in Part Two.
Flash Review: 22/23 Line Blade Optic 92
Update 11.29.22: Here are some more of our thoughts on the narrowest, cheapest, and lightest ski in Line’s new Blade Optic lineup.
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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Matt Seidel on Racing the Oldest Ultramarathon in the US & His Rookie Year Reflections (Ep.148)
Matt Seidel has finished in the top 6 at every trail race he’s entered this year, a successful rookie campaign he recently capped off by taking 4th place at the historic JFK 50 Mile a week ago. We caught up with the former D1 runner to talk about what he’s learned from his first season racing as an elite and a whole lot more.
Modern Weather Forecasting with OpenSnow Founder & Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.237)
We talk to OpenSnow founder, Joel Gratz, about the science of weather forecasting; the many weather models being used today; his love of skiing and snow; what led him to start a weather forecasting company; and more.
Starling Cycles Murmur, Swoop, and Twist V3
Starling has given their “Core” bikes (the Murmur, Twist, and Swoop) a major update, and while the new frames don’t look too different from the prior generation ones — and continue their steel single-pivot lineage — there’s a lot that has changed. Check out our First Look for the rundown.
Win SPY Goggles
The THREE winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a snow goggle of their choice from SPY!
Shop Talk: Willi’s Ski & Board on Ski Shops as Conduits and Founding Winter Divas (Ep.224)
Kristin Sinnott and Kara Williard caught up with Kjerstin Klein, co-owner of Willi’s Ski and Board, to talk about Kjerstin’s amazingly diverse background; what it means to stay innovative and adaptable as a local, family-run business; the vital role that local ski shops play in the ski industry; why Kjerstin founded the Winter Divas women’s focus group to help guide the industry, and more.
Cascade Components North Fork Brake Calipers & Cams
We’ve been logging more time on the Cascade Components North Fork brake calipers — and have now tried their North Fork Cams to go with them — and the big brakes have continued to impress.
Available Now: Blister x John Fellows Collab
For the inaugural piece in our Blister Artist Series, we’re kicking things off with our friend, artist, illustrator, and Crested Butte local, John Fellows.