BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2021-2022 Scarpa F1 LT
The Scarpa Alien RS was one of our reviewer’s all-time favorite touring boots, but what about its replacement? The F1 LT is similarly impressive — check out our full review.
Reserve 30 SL Wheels
Reserve’s 30 SL carbon wheels are a new offering meant for Trail bike duty, and at first glance, they seem a lot like the longstanding Reserve 30 that’s been put on a diet. But that’s far from the whole story, and the on-trail results are compelling.
Flash Review: 21/22 Moment Wildcat
Moment says that the latest Wildcat is much more similar to the original Bibby / Blister Pro than before, so, is it? Check out our initial thoughts after a couple days of skiing the 21/22 Wildcat.
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Debatable: Integrated Brake Lever Clamps are Nonsense
Integrated brake and shifter clamps have become commonplace on modern mountain bikes, but our Bike Editor makes his case for why they should go away.
Skiing Austria, Ski-Boot Mods, & the Atomic Redster G9 RS, X9 S, & X9 WB (Ep.178)
Matt Manser, Atomic’s ski boots product manager, is back to discuss Jonathan’s trip to Austria; Matt’s Jura coffee maker; our scotch & rye whiskey tasting sessions; skiing Zauchensee and Kitzsteinhorn on the Atomic Redster G9 RS, X9 S, and X9 WB; ski boot terms (and unconditional love); and some modifications we made to Jonathan’s ski boots — which you might want to consider for your own.
2021-2022 DPS Foundation Koala 118
This year DPS updated the big, burly, yet playful Koala 119 that many of us loved. So is the new Koala 118 more of a subtle update, or a different ski entirely? Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: DPS Foundation Koala 118
We compare the Koala 118 to the previous Koala 119, Black Crows Anima, Rossignol Blackops Gamer, Kye Shapes Numinous, Dynastar M-Free 118, J Skis Friend, Volkl Revolt 121, Moment Wildcat, Salomon QST Blank, Moment Chipotle Banana, 4FRNT Renegade, 4FRNT Inthayne, Line Outline, Line Vision 118, Season Forma, and Atomic Bent Chetler 120.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win a Trip to the Blister Summit @ Mt. Crested Butte
You’re not going to want to miss this season’s Blister Summit, and this week, you have a chance to attend, stay, and ski for free!
Flash Review: 21/22 Moment Deathwish 104
We just wrapped up our first day on the new Deathwish 104 — check out some of our initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Gear of the Year, 2021 (Ep.99)
2021 was Blister’s busiest year ever for testing mountain bikes and gear, and there were some real standout products among that crop. So we rounded up a bunch of our reviewers to give a rundown of the highlights of the last year, and we make some predictions for the year to come and talk about a bunch of the bikes and gear that we’re most excited to spend time on soon, too.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Dec 2021) (Ep.197)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the current situation of under-staffed & overcrowded ski areas; national parks and Native American tribes; the looming shortage of lithium batteries for electric vehicles; whether or not to ski the backcountry with your dog; what we’re watching; and more.
Ion Rascal Amp
The Ion Rascal Amp doesn’t try to be the techiest, most gadget-laden shoe on the market. Instead, it tries to take a tried-and-true design and execute it well. So did Ion succeed?
Flash Review: 21/22 J Skis Masterblaster
Update 1.4.22: With all the recent snow, we’ve been able to see how the new Masterblaster handles softer and steeper off-piste conditions, and have some more thoughts on the ski.
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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2021-2022 Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free
We’ve now had multiple reviewers on the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, and in this update, Kara Williard adds her thoughts on this metal-laminate women’s all-mountain ski.
2022 Norco Range
Even by the standards of ~170mm travel Enduro bikes, the Norco Range is quite the bruiser — both on the way down, and on the climb back up. But for the right rider, that makes it something special.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2022-2023 K2 Dispatch 110
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for two lengths of the new K2 Dispatch 110.
2022-2023 Fischer Ranger Pro 130
Here are our measured specs, images, and initial impressions of the new Fischer Ranger Pro 130.
Product Names: the Good, the Bad, & the Confounding
The seemingly simple process of naming a product can actually be quite tricky. And as a result, we end up with some that are odd, confusing, complex, hilarious, and/or absurd. Here are some of our reviewers’ nominees — let us know your own!
Blister Brand Guide: Merrell Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Over their 40-year history making hiking boots, Merrell has learned a thing or two about crafting footwear for trails, much to the benefit of their running shoe line. Sturdy, hard wearing, and protective, many of Merrell’s models fall back on the design principles that brought the brand so much early success, and continue to do so today. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of their 2022 trail running shoes.
BTR on Hardcore Hardtails, Bike Geo, & Building to Last (Ep.137)
There are a lot of options for hardcore hardtails these days, but BTR set the template for the genre with their original Belter over a decade ago. And so we sat down to chat about the company’s origins, their philosophy on geometry, the BTR lineup, and a whole lot more.
Ride Concepts Wildcat Shoe
The Ride Concepts Wildcat is a protective mid-top flat pedal shoe that’s more versatile than its burly looks would suggest.
Flash Review — Revel Rail 29
Update 9.27.22: Dylan Wood adds his initial impressions of this versatile long-travel 29er.
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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Drew Petersen: ‘Tis the Season
On this week’s Open Mic, professional skier Drew Petersen shares some thoughts on seasonal traditions, how they’ve evolved for him, mindfulness, and more.
Victor Diaz on Renegade Running, Representation, & Creating Space for New Communities (Ep.139)
Specialty-running stores often act as community hubs, places where runners of all skill levels can gather to learn, connect, and train. However, the demographics these small businesses cater to frequently fail people of color. So, we spoke to Victor Diaz, owner of Renegade Running, a run-specialty store rooted in Oakland, CA, to learn about how he’s creating a space that’s engaged with and reflective of the diverse culture it helps serve.
2022-2023 K2 Dispatch Pro
Here are our measured specs, images, and preliminary questions about the new K2 Dispatch Pro.
Stuff We Like: September 2022
The September edition of our “Stuff We Like” series is packed with an assortment of items, from bike shoes, bike gloves, and bike shorts, to ultralight tents and hiking apparel, running socks, anti-chafe products, and much more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt 4: The Good Food Collective (Ep.228)
For the final installment of Moutain Towns & Local Food Systems, Rachel Landis of the Good Food Collective in Durango, CO, discusses what it means to build connectivity, bring people together, and be a facilitator of local food for a regional food hub.