BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
What We’re Watching — January 2022
Kick off the new year (or ride out the post-NYE hangover?) with this month’s installation of What We’re Watching, which includes everything from quick edits to a couple of feature-length ski, bike and climbing films.
Over The Edge
Over The Edge has more than 25 years of experience as a core mountain bike shop, dedicated to serving their customers with top notch sales and service, as well as leading trail building efforts in their communities.
ON3P Skis 22/23 Lineup with Scott Andrus (Ep.177)
We talk with ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, about what’s been going on at ON3P, and we walk through the brand’s 22/23 lineup of skis.
Win Season Skis or Boards
Enter for a chance to win any Season snowboard or pair of skis you want!
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
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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.
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 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.
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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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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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.
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.)
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?
The Current Storm, Backcountry Travel, & Best Practices (Ep.196)
Many areas are currently getting hammered with snow, and the consequences of backcountry travel are high. So we asked Zach Guy, lead forecaster for the CBAC, to come back on the podcast to discuss some best practices and important reminders for anyone venturing out.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Powder7
With their robust online retail presence and uniquely vast selection of ski equipment, Powder7 is a ski shop we love in the greater Denver area.
Blister Labs: Technical Apparel Ratings & Standards – Origins & Relevance (Ep.215)
Those waterproof & breathability ratings on the tags of that rain jacket or those ski pants you’re about to buy: where did they come from? What’s the history? How relevant are those standards? We discuss all of this & more with Dr. Lauren Cooper.
Best Skis for Beginners: A Guide
If you are new to skiing — or just haven’t gone in a while — here is our guide to what you ought to look for in a ski, whether you are looking to rent or buy.
Win Baselayer Kits from Minus33
This week TWO lucky winners will each get kitted out head-to-toe with Minus33’s super comfy merino wool baselayers!
Pinner Machine Shop on Self-Taught Machining, Making Parts in a Kitchen, & More (Ep.136)
Not many bike parts companies started off machining parts in a home kitchen while the founder’s partner was at work, but Pinner Machine Shop isn’t most companies.
The Alchemist co-founder & brewer, John Kimmich, Pt 2 (Ep.7)
With Heady Topper, John Kimmich created one of the most sought-after craft beers in the world, and effectively created the profile of the modern IPA. In Part 2 of our conversation, we dive into the evolution of Heady Topper; why making great beer is not enough for John & Jen; & more.
2023 RockShox Super Deluxe and Super Deluxe Coil
RockShox gave their longstanding Super Deluxe and Super Deluxe Coil shocks a big overhaul earlier this year, and having now tried both on multiple bikes, we’re ready to weigh in with our full review.
Glossary – Snowsports
Death Cookies? Coral Reef? Chalk? Directional vs. Playful Style? Can a ski be maneuverable but not nimble? There are a whole lot of ways to talk about snow and the different ways to slide down it. Check out our updated Glossary learn more about the sometimes foreign-sounding language of snowsports and ski reviews.
Andrew Alexander King: On Climbing in the Alps
This time on Open Mic, Andrew Alexander King shares his thoughts on both the physical and philosophical aspects of climbing high peaks.
Jennifer Strong McConachie on “Go Far,” Dostoevsky, and the Four Corners of Endurance (Ep.138)
Beyond a genre of sport, endurance is also a fundamental part of living, so we sat down with author and athlete, Jennifer Strong McConachie, to talk about her new book, “Go Far: How Endurance Sports Help You Win At Life,” a collection of stories that encapsulate the life philosophy she’s formed from running long, climbing high, and swimming deep.
Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Tallboy
Santa Cruz calls the Tallboy a “downhiller’s XC bike” and our early impressions are that it’s a good one.
Mainstreaming Outdoor Media; Seth Morrison; Media Literacy; & More with Mountain Gazette’s, Mike Rogge (Ep.227)
Mountain Gazette owner & editor, Mike Rogge, is back to discuss the outdoor industry & mainstream media; detail the fallout from the previous issue of the Mountain Gazette; and highlight several of the pieces in the next issue, including a career retrospective on Seth Morrison.