BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blacked-Out Top Sheets & Objective Ski Testing
On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, we were discussing the best and worst practices for testing skis. This raised the question: would blacking out the top sheets of skis produce more objective results? Here is our take. Give it a read, and let us know what you think.
Debatable: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The bike industry likes touting stiffer parts as being better, but our Bike Editor makes the case for why that doesn’t always pan out.
Shop Talk: Pulling Back the Curtain on Gear Testing (Ep.172)
Today we’re talking all things ski testing, and to provide their wealth of experience in this arena are The Ski Monster’s George Michaelsen and Matt Berkowitz. We discuss good ways and bad ways to conduct gear tests; how and why The Ski Monster has been able to ramp up the amount of gear testing they’re doing; and why not all gear tests are created equal.
Win Faction Skis
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get Faction’s big pow ski, La Machine!
The Many, Many Big Ideas of Williams Racing Products (Ep.93)
Few people have as many big ideas for the bike world as Mic Williams of Williams Racing Products, and even fewer have started their own companies to make them a reality. So we sat down with Mic to hear all about it, privateer racing at the top level, and more.
Flash Review: 21/22 J Skis Fastforward
We just got our first day on J’s new 92mm-wide, metal-laminate, all-mountain ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (21/22)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ 5-ski quiver picks, with additions from Jonathan Ellsworth, Kristin Sinnott, Paul Forward, & David Golay.
A Life Lived Wild: Rick Ridgeway (Ep.191)
Rick Ridgeway has lived right at the center of the modern outdoor recreation movement. He was a part of the first American ascent of K2; he has gone on numerous adventures with his friends, Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard and The North Face founder, Doug Tompkins, and filmmaker, Jimmy Chin; and he has been right there working to protect wild places with them, Kristine Tompkins, and others.
Would You Rather: Early Season or Late Season Ski Conditions?
Which of the sub-par snow-sliding times of the year do you prefer?
Our 21/22 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.171)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss our 21/22 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide and some corresponding industry trends and category highlights. They also talk snowblades, clarify our Buyer’s Guide ‘Best Of’ Awards, and go on a rant or two.
Win a Helmet, Goggles, Glasses, & Jacket from POC
Enter for your chance to win a sweet winter prize pack from POC!
Fox’s Jordi Cortes on Suspension, Tuning, & the Mental Side of Racing (Ep.92)
We talk to Jordi Cortes about setting up suspension for Fox’s top racers, the mental battle of World Cup racing, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 2022 Cannondale Jekyll
How does the new Cannondale Jekyll stack up against several other high-pivot Enduro bikes? Check out our Flash Review for our early 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 DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP
The Pagoda Tour 100 RP is an easy, intuitive touring ski that we think would work very well for the backcountry skiing that most people do. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP
We compare the Pagoda Tour 100 RP to the DPS Pagoda 100 RP, Line Vision 98, Salomon MTN Explore 95, Movement Alp Tracks 106, 4FRNT Raven, Fauna Pioneer, Blizzard Zero G 105, Scott Superguide Freetour, K2 Wayback 96, K2 Wayback 106, Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104, Weston Summit, Armada Tracer 98, WNDR Alpine Vital 100, G3 FINDr 102, Wagner Summit 105, & Renoun Citadel 106.
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:
Stuff We Like: August 2022
The August edition of our “Stuff We Like” series is packed with items fit for summer and shoulder seasons, from board shorts to running belts, several t-shirts, bike tools, blankets, sandals, lightweight hoodies, and much more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
The Origins & Ethos of Offset Bier, Park City, Utah (Ep.3)
Offset Bier has quickly established itself as the best brewery in Park City, and one of the very best in the state. But Offset is also a community hub for skiers, runners, and bikers, and we discuss all of the above with their founder, Conor Brown.
Altra Vanish Carbon
It was only a matter of time until Altra made the jump into the ever-competitive “super shoe” category. With the Vanish Carbon, their first road model to feature a performance plate, the brand attempts to marry new technology with their signature “FootShape Fit” and “ZeroDrop” geometry to produce a stable, race-ready shoe for the marathon. Check out our full review to see whether or not we think Altra succeeded.
Chris Davenport joins Executive Team of Bode Miller’s Peak Ski Company
Chris Davenport has joined Bode Miller’s new ski brand, Peak Ski Company, serving as their senior director of skiing and product innovation — learn more here.
On New Forms of Adventuring
In this edition of our Open Mic series, Paul Forward shares some thoughts on the rise of packrafting and exploring new forms of adventuring.
Travis Soares on Setting the Sierra Peaks Section List FKT (Ep.134)
The Sierra Peaks Section List includes 247 of the most prominent peaks scattered throughout California’s Sierra Nevada Range. Reaching every summit is a lifetime’s work for most, and up until recently, no one had completed the list within a calendar year. But Travis Soares did — in a record 117 days — so we sat down with him to hear all about how things shook out on the roof of the Sierra.
Flash Review — Canfield Jedi 29
We’ve been spending time on the Canfield Jedi 29, and it’s an excellent update to a longstanding classic. Check out our Flash Review for our early 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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Blister Brand Guide: Altra Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
While all Altra shoes share their signature zero-drop platform and “FootShape” fit, there’s still a ton of variation within both their road and trail lineups, including several new models for 2022. Check out our Brand Guide for a full breakdown of what sets each shoe apart from the others, and which ones best match your running style.
Giro Latch Flat Pedal Shoe
The Giro Latch is a flat pedal shoe designed for all-around use, going squarely head-to-head with the venerable Five Ten Freerider Pro, and the Latch succeeds at being a compelling alternative with good grip, solid durability, and a comfortable fit.
Mountain Towns & Local Food Systems, Pt. 2: Regenerative Farming, Cow Cuddling, & More (Ep.223)
We talk with Lynsey Gammon of Gracie’s Farm in Park City about topsoil health and climate change; turning barren soil into a thriving farm; farm-to-restaurant connectivity; bee dinners; cow cuddling; women and farming; and more.
Optics & the Eyewear Industry with Julbo CEO, Dave Crothers (Ep.210)
You do your research when it comes to your ski & bike & trail gear. But what about your eyewear? Julbo CEO, Dave Crothers, makes the case that there’s a whole lot more to lens technology that everyone ought to be considering, and that lenses are not all the same.
Win Strafe Rain Jackets
The TWO winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get Strafe’s new Scout Jacket!