BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win SPY Goggles & Helmets
This week TWO winners will each get a Marauder Elite Goggle and Astronomic MIPS Helmet from SPY. Enter for your chance to win!
2021-2022 Black Crows Serpo
The new 93mm-wide Serpo isn’t like most skis in its class, yet we’ve found it to be a very versatile ski that could work for a wide variety of skiers. Check out our Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Black Crows Serpo
We compare the Serpo to the Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Volkl M6 Mantra, Nordica Enforcer 94, Blizzard Rustler 9, Black Crows Camox, Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 96, 4FRNT MSP 99, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Moment Commander 98, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Dynastar M-Pro 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Liberty Origin 96, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, and DPS Pagoda Piste 94 C2.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Head Kore 103 W
Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, and rocker profile pics for the new Kore 103 W
Hustle Labs’ Category-Defying Magnetic Pedals (Ep.97)
Magnetic pedals might sound crazy to riders used to a simple flats vs. clips dichotomy, but we’re finding them to be a compelling option for the right riders. And so we sat down with Hustle’s Design Engineer, Tripp Hurt, to talk about why it’s worth upsetting the current pedal paradigm, who magnetic pedals are (and aren’t) for, and much more.
2022 Fox DHX
Fox’s new DHX is a simpler, less-expensive coil shock than their flagship DHX2, and for some riders, that will sound appealing. But does it deliver? That really depends on what you’re looking for.
Flash Review — Orbea Occam LT
The Orbea Occam LT isn’t trying to be a mini-Enduro bike, and for the right rider, that’s a really good thing. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions of this super-efficient long-travel Trail bike.
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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Deep Dive: Atomic Ski Boots Brand Lineup, 21/22
In our new “Deep Dive” series on ski boots, we’re laying out *all* the details and differences between the boots in a brand’s entire lineup. We’re kicking it off with the 21/22 Atomic ski boot collection, from racing to touring boots, including 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
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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1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (21/22)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ picks for one ski to rule them all, with additions from Kristin Sinnott, Jonathan Ellsworth, Eric Freson, Drew Kelly, & Sascha Anastas.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2021 — Kids & Parents Edition
Need some last-minute gift ideas for outdoorsy parents and kids? Check out our recommendations.
Eric Jackson on the Past, Present, & Future of Paddlesports (Ep.195)
Eric Jackson is a visionary, iconoclast, designer, founder, and one of the most successful and influential kayakers in history. In this conversation, Eric provides a masterclass on the history and evolution of paddlesports, and there are lessons here for how to grow — and preserve the best aspects of — other sports, communities, and industries like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, trail running, etc.
Flash Review — SCOR 4060 LT
We’ve just started spending time on the new SCOR 4060 LT, and it’s shaping up to be a really interesting take on a long-travel Enduro bike. 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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Would You Rather: Mellow Groomer Laps vs. Nonstop Terror
Would you rather be scared on every run you take or limit yourself to mellow groomer laps? That’s the question we’re tackling in this week’s edition of Would You Rather.
Win Any 2023 Liberty Ski
Enter for a chance to win some brand-new skis from Liberty!
MountainFLOW founder, Peter Arlein, on How Ski Wax Works; its Environmental Impact; Ceramic Nano Technology; & More (Ep.175)
We discuss the environmental impacts of ski wax (and how ski wax actually works); Peter’s appearance on Shark Tank; the upcoming ban on fluorocarbon waxes at the highest levels of ski racing; and Peter reveals mountainFLOW’s brand-new product.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Petzl Iko Core
Trail running can be a turbulent sport, and traditional headlamps that rely on elastic bands often fail to provide a secure enough fit to stay in place over the course of an outing. With the Iko Core, a reimagined headlamp that uses rubberized plastic to form a semi-rigid frame designed to rest comfortably on top of the head, Petzl offers a versatile, ergonomic, and powerful lighting option specifically for runners.
A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt 2: Your Questions Answered by Master Bootfitters, Sam and Kara (Ep.214)
Kara and Sam dive even further into some of the mysteries and complexities of bootfitting while responding to several really interesting and important questions from the audience. We bet that you’ve had some of these questions yourself, so here are some in-depth answers to consider before spending time in your ski boots this winter.
Reserve 30|HD Wheels
We’ve been spending a lot of time on the new Reserve 30|HD wheels, and they’ve proven to be a nice update to the longstanding and super-popular Reserve 30.
Win Deuter Packs & Vests
This week TWO lucky winners will each get one of Deuter’s trail running / hiking Ascent vests or packs!
2022-2023 BLISTER Digital Winter Buyer’s Guide
270+ skis, 50 boots, and 230+ pages of honest, accurate product reviews and comparisons. Order our 22/23 Winter Buyer’s Guide or become a Blister Member to read the Digital Guide NOW.
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Blister Recommended Shop Program
BLISTER Shops are a collection of the best service–oriented shops in the world. These are the places we trust most in a given locale to work on our boots, wrench on our bikes, tune our skis, and recommend the right equipment. Here’s an update on our Recommended Shop program.
La Sportiva Mutant
The La Sportiva Mutant is aptly named — it’s a shoe designed to shape-shift between a comfy trail cruiser and a sturdy, bombproof option for technical scrambling. There are plenty of reasons why it’s the first choice serious mountain runners reach for, and in our full review, we’ll explain each of them.
Emilie Siegenthaler on the New Downhill Rider’s Association (Ep.135)
We sat down with Emilie Siegenthaler to chat about the newly formed World Cup DH rider’s association and her role as a rider representative, what we can expect for the upcoming season, and a whole lot more.
The Alchemist co-founder & brewer, John Kimmich, Part 1 (Ep.6)
With Heady Topper, John Kimmich created one of the most sought-after beers in the world, and effectively created the profile of the modern IPA. Here in Part 1, we talk to John about his path to opening The Alchemist with his wife, Jen, in 2003; the business — and current landscape — of craft beer; what distinguishes great beer from mediocre beer; and more.
Rossignol Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV
Here are our measured specs, images, and initial impressions of the new Rossignol Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV boot.
Flash Review — Intense Tracer 279
Update 9.13.22: Dylan Wood adds his initial impressions of the Intense Tracer 279.
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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High Above Nova Hip Pack
We’ve been impressed with a number of High Above’s hip packs over the years, and their new, less-expensive Nova model is also excellent.