BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Hoka Ultrarunner, Sabrina Little, on Teaching Philosophy; Running; & Writing about Both (Ep.104)
Sabrina Little is an ultra runner (she has held the American record in the 200K and the 24-hour American record), a writer, & philosophy professor. So we talk about all of the above, why she values all of the above, and also toothpaste and Harry Potter.
Blister Crash Course Video: Tele Skiing
Well, here it is. Watch us struggle to learn how to tele ski, get all sorts of conflicting advice, and maybe(?) make a bit of progress.
SCARPA Announces New 4-Quattro Boot Collection
SCARPA is launching their first “alpine-oriented” series of GripWalk boots, but these aren’t your typical alpine boots. Learn more about the new 4-Quattro boots here.
Sample Flash Review: Atomic Bent 110
Update 2.22.22: We just got back on the Bent 110 at the Blister Summit, this time with 8″ of new snow. Check out some of our additional impressions.
Fischer Announces Redesigned 22/23 Ranger Series
Fischer is overhauling their line of Ranger skis for 2022-2023. Check out our writeup for the highlights of the updates.
2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 99
The M-Free 99 is both the narrower version of a Blister favorite, the M-Free 108, and the replacement for another favorite, the Menace 98. So it’s got a lot to live up to, but how does it compare? Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Dynastar M-Free 99
We compare the M-Free 99 to the Dynastar M-Free 108, Dynastar Menace 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Salomon QST 98, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Wagner Summit 97, 4FRNT MSP 99, Volkl Revolt 104, K2 Reckoner 102, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, Moment Deathwish 104, DPS Koala 103, Black Crows Camox, Moment Commander 98, Whitedot Altum 104, Line Sir Francis Bacon, & J Skis Hotshot.
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Nick Russell on Splitboarding and ‘Light Bulb’ Moments (Ep.200)
On the Blister Podcast,we talk with Nick Russell about The Fifty Project and sharing a tent with Cody Townsend; Nick’s background and a number of his ‘light bulb’ moments; how he came to be a splitboarder sponsored by Red Bull; and how his recent signing with WNDR Alpine came about.
Shop Talk: Sturtevants, Sun Valley, & a Blueprint for Community Ski Areas (Ep.181)
We were recently in Sun Valley, Idaho, talking with Sturtevants owner, Olin Glenne, about Rotarun Ski Area (which could serve as a blueprint for local ski hills in other places); Olin’s lifelong love of skiing; the skiing in and around Sun Valley, and some of his favorite gear.
2021-2022 Blizzard Black Pearl 97
For women looking for a strong, damp, and stable all-mountain ski, the redesigned Black Pearl 97 is one of the best options out there. Check out our full review.
Win 4FRNT Skis & Blister Summit Tickets
Enter for a chance to win one of our favorite touring skis + 2 tickets to our upcoming Blister Summit!
Flash Review: 22/23 Nordica Santa Ana 93 Unlimited
We’ve been spending time on the new Santa Ana 93 Unlimited to see how it compares to the regular Santa Ana series. Check out 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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Flash Review: 21/22 Wagner Summit 107
Like the Summit 97, the Summit 107 does an excellent job of combining great suspension and stability with an easy going ride. Check out our thoughts so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Moment Sierra Tour
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for Moment’s narrowest women’s backcountry touring ski.
SCOR on Turning an After-Hours Project Into a New Bike Brand (Ep.101)
SCOR is a new MTB-focused brand by BMC, and we sat down with founders Mariano Schoefer and Christof Bigler to get the story of how their after-hours tinkering blossomed into SCOR and get the rundown on their first models, the 4060 ST and LT.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Deep Dive: Salomon Ski Boots Brand Lineup, 22/23
Our Deep Dive series on ski boot lines is back for the 22/23 season, starting with Salomon’s expansive collection, including their brand-new S/Pro Alpha and MTN Summit series. 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
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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2022 Intense Tracer 279
The Intense Tracer 279 is a capable and intuitive Enduro bike best suited for going fast and pushing your limits downhill, but its mixed-wheel configuration also helps make it stand out in a few key ways. Check out our full review to see how it compares to the latest batch of Enduro bikes on the market.
The Alchemist, Pt. 3: Sustainability, Beer, & the Bigger Picture (Ep.10)
This week Jonathan was back at The Alchemist to sit down with its founders, Jen & John Kimmich, to dive into their philosophy on sustainability — in all of its forms — and to hear how they created a company that is leading the way on a number of these fronts. It’s an impressive story driven by shared principles, and we hope this conversation serves as an inspiration to other companies across many sectors.
Climbing Skins: A Guide & Comparisons
Climbing skins often receive less attention than skis, boots, & bindings, but the skins you stick to your skis can make or break your days in the backcountry. So in this guide, we go through the qualities to look for in a pair of skins, then directly compare 13 different skins from 5 different brands.
Ted Hesser on “Chains of Habit” & Destigmatizing the Conversation Around Mental Health (Ep.142)
We spoke to adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser, about his latest project, Chains of Habit, a short film focused on his lifelong battle with depression and the ways trail running has helped fend off its symptoms. We also talk about ways to destigmatize conversations around mental health; steps to take if you’re struggling; and much more.
Flash Review — Canyon Spectral 125
There are a lot of good ~120mm-travel Trail bikes out there, but the Canyon Spectral 125 offers a very different take on the category than most — and we’re having a lot of fun on it. 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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Trail Running 101: How to Choose a Headlamp
For many runners, headlamps are no mere accessory; they’re as indispensable to trail running at night as properly fitting trail shoes are to running during the day. Yet much like footwear, finding a lamp that best suits your needs can be a process cloaked in difficult jargon, numbers, and minutia. So in part eight of our Trail Running 101 series, we help explain some of the main things to look for when choosing a headlamp that will best suit your needs.
Blister Speaker Series: Jeremy Jones (Ep.231)
Jeremy Jones came to Western Colorado University for another installment of our Blister Speaker Series to discuss filming, snowboarding, founding POW, the ‘outdoor state,’ POW’s ongoing and evolving efforts to address climate change, and more.
Our 22/23 BLISTER Winter Buyer’s Guide Recap (Ep.218)
A bunch of our reviewers discuss why our 22/23 Winter Buyer’s Guide is still unique and still the best resource for your winter gear; what’s new & different this year; some of our personal favorite gear of the season; some industry trends and speculation; and why pumpkin-flavored pastries make Drew Kelly sweat.
Win Norse Skis
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will get to pick from Norse’s 100mm-wide Enduro or 110mm-wide Freeride!
Flash Review — 2022 Manitou Dorado
The Manitou Dorado is one of the few inverted forks left in the MTB market, and we’ve been spending time on multiple versions of the new one.
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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Petzl Bindi
The best pieces of gear are often those you forget about, products that integrate so seamlessly into your experience that they become, quite literally, afterthoughts. With the Bindi, an ultralight, ultra-compact headlamp that doesn’t compromise on features despite its size, Petzl offers a capable lighting option for daily use that does exactly that. Functional, intelligent, and smartly designed, the Bindi will benefit just about every type of runner.