BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2022-2023 Wagner Summit 107
The Summit 107 may look like a pretty conventional, directional, ~107mm-wide ski. But its versatility and capabilities are not conventional. Check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Wagner Summit 107
We compare the Summit 107 to the Wagner Summit 106, Blizzard Cochise 106, Volkl Katana 108, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, J Skis Hotshot, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Sego Comp 110, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, Dynastar M-Free 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, Black Crows Atris, 4FRNT MSP 107, Moment Commander 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Faction Dictator 3.0, & Salomon QST 106.
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Win La Sportiva Ski Boots
Enter for a chance to win the men’s or women’s version of La Sportiva’s new freeride touring boot, the Vanguard!
Flash Review: 21/22 Moment Commander 108
Check out our thoughts so far on Moment’s metal-laminate, all-mountain charger, the Commander 108.
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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RockShox’s New Flight Attendant Electronic Suspension (Ep.102)
RockShox launched their long-awaited take on an electronically-controlled suspension system, Flight Attendant, late last year. And so we brought RockShox’s Chris Mandell back on Bikes & Big Ideas to tell us all about it.
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.
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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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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
J Skis founder, Jason Levinthal (Ep.232)
Jonathan met up with Jay Lev last week at the new J Skis Intergalactic HQ in Burlington, VT. They discuss J’s new space; predictions for the upcoming season; industry trends, and one big thing that the entire ski industry needs to work on.
Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Nomad
The new Santa Cruz Nomad looks a lot like a mulleted Megatower on paper, but our early impressions of the V6 Nomad are pretty surprising.
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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Bootfitting 101: Sizing
Ski boots are arguably the most important bit of gear when it comes to enjoying your time on snow, but they’re also probably the most difficult to get *just right*. In our Bootfitting 101 series, we’re trying to make this process easier, kicking things off with a foundational, but not so straightforward, step — figuring out the right size.
Win Renoun Skis + POC Helmets & Goggles
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will not only get to pick any Renoun ski they want, they’ll also get POC’s sweet new Obex Helmet + Nexal Goggle combo!
Shop Talk: Hickory & Tweed (Ep.219)
We talk with Skip and Mac Beitzel, the owners — and father / son duo — from Hickory & Tweed, located in Armonk, New York. We go over the history of the shop; Skip’s background in ski ballet and hot dogging; seasonal lease programs; personal ski quivers; & more.
Flash Review — 2022 Fezzari La Sal Peak
The Fezzari La Sal Peak is billed as a “versatile” Enduro bike, but how does that mean it stacks up to its competition?
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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Rab Talus Ultra Shorts & Phantom Jacket
As part of Rab’s Skyline Collection, the Talus Ultra Shorts and Phantom Jacket are gram-conscious pieces of trail running apparel intended for moving quickly through rugged terrain. By pairing a minimalist design with ultralight premium materials, Rab has created activewear that still manages to be protective and comfortable while weighing as little as possible. Check out our full review to learn more.
A Very Deep Dive on Suspension with EXT’s Franco Fratton, Pt. 1 (Ep.140)
EXT founder Franco Fratton has more experience working on suspension than just about anyone, and we brought him back on Bikes & Big Ideas to kick off a series of episodes where we’ll be going very deep on suspension design and tech.
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.
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.)
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.