BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Fox 34 SL
XC race courses are more technical than ever and race bikes are getting beefed up to match. Fox’s new 34 SL replaces the 34 Step Cast and promises a stiffer chassis, optional longer travel, and more. Check out what they’ve come up with.
Hi-Fi Audio: Capturing the Heart & Soul of Music with Heaven 11’s Itai Azerad (Ep.62)
Music — and how you listen to it — matters. In this CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Heaven 11 Audio’s Itai Azerad to discuss building amplifiers that capture the heart and soul of music.
Flash Review: 24/25 Line Vision 114
Line replaced their Vision 118 with the new Vision 114 for 24/25, and we’ve been spending time on the new model this season. Check out our initial impressions.
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2024-2025 Line Vision 114
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the LINE Vision 114.
2025-2026 Elan Ripstick 96
Elan recently overhauled their longstanding Ripstick collection, so how different are the new skis, and what makes the Ripstick 96 stand out in today’s market? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Elan Ripstick 96
We compare the Ripstick 96 to the Ripstick 102 Black Edition, Salomon QST 94, Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti, Renoun Endurance 98, Line Optic 96, Salomon QST 92, Line Pandora 99, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, K2 Mindbender 96C, RMU Apostle 96 Ti, Black Crows Camox, Blizzard Rustler 9, ZAG Slap 98, Stockli Stormrider 95, and Head Kore 94 Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 25/26 Salomon QST 94
Salomon’s new QST 94 is the narrowest addition to their new QST lineup of skis, replacing the popular QST 92. Here are our initial impressions on the QST 94, including how it compares to the outgoing model.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, February 2025 (Ep.350)
Cody and Jonathan are back to review the news, including the passing of ZipFit’s Sven Coomer; threats to public lands; JD Vance’s ski trip; and more. We also rate your takes, discuss the most Canadian news, and share what we’ve been reading and watching.
Arbor Carter Camber, 158 cm
Mark Carter is a badass, but what about his signature board? We’ve been riding the Arbor Carter for a full season and have found it to be a surprisingly versatile example of a modern volume-shifted shape. Here’s our Full Review.
2025-2026 Völkl M7 Mantra
Over the past 20 years, the name “Mantra” has stood as one of the most recognized in modern skis. So how does Volkl’s latest iteration of the Mantra, the M7, compare to its predecessor, and how well does it work as an all-mountain option? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Völkl M7 Mantra
We compare the M7 Mantra to the M6 Mantra, Mantra 102, Blizzard Anomaly 94, Faction Dancer 2, Nordica Enforcer 94, Salomon Stance 96, Wagner Summit 97, Fischer Ranger 96, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, 4FRNT MSP 99, Black Crows Justis, Nordica Enforcer 99, Kastle Paragon 101, Stockli Stormrider 95, ZAG Harfang 96, Head Kore 94 Ti, & Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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25/26 Gear, Boot Trends, Making the Most of Any Season, & More w/ Powder Hound (Ep.338)
We catch up with Eric Helmbrecht of Powder Hound, our Blister Recommended Shop in Girdwood, Alaska to discuss the ups and downs of this season up in Alaska; our tips and tricks on how to make the most of any season; 25/26 gear; Dual BOA; boot trends; aftermarket liners; and more.
Deep Dive: Kona Process 153
We compare the Kona Process 153 to the Transition Sentinel V3, Knolly Fugitive 140, Marin Alpine Trail XR, Forbidden Druid V2, Deviate Highlander II, Norco Sight, Yeti SB165, Kona Process 134, Transition Smuggler, REEB Steezl, and Santa Cruz Bronson 5.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Kona Process 153
The Process 153 is Kona’s take on the modern long-travel Trail bike, but it also carries some unique traits. The result is a spirited, fun bike that we think plenty of people could get along with. Our Full Review has all the details.
Win Apparel From Mountain Equipment & Bridgedale
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the men’s or women’s Switch Pro Hooded Jacket from Mountain Equipment, as well as a 3-pack of men’s or women’s Lightweight Merino Endurance Over Calf socks from Bridgedale!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
25/26 Fischer Boot Lineup, the Importance of Inner Boots, & More w/ Christoph Lentz (Ep.341)
We catch up with Christoph Lentz, Fischer’s Global Product Manager for Alpine Boots, to discuss the highlights of their 25/26 boot lineup; the evolution of their RC4 family; why inner boots are such an important piece to the puzzle; their use of D3O; and a whole lot more.
Win Baselayers From Woolf Merino
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will both get any shirt, pants, and socks of their choosing from Woolf Merino!
2025-2026 Atomic Bent 100
The Atomic Bent 100 has been one of the best-selling skis on the market for several years now — and for good reason — but Atomic recently decided to update it. So, how far have they strayed from their winning recipe? Here’s our Full Review of the latest Bent 100.
Deep Dive: Atomic Bent 100
We compare the Atomic Bent 100 to the previous Bent 100, Atomic Bent 110, Black Crows Camox, Fischer Nightstick 97, J Skis Allplay, Head Oblivion 102, Dynastar M-Free 99, Dynastar M-Free 100, K2 Reckoner 102, Line Chronic 101, K2 Omen Team, Nordica Unleashed 98, 4FRNT Switch, Faction Studio 2, Salomon Depart, Salomon QST 100, RMU Apostle 96 Ti, Line Optic 96, Line Pandora 99, Blizzard Rustler 9, ZAG Slap 98, Icelantic Nomad 100, and Rossignol Sender Soul 102.
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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1UP RackAttach and Accessory Panel System
1UP recently launched an innovative gear-carrying solution that attaches to their swing-out hitch mount, effectively dipping their toes into the overlanding scene — check out what they’ve been up to.
2025-2026 RMU Valhalla 97
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated RMU Valhalla 97.
Flash Review: 24/25 ON3P Woodsman 100
Update: we have a whole new batch of test skis in from ON3P, and we’ve now logged several days on both the ‘Signature’ and ‘Ripper’ versions of their Woodsman 100. Here are our main takeaways so far.
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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2024-2025 ON3P Woodsman 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the standard version of the ON3P Woodsman 100, as well as the custom “Ripper” variant.
Reviewing the News w/ Dylan Wood, March 2025 (Ep. 268)
Dylan and Simon recap the incredibly well-attended RedBull Tennessee National DH race, a range of interesting bike industry news, some exciting new products, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: RockShox Reverb AXS B1
The new Reverb AXS B1 dropper from RockShox represents a ground-up redesign of the old one. Does it deliver a better on-trail experience? We’ve been riding the new one, and have some initial thoughts to share.
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 Reverb AXS B1
The RockShox Reverb AXS has gotten a long-awaited update, with much more than just longer travel options. With up to 250 mm of drop, a revised layout, and an air-over-air design that simplifies maintenance and offers saddle compliance, it’s a very different Reverb AXS. Check out the details in our First Look.
Hunt Enduro V3 Wheels
Hunt is claiming that the rims used on their new Enduro V3 wheels are the strongest they’ve ever made. The hub is all new too, with a new star ratchet-based design — check out our First Look for a dive into the technical details.