BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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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.
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.)
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.
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.)
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.
Cannondale on the Jekyll, Dual-Shock DH Bike, & Keeping it Weird (Ep.96)
We’re joined by Cannondale’s Scott Vogelmann and Travis Tomczak to talk about their latest bikes, and their development process; what’s next for the brand (including some upcoming product teasers); keeping Cannondale weird; and more.
Olympic Champion Kikkan Randall on Running, Racing, Longevity, Motherhood, & More (Ep.101)
Before Kikkan Randall was winning Olympic and World Cup gold medals in XC skiing, she was a runner, and she has never stopped being a runner. In this conversation, we discuss running and how she got into XC skiing; some of the keys to her longevity; becoming a mother while also being a professional athlete (and how much attitudes still need to change for women in a similar position); and going from winning an Olympic gold medal to being diagnosed with cancer, and how she is doing today.
TRP Trail Evo Brakes
There’s a lot to like about TRP’s new Trail Evo brakes, but they’re not perfect. Check out our full review for all the details.
2-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (21/22)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ 2-ski quiver picks, with additions from Jonathan Ellsworth, Kristin Sinnott, Eric Freson, Paul Forward, Sascha Anastas, & Drew Kelly.
Baby / Toddler Wool Baselayer Roundup
The benefits of wool baselayers are well known by many, and these days, there are lots of good options for the little ones, too.
Flash Review: 21/22 Season Kin
Freestyle ski? Carver? Both? Season’s new ski is unique, and it’s been a lot of fun so far. Check out our initial thoughts.
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.)
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Powder7
With their robust online retail presence and uniquely vast selection of ski equipment, Powder7 is a ski shop we love in the greater Denver area.
Blister Labs: Technical Apparel Ratings & Standards – Origins & Relevance (Ep.215)
Those waterproof & breathability ratings on the tags of that rain jacket or those ski pants you’re about to buy: where did they come from? What’s the history? How relevant are those standards? We discuss all of this & more with Dr. Lauren Cooper.
Best Skis for Beginners: A Guide
If you are new to skiing — or just haven’t gone in a while — here is our guide to what you ought to look for in a ski, whether you are looking to rent or buy.
Win Baselayer Kits from Minus33
This week TWO lucky winners will each get kitted out head-to-toe with Minus33’s super comfy merino wool baselayers!
Pinner Machine Shop on Self-Taught Machining, Making Parts in a Kitchen, & More (Ep.136)
Not many bike parts companies started off machining parts in a home kitchen while the founder’s partner was at work, but Pinner Machine Shop isn’t most companies.
The Alchemist co-founder & brewer, John Kimmich, Pt 2 (Ep.7)
With Heady Topper, John Kimmich created one of the most sought-after craft beers in the world, and effectively created the profile of the modern IPA. In Part 2 of our conversation, we dive into the evolution of Heady Topper; why making great beer is not enough for John & Jen; & more.
2023 RockShox Super Deluxe and Super Deluxe Coil
RockShox gave their longstanding Super Deluxe and Super Deluxe Coil shocks a big overhaul earlier this year, and having now tried both on multiple bikes, we’re ready to weigh in with our full review.
Glossary – Snowsports
Death Cookies? Coral Reef? Chalk? Directional vs. Playful Style? Can a ski be maneuverable but not nimble? There are a whole lot of ways to talk about snow and the different ways to slide down it. Check out our updated Glossary learn more about the sometimes foreign-sounding language of snowsports and ski reviews.
Andrew Alexander King: On Climbing in the Alps
This time on Open Mic, Andrew Alexander King shares his thoughts on both the physical and philosophical aspects of climbing high peaks.
Jennifer Strong McConachie on “Go Far,” Dostoevsky, and the Four Corners of Endurance (Ep.138)
Beyond a genre of sport, endurance is also a fundamental part of living, so we sat down with author and athlete, Jennifer Strong McConachie, to talk about her new book, “Go Far: How Endurance Sports Help You Win At Life,” a collection of stories that encapsulate the life philosophy she’s formed from running long, climbing high, and swimming deep.
Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Tallboy
Santa Cruz calls the Tallboy a “downhiller’s XC bike” and our early impressions are that it’s a good one.
Mainstreaming Outdoor Media; Seth Morrison; Media Literacy; & More with Mountain Gazette’s, Mike Rogge (Ep.227)
Mountain Gazette owner & editor, Mike Rogge, is back to discuss the outdoor industry & mainstream media; detail the fallout from the previous issue of the Mountain Gazette; and highlight several of the pieces in the next issue, including a career retrospective on Seth Morrison.