BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win a Made-in-USA Shirt from Kitsbow
This week the winner will get Kitsbow’s Icon Flannel Shirt, which is made in the USA from Pendleton Wool!
2021 Forbidden Dreadnought
“A DH bike in all but the small print” is a bold claim for a 154mm-travel bike, but the Forbidden Dreadnought just might live up to it — in more ways than you might think. Check out our full review for all the details.
Chris Porter on Mullets, Dual-Crown Enduro Forks, & More (Ep.80)
Chris Porter, one of the most interesting and most opinionated figures in the MTB world, is back on Bikes and Big Ideas. We discuss the Geometron G1 & how Chris chooses to set up his personal bike; dual-crown Enduro forks & how we both wish they were more common; EXT suspension, including the Era fork and custom G1-spec Storia shock; & much more.
2021 Leadville 100 Winner, Annie Hughes (Ep.92)
Annie Hughes is 23 years old and is quickly becoming a force in the world of ultra running. So we talked with Annie about her preparation for Leadville and the race itself; waiting tables; our idea to run for president (which is related to waiting tables); her plans to run the Moab 240 this October, and what she’s most excited about beyond this October.
Hip Pack Roundup — 2021
Hip packs have gone from being an ironic fashion throwback to a commonly accepted mountain bike accessory, but they now come in all shapes and sizes. We’ve been testing six options, from ultra-minimalist to quite roomy, and here you can check out how they compare and which would work best for you.
Mountain Town Economics, Pt 2: Housing, Community, & Core Values (Ep.179)
Our guest today is Troy Russ, the community development director of Crested Butte. Troy has a long history in community planning and development, so is able to provide an incredibly well-informed perspective on a broad range of topics, and there are a lot of relevant considerations and takeaways for mountain communities everywhere.
Hoka One One Zinal
The Zinal is Hoka’s latest offering in the more minimally cushioned, fast-and-light category of trail shoes. So how does it compare to the numerous other options in that class, and what sort of runners should have it on their list? Check out our review.
Tech Tip of the Week: Quieting Shimano Brake Pad Rattle
Shimano’s brakes are some of the most popular options out there, but their finned brake pads also have a reputation for rattling. Luckily there’s an easy DIY fix to quiet them down. Check it out.
Win Pedals & Tools from OneUp
This week the winner will get OneUp’s pedals & their excellent EDC tool system!
Blister Summit Panel on Ski Design (Ep.159)
We are airing the panel session on ski design that we held at the Blister Summit. We talk to the designers behind the skis from Blizzard, Folsom Custom Skis, Rossignol, Dynastar, and Wagner Custom Skis to get their respective design philosophies; discuss current trends in ski design; debate whether skis are being dumbed down today; determine once and for all whether stated sidecut radius numbers are fake; & more.
Gear of the Year (So Far) (Ep.79)
We check in with several of our reviewers to discuss the gear they’ve been most impressed with so far this year; the new products they’re most excited to check out; and along the way we talk about mullet bikes, bike shop pranks, and unveil several genius new ideas that we definitely shouldn’t be giving away for free.
2022 Canyon Lux Trail
The Canyon Lux has seen plenty of action (and results) on the World Cup XC circuit, and now it’s got a bigger sibling, the Lux Trail. The new bike is a lot more than just an XC race bike with a little extra suspension, though — check out all the details in our First Look.
New 4FRNT Switch & MSP 107
4FRNT just launched their 2021-2022 ski lineup, and back at the Blister Summit, we sat down with 4FRNT’s Sam Kimmerle & Nick Africano to get the rundown on the brand-new Switch; the consistently positive feedback surrounding the MSP 107; who has the coolest name in the ski industry; and more.
Dakota Jones on the Footprints Running Camp (Ep.91)
We talk with Dakota Jones about how motivation evolves, different chapters of life, and what led to the launch of the Footprints Running Camp.
Benji Alexander’s Bid to Become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic Alpine Ski Racer (Ep.178)
Benji Alexander is a passionate ski racer and backcountry skier with a stranger-than-fiction backstory. So we talk to Benji about how Burning Man got him into skiing; what inspired his Olympic aspirations; the numerous logistics he has had to navigate to make this happen; the financial hurdles that all Olympic hopefuls have to face; and what motivates him to keep pushing forward.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Blister Labs: Motorcycles, Laser Art, & Mtn Bikes with Greg Vanderbeek (Ep.204)
Greg Vanderbeek talks about starting a custom motorcycle business; the mountain bike projects we’re working on at Blister Labs; and more.
2022-2023 Head Kore RS 130 GW
Here are our measured specs, photos, and a quick rundown on the 22/23 Head Kore RS 130 GW.
Trinity MTB on Their Wild High-Pivot Prototypes (Ep.125)
Trinity MTB has been putting out some of the wildest prototype bikes in recent memory, so we sat down with Chase Warner and Mic Williams to get the rundown on their latest V2 bike, with its incredible adaptability and 3D printed construction; what’s next for V3; when you’ll be able to buy one; & a whole lot more.
Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2
Most people don’t associate Under Armour with trail running — but the brand’s new do-everything shoe, the Charged Bandit Trail 2, just might change that. The latest model from UA was designed with accessibility for novice runners in mind, and to that effect, we think the Charged Bandit Trail 2 could be a pretty competent option for a lot of people — not just those venturing off-road for the first time.
Blister Brand Guide: La Sportiva Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
La Sportiva has made a name for itself in many categories, including the trail running world. Their trail running shoes range from minimal race shoes to burly options designed for rough terrain, and you can check out our 2022 Brand Guide to see what sets each La Sportiva shoe apart from the others.
2022 Niner JET 9 RDO
The Niner JET 9 RDO has proven to be a well-sorted short-travel Trail bike that balances a lot of traits well, and could work for a lot of different riders. Check out our full review for all the info.
2022-2023 Head Kore 93
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Kore 93.
TrainingPeaks Co-founder Dirk Friel on Coaching, Artificial Intelligence, & the Future of Endurance Training (Ep.127)
Endurance training has come a long way from handwritten logs and fax machines, and we owe a lot of that progress to web-based platforms like TrainingPeaks. Founded in the late 90s by endurance coaches Dirk Friel and his father, Joe Friel, TrainingPeaks has helped modernize the ways athletes can track, analyze, and plan their training. So, we sat down with Dirk to hear more about how better data leads to better performance; artificial intelligence; and a whole lot more.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (June 2022) (Ep.216)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the Mountain Gazette story about outdoor influencers & accountability; Matthew Fairbrother’s bikepacking — and enduro racing — across Europe; the ‘most Canadian’ news story; what we’re reading & watching; recent Supreme Court rulings; mountain-town advice; & more.
Trail Running 101: How to Fuel a Trail Run
Learning to eat on the run can be one of the most challenging parts of trail running; figuring out what kinds of foods work for you (and maybe more importantly, identifying those that don’t) can be tricky. But here are some basic ways to get started.
Flash Review — Öhlins RXF 34 m.2
We’ve started spending time on Öhlins’ new RXF 34 m.2 — check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
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European Food Reviews & Trip Report + Updates on our Buyer’s Guides (Ep.203)
Luke and Jonathan discuss Jonathan’s travels across France & Italy; his visits to the Lange factory and ATK bindings factory; provide updates on our Mtn Bike Buyer’s Guide and Winter Buyer’s Guide; and more.