BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Reviewer Reports: Yeti LTe, Chromag Reazon, Trek Fuel LX, & More (Ep.293)
Dylan Wood and David Golay give some updates on a whole bunch of bikes they’re testing, including how the Trek Fuel LX stacks up against the Slash, the surprising ride feel of the Yeti LTe, an ultra-efficient XC bike from a brand better known for gravity bikes, and a whole lot more.
“Get Thee To A Cheese Monger!” Cheesemaking w/ Jasper Hill Farm’s Zoe Brickley (Ep.85)
Eli and Jonathan talk with Zoe Brickley — Jasper Hill’s “Minister of Culture” — about how a struggling Vermont dairy farm made a very big gamble and grew into one of the most respected and award-winning names in American artisan cheese.
‘Life Cycles’ w/ Dylan Wood & Simon Stewart (Ep. 53)
15 years ago, ‘Life Cycles’ was released and changed the perception of what a mtn bike film could be. Today, Dylan and Simon talk about how it combines art, breathtaking cinematography, beautiful riding, with a message that’s more relevant today than when it first came out.
Race Face Turbine Flat Pedals
Big, concave + scary pins — the Race Face Turbine pedals check a lot of boxes for an aggressive flat pedal, at least on paper. Check out our review for our on-trail findings.
Free Speech & Thoreau’s ‘Walking’ w/ Mountain Gazette’s Mike Rogge, Blister Book Club (Ep.375)
Jonathan & Mike Rogge offer some thoughts on the current state of free speech, then discuss Thoreau’s great essay, “Walking,” and the new Mountain Gazette anthology, ‘Print Ain’t Dead.’
Canyon Spectral:ONfly
We racked up the miles on two different builds of the Canyon Spectral:ONfly to find out how Canyon’s affordable take on the hot light-assist eMTB category measures up to the competition.
Deep Dive: Canyon Spectral:ONfly
We compare the Spectral:ONfly to the Norco Fluid VLT 130, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Pivot Shuttle SL, and Pivot Shuttle SL/AM.
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The Company that Created an Industry: Alpacka Raft (Ep.361)
We see new brands pop up all the time, but what happens when your idea is so novel that it essentially births an entire sport and industry? That was the case when Thor Tingey started Alpacka Raft, and he shares all the details in this fascinating origin story.
Win Skis & Bindings from Armada
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a pair of Declivity 92 Ti or Reliance 92 Ti skis — plus a set of Strive 12 GW bindings — from Armada!
Deep Dive: Propain Tyee 6.1
We compare the Propain Tyee to the Kavenz VHP 16, Yeti SB165, Marin Alpine Trail, Santa Cruz Nomad 6, Pivot Firebird V5, Rocky Mountain Altitude, and Ibis HD6.
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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Propain Tyee 6.1
In an era where a lot of Enduro bikes are super-focused go-fast sleds, the Propain Tyee stands out from the pack — and will be just what some folks are looking for. Check out what sets it apart.
Big Race Results & Big News From Enve (Ep. 292)
We catch up with Enve’s Jake Pantone about their exciting plans to start making Mountain Bikes, winning the Tour de France and Red Bull Hardline, and the stress of having one of the greatest cyclists of all time riding their wheels.
Flash Review: DT Swiss Ratchet DEG DF Anti-Pedal Kickback Hub
DT’s Ratchet DEG DF pedal kickback / chain feedback mitigating freehub is impressively simple and super light, but how well does it work? We’ve got some early 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.
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DT Swiss Ratchet DEG DF Anti-Pedal Kickback Hub
DT Swiss has an ingeniously simple upgrade for their Ratchet DEG hubs, meant to mitigate pedal kickback — and it’s almost certainly the lightest such option out there. Check out their new Ratchet DEG DF freehub mechanism, and get our early on-trail impressions.
Debatable: Short on Time? Skip the eMTB, Go XC
eMountain Bikes are dominating sales, but reviewer Zack Henderson argues that your next ride actually ought to be an XC bike. Check out his argument, and let us know what you think.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Hats from Passage
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will get any hat from Passage Hat Co!
Esker Woodsy
We put a ton of miles on Esker’s Aluminum Woodsy to find out how it lives up to Esker’s claim of being “Built for the Backcountry”.
Deep Dive: Esker Woodsy
We compare the Esker Woodsy to the Santa Cruz Bronson 5, Spot Mayhem 140, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Salsa Blackthorn 145, and Knolly Fugitive 140.
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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Stuff We Like: October 2025
In this edition of ‘Stuff We Like,’ our reviewers discuss a wide variety of products that have stood out to them, from budget sunglasses to electric air pumps, gear-organization solutions, boot / glove dryers, running vests, breathable midlayers, and more.
‘Shredder’ w/ Jonathan Ellsworth & Justin Bobb (Ep.56)
In honor of Halloween, we are talking about Shredder. And this is one of the most important conversations we’ve ever had here at Blister, because we aren’t sure that anybody’s actually seen this film, and we are on a mission to change that.
Understanding Alaska & John McPhee’s ‘Coming into the Country’ w/ Paul Forward, Blister Book Club (Ep.380)
Alaska is very much in the news these days, and understanding more about it and the Arctic has never been more important. That’s why Paul and Jonathan are discussing John McPhee’s book, Coming Into the Country, since it’s arguably the best book ever written about Alaska.
SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
SRAM’s T-Type groups have been extremely popular, but until recently were limited to expensive electronically-shifted versions. Is the new Eagle 90 mechanical version a worthy option? Here’s our take.
Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 3: Listener & Industry Selections (Ep.366)
In Part 3 of our series, Luke and Jonathan discuss some of the great answers from our BLISTER+ members and Digital Access Pass subscribers, as well as the selections from various ski designers, pro skiers, and folks from a few of our Blister Recommended Shops.
Flash Review: Öhlins TTX2 Air m.2
Öhlins has given their TTX Air shocks an overhaul, and here’s our early take on the updated TTX2 Air m.2.
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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Öhlins TTX Air m.2 Shocks
Öhlins has made a range of updates to their lineup this year, and we’ve started spending time on the new TTX2 Air m.2 shock. Check out what’s new, what isn’t, and get our early take on how the new TTX2 Air performs.
Debatable: Should Rampage Be Shut Down?
Like many of you, we have been thinking about and talking a lot about Red Bull Rampage over the past week. And given the number of athlete injuries — and the seriousness of some of those injuries — that occurred during practice sessions and during the competition, we ought to ask: has Rampage gone too far? Should it be shut down? Or modified? Or are injuries just a necessary part of what it takes to put on one of the most spectacular and truly mind-blowing sports events in the world?
Win Outerwear from Obermeyer
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the A.M.F. Jacket & Pant or the Skyward Jacket & Pant from Obermeyer!