BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Pivot Shuttle SL/AM

Flash Review: Pivot Shuttle SL/AM

We’ve started testing Pivot’s Shuttle SL/AM, and its combination of impressively low weight and solid all-mountain capability has it looking like a compelling new option in the light-assist category.

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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David Golay reviews the EXT Vecta for Blister

EXT Vecta

EXT has made a name for itself building unapologetically high-end suspension products. However, their new Vecta coil shock is their take on a more affordable offering, and it’s impressively fully featured relative to the brand’s flagship options. Here are all the details.

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David Golay reviews Hope Carbon Cranks for Blister

Hope Carbon Cranks

Hope has added a carbon fiber crank to go along with their Evo aluminum one, and we’ve spent a ton of time on it to see how it stacks up. Check out what we’ve found.

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Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy

Flash Review: Specialized Turbo Levo 4

We’ve been spending time on the Specialized Turbo Levo 4. Find out how the new motor compares to the competition, plus some initial ride 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.)

Read More »
Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy

Specialized Turbo Levo 4

Specialized is adding aluminum models to the Turbo Levo 4 lineup. The Turbo Levo 4 has a more powerful motor and a bigger battery than the outgoing Turbo Levo 3, plus a host of other innovations that, combined with the new drive system, make us eager to spend time on it. Check out our First Look for the details.

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Zack Henderson reviews the Pivot Trailcat LT

Pivot Trailcat SL & LT

Pivot’s twin Trailcat models share a frame, but their on-trail differences are bigger than one might expect. We’ve spent the spring testing the Trailcat LT alongside its shorter-travel sibling, the Trailcat SL, and are ready to share our thoughts.

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On this episode, you — our prestigious GEAR:30 listeners — provided the questions, and Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa are offering their answers. Topics include our go-to backpacks for ski-touring; how a given brand’s size, location, and ethos factor into our own purchasing decisions; what skis to get if you’re spending a lot of time cruising slow-speed groomers; when and how to replace ski boot liners when they wear out; and we answer one of the most frequent questions we get: what were our favorite skis this season?

Your Questions: Our Favorite Skis This Season; Big vs Small Brands; Quiver Overlap; & More (Ep.348)

Jonathan and Luke answer your questions, including our go-to backpacks for ski-touring; how a given brand’s size, location, and ethos factor into our own purchasing decisions; what skis to get if you’re spending a lot of time cruising slow-speed groomers; how we view “Quiver Overlap”; and one of the most frequent questions we get: what were our favorite skis this season?

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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Win Cycling Gear From Lezyne

The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Super Drive 1800+ Smart Front Bike Light, Saddle Ai Alert 250 Rear Bike Light, & Pocket Drive Pro Bike Hand Pump from Lezyne!

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David Golay reviews the Orbea Rallon for Blister

2026 Orbea Rallon

FMD Racing unveiled the prototype Orbea that they’ve been racing on at the Bielsko-Biala DH World Cup last weekend, and it turns out that it’s the new Rallon — historically Orbea’s Enduro bike. The new version is meant to fill double duty as both a DH and Enduro rig, with a big range of adjustments to suit, and looks to be a massive departure from the Rallon of old. Check it all out here.

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Blister reviews the 2025 Propain Tyee

Propain Tyee — 2025 Update

Propain has revisited the Tyee, but instead of a full overhaul, they’ve focused on smaller refinements, new colors, and new build kit options. Check out the changes in our First Look.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Zack Henderson reviews the Magura Gustav Pro brakes

Flash Review: Magura Gustav Pro

Magura’s Gustav Pro brakes promise consistency and heat management, so do they deliver? Our Flash Review has initial impressions from the first couple of rides with Magura’s latest stoppers.

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 — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Stuff We Like: May 2025

This month’s assortment of gear includes several impressive cycling components, coolers made from coconuts, some summer apparel favorites, and much more. Check it out to see what our reviewers have been liking lately.

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But today our team is zooming out and comparing the ski vs bike industry to identify the significant similarities and differences; assess the relative health of each; and see how the trends in one might align with trends in the other.

Ski vs Bike Industry, Part 1: Similarities, Differences, Trends, & the Health of Each (Ep.349)

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But today our team is zooming out and comparing the ski vs bike industry to identify the significant similarities and differences; assess the relative health of each; and see how the trends in one might align with trends in the other.

Pivot Shuttle SL/AM

Flash Review: Pivot Shuttle SL/AM

We’ve started testing Pivot’s Shuttle SL/AM, and its combination of impressively low weight and solid all-mountain capability has it looking like a compelling new option in the light-assist category.

Esker Cycles

The Transformation of Esker Cycles w/ Tim Krueger (Ep.276)

In today’s conversation, Simon talks with Esker Cycles founder Tim Krueger about being a small bike brand during difficult years in the bike industry, saying goodbye to carbon fiber, their new metal bikes, focusing on affordability, and more.

David Golay reviews the EXT Vecta for Blister

EXT Vecta

EXT has made a name for itself building unapologetically high-end suspension products. However, their new Vecta coil shock is their take on a more affordable offering, and it’s impressively fully featured relative to the brand’s flagship options. Here are all the details.

David Golay reviews Hope Carbon Cranks for Blister

Hope Carbon Cranks

Hope has added a carbon fiber crank to go along with their Evo aluminum one, and we’ve spent a ton of time on it to see how it stacks up. Check out what we’ve found.

Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy

Flash Review: Specialized Turbo Levo 4

We’ve been spending time on the Specialized Turbo Levo 4. Find out how the new motor compares to the competition, plus some initial ride impressions.

Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Comp Alloy

Specialized Turbo Levo 4

Specialized is adding aluminum models to the Turbo Levo 4 lineup. The Turbo Levo 4 has a more powerful motor and a bigger battery than the outgoing Turbo Levo 3, plus a host of other innovations that, combined with the new drive system, make us eager to spend time on it. Check out our First Look for the details.