Recent Posts
2020-2021 Blizzard Black Pearl 88
For the 20/21 season, Blizzard decided to update one of the most popular skis in the world, the Black Pearl 88. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more about what’s changed with the new ski, and our initial on-snow impressions.
2020 Rocky Mountain Instinct BC Edition
The “BC Edition” of Rocky Mountain’s Instinct is designed to be “an aggressive trail monster,” though today, it offers something a bit different than most longer-travel 29ers. Check out our First Look & initial on-trail impressions.
National Brotherhood of Skiers co-founder & U.S. Ski Hall of Fame inductee, Art Clay (Ep. 137)
Art Clay is the co-founder of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, and he and his NBS co-founder, Ben Finley, are the first African Americans elected into the US Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame. This past weekend, Jonathan Ellsworth sat down with Art at his home in Chicago to talk about growing up in Chicago in the 1940s; his first time skiing; the idea to start the National Brotherhood of Skiers; cutie pies; the Black Summit; and more.
EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack
For those who like to ride bikes and take pictures on the trail, you’re often left with the choice of slugging around a bulky backpack or leaving your camera gear vulnerable. The EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack aims to solve that dilemma, offering camera protection and storage in the form of a compact, breathable hip pack. Check out our review of this impressive, purpose-built product.
What We’re Watching — July, 2020
Another week, another batch of cool videos. This week we’ve added 9 videos from legends of biking and skiing, as well as several exciting newcomers.
Win Pocket Knives from SOG
This week 3 people will get SOG’s Aegis AT pocket knife.
Aprch, CBD, & the Story Behind an Emerging Category (Ep. 107)
This week we’re switching things up a bit and taking a close look at a massive emerging category — CBD products in general — and one specific company, Aprch. And to walk us through some of the relevant science, regulations, production processes, and the trajectory of this industry, we talk with Aprch co-founder, Adam Hunter.
2020-2021 DPS Pagoda Piste 100 C2
For 20/21, DPS is launching not only several new ski shapes, but also two brand-new ski constructions. They’re making some pretty bold claims about their new Pagoda Piste & Pagoda Tour designs, and you can check out our First Look of the Pagoda Piste 100 C2 to learn about their rationale for those claims and how the design of the ski compares to the rest of the market.
The New RockShox ZEB with Chris Mandell (Ep. 32)
David Golay and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the backstory of the new ZEB fork and why RockShox built it; who it’s for; its available configurations and compatibility; the ZEB vs. the Lyrik and more, with RockShox’s Chris Mandell.
Salomon S/Lab Ultra 2
Last week we reviewed the Salomon Ultra /Pro and now we’re chiming in on its lighter, more race-oriented sibling, the S/Lab Ultra 2. After spending several 20+ mile days in this S/Lab shoe, we’ve come away impressed by its versatility and think that it could work for a lot of people — not just those who are trying to win the next ultramarathon.
RockShox ZEB Ultimate Fork
RockShox recently released the ZEB: a new, burly, single-crown fork that’s designed for the modern class of long-travel Enduro bikes. We’ve been using the ZEB and in our First Look we go over the technical details of the new fork, along with some initial on-trail impressions.
Amelia Boone on Mtn Lions, Trail Running, & Mental Health (Ep. 59)
Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Amelia Boone about being a world champion obstacle racer; transitioning into trail running & racing; mental health & eating disorders; ElliptiGos, mtn lions, & more.
2020-2021 Elan Ripstick 116
During this coming season we’ll be reviewing Elan’s big-mountain ski, the Ripstick 116. Check out our First Look to see what it shares in common with the other Ripsticks, what it does not, and how its design compares to the rest of the market.
Win a Tent from The North Face
Enter for a chance to win The North Face’s new Eco Trail 3-person tent!
Climbing Skins: A Guide & Comparisons
Climbing skins often receive less attention than skis, boots, & bindings, but the skins you stick to your skis can make or break your days in the backcountry. So in this guide, we go through the qualities to look for in a pair of skins, then directly compare 13 different skins from 5 different brands.
Mountain Biking Flat-Pedal Shoe Roundup — 2020
Flat-pedal shoes now vary a lot, from those with ultra-sticky, racing-slick-style outsoles to options that resemble hiking shoes to others that look like any other sneaker. Check out our roundup for in-depth comparisons on 6 shoes that we’ve been using.
Bikes, Forks, & Our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep. 108)
Jonathan Ellsworth talks to David Golay, Dylan Wood, & Luke Koppa about the Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana; Manitou Mezzer & RockShox ZEB; Rocky Mountain Instinct BC; our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide; and … ‘The Year of Ellsworth.’
Martinus Evans, 300 Pounds & Running (Ep. 60)
Martinus Evans is the founder of 300poundsandrunning.com and the Slow AF Run Club, and Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Martinus about modern media, being a Black runner in 2020, DJ-ing, motivation, Detroit pizza vs. Chicago pizza, the Slow AF Run Club, and more.
2020-2021 Blizzard Black Pearl 88
For the 20/21 season, Blizzard decided to update one of the most popular skis in the world, the Black Pearl 88. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more about what’s changed with the new ski, and our initial on-snow impressions.
2020 Rocky Mountain Instinct BC Edition
The “BC Edition” of Rocky Mountain’s Instinct is designed to be “an aggressive trail monster,” though today, it offers something a bit different than most longer-travel 29ers. Check out our First Look & initial on-trail impressions.
National Brotherhood of Skiers co-founder & U.S. Ski Hall of Fame inductee, Art Clay (Ep. 137)
Art Clay is the co-founder of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, and he and his NBS co-founder, Ben Finley, are the first African Americans elected into the US Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame. This past weekend, Jonathan Ellsworth sat down with Art at his home in Chicago to talk about growing up in Chicago in the 1940s; his first time skiing; the idea to start the National Brotherhood of Skiers; cutie pies; the Black Summit; and more.
EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack
For those who like to ride bikes and take pictures on the trail, you’re often left with the choice of slugging around a bulky backpack or leaving your camera gear vulnerable. The EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack aims to solve that dilemma, offering camera protection and storage in the form of a compact, breathable hip pack. Check out our review of this impressive, purpose-built product.
What We’re Watching — July, 2020
Another week, another batch of cool videos. This week we’ve added 9 videos from legends of biking and skiing, as well as several exciting newcomers.
Aprch, CBD, & the Story Behind an Emerging Category (Ep. 107)
This week we’re switching things up a bit and taking a close look at a massive emerging category — CBD products in general — and one specific company, Aprch. And to walk us through some of the relevant science, regulations, production processes, and the trajectory of this industry, we talk with Aprch co-founder, Adam Hunter.
2020-2021 DPS Pagoda Piste 100 C2
For 20/21, DPS is launching not only several new ski shapes, but also two brand-new ski constructions. They’re making some pretty bold claims about their new Pagoda Piste & Pagoda Tour designs, and you can check out our First Look of the Pagoda Piste 100 C2 to learn about their rationale for those claims and how the design of the ski compares to the rest of the market.
The New RockShox ZEB with Chris Mandell (Ep. 32)
David Golay and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the backstory of the new ZEB fork and why RockShox built it; who it’s for; its available configurations and compatibility; the ZEB vs. the Lyrik and more, with RockShox’s Chris Mandell.