BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 24/25 Black Crows Octo
Update 12.2.24: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on the new Black Crows Octo after spending some of his first days of the season aboard it.
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2-Board Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Following their 3-board quivers, our reviewers chime in with which snowboards and splitboards they’d select for their personal 2-board quivers.
Reviewer Reports + a Shop Talk First (Ep.324)
Luke and Jonathan offer their early-season reviewer reports, then Jonathan talks to Bangtail Bike & Ski’s new owner about why he did something that no other shop in the world has done — but why others might want to.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, November 2024 (Ep.335)
Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the news of November; rate your takes; offer some mountain town advice; share what we’re reading & watching; and more.
2024-2025 Völkl Blaze 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Völkl Blaze 104.
Flash Review: 24/25 Ferreol Explo 86
Ski season is officially underway at our home base, and the Explo 86 is one of the first skis we got back on this winter. Here, Luke Koppa shares his initial take.
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Forbidden Druid V2
There are more high-pivot Trail bikes than ever before, but the Forbidden Druid V2 is still one of the shortest-travel options. So, has Forbidden come up with a coherent short(ish) travel bike with a suspension layout more typically of Enduro and DH sleds, or does it feel caught between those categories? What we’ve found is pretty interesting.
Deep Dive: Forbidden Druid V2
We compare the Forbidden Druid V2 to the Transition Smuggler, Chromag Darco, Norco Optic, Norco Sight, Deviate Highlander II, and Orbea Rallon.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win Baselayers from Arms of Andes
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the men’s or women’s Alpaca Wool Long Sleeve Shirt and Leggings from Arms of Andes!
Reviewer Reports: Lightweight eMTBs, Ultra-Adjustable Enduro Bikes, Electronic Suspension Battle & More (Ep.250)
Simon Stewart and David Golay give the rundown on a ton of bikes and other gear we’ve been testing, from a wide range of Trail bikes to a couple of lightweight eMTBs, the ultra-adjustable Geometron G1, and more — including a head-to-head comparison of Fox Live Valve Neo and RockShox Flight Attendant.
No, Thank YOU
In our latest Open Mic piece, Brendan Leonard tells us how to deal with a world full of F@!% Yous.
Flash Review: 24/25 Peak 104 by Dav
We recently spent a day touring on the lighter version of Peak’s 104 mm-wide ski, the Peak 104 by Dav. Check out our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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James Bond, ‘The World Is Not Enough’ w/ Jonathan Ellsworth & Simon Stewart (Ep.29)
James Bond films have probably put skiing and snowboarding in front of more people than any other film series. So we discuss this, then, in honor of the 25th anniversary of ‘The World is Not Enough,’ we break down that film and its absolutely-all-time ski scene.
BCA Float E2-35 Avalanche Airbag Backpack
Avalanche airbag backpacks have come a long way, and one of our reviewers has tested most of them over the past decade. BCA’s newest option, the Float E2-35, is his current favorite — check out our Full Review to see why.
Maxxis High Roller
Maxxis says that the newest iteration of their High Roller is a gravity tire for conditions that are somewhat soft and loose, but not to the point of demanding a full-on mud spike. That’s a big departure from earlier iterations of the High Roller, but it would fill a real gap in Maxxis’ lineup (and the MTB tire market as a whole). So, is their description on point? We’ve ridden the High Roller in a wide range of conditions and are ready to weigh in.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
‘Falling for Christmas’ w/ Amie Engerbretson & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.32)
Amie and Jonathan discuss this Lyndsay Lohan Rom-Com / Christmas / Ski movie and have a very festive time debating whether it’s a Christmas delight or a modern-day dumpster fire. Plus, you have an opportunity to win a brand new pair of Atomic skis. Check it out!
Ibis Ripmo V3
While the Ibis Ripmo has stayed fairly consistent since its launch over six years ago, the mountain bike industry as a whole has shifted around it. So, where does it fit in today’s market, and how does it differentiate itself on the trail? Check out our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Ibis Ripmo V3
We compare the Ibis Ripmo V3 to several Trail/Enduro bikes in its class, including the previous Ibis Ripmo V2S, Revel Rail 29, Specialized Stumpjumper 15, Spot Mayhem 140, and Santa Cruz Bronson.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 24/25 Rossignol Sender Soul 102
Update 12.16.24: We’ve logged a lot more time on Rossignol’s newest all-mountain ski, the Sender Soul 102. Check out what we’ve learned since first skiing it at Blister Summit 2024.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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ATK launches new hybrid ski-touring binding, the ‘Hy’
There’s a new competitor in the class of hybrid ski-touring bindings. Here are the details on ATK’s Hy binding.
River Radamus: Skier, and U.S. Alpine Ski Racer (Ep.337)
River Radamus is a rising star on the U.S. Alpine Ski Team. But first and foremost, River is someone who is very, very passionate about all types of skiing. Jonathan talked with River just after he laid down two top-10 finishes at Birds of Prey, and they discuss that plus his lifelong journey in skiing; the artistry he sees in ski racing; the importance of innovation in racing; his thoughts on how to help the next generation of ski racers, and a whole lot more.
Cane Creek Kitsuma V2 Shocks
Cane Creek has given their Kitsuma line of shocks an update, and we’ve got the scoop on all of the new refinements.
2024-2025 LINE Vision 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the LINE Vision 104.
2024-2025 Blizzard Anomaly 102
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Anomaly 102.
Introducing: ‘The Hundred’ T-Shirts
Dear members of The Hundred: Thank you. We see you. And now, you can mark your rightful place among The Hundred.
2024-2025 Kästle Paragon 93
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Kästle Paragon 93.
2024-2025 DPS Carbon Wailer 90
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the DPS Carbon Wailer 90.