BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
WNDR Alpine Launches New Pow Ski: The Reason 120
Today WNDR Alpine released their third ski, the Reason 120, and we sat down with WNDR’s Matt Sterbenz to get the backstory on the new ski; why it was actually the first ski he wanted to make; how it compares to their Vital 100 & Intention 110; and more.
New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v1
New Balance made their name in the trail running world with their super minimal shoes, but their Fresh Foam More Trail is basically the opposite — a plush, maximal shoe designed for long distances. And after our first ~85 miles in it, we think it’s an excellent execution of that design.
Doug Chadwick on Our Need for a New Understanding of Nature (Ep.173)
This week we discuss grizzlies, whales, microbes, humankind, & the future of the world with the wildlife biologist & author, Doug Chadwick. All of these are topics in Doug’s excellent new book, Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that Just Might Save Us All.
Shimano ME7 Clipless Shoes
Shimano’s ME7 is a clipless trail shoe that’s meant to be up for a bit of anything, so how well does it live up to Shimano’s claims about its versatility? Check out our review to find out.
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 4: POC (Ep.152)
We talk with the Head of Product at POC, Oscar Huss, about headforms — the things they stick into helmets to mimic your head before smashing up helmets in testing; the numerous variables that need to be considered when setting up a way to test “safety”; the different considerations that go into designing kids helmets; and more.
Win Shoes from Hoka
This week the winner will get Hoka’s brand-new Zinal running shoes!
2021-2022 RMU Apostle 3.0 106
The revised Apostle 3.0 106 is an exceptionally maneuverable and playful ski, but also one that certain skiers could really love for skiing fast and dynamically all over the mountain. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Bikes vs. Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2 (Ep.72)
Which ski brand is most similar to Transition? Guerrilla Gravity? Specialized? Which bike company is most like K2? ON3P? Moment? We answer all of these questions and more in Part 2 of Bikes vs. Skis. Check it out — and let us know your answers.
Women’s Rain Jacket Roundup — 2021
A reliable, packable rain jacket is always nice to have — especially when you never really know what the weather is going to throw at you. We’ve been testing five women’s rain jackets (plus one for kids) and in this roundup, we discuss what sets each one apart.
Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts Roundup — 2021
These days “mountain bike shorts” can be a lot of things, from highly-technical pieces with fancy fabrics and bike-specific fits to more casual options that look good on or off the bike. We’ve been testing 10 options across the whole spectrum, and you can check out our latest roundup here.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Pagoda 106 C2
We got some days on the latest version of DPS’s 106 C2 shape, this time with their new Pagoda construction. Check out our initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Your Insurance Probably Sucks. Spot Can Change That. (Ep.172)
If you’re reading this, then you need to listen to this episode. Because many of us in the outdoor community either don’t have insurance, or have deductibles that we can barely afford to pay when the inevitable accident happens. But Spot is disrupting the insurance industry with a hard-to-believe alternative that is actually affordable. We sat down with the co-founder and CEO of Spot, Matt Randall, to discuss exactly how Spot works; why the insurance industry is such a mess; and why we think you and pretty much everyone you know ought to be covered by Spot.
Stuff We Like: June 2021
We’re back with this month’s edition of “Stuff We Like.” The June version includes everything from bandanas to MTB pedals to kayak paddles and much more.
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 3: Pret (Ep.151)
We talk with the president & CEO of Pret Helmets about the “dart test” portion of the safety certification process; the prospects of implementing customizable helmet liners; why Pret places such an emphasis on ventilation; and more.
Win a Pack & Jacket from Ultimate Direction
This week the winner will get an ultralight backpack and shell from Ultimate Direction!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Running Socks Roundup — 2022
Most folks are diligent when it comes to finding the right shoe for their needs, but many runners stop short of finding a compatible pair of socks and end up with a poor fit. We’ve been testing several socks over the last few months and have found some options that work well for a huge range of runners and conditions — check out our roundup to see which ones might be best for you.
Nicolai / Geometron G1
We’ve now spent nine months on the Nicolai G1, and it’s still one of the best options out there for folks looking for an extremely aggressive Enduro bike that also pedals pretty well. Check out our full review for the whole story, including its extensive customization options and how it compares to several other bikes in its class.
2023 Rossignol Blackops, Sender, & Rallybird Skis | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We talk with Rossignol’s Alpine Category Manager, Jake Stevens, about Rossignol’s 2022-2023 ski lineup, including the updated Sender series; the name changes across the lineup; the very different graphics on the Blackops skis; the women’s Rallybird collection; and then we dive into the details on several of the updated and carryover models.
Zegama is Zegama, Tom Cruise, & 200-Mile Races (Ep.123)
On this “Running Through the News” edition of Off The Couch, Salomon athlete Leah Yingling stops by to catch us up on current events in the running world, including a debate around Tom Cruise’s running form; what mountain runner Joe Gray is doing to make trails a more equitable space for people of color; Kilian Jornet’s new shoe brand, NNormal; course records at the Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon; and much more.
2022-2023 Atomic Bent 110
The Atomic Bent 110 brings much of the popular Bent Chetler 120’s playfulness, low weight, and maneuverability to a slightly more practical, narrower platform. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Atomic Bent 110
We compare the Atomic Bent 110 to the Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Atomic Bent 100, Faction Mana 3, J Skis Slacker, Head Kore 111, Moment Deathwish, 4FRNT Hoji, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, Icelantic Nomad 105, Prior Northwest 110, Kye Shapes Metamorph, K2 Reckoner 112, Dynastar M-Free 108, RMU YLE 110, Salomon QST Blank, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Line Outline & WNDR Alpine Intention 110.
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.)
Lazer Jackal KinetiCore Helmet
Lazer’s new KinetiCore technology is intended to bring the rotational impact protection benefits of MIPS and other similar systems to a simpler, lighter, more comfortable package, and having now spent a couple of months in their Jackal KinetiCore mountain bike helmet, we think they’re onto something.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (May 2022) (Ep.214)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the ethics of trail magic; wildfire management; how Cody broke his toe; a new segment for Reviewing the News; and a whole lot more.
Trail Running 101: How to Trail Run Safely
Trail running can be a fun and exciting way to explore the backcountry, but like any outdoor sport, running in wild areas comes with its own set of dangers. However, with a bit of knowledge and the right gear, you can greatly minimize your risk. In this article we break down what exactly to watch out for on the trails and what prep-work you can do before each run to stay safe.
2022-2023 Faction Dancer 3
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Faction Dancer 3.
ATK Bindings, Part 1: Brand Origins & the Evolution of Tech Bindings (Ep.199)
ATK Bindings has been taking the tech-binding world by storm. We talk with ATK’s CEO, Davide Indulti, about the surprising origins of this family business; a pivotal moment in ATK’s history; where ATK saw the biggest opportunities to improve tech bindings; and more.
Win Roll Recovery Tools & Gregory Packs
This week TWO lucky winners will each get a hydration pack from Gregory and two of Roll Recovery’s deep-tissue massage rollers!