BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 118
DPS is updating their big, stout, yet playful pow ski for 21/22. Check out our Flash Review for our take on how it compares to the previous version, and a few other playful-yet-stable pow skis.
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2021 Transition Patrol
The Patrol has long been in Transition’s lineup as their longest-travel Enduro bike, with 27.5’’ wheels. Today they dropped an updated version, and while the 160 mm of rear travel remains, the new Patrol gets the mullet treatment, with a 29’’ wheel and 160mm-travel fork up front. There’s a lot more that’s new than just wheel sizes, so check out our First Look for all the details.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 6: Ski Boot Suspension (Ep.148)
Matt Manser is back to talk about bike crashes and ski-boot suspension.
Win Pit Viper’s New MTB Apparel Line + 3 Sunglasses
Pit Viper just launched their first line of technical MTB apparel, and the winner this week will get basically everything in the new collection + 3 pairs of their sunglasses!
Miranda Miller on MGM Alternative, Enduro vs DH, Espresso Machines, & More (Ep.67)
We’re talking with Miranda Miller about starting her new YouTube channel, MGM Alternative, with Remi Gauvin and Jesse Melamed; choosing riding partners; racing Enduro vs. racing DH; espresso machines & World Cup wins; books; & more.
Stuff We Like: May 2021
In our new monthly series with the remarkably descriptive title, “Stuff We Like,” our reviewers share a broad range of products they’re currently using — and really liking — from small accessories to the clothes they’re lounging around in, to just about anything and everything else.
Flash Review: EXT Era Fork
We loved EXT’s rear Enduro / Trail shock, the Storia, and now we’ve been spending time on the Era, the fork meant to pair with it. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Atomic Maverick 95 Ti
The Maverick 95 Ti is part of Atomic’s overhauled 21/22 all-mountain lineup, and it’s a notable improvement over the skis it replaces. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of this new ski.
Deep Dive: Atomic Maverick 95 Ti
We compare the Maverick 95 Ti to the Atomic Maverick 88 Ti, Atomic Maverick 100 Ti, Atomic Vantage 90 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Salomon Stance 96, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Volkl M6 Mantra, Salomon QST 98, 4FRNT MSP 99, Salomon QST 99, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Moment Commander 98, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Nordica Enforcer 94, Dynastar M-Pro 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Black Crows Camox, Liberty Origin 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, & J Skis Masterblaster.
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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Blister Brand Guide: Giant / Liv Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
With a wide range of bikes spanning entry-level hardtails to high-end Enduro bikes, Giant and its sister brand, Liv, offer a little bit of everything. Check out our Brand Guide for the rundown on the two brands’ entire 2021 lineup.
Flash Review: 2021 Pivot Trail 429
Pivot’s updated Trail 429 looks like a very interesting contender in the short travel Trail bike market, and we’ve been spending time on it. Check out our Flash Review for our initial 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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Win a Helmet & Goggles from Giro
This week the winner will get Giro’s flagship helmet & goggle combo!
Our New Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide (Ep.66)
We just released our first-ever MTB Buyer’s Guide. You can find it for free on our website, and here, you can listen to David Golay, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about why this isn’t your typical buyer’s guide; how long its been in the works; and why we thought that something like it was really needed by everyone from brand-new to expert riders.
Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max
Inov-8 say their “graphene-enhanced” TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max is “the first max cushioned shoe that adapts and reacts to terrain.” That’s a bold claim, but during our time with this shoe, it has proven to be a very appealing option for long days on the trail where comfort, efficiency, and stability are paramount. Check out our full review for the whole story.
Flash Review: Trek Session
We’ve been spending time on the new, high-pivot 2022 Trek Session. Check out our Flash Review for some initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2022-2023 Renoun Endurance 98
The latest version of Renoun’s do-everything all-mountain ski, the Endurance 98, is the most refined and intuitive one yet (and its unique construction still equates to a ride that feels like nothing else on the market). Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for more.
Deep Dive: Renoun Endurance 98
We compare the Endurance 98 to the Renoun Endurance 88, Volkl M6 Mantra, Salomon QST 98, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Salomon Stance 96, 4FRNT MSP 99, Blizzard Rustler 9, Black Crows Camox, J Skis Masterblaster, Moment Commander 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Line Blade Optic 96, Dynastar M-Free 99, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Faction Dancer 2, & K2 Mindbender 99Ti.
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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Robbie Balenger on Testing Limits, Exploring Recovery Techniques, & Outrunning a Tesla (Ep. 121)
After discovering running in his 30’s, ultra-endurance athlete Robbie Balenger became obsessed with the power of human endurance and quickly found that he needed challenges far exceeding standard ultramarathons to test his limits. So, he started creating his own. Since then, Robbie has run across America, completed the “Colorado Crush,” and recently outran a Tesla. We had him on to unpack all of these efforts before asking him about the mental side of endurance, recovery techniques, his next challenge, and much more.
Johnny Collinson, Wendy Fisher, Sander Hadley, & Drew Petersen on The Mental Game (Ep.212)
Professional skiers are often asked about the mental preparation it takes to ski big lines and perform at a high level. But in this conversation (recorded at our Blister Summit), John Collinson, Wendy Fisher, Sander Hadley, and Drew Petersen offer a much broader perspective on ‘the mental game’ as it relates to dealing with injury and adversity; self identity; mental health; and much more.
2023 K2 Dispatch, FL3X, & Recon Team Boots | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We talk with K2 Boots’ Product Line Manager, Tom Pietrowski, about all the new boots they’re launching for the 2022-2023 season, including the brand-new Dispatch series of touring boots, Recon Team alpine boot, and the rebranding of Full Tilt as “K2 FL3X” boots.
Flash Review: 22/23 Dynastar E-Pro 99
Here are some of our initial on-snow impressions of the women’s Dynastar E-Pro 99, after skiing two lengths.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2022-2023 Majesty Vadera Carbon
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Majesty Vadera Carbon.
2022-2023 Stereo Piste V3
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Stereo Piste V3.
Dynafit Alpine
The Dynafit Alpine is designed to be a do-everything shoe that fits well, provides enough cushioning for long days out on the trails, and holds up regardless of where you take it. After testing, this statement checks out, and then some. The Dynafit Alpine is not only a great mountain running shoe, but one of the best all-around trail running models we’ve tested this year.
Stuff We Like: May 2022
In the May edition of our “Stuff We Like” series, we’ve got some puffy layers ideal for camping, bike accessories, casual apparel, and more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
2022-2023 Wagner Summit 109
The Summit 109 is the newest addition to Wagner’s “Factory Series” of skis, and it’s a very well-rounded all-mountain ski that two of our reviewers — with quite different skiing styles — both really enjoyed. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for more.
Deep Dive: Wagner Summit 109
We compare the Summit 109 to the Wagner Summit 106, Wagner Summit 107, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Line Blade Optic 104, Nordica Enforcer 110, J Skis Hotshot, RMU YLE 110, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, Head Kore 111, Atomic Bent 110, Moment Commander 108, Salomon QST Blank, 4FRNT Hoji, Icelantic Nomad 105, Volkl Katana 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, Sego Comp 110, Dynastar M-Free 108, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, 4FRNT MSP 107, Moment Wildcat 108, Fischer Ranger 108, Moment Deathwish, & Rossignol Sender Ti.
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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