BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blister Brand Guide: Rocky Mountain’s Mountain Bike Lineup, 2022
For model-year 2022, Rocky Mountain’s lineup remains mostly the same, apart from some new build kits and colors on their already-successful offerings. Check out our Brand Guide to see which 2022 Rocky Mountain bike might work best for you.
Flash Review: Nicolai / Geometron G1
The Nicolai G1 stands out as being just about the most aggressive-seeming Enduro bike on the market, and we’ve been spending time on it. Check out our Flash Review for our initial impressions.
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Running through the News (Aug 2021) (Ep.93)
Today we’re kicking off a new series on Off The Couch, and Sanjay Rawal joins us to talk primarily about track and field at the Olympics, but we also talk about the Leadville 100, and the longest foot race in the world, the 3,100-mile Self Transcendence race in New York.
Stuff We Like: August 2021
In the latest edition of “Stuff We Like,” our reviewers share a broad range of products they’re currently using — and really liking — from fancy sparkling water to bike tires, boots, and more.
Mountain Town Economics, Pt 3: Developing Housing, Addressing Climate Change, & Mitigating Megafires (Ep.180)
While we are dealing with the crisis of affordable housing, we are also dealing with a crisis of megafires. And our guest today, Scott Ehlert, is here to make clear how these two crises are related, and what solutions are available to mitigate both.
Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra
One of our reviewers is calling the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra “one of the best long-distance trail shoes on the market.” Check out his review to see why.
Debatable: Internal Cable Routing Isn’t Worth It
It seems like almost every bike comes with internal cable routing these days, but why? Our Bike Editor lays out his case for why cables ought to stay external.
Shop Talk: Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.160)
We talk with Rachel and Drew Harding, the owners of the Spokane Alpine Haus, about the ski scene in Spokane, Washington; the Alpine Haus’ massive equipment leasing program; interesting ways to destroy skis; kid’s gear; and more.
Win a Made-in-USA Shirt from Kitsbow
This week the winner will get Kitsbow’s Icon Flannel Shirt, which is made in the USA from Pendleton Wool!
2021 Forbidden Dreadnought
“A DH bike in all but the small print” is a bold claim for a 154mm-travel bike, but the Forbidden Dreadnought just might live up to it — in more ways than you might think. Check out our full review for all the details.
Chris Porter on Mullets, Dual-Crown Enduro Forks, & More (Ep.80)
Chris Porter, one of the most interesting and most opinionated figures in the MTB world, is back on Bikes and Big Ideas. We discuss the Geometron G1 & how Chris chooses to set up his personal bike; dual-crown Enduro forks & how we both wish they were more common; EXT suspension, including the Era fork and custom G1-spec Storia shock; & much more.
2021 Leadville 100 Winner, Annie Hughes (Ep.92)
Annie Hughes is 23 years old and is quickly becoming a force in the world of ultra running. So we talked with Annie about her preparation for Leadville and the race itself; waiting tables; our idea to run for president (which is related to waiting tables); her plans to run the Moab 240 this October, and what she’s most excited about beyond this October.
Hip Pack Roundup — 2021
Hip packs have gone from being an ironic fashion throwback to a commonly accepted mountain bike accessory, but they now come in all shapes and sizes. We’ve been testing six options, from ultra-minimalist to quite roomy, and here you can check out how they compare and which would work best for you.
Mountain Town Economics, Pt 2: Housing, Community, & Core Values (Ep.179)
Our guest today is Troy Russ, the community development director of Crested Butte. Troy has a long history in community planning and development, so is able to provide an incredibly well-informed perspective on a broad range of topics, and there are a lot of relevant considerations and takeaways for mountain communities everywhere.
Hoka One One Zinal
The Zinal is Hoka’s latest offering in the more minimally cushioned, fast-and-light category of trail shoes. So how does it compare to the numerous other options in that class, and what sort of runners should have it on their list? Check out our review.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Blister Brand Guide: Columbia Montrail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Columbia Montrail’s 2022 trail running shoe lineup may be trim, but each of the brand’s four distinct models is intended to suit a specific need, including lightweight options for workouts and high stack height models for ultra distances. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of their 2022 shoes.
Leah Yingling on Her Western States 100, Pacing Perfection, & the Golden Hour (Ep.129)
After finishing 6th at this year’s Western States 100, Salomon Athlete (and sometimes co-host) Leah Yingling returns to the show to give us a play-by-play of how her day panned out.
Sunglasses Roundup 2022 — Part 1: Active/Sport
In Part 1 of our sunglasses roundup, we cover several of the pairs our reviewers have been using for biking, skiing, running, and more.
Flash Review: 22/23 WNDR Alpine Intention 108
This spring we spent some time on WNDR Alpine’s updated Intention 108 — here are our initial on-snow 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.
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2022-2023 WNDR Alpine Intention 108
WNDR Alpine has updated their original ski — check out our First Look for all the details, including their novel way of re-using waste from the construction process.
On the James Webb Space Telescope (Ep.218)
We’re still trying to process what we’re seeing, and what this all means. So today, we’re offering another brief attempt to wrap our heads around the images — and the significance — of the James Webb Space Telescope, and I provide a few recommendations for further reading & listening.
2022-2023 Head Kore 85 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Kore 85 W.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Drew Kelly (Ep.205)
We talk to the man with the best turn in Crested Butte about choss monsters, cave trolls, geek beaks, his Tinder profile, birding, the universe, gear preferences, and more.
Flash Review — Diamondback Release C
The Diamondback Release 5C is proving to be a fairly nimble, versatile mid-travel Trail bike. 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
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.)
Diamondback Release C
The Diamondback Release 5C is an unusual offering these days — a mid-travel 27.5’’ Trail bike with somewhat moderate geometry — but we think that’s exactly why it could be a great option for the right riders. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more.
Win Sunglasses or Eyeglasses from Roka
This week TWO lucky winners will each get a pair of sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses from Roka, plus a backpack!
2022-2023 Lange XT3 Tour Pro
Here are our measured specs, images, and initial questions about the Lange XT3 Tour Pro.