BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

BLISTER reviews the Cannondale Topstone Carbon

Cannondale Topstone Carbon Gen 3

The Cannondale Topstone Carbon has entered its third generation. More tire clearance, frame storage, and a supposedly more compliant implementation of the KingPin rear suspension design make it one of the more fully-featured Gravel bikes on the market. Let’s walk through the details of the new Topstone Carbon.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Head Kore 100 Ti for Blister

Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kore 100 Ti

The Kore 100 Ti occupies the middle of Head’s overhauled freeride collection, and we’ve already logged several days on it. Here’s what we’ve learned so far, including some interesting takeaways after A/B testing it against the Kore 99 Ti W.

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Blister reviews the 4FRNT MSP 99

Flash Review: 25/26 4FRNT MSP 99

Here are our initial thoughts on the second-generation version of 4FRNT’s metal-laminate all-mountain ski and how it compares to the narrower and wider MSP models.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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BLISTER reviews the Pivot Trailcat LT

Flash Review: Pivot Trailcat LT

Pivot’s new Trailcat LT has made its way into our test fleet — so does it deliver its promised all-rounder performance? Our Flash Review has 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.

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Simon Stewart reviews the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL

Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL

We racked up the miles on Rocky Mountain’s Instinct Powerplay SL to put their new house-made Dyname S4 Lite motor to the test, and to see how Rocky Mountain’s take on the hot light-assist category measures up to the competition.

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Simon Stewart reviews the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL

Deep Dive: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL

We compare the Instinct Powerplay SL to the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Pivot Shuttle SL, Canyon Spectral:ONfly, Norco Fluid VLT 130, Cannondale Moterra SL, and Pivot Shuttle AM.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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BLISTER reviews the Industry Nine Hydra2 Hubs

Industry Nine Hydra2 Hubs

Industry Nine’s Hydra hubs took high-engagement to a new level, and now they’ve released the Hydra2 based on the lessons they’ve learned. That means new bearings, burlier materials, and somehow even faster engagement. Read on to find out what they’ve changed.

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Blister reviews the Salomon QST 100

Flash Review: 25/26 Salomon QST 100

We’ve started our long-term testing of Salomon’s updated QST series, and recently spent several days on the all-new QST 100. Here are 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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

David Golay reviews the Project321 RG3 Hubs

Project321 RG3 Hubs

We’ve been very impressed with Project321’s G3 mountain bike hubs, and now they’ve got a pared-down road and gravel version: the RG3. Check them out here.

BLISTER reviews the Norco Sight VLT CX

Norco Sight VLT CX

The Norco Sight VLT CX keeps its high pivot suspension layout but manages to pack a huge 800 Wh battery while weighing a claimed 20% less than the old one. That’s an impressive trick — let’s see how they’ve pulled it off.

David Golay reviews the Pivot Firebird for Blister

Pivot Firebird V5

The Pivot Firebird is now in its fifth generation, and while the new bike looks a whole lot like the V4 iteration that it replaces, it’s got overhauled geometry, more adjustability, and several new features and refinements.

David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2 for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox DHX2

We’ve started spending time on the new Fox DHX2. Check out how it’s going so far.

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 reviews the ZAG Mata

2025-2026 ZAG Mata

The nebulous but growing class of ‘fun carvers’ is an exciting one, and ZAG’s Mata is one of the latest additions. Here’s our Full Review of this 90mm-wide, asymmetrical ski that ZAG describes as “aggressive but not exclusive.”

Blister reviews the ZAG Mata

Deep Dive: ZAG Mata

We compare the ZAG Mata to the Line Blade, Black Crows Mirus Cor, Folsom Spar Turbo, Black Crows Octo, ZAG Harfang 96, Fischer The Curv GT 85, ZAG Slap 98, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Dynastar M-Cross 88, K2 Mindbender 90C, Salomon Stance 90, Wagner Summit 91, & 4FRNT MSP 91.

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 — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Stuff We Like: March 2025

In this month’s edition of Stuff We Like, our reviewers cover everything from multifunctional apparel to several gear-organization solutions, snowboard-boot liners, ski outerwear, snowsports backpacks, and more.

David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2 for Blister

2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2

Right on the heels of giving their fork lineup a big overhaul, Fox has new versions of their Float X2 and DHX2 gravity shocks. It’s a big refresh, too, including completely different damper architecture and a bunch more. Check out what’s changed.

Blister reviews the Völkl Mantra 84 W.

2025-2026 Völkl Mantra 84 W

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the women’s Völkl Mantra 84 W.

Blister reviews the ON3P Jeffrey 92.

2024-2025 ON3P Jeffrey 92

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Jeffrey 92.