BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission
Mechanical SRAM Transmission is here. Check out our take on the Eagle 90 groupset so far.
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SRAM Eagle 70 & 90 Transmission
The long-rumored mechanical version of SRAM Transmission is here, in two variants — Eagle 70 and Eagle 90. Check out what’s new with the cable-actuated Transmission variants, what’s shared with the existing electronic versions, and our on-trail impressions so far.
Revel Rascal SL
The Revel Rascal spent some time in the gym since its V2 refresh, and the new Rascal SL is the result. It keeps the same geometry as the popular original Rascal, but through some layup tweaks, Revel has pulled nearly half a pound of weight out of the frame. Check out the new Rascal SL in our First Look.
Flash Review: SRAM Motive Ultimate Brakes
SRAM is making some big claims about their new Motive brakes featuring a combination of solid power at a low weight. Do they deliver? We’ll need more time to answer that definitively, but we’ve got a feel for things after a few rides — check out our Flash Review for more.
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SRAM Motive, Maven Base, DB6, and DB4 Brakes
SRAM has shaken up its brake lineup with some new members of the family — including the all-new Motive, plus additions to the Maven and DB lineups. The new brakes are an all-mineral-oil affair, but there are other noteworthy changes too — let’s dig in.
2025-2026 Völkl Revolt 101
Völkl just announced a new addition to their freeski collection, and the Revolt 101 is reportedly inspired by their progressive big-mountain ski, the Revolt 114. Here are our measured specs, rocker photos, and more info on the new Revolt 101.
2025-2026 K2 Reckoner 102
The Reckoner 102 quickly became a favorite of several of our reviewers when K2 first released it, but when they recently overhauled the wider Reckoners, K2 also updated the 102. So, does the latest version stand out as much as the original? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: K2 Reckoner 102
We compare the K2 Reckoner 102 to the previous Reckoner 102, K2 Reckoner 110, K2 Omen Team, Line Chronic 101, Black Crows Camox, Fischer Nightstick 97, J Skis Allplay, Head Oblivion 102, Dynastar M-Free 99, Dynastar M-Free 100, Armada Edollo, Season Kin, Nordica Unleashed 98, 4FRNT Switch, Faction Studio 2, Völkl Revolt 104, and Salomon Depart.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Mountain Life & Product Design: North Drinkware Co-Founder, Matt Capozzi (Ep.63)
Matt Capozzi has always loved being in the mountains, but he’s also enjoyed an incredible career working in product design for brands like Burton, Nike, Nixon, and Smith. In 2015, Matt had a wild idea to help people ‘bring the mountains home,’ which led to the creation of North Drinkware, which produces beautiful, artisanal products — like handblown glassware — made in Oregon.
Fox 36 & 36 SL
Fox’s new 34 SL was a sign of more things to come: there’s now a new 36 SL and an overhauled 36 in Fox’s fork lineup, too. Check out what’s new.
2025-26 Head E.B.I. LYT, 161 cm
There are an increasing number of directional freeride boards that aim to blend powder float with carving ability on-piste, and the E.B.I. LYT is Head’s contribution to the category. Does it manage to blend those often separate traits into a coherent design? Our Full Review has our impressions after a season with the E.B.I. LYT.
2025 World Cup Finals of Ski Racing in Sun Valley with River Radamus & Will Brandenburg (Ep.351)
Jonathan talks to US ski racer, River Radamus, about his upcoming GS race; this World Cup season; & more. Then, he talks to former World Cup ski racer, Will Brandenburg about the Herculean effort it was to build – and prep – the steepest DH and Super G race courses in the world.
Flash Review: 25/26 Dynastar M-Free 112
Update: Luke Koppa has added more thoughts on the 190 cm M-Free 112, how it compares to some other skis in its class, and why it’s quickly become a favorite of several of our reviewers.
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2025-2026 Ellis Sabr 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Sabr 100 by Ellis Skis.
Flash Review: 25/26 Ellis Sabr 100
Ellis Skis, based out of Utah and Colorado, just launched their first collection this season and we’ve started spending time on their 100mm-wide Sabr. Here are our initial thoughts.
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win PHANTOM Glide Ski / Snowboard Kits
The five winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a PHANTOM Glide Single Application Kit!
DT Swiss EXC 1200 Classic Wheels
DT Swiss’s 1700-series wheels are deservedly popular as higher-end aluminum options that come in at a reasonable price, but what about their flagship 1200-series carbon models? We’ve spent a ton of time on the Enduro-oriented EXC 1200 Classic wheelset to find out. Here’s our Full Review.
Flash Review: 25/26 La Sportiva Sender
The Sender is a new freeride-touring boot from La Sportiva, and it’s proven to be an interesting option during our initial testing. Here’s what we’ve learned so far.
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Cascade Components’ Stumpjumper High-Pivot Conversion (Ep.270)
Cascade Components is best known for making aftermarket suspension links to change the leverage curve of a wide range of bikes, but they’ve just launched something much more radical: a high-pivot conversion kit for the current Specialized Stumpjumper. So we sat down with them to discuss why, how, and what they learned from the project.
2025-2026 Salomon QST 94
The QST 94 is a brand-new model for Salomon, and it’s the narrowest offering in their overhauled QST collection. After spending lots of time on it this season, we’re excited to share why it stands out so much in the all-mountain category. Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST 94
We compare the Salomon QST 94 to the Salomon QST 92, Salomon QST 100, Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 96, Black Crows Serpo, Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti, Stöckli Stormrider 95, Elan Ripstick 96, RMU Apostle 96 Ti, Line Optic 96, Black Crows Camox, Meier Wrangler, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, Renoun Endurance 98, Blizzard Rustler 9, ZAG Slap 98, J Skis Masterblaster, J Skis Fastforward, Folsom Completo 100, Icelantic Nomad 100, DPS Wailer 100, Rossignol Sender Soul 102, K2 Mindbender 96C, and K2 Mindbender 99Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Is This the ‘Top Gun’ for Bartenders? (Ep.66)
We’re all familiar with ‘Top Gun’ — a school that separates the best of the best. But what if we told you there is an elite certification program designed to test the best bartenders in the business? Today, we’re discussing that program — Bar 5 Day — with Steve Olson and Doug Frost.
Flash Review: Santa Cruz Bullit 4
Santa Cruz has added the 170 mm travel Bullit to thier revamped lineup of Horst Link euipped eMTBs built around the latest Bosch CX drive system.
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Flash Review: 25/26 RMU Professor 111
This season, RMU expanded their freestyle-friendly Professor collection with the Professor 111. Here’s our take on the ski so far, including comparisons to RMU’s Apostle 114 and several other skis in the same class as the Professor 111.
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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, March / April 2025 (Ep.352)
Cody and Jonathan discuss tariff zaniness; the state of outdoor-sports comps; whether it’s good when big companies move into outdoor sports (Nike & snowboarding?); and more. They also rate your takes, talk about Cody’s trips to Norway & Utah, and share what they’ve been reading & watching.
Flash Review: 2026 Fox Float X2
Fox’s new Float X2 has dramatically different damper architecture from the prior version and some air spring tweaks to go with it. Check out our early thoughts after A-B testing the two generations of Float X2 for a few rides.
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2025 Sea Otter Classic Recap
Check out a bunch of the most interesting, compelling, and just plain odd stuff we’ve seen at Sea Otter this year.