BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Skiing Indoors? Alpine-X & the Future of Snowsports (Ep.170)
We talk to the CEO of Alpine-X about his vision of developing indoor snowsports destinations in North American metropolitan markets. Could this have a similar effect that indoor climbing gyms have had on the popularity of climbing? Could such indoor facilities help create a more inclusive and more diverse snowsports demographic? Could this lead to a world where some people only ski indoors?
Flash Review: 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad
The new, fifth-generation Santa Cruz Nomad is an interesting update to one of the longest-standing Enduro bikes on the market, and we’ve been spending time on 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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Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 1: Sweet Protection (Ep.149)
In our new mini-series, we’re talking to key designers in the world of snowsports and bike helmets to stitch together a current state of helmet tech and helmet R&D. Today we talk with Ståle Møller about the pros & cons of the two different safety certifications; advances in materials; our understanding of head injuries; ventilation; the unique challenges of designing helmets for various activities; and how to know when you ought to replace your helmet.
Win any Pack from USWE
This week the winner will get any pack they want from USWE’s huge lineup, which spans everything from running to mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and more.
2021-2022 Elan Ripstick 106 & Ripstick 106 Black Edition
This season we spent time on both the standard Ripstick 106 and its extra-carbon-packed sibling, the Ripstick 106 Black Edition. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons for more on these two lightweight freeride skis.
Deep Dive: Elan Ripstick 106
We compare the Ripstick 106 to the previous Ripstick 106, Ripstick 106 Black Edition, Line Sick Day 104, Head Kore 105, Wagner Summit 106, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Black Crows Atris, Blizzard Rustler 10, Liberty Origin 106, Volkl Blaze 106, Armada Tracer 108, Sego Condor 108, J Skis Slacker, 4FRNT MSP 107, Whitedot Altum 104, Moment Wildcat 108, & Faction Dictator 3.0.
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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Hannah Bergemann on Red Bull Formation 2021 (Ep.69)
We talk with Hannah Bergemann about Red Bull Formation 2021 and how it was similar to and how it differed from the 1st year of Formation. We also discuss her work with Transition and her future plans.
Specialized 2FO DH Clip Shoe
Specialized recently launched the 2FO DH Clip shoe with design input from Loic Bruni, and after several months with it, we think a lot of gravity-oriented riders should be considering it — not just those racing DH tracks.
Flash Review: Commencal Meta TR 29
We’ve got five rides on the latest version of Commencal’s Trail bike — check out 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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Matthias Giraud & Chase Ogden on ‘Super Frenchie’, Ski Base Jumping, & More (Ep.169)
We talk with Matthias Giraud and Chase Ogden about their excellent new film, Super Frenchie, which documents Matthias’ exploits as a skier, base jumper, and ski base jumper, while also detailing the philosophy of life that drives his decision to do things like ski base off the Matterhorn.
Win any Shoe from Deckers X Lab
This week the winner will get any shoes or sandals they want from the brand that makes what our editor-in-chief calls “the most comfortable things I’ve ever put on my feet.”
Claudio Caluori on Building Pump Tracks in Israel + Upcoming Projects (Ep.68)
We talk with Claudio Caluori after he’d just returned from Israel. The conflict between Israel and Palestine had escalated while Claudio was there, and we wanted to learn more about the work he was doing in Israel; why he stayed to finish the project; and what he learned while being on the ground there. We also discuss a really exciting project that Claudio breaks the news about during this conversation.
2021 Transition Spire
Transition’s just-released Patrol was the longest-travel non-DH bike in their lineup — for just 48 hours. Enter the all-new Spire, Transition’s 170mm-travel 29er. So how do the two bikes differ, and who should be most interested in each? Check out our First Look on the Spire for all the details.
Flash Review: 2022 Fox 34
Fox gave their 34 a substantial update for 2022, and we’ve been spending time on the new one. Check out our Flash Review for our initial impressions, including how it compares to the new and old Fox 36.
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.)
Book Club: Andrew Alexander King on the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Ep.168)
We talk with mountaineer, climber, and big-wave surfer, Andrew Alexander King, about the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, and why this book written in the 2nd century is still so relevant today.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2023 Fischer Ranger Skis | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We sit down with Fischer’s content marketing manager, Jonathan Jay, to dive deep into Fischer’s overhauled 2022-2023 Ranger series of skis; the unisex construction & dual-graphic approach to the line; how each of the new Ranger skis compare to the previous Rangers; and more.
2021-2022 Fat-ypus D-Sender
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Fat-ypus D-Sender.
REEB on Beer, MTB Design, & Doing Things Differently (Ep.121)
REEB Cycles do a lot of things differently, from their founding in a brewery, to how they think about bike design and manufacturing. So we spoke with REEB’s Jeff Lenosky and Adam Prosise about all of it, including how they both got involved with REEB, their current (and future) MTB lineup, making frames in Colorado, & a whole lot more.
On Cloudvista
In recent years, road-to-trail shoes have grown from occupying niche corners of brands’ lineups to quickly crowding their own category. The On Cloudvista is the latest addition to that space, and it has proved to be a highly versatile option for both new runners looking to ease onto trails for the first time and more experienced runners needing to downsize their shoe quiver.
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.