BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blister Summit Brand Lineups: Dynastar Skis 21/22
We talk to Matt Beers about the history and evolution of Dynastar, and their new 21/22 “M-Line” of skis.
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.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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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
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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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.
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.)
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.
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.)
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Trail Running 101: How to Trail Run Safely
Trail running can be a fun and exciting way to explore the backcountry, but like any outdoor sport, running in wild areas comes with its own set of dangers. However, with a bit of knowledge and the right gear, you can greatly minimize your risk. In this article we break down what exactly to watch out for on the trails and what prep-work you can do before each run to stay safe.
2022-2023 Faction Dancer 3
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Faction Dancer 3.
ATK Bindings, Part 1: Brand Origins & the Evolution of Tech Bindings (Ep.199)
ATK Bindings has been taking the tech-binding world by storm. We talk with ATK’s CEO, Davide Indulti, about the surprising origins of this family business; a pivotal moment in ATK’s history; where ATK saw the biggest opportunities to improve tech bindings; and more.
Win Roll Recovery Tools & Gregory Packs
This week TWO lucky winners will each get a hydration pack from Gregory and two of Roll Recovery’s deep-tissue massage rollers!
2022-2023 K2 Mindbender 99Ti
The revised K2 Mindbender 99Ti is an exceptionally versatile ski — in terms of conditions, terrain, and being adaptable to different skiing styles. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see how four of our reviewers got along with it, and how it compares to 22 other all-mountain skis.
Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 99Ti
We compare the 22/23 Mindbender 99Ti to the previous Mindbender 99Ti, K2 Mindbender 89Ti, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Volkl M6 Mantra, Faction Dancer 2, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Fischer Ranger 102, Black Crows Camox, 4FRNT MSP 99, Moment Commander 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Wagner Summit 97, Black Crows Justis, J Skis Masterblaster, Salomon QST 98, Nordica Enforcer 100, Dynastar M-Free 99, Line Blade Optic 96, Salomon Stance 96, Atomic Maverick 100 Ti, & Renoun Endurance 98.
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.)
2023 Rossignol Ski Boots | Blister Summit Brand Lineup
We talk with Rossignol’s Alpine Category Manager, Jake Stevens, about the new HI-SPEED and Pure boots, which have been in development for the past several years. We touch on the origin of new boots; the three different “true” lasts / widths; boot “bloatation” and how to manage it; Rossignol’s new liner and how it corresponds to microwaving a burrito; and more.
2021-2022 Head Kore 91 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Kore 91 W.
2022-2023 Head Kore 105
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Head KORE 105.
Reviewer Reports: RockShox Suspension & Bikes Galore (Ep.120)
RockShox has released a wild amount of new suspension in the last few months, and we’ve been spending time on both their Flight Attendant electronically controlled setup and the new ZEB and SuperDeluxe. So on this week’s episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, we give the rundown on all of it, plus updates from our testing of bikes from Santa Cruz, Orbea, Rocky Mountain, YT, and Antidote.
RockShox Flight Attendant
RockShox’s Flight Attendant electronic suspension claims to make big improvements to the pedaling efficiency of longer-travel Trail and Enduro bikes, and after spending several months testing it, it’s a whole lot more than just an automatic climb switch. Check out our full review to see why we’re so impressed with (and a bit surprised by) the system.
2022 YT Capra
YT’s latest Capra is definitely a big, stable Enduro bike, but it’s a super intuitive, relatively easy-going one that we think will click for a ton of folks who have the terrain for a 160mm-plus-travel sled. Check out our full review for all the details.