BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 6 Gore-Tex
The Challenger ATR 6 Gore-Tex is a waterproof shoe that we’ve found to be surprisingly versatile, from long runs on pavement to technical trails in sloppy conditions.
Flash Review: 21/22 Moment Commander 98
We’ve been spending time on the latest versions of Moment’s metal-laminate skis. Check out our initial thoughts on the Commander 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.)
Reviewer Reports: Longer-Travel Enduro Bikes (Ep.59)
We talk to Blister bike editor, David Golay, about 4 longer-travel enduro bikes from Privateer, Santa Cruz, Rocky Mountain, & Marin that he’s been spending time on in the PNW.
Blister Summit Brand Lineups: Folsom Skis 21/22
We sat down with Folsom Custom Skis CEO, Mike McCabe, to talk about two of the most surprising skis of the Blister Summit; how Folsom does things; Mike’s thoughts on the Blister Summit; and more.
2021-2022 DPS Pagoda Piste 90 RP
The Pagoda Piste 90 RP is a uniquely versatile, narrower all-mountain ski that should be on the radar of folks who spend a lot of time off piste. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: DPS Pagoda Piste 90 RP
We compare the Pagoda Piste 90 RP to the DPS Pagoda Piste 94 C2, DPS Pagoda 100 RP, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Blizzard Brahma 88, Nordica Enforcer 88, Renoun Endurance 88, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Salomon Stance 90, Black Crows Orb, Folsom Spar 88, & Liberty Evolv 90.
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.)
Hoji on the Dynafit Radical Pro; the Hoji Hole; & More (Ep.141)
Our patron saint of GEAR:30 is back on the show today, and we talked to Hoji about the new Dynafit Radical Pro; how it compares to the Hoji Free boot; the evolution of the “Hoji Hole” testing prototypes; and more.
Win Women’s & Men’s Ride Concepts Shoes
The TWO winners this week will each get a pair of the new Ride Concepts Hellion Elite mtb shoe!
Blister Summit Brand Lineups: ROSSIGNOL 21/22
At the Blister Summit, we dove deep into Rossignol’s 21/22 ski lineup, with Rossi’s alpine category manager, Jake Stevens. We discussed the decision to kill the “7 Series” and the Soul 7; what they are going for with their Black Ops series that replaces it; why “-ish” is a very important suffix for Rossignol; and more.
Cam Smith on Setting The Grand Traverse Record & Training for Skiing, Running, & Mtn Biking (Ep.163)
Last Sunday, Cam Smith and Tom Goth set a new record at the Grand Traverse, which is a point-to-point ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen. Starting at midnight, racers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountain range, climbing over 6,800 vertical feet. Cam is also a repeat winner of the Triple Crown of The Grand Traverse, so we talked to Cam about his record-setting night; skiing vs. skimo; his World Cup ski goals; and how he specifically trains for skiing and mountain running and mountain biking.
Flash Review: 20/21 Folsom Custom Rapture
Last year reviewer and heli-guide, Paul Forward, worked with Folsom to create an ideal pow ski for a season of heli skiing. Check out his initial thoughts on the resulting ski.
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.)
Flash Review: 21/22 Tecnica Cochise Pro W
Kara Williard has been spending time in the new 120-flex women’s Cochise boot. Check out her 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.)
2021-2022 Wagner Summit 106
Wagner made a few skis for testing at the Blister Summit, and we’ve continued to spend time on their “50/50” 106mm-wide ski. The results have been quite impressive — check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Wagner Summit 106
We compare the Wagner Summit 106 to the Line Sick Day 104, Elan Ripstick 106, Liberty Origin 106, Black Crows Atris, Blizzard Rustler 10, Volkl Blaze 106, Armada Tracer 108, Sego Condor 108, J Skis Slacker, 4FRNT MSP 107, Whitedot Altum 104, 4FRNT Devastator, Moment Wildcat 108, & Fischer Ranger 102 FR.
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.)
Flash Review: 21/22 Liberty Origin 101
Liberty is updating their Origin & Genesis skis for 21/22, and launching two new models. Check out our initial thoughts on the new Origin 101.
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 Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Kitsbow CEO David Billstrom on Domestic Manufacturing and Community Investment (Ep.115)
Domestic production of apparel has all but disappeared from the US, but Kitsbow is leading the charge to bring it back and hopes to be a blueprint for how other brands can do the same. And their CEO, David Billstrom, has a lot to say about how it’s been good for their brand, their customers, their community, and the planet.
2022-2023 Blizzard Hustle 11
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Blizzard Hustle 11.
Stuff We Like: April 2022
In the April edition of our “Stuff We Like” series, we’ve got some colorful footwear and packs, cheap gloves, touring outerwear, running accessories, and more.
Pablo Vigil on the Early Days of Mountain Running & Lessons from 50 Years of Racing (Ep.117)
Pablo Vigil has been called the greatest mountain runner in the world. In the 1980s he was nearly unbeatable, winning the famous Sierre-Zinal four consecutive times. We talk to Pablo about the early days of mountain running; what has changed since then; why he thinks simplicity is still the key to training (and life); and much more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Faction Mana 2
Here are some of our initial on-snow impressions of the 102mm-wide Mana 2, which is the replacement for the Candide 2.0.
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.
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.)
Sample 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.
Öhlins RXF38 m.2
Öhlins has joined Fox and RockShox in offering an extra burly 38mm-stanchioned single crown fork, and their take on the genre — the RXF38 m.2 — is now our bike editor’s personal favorite of the category. Check out our full review to see why.
Connor Ryan on Rebellious Acts & The Spirit of the Peaks (Ep.209)
We talk to Hunkpapa Lakota skier, Connor Ryan, about his film, Spirit of the Peaks; his vision for skiing and the ski community; radical and rebellious acts; the ‘kiss before the dance’; and more.
A Few GEAR:30 & BLISTER Updates (Ep.193)
Today we tell you about our most recent Blister Summit panel sessions; our upcoming Blister ‘Brand Lineup’ videos; an event this weekend; what we’re celebrating; & more.
How We Test & Review Gear, Pt 2 | BLISTER Summit ’22 Panel Discussion
In Part Two of our panel on gear testing, Blister reviewers, Luke Koppa, Kristin Sinnott, Jonathan Ellsworth, and Sascha Anastas provide their perspectives about how they approach testing and reviewing gear; how this applies to anyone trying something new; how to make the most of a ski demo; and more.
Win $1000+ of Outdoor Gear
This week our winner will get $1000+ worth of gear, including a tent, down jacket, cooler, water bottle, rechargeable batteries, and more!
2021-2022 Norse Freeride
Norse is a relatively new company that launched with two skis, including the 110mm-wide Freeride, which is designed for soft snow — whether that’s found in a resort or in the backcountry. Check out our full review.