BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Backcountry Travel, Snow Science, & the Art of Avalanche Forecasting (Ep.161)
We talk to Zach Guy, the lead forecaster for the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, about the science of snow, the art of avalanche forecasting, and what every backcountry traveler can be sending in to their local avy center to help them produce more accurate forecasts.

Altra Olympus 4.0
The Olympus has been a reference point in the maximalist trail shoe category for many years now, but the latest iteration includes some significant changes from previous versions. Check out our review of the Olympus 4.0, including how it compares to the Olympus 3.5 and Hoka Speedgoat 4.

Blister Summit: What, When, & How to Join
Here’s an update on our upcoming Blister Summit — check it out to learn more about this first-of-its-kind ski demo event and how to join us.

Win G3 ZED Bindings
The winner this week will get a pair of G3’s lightweight touring bindings!

Shop Talk: Powder Hound, Girdwood, AK (Ep.133)
Eric Helmbrecht, owner of Powder Hound Ski & Bike Shop is back on the show to talk about this season in Girdwood; Fizz Nation; some of the gear that he and his staff are particularly high on this season; and, of course, we had to talk about Juras.

Smith Mainline Helmet
For folks who want full-face protection on the down without the full-face sweatiness on the up, the Smith Mainline should be high on your list. Check out our review of this lighter, more breathable alternative to traditional full-face helmets.

PeopleForBikes President & CEO, Jenn Dice (Ep.50)
PeopleForBikes is one of the most important organizations in the bike world that you might not be too familiar with. So we caught up with Jenn Dice to talk about what the organization is up to; working with a new administration; and what each of us can do to get involved.

2021-2022 Salomon QST Blank
Salomon just unveiled what will be the widest ski in their lineup for 21/22: the QST Blank. This new ski combines elements of other skis in Salomon’s QST lineup and adds some new ones, too. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see what three of our reviewers think of the new ski.

Deep Dive: Salomon QST Blank
We compare the QST Blank to the QST 106, QST 118, Moment Deathwish, K2 Reckoner 112, Movement Fly Two 115, Black Crows Anima, Volkl Revolt 121, J Skis Friend, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat, Icelantic Nomad 105, Parlor McFellon Pro, Blizzard Rustler 11, Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Volkl Katana 108, & J Skis Hotshot.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021 Nukeproof Giga
What’s a “Super Enduro” bike? Apparently, the brand-new Nukeproof Giga is one of them, and you can check out our First Look to learn more about this competitively priced, extra-long-travel bike that’s still designed to pedal uphill.

Flash Review: 21/22 Atomic Maverick 100 Ti
Check out our initial thoughts on the widest ski in Atomic’s new all-mountain series.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 21/22 Tecnica Cochise 130
Update 1.26.21: Jonathan Ellsworth adds some more thoughts after skiing the new Cochise 130 with more skis.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Season Aero Ski
“Stable and quick in all snow conditions” — that’s what Season says about their 96mm-wide Aero ski. And you can now check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of this unique new ski to see what we have to say about it.

Deep Dive: Season Aero Ski
We compare the Aero to the Season Nexus, Dynastar Menace 98, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, K2 Reckoner 102, Prior Northwest 100, Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred, J Skis Masterblaster, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Head Kore 93, Nordica Enforcer 94, Salomon QST 99, Liberty Origin 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, 4FRNT MSP 99, & Volkl Mantra M5.
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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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Jan 2021) (Ep.160)
Cody Townsend and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the first Winter Summit of K2 by the Sherpa and Nepali team, including Nirmal Purja; TNF x Gucci collab; mountain-town dynamics; Sam Anthamatten vs Cody on the SHIFT binding; our inaugural Blister Summit; and more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Flash Review — RockShox Flight Attendant
RockShox launched their Flight Attendant electronic suspension a few months ago and we’re now spending time on it — and it’s pretty mind-blowing.
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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Adam Hill on Anxiety, Addiction, Ironmans, & Personal Transformation (Ep.111)
We talk to Adam Hill about how dealing with anxiety disorder led him into Ironman competitions; his new book, Shifting Gears; and the process and mechanisms of personal transformation.

2021-2022 Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95
We’ve spent the past season testing two different versions of the Ahmeek 95 — check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons for our thoughts on this made-in-Michigan all-mountain ski.

Deep Dive: Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95
We compare the Ahmeek 95 to the Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, J Skis Masterblaster, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, J Skis Fastforward, Blizzard Rustler 9, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Black Crows Serpo, 4FRNT MSP 99, Black Crows Camox, Moment Deathwish 104, Volkl M6 Mantra, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Dynastar M-Free 99, and Salomon QST 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.
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Flash Review: 22/23 Armada ARW 106 UL
Three of our reviewers have been spending time on Armada’s lightweight all-mountain freestyle ski, the ARW 106 UL – check out Kara Williard, Luke Koppa, & Dylan Wood’s initial 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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Flash Review: 22/23 Line Blade Optic 104
We’ve had multiple reviewers on two different lengths of Line’s new Blade Optic 104 — check out Kara Williard & Luke Koppa’s thoughts on the 178 cm and 185 cm models.
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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Ignorance is Bliss, Sometimes
Dropper posts keep getting longer — with OneUp’s new 240 mm version leading the charge — and our Bike Editor reflects on a decade-plus of dropper post evolution.

2022-2023 Moment Commander 108
We’ve had several reviewers on the latest iteration of Moment’s burly, metal-laminate, all-mountain charger — check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of the Commander 108.

Deep Dive: Moment Commander 108
We compare the Commander 108 to the Moment Commander 98, previous Commander 108, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Volkl Katana 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, Fischer Ranger 102, Moment Wildcat 108, Wagner Summit 107, J Skis Hotshot, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Sego Comp 110, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, 4FRNT MSP 107, Faction Dictator 3.0, & Rossignol Blackops Sender Ti.
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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Win Majesty Skis
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get one of our all-time favorite touring skis, the Majesty Superwolf!

Gear Myths & More w/ Cody Townsend (Ep.187)
Cody Townsend and Jonathan Ellsworth review some news, then talk about 5 gear myths; cookware; coffeemakers; & more.

Flash Review: 22/23 Kästle ZX108
Here are Dylan Wood and Jonathan Ellsworth’s initial impressions of the ZX108 and how it compares to the ZX115 and ZX100.
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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