BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2021 Trek Slash
We’ve spent quite a bit of time now on the new Trek Slash, and three of our reviewers are weighing in on this smooth, stable, and surprisingly versatile long-travel bike. Check out our full review.
2021-2022 Tecnica Cochise 130
The Tecnica Cochise was one of the first boots designed to offer alpine-boot downhill performance with uphill capability, and they’re overhauling it for 21/22. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to see what they’ve changed and how the new boot compares to the current market.
Win Fischer Skis
The winner this week will get the Fischer Ranger 107 Ti!
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132)
Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 103
DPS is launching a new ski in their playful “Koala” series for 21/22 — check out our reviewers’ initial thoughts on it.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Mike Foote on His Grand Canyon R2R2R ALT FKT; Race Directing; & Reading (Ep.79)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Mike Foote, who on 12.31.20, headed out with fellow The North Face athlete, Rob Krar, to attempt an FKT of the Rim to Rim to Rim “alt” route of the Grand Canyon. So we get Mike’s version of the event, and then go on to discuss a whole lot more.
2021-2022 Parlor Warbird
There are lots of smaller-batch ski manufacturers these days, but very few that have branched out into the category of dedicated carving skis. Parlor changed that with their Warbird — a 78mm-wide ski designed to excel on groomed snow.
Deep Dive: Parlor Warbird
We compare the Warbird to the K2 Disruption 78Ti, K2 Disruption 78C, Fischer RC4 The Curv, Fischer RC4 The Curv GT, Salomon S/Force Bold, K2 Disruption MTi, Liberty V82, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, & Parlor Cardinal 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.
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Andrew Alexander King & The Between Worlds Project (Ep.159)
Andrew Alexander King is an explorer, alpinist, climber, and surfer who was born in Detroit; has climbed over 50 different mountains around the world from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Atlantic, Indian, and the Pacific Ocean; is currently aiming to become the first African American to climb the highest mountain and volcano on each continent; and is the founder of the The Between Worlds Project.
On Running Cloudventure
The Cloudventure is On’s take on a versatile, everyday trail running shoe — but with a few unique twists. Check out our review to see how it compares to many other options on the market, and where we think it makes the most sense.
Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT (Ep.131)
We talked with Megan Shenton, the head of the ski dept. at Outdoor Gear Exchange, about how this ski season is going so far in New England; the history of Outdoor Gear Exchange; some of her personal favorite gear and some of the OGE staff’s favorite products; and more.
Win Elan Skis
This week the winner will get any Elan Ripstick ski they want!
2021-2022 J Skis Hotshot
We’ve now had two reviewers putting in a lot of time on J’s playful, metal-laminate ski — and they’re both big fans. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons of the Hotshot.
Deep Dive: J Skis Hotshot
We compare the Hotshot to the Dynastar M-Free 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Whitedot Altum 104, Salomon QST 106, K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Sego Big Horn 106, Black Crows Atris, Volkl Revolt 104, 4FRNT Devastator, Season Nexus, Volkl Katana 108, & Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105.
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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Yoann Barelli on his move to Guerrilla Gravity; Coaching; Comfort Zones; & More (Ep.49)
We talk with Yoann Barelli about his new partnership with Guerrilla Gravity; the coaching he’s now doing at Barelli Concepts; his background; comfort zones; and a whole lot more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2022-2023 Head Formula RS 130 and Head Formula 130
This season Head overhauled their line of “Performance” alpine boots, and the new Formula boots are very different from the boots they replace.
Check out all the details in our First Look.
2022 Santa Cruz Bronson / Juliana Roubion
The Santa Cruz Bronson has grown a mullet, but it’s still a super versatile Trail bike that we think will work for a ton of different riders. Check out our full review for the complete rundown.
Jason Hardrath on FKTs & What Makes Him Tick (Ep.110)
Jason Hardrath holds more “Fastest Known Times” than anyone in the world. We talk to him about his upbringing; how a nearly fatal car accident introduced him to the world of FKTs; and his upcoming film, “Journey to 100,” which chronicles Jason’s attempt to climb the 100 tallest peaks in the state of Washington over 50 days; and more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Kästle ZX 115
The Kästle ZX115 was one of the most surprising skis we got on at the 2022 Blister Summit — and very much in a good way. Check out Jonathan Ellsworth’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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2022-2023 Salomon Stance 88 W
The women’s Stance 88 W is a versatile all-mountain ski that blurs the lines between stable chargers and more accessible, maneuverable alternatives. Check out our full review for more.
Jason Blevins & Chris Davenport (Ep.204)
We talk to Colorado Sun journalist, Jason Blevins, about this ski season & his predictions for next year’s, then we’re joined by Chris Davenport to talk about the 30th anniversary of the US Extreme Championships in Mt. Crested Butte; the Winter Olympics in Beijing; and more.
What We’re Watching — March 2022
March’s chapter of What We’re Watching has a bunch of ski, bike, and running videos for your entertainment — plus a sneak preview of our Bikes & Big Ideas guest for next week.
Win Elan Ripstick Skis
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will get to pick any pair of skis from Elan’s lightweight Ripstick collection!
12 New Skis from the Blister Summit (Ep.186)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth give a quick recap of the Blister Summit, then discuss a dozen of the skis we spent time on at the event.
2022-2023 Faction La Machine Max
Faction’s 126mm-wide La Machine Max turned heads when it first came out, and our reviewer / heli-guide / pow-expert has become a very big fan of it after two seasons. Apparently, he’s not the only one, since Faction is also creating a whole new collection of La Machine skis for 22/23. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for more on the widest La Machine and the rest of the new series.
Deep Dive: Faction La Machine Max
We compare the Faction La Machine Max to several other wide powder skis, including the 4FRNT Renegade, Folsom Rapture, Moment Chipotle Banana, Moment Wildcat Tour, Head Kore 117, DPS Lotus 124, and Moonlight Cruiser.
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 — Antidote Carbonjack 29
We’ve started spending time on the Antidote Carbonjack. 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.
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.)