BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
The Mt. Rushmore of Ski Suspension (Ep.143)
We discuss one of the most important concepts in ski design: suspension. So what do we mean by “suspension”? Are terms like “plush” or “damp” synonyms, or are there important differences? And what are some of the best skis of all time when it comes to suspension? Let the debate begin.
Win MTB Tires from Versus
The TWO winners this week will each get a pair of Versus’ All Mountain tires!
2021-2022 Moment Chipotle Banana
Moment’s 122mm-wide Chipotle Banana has proven to be a surprisingly versatile ski, given its girthy dimensions. Check out Paul Forward’s full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Moment Chipotle Banana
We compare the Chipotle Banana to several fat pow skis, including the Folsom Rapture, DPS Alchemist Lotus 124, DPS Foundation Koala 119, Volkl Revolt 121, 4FRNT Renegade, Blizzard Spur, Blizzard Rustler 11, Praxis Protest, Moment Bibby / Blister Pro, Faction La Machine, Kingswood SMB, Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM, Rossignol Blackops Gamer, & Kye Shapes Numinous.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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New Bike Trends, 2021 (Ep.61)
Blister editors David Golay and Noah Bodman talk about modern trends in bike geometry, old ideas coming back around, the resurgence of high-pivot bikes, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 21/22 Ronin 108
Ronin is a small manufacturer making skis right in Chamonix. We’ve been spending time on their do-everything touring ski, the 108 — check out some of our initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Zack Henderson
Zack Henderson Riding the Banshee Titan V3 Age: 33 | Vitals: 6’0, 165 lbs | Years biking: 23 | Current Residence: Bellingham, Washington I grew up just outside of San Francisco and started chasing my dad around on bikes as he dipped his toe into
Flash Review: 21/22 Rossignol Blackops Sender Squad
We’ve been spending time on the 194cm-long, 112mm-wide ski in Rossi’s freeride lineup, and it’s been a lot of fun so far. Check out Jonathan Ellsworth’s 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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2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 108
This season we’ve been reviewing the longest length of Dynastar’s playful freeride ski, and the results have been very interesting. Check out our updated review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Dynastar M-Free 108
We compare the M-Free 108 to the Dynastar M-Free 118, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Volkl Katana 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, Dynastar Pro Rider, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, J Skis Hotshot, Moment Meridian 107, K2 Reckoner 112, ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Parlor McFellon Pro, Liberty Origin 106, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 10, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Folsom Primary, Black Crows Atris, & Prior Northwest 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.
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Adventure Photographer, Adam Clark (Ep.164)
We talk to the skier and adventure photographer Adam Clark about how he got started in photography; how he went about making a name for himself and honing his craft; his favorite camera gear; one of his most memorable ski trips; and a whole lot more.
Reviewer Reports: Fun Carvers & All-Mountain Skis (Ep.142)
Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth report on the new skis they’ve been reviewing from Black Crows, Salomon, Dynastar, Wagner, RMU, Moment, & more.
Blister Summit Brand Lineups: WNDR Alpine Skis 21/22
We talk with WNDR Alpine’s Matt Sterbenz about tea; ski shapes & design philosophy; their new Vital 100; Rambo & choppin’ broccoli; working with other brands; and being the first B-Corp ski brand.
Get Entered to Win a Santa Cruz Hightower & Support Grow Cycling
We’ve got a very special giveaway this week, with a chance to not only win a really, really nice bike, but also support a great cause.
2021-2022 Rossignol Blackops Rallybird Ti
We’ve been spending a lot of time on the two widest women’s-specific skis in Rossignol’s new Blackops freeride line. Check out our full review for more on the Rallybird Ti, and how it compares to the standard Rallybird.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Galfer Brake Pads and Rotors
Brake pads are an underappreciated factor in mountain bike brake performance, and Galfer’s offerings make a strong case for why a lot of riders should pay closer attention. And rotor sizing is a big piece of the puzzle, so we cover that in detail, too.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (April 2022)
We talk with Cody about what he’s been up to and get an update on the Fifty Project, then we run through some of the latest news, including faked plane crashes; Vail Resorts’ minimum wage increase; fuel for backcountry skiing; golf; and what we’re reading & watching.
2022-2023 Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104
The Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104 shares a lot in common with the original Enforcer 104 Free, it just ditches a whole lot of weight — and the upsides and downsides that come with it. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to learn more about this new touring ski.
Deep Dive: Nordica Enforcer Unlimited 104
We compare the Enforcer Unlimited 104 to the Volkl Blaze 106, Faction Agent 3.0, Line Vision 108, Atomic Backland 107, 4FRNT Raven, Movement Alp Tracks 106, Blizzard Zero G 105, WNDR Alpine Vital 100, Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP, Ronin 108, and Weston Summit.
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.
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Brian Metzler on a Writer’s Life & the Art of Running Free (Ep.119)
Brian Metzler has been writing about running, in one form or another, for the better part of the last 25 years. His latest book, Trail Running Illustrated: The Art of Running Free (which he co-authored with Doug Mayer) is a genre-bending book with an interesting backstory, so we talked to Brian about how it all came together; his writing (and running) career; and much more.
2023-2024 Ferreol Pionnier 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the Ferreol Pionnier 104.
La Sportiva Akasha II
The best decision La Sportiva made when updating the Akasha, their long-distance trail shoe, was not to change much about it. The Akasha II is strikingly similar to its predecessor, and will work really well for certain runners for the same reasons as before.
2022-2023 K2 Dispatch 120
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for two lengths of the new K2 Dispatch 120.
2022-2023 Faction Dancer 2
The Faction Dancer 2 isn’t a super easy-going, “made-for-everyone” ski, but it is a unique ski that could make certain people extremely excited to be on the mountain. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to learn more.
DPS Skis: State of the Union + 22/23 Product Lineup (Ep.195)
We talk with DPS’s VP of product and operations about the recent history of DPS; discuss some of the specific skis in their lineup; hear a defense of carbon fiber; define a new rule for product design; clarify DPS Phantom; & more.
Win Magnetic Pedals from Hustle
This week TWO lucky winners will each get a pair of Hustle Avery REMtech pedals, which blur the lines between clipless and flat pedals.
Deep Dive: Faction Dancer 2
We compare the Dancer 2 to the Faction Dancer 3, Faction Mana 2, Volkl M6 Mantra, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Salomon QST 98, J skis Masterblaster, Black Crows Camox, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Salomon Stance 96, Moment Commander 98, Nordica Enforcer 94, Black Crows Serpo, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Fischer Ranger 102, 4FRNT MSP 99, and K2 Mindbender 99Ti.
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.)