BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Moab Red Hot & Black Canyon Ultras Recap + New-Tech Trail Shoes (Ep.81)
We’ve got some race recaps for you; our initial impressions of Saucony’s Switchback2 (which features the BOA system); and we discuss the arrival of the first carbon-plated trail shoe, The North Face’s Flight Vectiv.
Flash Review: 21/22 Dynastar M-Free 99
We’re rolling out a bunch of Flash Reviews from the Blister Summit. First up: the new Dynastar M-Free 99.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 20/21 Black Crows Camox
Update 2.23.21: Check out our updated thoughts on the Camox.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS Helmet
Is it possible to have “one helmet for everything” — from long days of pedaling to shuttle or lift laps? The convertible Sweet Protection Arbitrator helmet might be the best option for this that we’ve used. Check out our full review to see why.
Shop Talk: Gear West, Long Lake, MN (Ep.136)
Mark “Osman” Osell and Jeff Perry from Gear West in Long Lake, Minnesota, to talk about the Minnesota ski scene; the Gear West campus; dropping cliffs in the Iowa backcountry; the fantastic bike culture of Minnesota, and more.
Win Men’s & Women’s Zeal Goggles
The TWO winners this week will each to get pick any pair of Zeal goggles they want!
Reviewer Reports: Privateer 161; Suspension Roundup; Aggressive Hardtails; & Wheel Size (Ep.53)
We’re discussing the Privateer 161; offering more fork and shock comparisons; wrapping our heads around Marin’s aggressive hardtail; and our bike editor makes the case for why you might want to reconsider swearing allegiance to one particular wheel size.
Flash Review: 20/21 Moment Chipotle Banana
Check out Paul Forward’s initial take on Moment’s 122mm-wide Chipotle Banana, both as a pure pow ski and as a resort chop ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 4FRNT Devastator
From the steep and deep to the firm and fast, we’ve been spending a lot of time on the overhauled 4FRNT Devastator. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see how the new ski compares to its predecessor and the rest of the playful all-mountain market.
Deep Dive: 4FRNT Devastator
We compare the new Devastator to the previous Devastator, Moment Meridian, Sego Big Horn 106, Whitedot Altum 104, Moment Wildcat 108, J Skis Hotshot, Dynastar M-Free 108, K2 Reckoner 112, Black Crows Atris, Line Sir Francis Bacon, ON3P Woodsman 108, Volkl Revolt 104, Season Nexus, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Icelantic Nomad 105, 4FRNT MSP 107, Blizzard Rustler 10, & Liberty Origin 106.
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: 20/21 Faction La Machine
Reviewer Paul Forward has been skiing a lot of pow on a lot of fat skis. One of those has been Faction’s 126mm-wide La Machine — check out his 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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La Sportiva Jackal GTX
The Jackal GTX takes the more accommodating fit and long-distance-oriented design of the standard Jackal and makes it better for cold, wet trails thanks to a Gore-Tex laminate. Check out our review to see how it’s been performing this winter.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Dylan Wood (Ep.135)
In the hot seat: Blister mountain bike and ski reviewer, Dylan Wood.
2021-2022 Blizzard Cochise 106
Blizzard updated their all-mountain charger this season, and it’s now time for us to weigh in on the updated Cochise 106. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Blizzard Cochise 106
We compare the Cochise 106 to the previous Cochise, the Volkl Katana 108, Prior Husume, Black Crows Corvus, Rossignol Blackops Sender Ti, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Fischer Ranger 107 Ti, Dynastar M-Pro 105, Nordica Enforcer 100, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 4FRNT MSP 107, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Hotshot, Salomon QST 106, Dynastar M-Free 108, & ON3P Woodsman 108.
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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2022-2023 RMU North Shore YLE 110
The RMU YLE 110 blurs the lines between fat powder skis and more versatile all-mountain skis, and it’s proven to be a blast in the right conditions and terrain. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see if it’d be right for you.
Deep Dive: RMU North Shore YLE 110
We compare the YLE 110 to the RMU Apostle 106, Atomic Bent 110, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, Head Kore 111, 4FRNT Hoji, Salomon QST Blank, K2 Reckoner 112, Moment Deathwish, Dynastar M-Free 108, Prior Northwest 110, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 11, & J Skis Slacker.
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 — 2022 YT Capra
We’ve got a few rides on the new YT Capra Uncaged 6, with RockShox’s Flight Attendant electronic suspension. And while that system has been the biggest storyline about the bike so far, it’s shaping up to be an impressive offering in other respects, too. 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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Mountain Gazette editor, Mike Rogge (Ep.206)
Jonathan talks with Mountain Gazette editor, Mike Rogge, about the current state of outdoor media; the revival and future of Mountain Gazette; which non-outdoor publications inspire him; and more.
Five Ten Trailcross GTX
Five Ten calls the Trailcross GTX “the ultimate wet weather riding shoe” and it is, by far, the best option our Bike Editor has tried to date. But it’s not quite perfect — so check out our full review for the full rundown.
BLISTER Labs: Projects & Personnel | BLISTER Summit ’22 Panel Session
We discuss our new BLISTER Labs initiative with some of the key players involved (Jeni Blacklock, Sean Humbert, Greg Vanderbeek, and Lauren Cooper); our current and upcoming BLISTER Labs projects; and how the blend of quantitative and qualitative testing will help us learn more about product performance and help consumers make more informed buying decisions.
Gear West on Current Trends + New Ski & Snowboard Gear (Ep.190)
We’re talking new gear and gear trends with Lucas Evans and Jeff Perry of Gear West, our Blister Recommended Shop in Long Lake, Minnesota.
Win Moment Blades & Pit Viper Shades
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a pair of Moment Blades + two pairs of Pit Viper sunglasses!
2022-2023 Line Blade Optic 104
We got three reviewers on two different lengths of Line’s new playful, metal-laminate freeride ski — check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Line Blade Optic 104
We compare the Blade Optic 104 to the Line Blade Optic 96, Line Blade Optic 114, Line Sick Day 104, Line Sir Francis Bacon, J Skis Hotshot, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Salomon QST 106, Wagner Summit 107, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, DPS Koala 103, Dynastar M-Free 108, Blizzard Rustler 10, Sego Big Horn 106, Moment Deathwish 104, Black Crows Atris, Volkl Katana 108, Moment Commander 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, 4FRNT MSP 107, & 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.
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Lea Davison on Career Triumphs, Olympic Heartbreak, & What Comes Next (Ep.111)
Two-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medalist Lea Davison joins us to look back on her career, discuss the state of XC racing, and talk about what’s next for her after retiring from international racing — because she’s definitely not done with bikes.
2022-2023 Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 & Mach1 LV 130
We’ve spent more than 200 days skiing in the Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 & Mach1 LV 130. Check out our long-term review to hear how these all-mountain boots compare to the current market, and how they’ve held up over multiple seasons of daily use.