BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Volkl Revolt 104
We compare the Revolt 104 to the K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Dynastar Menace 98, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Prior Northwest 100, Whitedot Altum 104, Moment Wildcat 108, Sego Big Horn 106, Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred, Black Crows Atris, Dynastar M-Free 108, and ON3P Jeffrey 108.
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Reviewers’ 2020 Highlights & 2021 Resolutions (Ep.157)
For our first Blister Podcast of 2021, we asked a few of our reviewers to share one highlight of the past year; one thing they’re most looking forward to in 2021; and one new year’s resolution. We got quite a range of answers — and apparently Kristin Sinnott and Jonathan Ellsworth will be starting up a new reality TV show? Please enjoy, and Happy New Year!
Flash Review: 20/21 DPS Pagoda Piste 90 RP
Update 1.4.21: check out our thoughts on how the Pagoda Piste 90 RP performs off-piste.
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Flash Review: 20/21 Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM
Check out Paul Forward’s initial thoughts on Whitedot’s big, asymmetrical pow ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Hoka One One Torrent 2
Many people were fans of the original Hoka Torrent for its combination of comfort and lightweight efficiency for fast-paced trail runs. So, how does the updated Torrent 2 compare, and who should have this new trail shoe on their list?
Gear of the Year, 2020 (Ep.129)
Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth talk about some of the skis they’ve recently been testing; name some of the most surprising products of 2020 and some of the standout products of 2020; offer a few gear predictions for 2021; and end with what they’re celebrating this week.
Win Folsom Skis
This week the winner will get the Folsom Blister Pro 104 + some Folsom gear!
2020-2021 Hinterland Maul 121
Hinterland is a small-batch ski manufacturer out of Utah, and we’ve been impressed by the widest ski in their lineup, the Maul 121. Check out our full review for more on the ski and how it compares to other playful pow skis on the market.
Flash Review: 20/21 Scarpa F1 LT
Check out reviewer Paul Forward’s initial thoughts on the F1 LT and how it compares to the previous Alien RS.
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 Elan Wingman 86 CTi
Elan puts the Wingman 86 CTi in the “All-Mountain Versatile” category of their lineup, and we don’t think they’re far off with that description.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2020-2021 Spark R&D Arc Pro Splitboard Binding
We spent all of last season using the ultralight “Pro” version of Spark R&D’s Arc binding — plus several of Spark’s in-house accessories — and have come away very impressed.
Blister Brand Guide: Adidas Terrex Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2020
Adidas continus to expand their off-road-oriented Terrex line of running shoes, with everything from high-cushion, long-distance shoes to minimal, lightweight options. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of their 2020 shoes.
Flash Review: 20/21 4FRNT Devastator
Check out our initial impressions of the new Devastator, where we answer some of the questions we first posed in our First Look.
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 Movement Fly Two 115
Check out our initial thoughts on Movement’s playful (but also pretty stable) pow ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Blister Brand Guide: Columbia Montrail Trail Running Shoes ’20
While it doesn’t include a huge number of shoes, Columbia-Montrail’s 2020 trail running shoe lineup offers runners a few different options to suit specific needs, and is particularly appealing for those not looking to drop a ton of money on their next pair of shoes. Check out our Brand Guide to see how each shoe differs and which might be worth a look from you.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Deep Dive: 4FRNT Hoji
We compare the Hoji to the 4FRNT Renegade, 4FRNT Raven, 4FRNT Devastator, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, Black Crows Corvus, Salomon QST Blank, 4FRNT Inthayne, Black Crows Anima, Line Vision 118, K2 Reckoner 112, Moment Deathwish, J Skis Friend, Wagner Summit 106, Head Kore 111, RMU YLE 110, Sego Comp 110, Icelantic Nomad 105, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, and 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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Win Kästle Skis
This week the winner of our Gear Giveaway will get a pair of the Kästle ZX100, their all-round, playful freeride ski.
Starling Cycles on Simplicity, Design, & Building Bikes in a Shed (Ep.105)
Starling Cycles have made a name for themselves building simple, elegant steel single-pivot bikes, and we sat down with founder Joe McEwan to talk about going from working on aerospace composites to building metal bikes, his thoughts on bike design — including why simpler is often better — and a whole lot more.
On the Creation of a “Hyper-Performance” Trail Shoe Company: Speedland (Ep.107)
Why would two friends who’d been working at the highest levels of product design at Nike and Under Armour leave to create a hyper-specific, hyper-performance trail running shoe company? We talk to Speedland co-founders, Dave Dombrow and Kevin fallon to get the answers; to learn about their journeys into and through the design world; and to discuss the design elements of what a “hyper-performance” trail shoe looks like to them.
Flash Review: 22/23 Head Formula RS 130 & Formula 130
We’ve been spending time in two of Head’s new “Performance” alpine boots, and so far, the results have been quite promising.
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 QST 106
For the 22/23 season, Salomon is updating one of their most popular skis, and we’ve been spending a lot of time on the new QST 106. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST 106
We compare the new QST 106 to the previous QST 106, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Blizzard Rustler 10, 4FRNT MSP 107, Moment Deathwish 104, Dynastar M-Free 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Black Crows Atris, DPS Koala 103, Season Nexus, RMU Apostle 106, Head Kore 105, and J Skis Hotshot.
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 Canyon Spectral 29
Canyon’s Spectral 29 Trail bike got a major overhaul last year, and then the 27.5 version followed suit for 2022, with a Mullet version added for good measure. We’ve been testing the 29er version, and think it’s a very versatile bike that’ll work well for a lot of people — and it’s a killer value, too.
Search And Rescue: What You Need to Know, and How / Why You Should Get Involved (Ep.203)
When things go wrong in the backcountry, your local Search And Rescue organization becomes crucial. But what do you know about how Search And Rescue actually works? We talk with our friend, Cy Whitling, about how and why he got involved in Search And Rescue, why we all need to understand how SAR units operate, and why you should consider getting involved.
Debatable: You Should Try Flat Pedals (Again)
Flat pedals have essentially disappeared from the upper echelons of bike racing, but there’s a lot more to life than just going fast, and our Bike Editor makes the case why even the most staunch clipless acolytes should learn to ride flat pedals, too.
Reviewer Reports: Custom Insoles, Skis Boots, & Skis (Ep.184)
Kara Williard spells out the case for custom insoles in your ski boots, and we discuss everything from the Volkl Secret 96, Salomon Stance 88W, WNDR Alpine Reason 120, 4FRNT Renegade, the Lange RX 130 LV, Salomon Shift Pro 130, the new Line Blade Optic 96, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, and Moment Deathwish 104 with Kara, Luke Koppa, and Eric Freson.
Win Men’s & Women’s Picture Organic Jackets
This week the TWO winners will each get one of Picture Organic’s ski / snowboard jackets!