BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

The New Race Landscape (Ep.54)
We’re discussing the major rider and team moves in the world of men’s DH and women’s DH; we place our $1000 predictions on the upcoming season; and we discuss some of the news and moves in the freeride and enduro scene, too.

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
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 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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Ski Design in 2022 | BLISTER Summit ’22 Panel Discussion
We talk with Jed Yeiser (K2), Mike McCabe (Folsom), Jake Stevens (Rossignol), and Cyrus Schenck (Renoun) about the current state of ski design; current trends; future trends and potential advancements in ski design; and more.

Flash Review: 22/23 Renoun Earhart 88
Here are some of our thoughts so far on Renoun’s women-specific all-mountain ski, the Earhart 88.
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 Light & Motion Lights
This week THREE lucky winners will each get one of Light & Motion’s high-powered, waterproof, rechargeable bike lights!

2022-2023 Fischer Transalp Pro
Here are our thoughts on Fischer’s latest touring boot, which blurs the lines between existing categories, but could consequently be the “Goldilocks” boot for certain people.

Lazer KinetiCore (Ep.112)
Lazer’s new KinetiCore technology is meant to protect against rotational impacts while being lighter, cooler, more comfortable, and using less plastic than other systems, including MIPS — and its design is very clever in its simplicity. So we sat down with Lazer’s Chris Smith to get the rundown on what KinetiCore is, why Lazer developed it, and a whole lot more.

Athletes & Entrepreneurship | BLISTER Summit ’22 Panel Discussion
We talk with pro skiers & entrepreneurs, Chris Davenport, McKenna Peterson, and Julian Carr about how being a professional athlete has evolved; how they balance their skiing careers with starting and managing other businesses; and more.

Bode Miller Launches New Ski Brand, Peak Ski Company
Bode Miller has launched a new direct-to-consumer ski brand, Peak Ski Company. Check out our writeup for all the details on the brand and its first six ski models.

Aenomaly Switchgrade Seat Angle Adjuster
Most mountain bikers just set their seat angle to a comfortable position to pedal on flat ground and forget about it. But Aenomaly thinks there’s a better way, so they made the Switchgrade to let you change your seat angle on the fly. And having spent a few months on one, they’re definitely on to something. Check out our full review for more.

2022-2023 Atomic Redster CS 130
Atomic’s Redster CS series combines race-boot features with extensive fit-customization features more typical of all-mountain boots, with the goal of bringing race-level performance to a more versatile overall package. Check out our First Look & Flash Review for more info.

Flash Review: 22/23 Atomic Redster CS 130
Jonathan Ellsworth has been spending a whole lot of time skiing Atomic’s “race-inspired” Redster CS 130 — check out his 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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Backcountry Safety & Backcountry Safety Equipment | BLISTER Summit ’22 Panel Discussion
We cover a number of important backcountry-safety topics with Backcountry Access (BCA) co-founder, Bruce Edgerly; Salomon skier & filmmaker, Drew Petersen; lead guide, snow safety director, & former ski patroller, Megan Paden; & lead avalanche forecaster, Zach Guy.

Flash Review: 22/23 Faction Dancer 2X
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the women’s version of Faction’s 96mm-wide, metal-laminate all-mountain ski.
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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