BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

David Golay, Noah Bodman, & Jonathan Ellsworth discuss on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas podcast the 2021 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike Season, Team Changes, Predictions, and more

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.

Read More »
Blister reviews the Dynastar M-Free 99.

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

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.)

Read More »
Luke Koppa reviews the Black Crows Camox for Blister

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

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.)

Read More »
Noah Bodman reviews the Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS Helmet for Blister

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.

Read More »
Mark "Osman" Osell and Jeff Perry go on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast to discuss their shop, Gear West, Midwestern skiing, snowboarding, and biking, and more

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.

Read More »
Paul Forward reviews the Moment Chipotle Banana for Blister

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.

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.)

Read More »
Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the 4FRNT Devastator for Blister

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.

Read More »
Luke Koppa and Dylan Wood review the 4FRNT Devastator for Blister

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.

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.)

Read More »
Paul Forward reviews the Faction La Machine for Blister

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.

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.)

Read More »
Cosmo Langsfeld reviews the La Sportiva Jackal GTX for Blister

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.

Read More »
Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa review the Blizzard Cochise 106 for Blister

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.

Read More »

BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Kristin Sinnott reviews the Renoun Earhart 88 for Blister

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.

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.)

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Win Light & Motion Lights

This week THREE lucky winners will each get one of Light & Motion’s high-powered, waterproof, rechargeable bike lights!

Luke Koppa reviews the Fischer Transalp Pro for Blister

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’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 on Bikes & Big Ideas, we sat down with Lazer’s Chris Smith to get the rundown on what KinetiCore is, why Lazer developed it, how helmet testing standards work and how they might fall short; the Lazer KinetiCore lineup (including the Jackal KinetiCore that we’ve just started testing) and a whole lot more.

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.

David Golay reviews the Aenomaly Switchgrade for Blister

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.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Atomic Redster Club Sport 130 for Blister

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.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Atomic Redster Club Sport 130 for Blister

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.

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.)

Kara Williard reviews the Faction Dancer 2X for Blister

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.

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.)