BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
PeopleForBikes President & CEO, Jenn Dice (Ep.50)
PeopleForBikes is one of the most important organizations in the bike world that you might not be too familiar with. So we caught up with Jenn Dice to talk about what the organization is up to; working with a new administration; and what each of us can do to get involved.
2021-2022 Salomon QST Blank
Salomon just unveiled what will be the widest ski in their lineup for 21/22: the QST Blank. This new ski combines elements of other skis in Salomon’s QST lineup and adds some new ones, too. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see what three of our reviewers think of the new ski.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST Blank
We compare the QST Blank to the QST 106, QST 118, Moment Deathwish, K2 Reckoner 112, Movement Fly Two 115, Black Crows Anima, Volkl Revolt 121, J Skis Friend, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat, Icelantic Nomad 105, Parlor McFellon Pro, Blizzard Rustler 11, Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Volkl Katana 108, & J Skis Hotshot.
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2021 Nukeproof Giga
What’s a “Super Enduro” bike? Apparently, the brand-new Nukeproof Giga is one of them, and you can check out our First Look to learn more about this competitively priced, extra-long-travel bike that’s still designed to pedal uphill.
Flash Review: 21/22 Atomic Maverick 100 Ti
Check out our initial thoughts on the widest ski in Atomic’s new all-mountain series.
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Flash Review: 21/22 Tecnica Cochise 130
Update 1.26.21: Jonathan Ellsworth adds some more thoughts after skiing the new Cochise 130 with more skis.
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Season Aero Ski
“Stable and quick in all snow conditions” — that’s what Season says about their 96mm-wide Aero ski. And you can now check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of this unique new ski to see what we have to say about it.
Deep Dive: Season Aero Ski
We compare the Aero to the Season Nexus, Dynastar Menace 98, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, K2 Reckoner 102, Prior Northwest 100, Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred, J Skis Masterblaster, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Head Kore 93, Nordica Enforcer 94, Salomon QST 99, Liberty Origin 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, 4FRNT MSP 99, & Volkl Mantra M5.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Jan 2021) (Ep.160)
Cody Townsend and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the first Winter Summit of K2 by the Sherpa and Nepali team, including Nirmal Purja; TNF x Gucci collab; mountain-town dynamics; Sam Anthamatten vs Cody on the SHIFT binding; our inaugural Blister Summit; and more.
Hoka One One Rincon 2
One of our reviewers says the recently redesigned Hoka Rincon 2 is “everything that a high-cushion shoe should be.” Check out our review to see what he means, and how this lightweight, less-expensive shoe compares to its competition.
2021 Trek Slash
We’ve spent quite a bit of time now on the new Trek Slash, and three of our reviewers are weighing in on this smooth, stable, and surprisingly versatile long-travel bike. Check out our full review.
2021-2022 Tecnica Cochise 130
The Tecnica Cochise was one of the first boots designed to offer alpine-boot downhill performance with uphill capability, and they’re overhauling it for 21/22. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to see what they’ve changed and how the new boot compares to the current market.
Win Fischer Skis
The winner this week will get the Fischer Ranger 107 Ti!
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132)
Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 103
DPS is launching a new ski in their playful “Koala” series for 21/22 — check out our reviewers’ initial thoughts on it.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2022-2023 Head Kore 111
The newest member of Head’s Kore line, the Kore 111 is a ski that’s both very agile and very supportive, making it a very appealing soft-snow option for aggressive, dynamic skiers. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for more.
Deep Dive: Head Kore 111
We compare the Kore 111 to the Head Kore 105, Head Kore 117, Atomic Bent 110, 4FRNT Hoji, Salomon QST Blank, Line Vision 118, Black Crows Anima, J Skis Friend, RMU North Shore YLE 110, K2 Reckoner 112, Moment Deathwish, Blizzard Rustler 11, Sego Comp 110, Dynastar M-Free 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, Nordica Enforcer 110, J Skis Slacker, and WNDR Alpine Intention 110.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2022-2023 Elan Ripstick Tour 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and flex pattern numbers for the new Elan Ripstick Tour 104.
EXT Founder Franco Fratton on a Lifetime in Suspension (Ep.110)
EXT founder Franco Fratton might be the most interesting man in the suspension world, and we sat down to talk about his career, working in Formula One, entering the bike market, suspension design philosophy, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 22/23 K2 Mindbender 99Ti W
Here are our initial impressions of the revised version of K2’s metal-laminate women’s all-mountain ski, the 22/23 Mindbender 99Ti W.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Stuff We Like: March 2022
Our latest Stuff We Like roundup features everything from boots to baselayers, jackets, mittens, bike shoes, and much more. Check it out here.
Flash Review: 22/23 Head Kore 105
Head is making some tweaks to their freeride skis for 22/23, and we’ve been A/B testing the current and new Kore 105. Check out our 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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2022 Cannondale Jekyll
Cannondale calls their new high-pivot Jekyll a game-on Enduro race bike, and it is a good one. But it’s also a bit more versatile than that label might suggest. Check out our full review for our take.
Running Through the News (Mar 2022) (Ep.112)
Blister running editor, Matt Mitchell, is joined by Blister reviewer, Gordon Gianniny, to discuss current events in the running world. The two dish on race results from the month of March, including the Way Too Cool 50k, Chuckanut 50k, and the Barkley Marathons; talk through the significance of Broken Arrow Skyrace’s prize purse announcement; look forward to the North American Golden Trail Series; and speculate about what Kilian Jornet is up to after leaving his longtime sponsor.
2022-2023 Black Crows Anima
After two seasons on it, the latest version of the Black Crows Anima has proven to be a pretty versatile, wider ski for a broad range of skiers. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for more info.
Deep Dive: Black Crows Anima
We compare the Anima to the DPS Foundation Koala 118, Moment Wildcat, Salomon QST Blank, Rossignol Blackops 118, Dynastar M-Free 118, J Skis Friend, 4FRNT Inthayne, Volkl Revolt 121, 4FRNT Renegade, Line Vision 118, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Line Outline, Elan Ripstick 116, Head Kore 117, Icelantic Nomad 115, Prior Northwest 116, Nordica Enforcer 115 Free, Season Forma, & K2 Reckoner 112.
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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Ski Binding Design | BLISTER Summit ’22 Panel Discussion
At our 2022 Blister Summit, we brought together a wide-ranging group of panelists to discuss alpine ski bindings; their features and how they affect on-snow performance; the real-world considerations anyone might want to take into account when thinking about alpine bindings; Amer’s brand-new Strive binding; and much more. Watch the video here