BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Mountain Bike Jacket Roundup — 2020
This roundup is for the folks who don’t let a bit of cold and / or wet weather keep them from getting out on the trails. Check out 8 of the Mtb shells we’ve been testing, ranging from ultra packable and breathable to burly and fully waterproof.
Topo Athletic Mtn Racer
The Mtn Racer is designed to be a lightweight, high-cushion trail shoe for those who like to run fast over long distances and rough terrain. So how well does it live up to those claims, and how does it compare to other shoes in its class like the Altra Timp & Hoka Speedgoat? Check out our review.
Flash Review: 20/21 DPS Pagoda Piste 94 C2
Check out our initial thoughts about the new Pagoda Piste 94 C2, and how it compares to the Pagoda Piste 90 RP.
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Zoë Rom on Fruit, Oreos, Fireball, FKTs, & Running Culture (Ep.77)
Zoë Rom is a runner / scrambler / climber; reader; writer; and host of the DNF Podcast. We talk with her about all of this plus her interest in continuing to deepen and enrich running culture; the very specific way to win her heart; getting cut from the cross country team in high school; winning her first ultra with the help of Oreos & Fireball; her FKT on Capitol Peak; what she’s reading, watching, and listening to; and more.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2020 — In the Garage
Our final gift guide is dedicated to those big-ticket items — check out our reviewers’ top picks.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2020 — Kids & Parents Edition
This edition of our gift guide is all about the little ones (and their parents). Check out our gift ideas for folks who like to get outside with their kids.
Flash Review: 20/21 Volkl Revolt 104
We’ve now spent some more time on the Revolt 104 in the resort — check out our initial impressions.
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Bode Miller on Education, Mental Preparation, Technology, Ski Design, & More (Ep.154)
We catch up with one of the greatest ski racers of all time to discuss his involvement in rethinking education; the use of technology and data in skiing; the crucial lesson his grandmother taught him at a young age; his greatest competitive advantage as a ski racer; what he aims to do in terms of ski design with Crosson skis; and more.
Flash Review: 20/21 Armada Declivity 92 Ti
Check out our initial impressions of Armada’s new directional all-mountain 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: Inov-8 Running Shoe Lineup, 2020
Spanning more than two-dozen models that range from road trainers to mud-specific racers, Inov-8’s 2020 lineup has a bit of everything, but it can be a bit confusing to sort through it all. Check out our Brand Guide to see what sets each shoe apart from the others, and figure out which ones might make sense for you.
Reviewer Reports: Parenthood, Carbon Wheels, Convertible Helmets, & Forks (Ep.46)
Noah Bodman offers his review of parenthood (he’s a new dad); then we discuss carbon wheels; Sweet Protection’s convertible full-face helmet; and a number of forks that Noah has been spending time on.
1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (20/21)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ 1-ski quiver selections, including additions from Jonathan Ellsworth, Sascha Anastas, Sam Shaheen, & Eric Freson.
Shop Talk: The Ski Monster founders, George & Eric (Ep.126)
We’re talking with the two friends who founded The Ski Monster in Boston, MA. We discuss how George and Eric met; how getting fired — twice! — turned out to be a very positive development; the diverse customer base they serve; why ski shops ought to work to elevate the experience of purchasing all of this expensive gear; and more.
Win Men’s & Women’s Jackets from Strafe
The TWO winners this week will each get Strafe’s versatile Alpha Hooded Insulator!
2021-2022 K2 Disruption MTi, 78C, 78Ti, & 82Ti
We’ve spent the last two weeks testing four of K2’s new Disruption skis back-to-back. Check out our review to see how the Disruption MTi, 78C, 78Ti, & 82Ti compare.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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!
2022-2023 Volkl Secret 96
The Secret 96 is a particularly impressive women’s all-mountain ski for those who prioritize stability, suspension, and precision. Check out our full review for more.
Flash Review: 21/22 Stereo Lynx MK 4
We’ve been spending time on Stereo’s do-everything 100mm-wide ski, the Lynx, and there have been lots of surprises so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Rossignol Announces 22/23 Sender & Rallybird Skis & HI-SPEED Boots
Rossignol is tweaking several of their freeride skis for 22/23, as well as launching an entirely new collection of alpine boots. Check out the details here.
Ed Masters on Racing DH & Enduro at the Top Level (Ep.104)
We’ve got Ed Masters on Bikes & Big Ideas this week to talk about the incredible end to the 2021 World Cup season (and get hyped for racing to fire back up in 2022); catch up on his injury-laden 2021 season and how he’s doing these days; the similarities and differences between Enduro and DH, and the challenges of racing both; and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 21/22 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 Professional
Update 2.9.22: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on the Atomic Mimic Professional liner (used with a non-Atomic shell) and Atomic Professional Dual Strap (vs. a Booster strap).
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Deep Dive: Tecnica Ski Boots Brand Lineup, 21/22
Next up in our Deep Dive series on ski boots is Tecnica — check it out for a rundown on every boot in Tecnica’s 21/22 lineup, most comparable alternatives from other brands, and more details to help you figure out what differentiates each boot in the lineup.
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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Season Nexus Ski
We’ve spent the last two seasons riding Season’s do-everything ski — check out our full review of the Nexus for more on what makes it stand out.