BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Reviewer Reports: Shoulder Season MTB Gear + Forks Roundup (Ep.43)
For many of us, it’s shoulder season, where the riding conditions are wet, muddy, and / or cold. And some of us live in places where we regularly encounter those conditions. So on our latest Bikes & Big Ideas podcast, we discuss why some of the apparel that’s intended for wet/muddy riding sucks; which products have worked the best for us; and then we shift to a conversation about forks from Fox, RockShox, and Manitou.
Bending the Paradigm: Polartec’s Approach to “Waterproofness” & Comfort (Ep.122)
What does “waterproof” really mean, and when should you worry (and not worry) about a 10k or 20k rating on the jacket or pants you are thinking of buying? Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth spoke with Michael Cattanach, the product design director at Polartec, about the “ingredients” used to make your favorite apparel; Polartec’s history; and what Polartec is up to today.
Win any Moment Ski
The winner this week will get to pick any pair of skis they want from Moment’s 20/21 lineup!
Hayes Dominion A4 Brakes
After 6 months of testing, the Hayes Dominion A4 has become one of our all-time favorite brakes for aggressive trail and DH riding.
5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (20/21)
It’s once again that time of year where we spend way too much time thinking about ski quivers, so we’re kicking off our reviewers’ personal quiver selections with the big ones: 5-ski quivers.
Billy Yang on Running, Filmmaking, Media, Moving (??), & More (Ep.72)
Billy Yang is (among other things) a runner, filmmaker (Billy Yang Films), podcast host (Billy Yang Podcast), and someone who has been chronicling the sport of running in a fashion that is often beautiful, and always inspiring. So Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Billy about everything from cigarette brands to the need for more compassionate critical thinking in our world.
Adaptive Sports & Recreation: Past, Present, & Future (Ep.149)
Did you know that 1 out of 5 people in the United States have a disability? That is just one reason why you ought to know about the world of adaptive sports. So to get an overview of the past, present, and future of adaptive sports and recreation, we sat down with Chris Read and Betty Philbin of the Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte.
20/21 Blister Buyer’s Guide + Your Questions (Ep.121)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the highlights and big takeaways from our new Winter Buyer’s Guide; our Best Of award winners; whether or not the 20/21 crop of ski gear represents a step forward; and we then answer a lot of the questions you submitted.
Win any Liberty Ski
The winner this week will get to pick any pair of skis they want from Liberty’s 20/21 lineup!
Smith Forefront 2 Helmet & Attack MAG MTB Glasses
Smith recently updated their highest-end Trail helmet, the Forefront 2, and we’ve been testing the new version along with their Attack MAG MTB Glasses to see how the two work together and how they compare to the competition.
How to Care for Your Waterproof Outerwear & Down Jackets
Ok, people, our outwear nerds / gurus want you to start properly taking care of and cleaning your waterproof jackets & pants, down jackets & mid layers, and other technical apparel to keep them performing at their best. So they’ll tell you how, and recommend several products to use.
Altra Superior 4.5
The Superior remains Altra’s most minimally cushioned, all-round trail shoe, but how different is the latest Superior 4.5 compared to prior iterations, and who should be considering the new shoe? Check out our review.
2020 Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana
Enduro racer? Long-legged Trail bike? Both? After 3 months of riding, we’ve updated our full review of Guerrilla Gravity’s longest-travel bike, the Gnarvana, and provide our take on where it slots into the market.
Mali Noyes & Lani Bruntz ski The Wurl (Ep.148)
The Wurl — The Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup — has gained a lot of attention in the trail running and climbing worlds, but it had never been done in the winter, and Mali Noyes and Lani Bruntz set out to ski it. So we talked with Mali and Lani about the origins of this idea to ski The Wurl, and the planning, logistics, and scouting that happened behind the scenes.
In Defense of Indoor Trainers (Ep.42)
Trainers? Trainers?? Roadies have been using them forever, but many mountain bikers dismiss them (like we did). But Simon Stewart (aka, Mr. Tank Driver / co-owner of BV Bike Company) lays out a compelling case for why all cyclists — including mountain bikers — should reconsider their stance on the modern, indoor trainer.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win La Sportiva Ski Boots
Enter for a chance to win the men’s or women’s version of La Sportiva’s new freeride touring boot, the Vanguard!
Flash Review: 21/22 Moment Commander 108
Check out our thoughts so far on Moment’s metal-laminate, all-mountain charger, the Commander 108.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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RockShox’s New Flight Attendant Electronic Suspension (Ep.102)
RockShox launched their long-awaited take on an electronically-controlled suspension system, Flight Attendant, late last year. And so we brought RockShox’s Chris Mandell back on Bikes & Big Ideas to tell us all about it.
Hoka Ultrarunner, Sabrina Little, on Teaching Philosophy; Running; & Writing about Both (Ep.104)
Sabrina Little is an ultra runner (she has held the American record in the 200K and the 24-hour American record), a writer, & philosophy professor. So we talk about all of the above, why she values all of the above, and also toothpaste and Harry Potter.
Blister Crash Course Video: Tele Skiing
Well, here it is. Watch us struggle to learn how to tele ski, get all sorts of conflicting advice, and maybe(?) make a bit of progress.
SCARPA Announces New 4-Quattro Boot Collection
SCARPA is launching their first “alpine-oriented” series of GripWalk boots, but these aren’t your typical alpine boots. Learn more about the new 4-Quattro boots here.
Sample Flash Review: Atomic Bent 110
Update 2.22.22: We just got back on the Bent 110 at the Blister Summit, this time with 8″ of new snow. Check out some of our additional impressions.
Fischer Announces Redesigned 22/23 Ranger Series
Fischer is overhauling their line of Ranger skis for 2022-2023. Check out our writeup for the highlights of the updates.
2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 99
The M-Free 99 is both the narrower version of a Blister favorite, the M-Free 108, and the replacement for another favorite, the Menace 98. So it’s got a lot to live up to, but how does it compare? Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Dynastar M-Free 99
We compare the M-Free 99 to the Dynastar M-Free 108, Dynastar Menace 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Salomon QST 98, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Wagner Summit 97, 4FRNT MSP 99, Volkl Revolt 104, K2 Reckoner 102, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, Moment Deathwish 104, DPS Koala 103, Black Crows Camox, Moment Commander 98, Whitedot Altum 104, Line Sir Francis Bacon, & 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.
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.)
Nick Russell on Splitboarding and ‘Light Bulb’ Moments (Ep.200)
On the Blister Podcast,we talk with Nick Russell about The Fifty Project and sharing a tent with Cody Townsend; Nick’s background and a number of his ‘light bulb’ moments; how he came to be a splitboarder sponsored by Red Bull; and how his recent signing with WNDR Alpine came about.
Shop Talk: Sturtevants, Sun Valley, & a Blueprint for Community Ski Areas (Ep.181)
We were recently in Sun Valley, Idaho, talking with Sturtevants owner, Olin Glenne, about Rotarun Ski Area (which could serve as a blueprint for local ski hills in other places); Olin’s lifelong love of skiing; the skiing in and around Sun Valley, and some of his favorite gear.