BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Abby & Cordis Hall on Couple Goals, FKTs, & their Pfiffner Traverse ‘Date Run’ (Ep. 56)
Abby and Cordis Hall are both very good runners who both run for Adidas TERREX and who both recently set FKTs for the Cottonwood Marble Loop in Death Valley. And Abby and Cordis are soon going to both be going after another FKT, this time, on the rather gnarly Pfiffner Traverse. So we discuss all of that, plus the benefits and challenges that arise when your partner is also a competitive runner. And we also talk about a current rule that is in place specifically for women’s FKTs that deserves to be re-considered.
2021 Transition Spur
Transition just announced a new addition to their lineup: the 120mm-travel, 29”-wheeled Spur. Check out our First Look for more on the new “All-Country” bike and how its design compares to the current crop of shorter-travel 29ers.
What You Need to Know – and Do – about the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) (Ep. 134)
You are probably familiar with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but what do you know about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)? NEPA is a critical piece of legislation, and each of us needs to understand what it does and why it matters so much — especially since some major changes to NEPA are being proposed that could have extremely serious environmental and human rights consequences. So to help us understand the high stakes of the changes being proposed, we spoke to Hilary Eisen, the policy director for the Winter Wildlands Alliance.
La Sportiva Helios III
When it was first introduced, the Helios was an outlier in the La Sportiva trail running lineup — an ultralight, minimal, flexible shoe for mellower terrain. They recently brought back the Helios and we think the new Helios III is the most refined version yet. Check out our review.
Backcountry Access Announces Software Update for Tracker2 Avalanche Transceivers
BCA just announced a free software update for their popular Tracker2 transceiver. Learn more about how to take advantage of it here.
2021-2022 4FRNT Raven
For the 20/21 season, 4FRNT is offering a new, special edition of their excellent Raven ski. Check out our First Look & Flash Review for more on this collab with Eric Hjorleifson & Pomoca, and how the newest Raven compares to the rest of the market.
Win Hiking Shoes from Tecnica
This week TWO people will each get a pair of Tecnica’s customizable Plasma S shoes!
2021-2022 Black Crows Atris
This past season we had two reviewers spending time on the latest iteration of the playful “big-mountain” ski in the Black Crows lineup, the Atris, and you can now check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Black Crows Atris
We compare the Atris to the Black Crows Corvus, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Kastle FX106 HP, Head Kore 105, DPS Alchemist Wailer 106 C2, ON3P Woodsman 108, ON3P Jeffrey 108, Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender Ti, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Fischer Ranger 107 Ti, Line Sick Day 104, Dynastar M-Free 108, K2 Reckoner 112, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Moment Wildcat 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, 4FRNT MSP 107, Blizzard Rustler 10, Liberty Origin 106, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Salomon QST 106, & K2 Mindbender 108Ti.
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Kingswood Skis founder, Alex Herbert (Ep.104)
Kingswood Skis is a custom indie ski manufacturer based on the South Island of New Zealand, and we caught up with Kingswood founder, Alex Herbert, to talk about ski materials, sidewalls, cosmetics & ski repairs, base material thickness, Kingswood’s rather unconventional Race Department.
Cam McCaul on Bike Films, Preparing for Big Lines, & the TGR Film, Accomplice (Ep. 28)
We caught up this week with Cam McCaul to talk about some of the bike films that made the biggest impression on him; the new TGR film he’s in called, Accomplice; how he prepares for riding big lines; his work as a commentator; and which discipline he thinks many people fail to really appreciate: slopestyle, DH, or big-mountain riding.
Tannus Armour Tire Inserts
We’ve had more reviewers using the Tannus Armour tire inserts, and have updated our review with thoughts on long-term durability; how the inserts perform when primarily used in a rear tire; and how noticeable the different ride quality will feel to beginners and intermediates.
Hoka One One EVO Jawz
Most brands now make at least one mud-oriented shoe for very technical terrain, and most of them are very niche. However, Hoka’s aptly named EVO Jawz has proven to be surprisingly versatile, and seems particularly appealing to those looking for maximum grip and stability — even on longer runs.
Shaun Martin on the Navajo Approach to Running, Coaching, & Community (Ep. 55)
Our guest is Shaun Martin, who we’ve talked about before on this podcast in our conversations with Sanjay Rawal, since Shaun appeared in Sanjay’s film, 3100: Run and Become. But this time we’re talking to the man himself, and Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Shaun about his background, heritage, coaching philosophy, and a whole lot more.
BlackAFinSTEM, Birders, & Bees (Ep.133)
BlackAFinSTEM was started to encourage and support Black individuals who are working in — or who are just passionate about — the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and also to encourage, support, and increase the visibility of Black naturalists and Black people who recreate and work outdoors. So we talk to Tyler Jones, the co-organizer of Black Birders Week, about all of the above, plus the difference between a bird and a trash bag; Taco Bell & STEM; her graduate work on bees (!!!); and more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
What We’re Watching — November 2021
This month’s What We’re Watching features a baker’s dozen ski, bike, and freedive(?) videos for your viewing pleasure.
Nordica Announces New Santa Ana & Enforcer Unlimited Skis
Nordica just announced their first line of touring-oriented skis. We’ll be spending time on them soon, but in the meantime, learn more about the new skis here.
Shop Talk: Vertical Playground, Oppdal Norway (Ep.169)
Once upon a time, a couple of friends who were scheming to get some gear for their own adventures ended up creating a phenomenal outdoor shop. We talk to Trygve Sande and Rune Kvalsnes about the origins of Vertical Playground; their trip with Hoji where the idea of the 4FRNT Raven was born; some of their favorite gear; and more.
Women’s Bike Jersey Roundup — 2021
Whether your jerseys are looking pretty worn after a long summer or your bike season is just starting, this roundup is for you.
Win The New J Skis Masterblaster
This week the winner will get J Skis’ updated, metal-laminate all-mountain ski!
Reviewer Reports: Santa Cruz Bronson, Norco Range, We Are One Arrival, & More (Ep.90)
We’ve been testing a lot of bikes of late, so we sat down to give a rundown of what we’ve been riding, including the Santa Cruz Bronson, We Are One Arrival, Norco Range, and more.
Reserve Fillmore Tubeless Valves
Tubeless valves aren’t typically the most “exciting” things out there, but Reserve Wheels have made a genuinely better one, dubbed the Fillmore. Check out what makes them so special.
Hope Evo Crankset
Hope’s updated Evo crankset is reportedly designed for everything from XC to DH, and it stands out from most aluminum cranks due to its low weight & made-in-UK design. Check out our review for more on how it compares to the competition.
10 Barrel Brewing x Protect Our Winters: PRAY FOR POW
Here’s our take on this great beer for a good cause.
adidas Terrex Two Ultra
The Terrex Two Ultra is designed to offer comfort during long trail runs, and for the right person, it could be excellent. Check out our review to see if you should have it on your list.
Full Stack Supply Co. (Faction Skis & FW Apparel) Announces New Ski Boot Brand
Today it was announced that the parent company of Faction Skis & FW Apparel will be launching a new ski boot brand next season.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Oct 2021) (Ep.188)
Cody and Jonathan discuss ‘fast pass’ programs at ski areas; Angel Collinson’s retirement announcement; the recent climate change / energy bill; bighorn sheep terrain closures in the Tetons; what we’re reading & watching; and more.