BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blister Brand Guide: Cannondale Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
Cannondale has become known for coming up with some unique designs, and while their current MTB lineup features some of their proprietary tech, it also spans everything from budget hardtails to XC race rigs to longer-travel Trail bikes. Check out our Brand Guide to see which of their bikes might make sense for you.
2021 Revel Ranger
Revel just released their 3rd bike, the Ranger, which blends the signature CBF suspension design with an XC-friendly 115 mm of rear travel. Check out our First Look for more on how the Ranger’s design compares to Revel’s other bikes and the broader short-travel, 29er market.
2021-2022 Dynastar M-Pro 99
The M-Pro 99 follows a long line of Dynastar’s directional freeride skis, and we think this new ski represents both an interesting departure and an interesting addition to the lineup. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Dynastar M-Pro 99
We compare the M-Pro 99 to the Dynastar M-Pro 105 / Pro Rider, Dynastar M-Free 108, Dynastar Legend X96, Salomon QST 99, Moment Commander 98, Nordica Enforcer 100, Blizzard Bonafide, Volkl Mantra M5, 4FRNT MSP 99, Fischer Ranger 99 Ti, Volkl Mantra 102, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Liberty Origin 96, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, J Skis Masterblaster, & Blizzard Rustler 9.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win a Dropper Post from OneUp
This week you’ve got a chance to win OneUp’s excellent dropper post & remote!
Your Questions + What We’re Celebrating (Ep.103)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth answer your questions and discuss our preferred gear for skiing funky spring / summer snow; what we’re reading; ski knickers?; mountain bike shoes; ski boot liners & durability; and more.
Altra Lone Peak 4.5
The Lone Peak has been in Altra’s running lineup for many years now, serving as their rugged, moderate-cushion trail shoe. Check out our review of the latest iteration, the Lone Peak 4.5, to see how it compares to the last version, several of Altra’s other trail shoes, and some other options on the market.
Summer Skirt & Skort Roundup — 2020
There are now lots of skirts & skorts that can transition from casual walks around town to running, swimming, and hiking far from the city. We’ve rounded up several of the casual and technical options our reviewers have been using — check out our roundup to see which ones might work for you.
Faith E. Briggs on Growing Up, Running, & Her Film, This Land (Ep. 54)
Faith E. Briggs is a filmmaker, a runner, and an outdoor enthusiast, and Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Faith about her latest film, This Land; growing up and running track & cross country and transitioning into long-distance running & trail running; and our current / not-merely-current circumstances here in America.
2021-2022 K2 Reckoner 102
Many skis on the market are pretty good at a lot of things but consequently don’t really stand out in any particular aspect. Given that, the ultra-playful, yet surprisingly versatile K2 Reckoner 102 is a refreshing change of pace — check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: K2 Reckoner 102
We compare the Reckoner 102 to the K2 Reckoner 112, K2 Marksman, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Moment PB&J, Prior Northwest 100, ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Magnus 102, Whitedot Altum 104, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Dynastar M-Free 108, Faction Prodigy 3.0, Sego Big Horn 106, Nordica Soul Rider 97, Fauna Pioneer, Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred, Line Sakana, & Blizzard Rustler 10.
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.)
Thoughts on Our Current Situation
Update: some long-overdue policy changes are finally being made.
Bees, Green Lawns, “Perfect” Apples, & the Reinvention of Farming (Ep.132)
Most of us know that bee populations are struggling to survive, but why? And why do bees play such a critical role in the production of food? We talk to Peter Nelson and Sally Roy about their new film, The Pollinators, which tells the story of bees and beekeeping and soil and farming practices and pesticides and the EPA and why we need to change the way we produce food — and what each of us can do to help the cause.
Altra Timp 2.0
Altra made several significant updates to their high-cushion Timp and we think that, for many people, the new Timp 2.0 is a better shoe in most regards. Check out our review to see how this versatile, cushioned shoe compares to the previous Timp 1.5 and several other shoes on the market.
We Are One Union Wheels
There are plenty of ultra-stiff carbon rims on the market, but many of them also tend to feel very harsh and jarring in rough terrain. With their Enduro-oriented Union wheels, We Are One aimed to strike a better balance of stiffness, ride feel, & durability — all while making them in British Columbia and offering a lifetime warranty. After spending a few months riding the Union wheels (on an aggressive hardtail), we think they’d be very appealing to a lot of riders.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Stuff We Like: October 2021
Our latest Stuff We Like roundup features everything from paddleboards to beer, MTB tires to water bottles, a whole lot of apparel, and more.
Debatable: The Worst Bike Maintenance Task
What’s the worst bike maintenance task you can think of? In this edition of our “Debatable” series, our editor lays out his nomination, and his potential solutions to it.
Pete Wagner on Wagner’s new Summit Skis, Avalanche Cores, & Niehues Collab (Ep.168)
We talk to Pete Wagner about three big new things happening at Wagner Custom Skis, where everything is built right in Telluride, Colorado.
2021-2022 Wagner Summit 97
Historically, Wagner has only offered fully custom skis. But last year they made four models for the Blister Summit, and those Summit skis are now available as stock, “factory” options. The Summit 97 is their take on a versatile and stable all-mountain ski, and we think it is an excellent execution of that concept. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Wagner Summit 97
We compare the Summit 97 to the Wagner Summit 107, Volkl M6 Mantra, Volkl Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Nordica Enforcer 94, J Skis Masterblaster, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 96, Salomon QST 99, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Fischer Ranger 99 Ti, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Moment Commander 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, & 4FRNT MSP 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.)
Win a Full Kit from Strafe
This week the winner will get to pick a jacket, pant, and midlayer from Strafe!
Mick Hannah on Racing & What Comes Next (Ep.89)
Mick Hannah just concluded a 20-plus year career on the World Cup DH circuit, but he’s far from done with bikes — and has a whole lot to say about racing, bike tech, growing mountain biking, and more.
Flash Review: 2022 Santa Cruz Bronson
The new Santa Cruz Bronson now features ultra-trendy mixed wheel sizes, but how does that play out on the trail? Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
Catching Up with Grayson Murphy (Ep.99)
Grayson Murphy is back on Off The Couch to talk about her 2021 race season; trail racing in Europe vs. the US; the Olympic trials; avoiding injuries; the biggest changes to her own training; the most ‘off the couch’ thing she’s ever done; and more.
Canfield Lithium
The Canfield Lithium is a highly capable Enduro bike that’s also much more versatile than its travel numbers might suggest. Check out our full review for everything that makes the Lithium stand out.
Jackie Paaso on her Arctic 12 Expedition (Ep.187)
We talk to the American skier who now calls Sweden home, Jackie Paaso, about her very raw, very real new film, The Arctic 12. We discuss her background; being on the Freeride World Tour with her husband, Reine Barkered; and the ins and outs of their 26-day expedition through the tallest peaks of northern Sweden.
Tech Tip: DIY Fork Lower Service
You can dramatically improve your suspension fork’s performance at home, in under an hour. Let us show you how.