BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

David Golay reviews the Privateer 161 Gen 2 for Blister

Privateer 161 Gen 2

Privateer made a name for themselves making burly, focused go-fast Enduro race bikes at a remarkably good price with the original 161, and while the 161 V2 continues that lineage, it’s a big departure from the original in a lot of other ways. Check out our Full Review to find out how.

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David Golay reviews the Privateer 161 Gen 2 for Blister

Deep Dive: Privateer 161 Gen 2

We compare the Privateer 161 Gen 2 to the original 161, RAAW Madonna, Chromag Lowdown, Contra MC, Trek Slash, Nicolai G1, Rocky Mountain Altitude, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Yeti SB165, and Ibis HD6.

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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Blister reviews Transition's 2025 youth bikes

2025 Transition Youth Bikes

Kids’ bikes have gotten awfully nice in recent years, and Transition is unveiling a full new lineup of sweet rides for young rippers. Check out the new Bandit, Ripcord, and Scout in our First Look.

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Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Revelstoke – Our Blister Recommended Shop in Revelstoke, BC

Valhalla Pure Outfitters – Revelstoke

Valhalla Pure Outfitters – Revelstoke is a centerpiece of this heritage ski town. It is a shop dedicated to service and experience, year-round, with an emphasis on skiing. They seek to differentiate themselves with a high level of customer service and curated product selection focused on their adventure-filled backyard.

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Noah Bodman reviews the North Shore Billet Idler Pulley for the Norco Range for BLISTER

North Shore Billet Idler Pulley (Norco Range HP)

Idler pulleys on high-pivot bikes lead rough lives. They’ve generally got fairly low tooth counts, are heavily loaded, often with not much chain wrap, and bear the brunt of whatever cross-chaining is happening at any given moment. North Shore Billet has a range of aftermarket options to replace worn-out stock idlers, and we’ve spent a full year on their Norco Range version to see how it holds up.

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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Win Tickets to Blister Summit 2025

The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get 2 passes to our upcoming Blister Summit 2025! The Blister Summit is a one-of-a-kind event in the snowsports world and we’re so excited to bring it back for its fifth year, from February 23–27, 2025.

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Dylan Wood and Simon Stewart review the Yeti ASR for Blister

Yeti ASR

It had been seven years since Yeti produced an ASR — but now their XC race bike is back. And while the new ASR is undoubtedly a competitive modern XC race bike, its appeal will extend beyond the race course for some folks. Check out our Full Review for all the details.

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Dylan Wood and Simon Stewart review the Yeti ASR for Blister

Deep Dive: Yeti ASR

We compare the Yeti ASR to the Cannondale Scalpel, Commencal T.E.M.P.O, Yeti SB120, Pivot Trail 429, Niner Jet 9 RDO, Revel Ranger, SCOR 2030, Specialized Epic Evo, and Trek Top Fuel.

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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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

XC Race Bikes for Everyday Riders? | Yeti ASR vs. Cannondale Scalpel Video

Modern XC race courses keep getting more technical, and modern XC bikes have adapted as a result. Simon and Dylan have been logging a whole lot of miles on two of those bikes, the Cannondale Scalpel and Yeti ASR, to not only see how they compare to each other, but also how practical they are for riders who are *not* racing against the clock. Here’s their Head-to-Head video review.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Kara Williard reviews the Dynastar M-Pro 92 W for BLISTER.

Flash Review: 24/25 Dynastar M-Pro 92 W

We’ve been spending time on the M-Pro 92 W, one of the women-specific models in Dynastar’s overhauled directional freeride collection. Check out our initial impressions.

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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David Golay reviews the 2025 Fox 40 Grip X2 for Blister

Flash Review — Fox 40 Grip X2

Fox’s longstanding DH fork got a new damper this year, and we’ve started spending time on the new 40 Grip X2. Check out our early impressions.

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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Spot Mayhem 140 Full Review/Deep Dive

Deep Dive: Spot Mayhem 140

We compare the Spot Mayhem 140 to the Rocky Mountain Instinct, Scor 2030, Yeti SB 135, Revel Rascal V2, and Commencal T.E.M.P.O.

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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Spot Mayhem Full Review

Spot Mayhem 140

Spot does things differently from most bike manufacturers — with notable on-trail results. The Mayhem 140 features the latest iteration of their Living Link suspension system coupled with the stiffest frame they’ve ever built, and it still manages to stand out in a vast sea of 140mm-travel Trail bikes — in ways that are likely to really click for the right folks.

Blister reviews the K2 Omen Team ski.

2024-2025 K2 Omen Team

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new K2 Omen Team ski.

Blister reviews the Fischer The Curv GT 85 and The Curv GT 85 Redefine

2024-2025 Fischer The Curv GT 85 & Curv GT 85 Redefine

We’re kicking off this winter’s in-depth ski reviews with the one featured on the cover of our Winter Buyer’s Guide — Fischer’s The Curv GT 85. However, Fischer also makes a version of this new ski that reportedly performs the same, but does so while cutting 36% of equivalent carbon emissions. Here, we break down both of these on-piste carvers.

Blister reviews the Fischer The Curv GT 85 and The Curv GT 85 Redefine

Deep Dive: Fischer The Curv GT 85 & Curv GT 85 Redefine

We compare the Fischer The Curv GT 85 and The Curv GT 85 Redefine to the Fischer RC One 82 GT, Fischer The Curv, Head Supershape e-Rally, K2 Disruption 82Ti, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti, Kastle MX84, Volkl Peregrine 82, Head Supershape e-Titan, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Head Kore 87, Atomic Maverick 88Ti, Rossignol Arcade 88, Stockli Montero AR, and Dynastar M-Cross 88.

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.

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David Golay Reviews the Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX for Blister

Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX Shoes

Our Bike Editor has long been on the hunt for his ideal waterproof gravity-oriented clipless shoe for wet-weather winter use, and the Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX is the latest option he’s tried. So how have they worked out? Check out our Full Review to find out.

Blister reviews the updated Armada ARV 106.

2024-2025 Armada ARV 106

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Armada ARV 106.