BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2024-2025 La Sportiva Maestro.2 LS
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the lightweight La Sportiva Maestro.2 LS.
2024-2025 Scarpa Maestrale RS
Scarpa’s Maestrale boots have been ubiquitous in the touring category for many years now — and for good reason. But Scarpa hasn’t been afraid to refine these boots over the years, and we’ve spent the past couple of seasons testing the latest iteration. Here’s our Full Review.
Love, Drugs, & Graphene: Mito Materials’ Founders on Next-Gen Ski Construction (Ep.335)
Today we are talking about love, materials science, and ski construction. We’re looking at graphene, why you might soon be hearing more about it in skis in the near future, and the unique properties of Mito Materials’ functionalized graphene.
Camille Balanche on Yeti’s Return to World Cup DH, the State of the Sport, Injuries, & More (Ep.261)
World Cup DH is undergoing a ton of changes at the moment, and we sat down with Camille Balanche to get her take on all of it. In addition to getting her thoughts on the state of World Cup Downhill, we talk about her move to Yeti; her injury struggles over the last couple of seasons and returning to form; pay in women’s racing; her 2025 plans and goals; and a whole lot more.
2024-2025 Moment Countach 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Moment Countach 104.
Flash Review: 24/25 Moment Countach 104
This season, Moment added a narrower, more firm-snow-friendly version of their “directional freestyle” ski, and we’ve started spending time on the Countach 104. Here are our initial impressions.
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Fox Transfer Neo Dropper Post
Fox took their time bringing their first wireless dropper post to the market, but was it worth the wait? Here’s our Full Review of the new Transfer Neo.
Gold Medal Gastronomy: Inside the High-Stakes World of the Culinary Olympics (Ep.59)
Chef Paul Jensen and Eli discuss Paul’s background, the unique world of culinary competition, and what it means to represent the U.S. in one of the most prestigious food contests on earth — the Culinary Olympics.
2025-2026 Head Kore 93 Ti W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new women’s Head Kore 93 Ti W.
2025-2026 Rossignol Sender Free 100
Rossignol has revealed the latest addition to their Sender Free lineup, and the new Sender Free 100 looks very similar to its wider sibling, the Sender Free 110. But this isn’t simply a case of ‘shrink it (and pink it).’ Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and more info on the Sender Free 100.
Flash Review: 25/26 Rossignol Sender Free 100
Several of us have been testing Rossignol’s brand-new Sender Free 100 and comparing it to Rossignol’s other freeride / freestyle skis. Here’s what we’ve found so far.
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Flash Review: 24/25 4FRNT MSP 107
The latest version of 4FRNT’s all-conditions charger is a bit of an outlier in today’s market, but what actually sets it apart? Here are our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 4FRNT MSP 107
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the 4FRNT MSP 107.
Fox Speedframe Helmets
Safety is the whole point when it comes to helmets, and two of the updated models in Fox’s Speedframe lineup are now #1 and #2 in Virginia Tech’s safety rankings. But how does the new Speedframe Pro fit and feel compared to the prior generation? We’re ready to weigh in.
Flash Review: 24/25 Heritage Lab Swallowtail R120
Reviewer and heli-guide, Paul Forward, has been testing a new version of Heritage Lab’s big-mountain powder ski, the Swallowtail R120. Here are his initial impressions after his first days with it in Alaska.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Fox 34 SL
XC race courses are more technical than ever and race bikes are getting beefed up to match. Fox’s new 34 SL replaces the 34 Step Cast and promises a stiffer chassis, optional longer travel, and more. Check out what they’ve come up with.
Hi-Fi Audio: Capturing the Heart & Soul of Music with Heaven 11’s Itai Azerad (Ep.62)
Music — and how you listen to it — matters. In this CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Heaven 11 Audio’s Itai Azerad to discuss building amplifiers that capture the heart and soul of music.
Flash Review: 24/25 Line Vision 114
Line replaced their Vision 118 with the new Vision 114 for 24/25, and we’ve been spending time on the new model this season. Check out our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Line Vision 114
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the LINE Vision 114.
2025-2026 Elan Ripstick 96
Elan recently overhauled their longstanding Ripstick collection, so how different are the new skis, and what makes the Ripstick 96 stand out in today’s market? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Elan Ripstick 96
We compare the Ripstick 96 to the Ripstick 102 Black Edition, Salomon QST 94, Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti, Renoun Endurance 98, Line Optic 96, Salomon QST 92, Line Pandora 99, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, K2 Mindbender 96C, RMU Apostle 96 Ti, Black Crows Camox, Blizzard Rustler 9, ZAG Slap 98, Stockli Stormrider 95, and Head Kore 94 Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 25/26 Salomon QST 94
Salomon’s new QST 94 is the narrowest addition to their new QST lineup of skis, replacing the popular QST 92. Here are our initial impressions on the QST 94, including how it compares to the outgoing model.
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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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, February 2025 (Ep.350)
Cody and Jonathan are back to review the news, including the passing of ZipFit’s Sven Coomer; threats to public lands; JD Vance’s ski trip; and more. We also rate your takes, discuss the most Canadian news, and share what we’ve been reading and watching.
Arbor Carter Camber, 158 cm
Mark Carter is a badass, but what about his signature board? We’ve been riding the Arbor Carter for a full season and have found it to be a surprisingly versatile example of a modern volume-shifted shape. Here’s our Full Review.
2025-2026 Völkl M7 Mantra
Over the past 20 years, the name “Mantra” has stood as one of the most recognized in modern skis. So how does Volkl’s latest iteration of the Mantra, the M7, compare to its predecessor, and how well does it work as an all-mountain option? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Völkl M7 Mantra
We compare the M7 Mantra to the M6 Mantra, Mantra 102, Blizzard Anomaly 94, Faction Dancer 2, Nordica Enforcer 94, Salomon Stance 96, Wagner Summit 97, Fischer Ranger 96, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, 4FRNT MSP 99, Black Crows Justis, Nordica Enforcer 99, Kastle Paragon 101, Stockli Stormrider 95, ZAG Harfang 96, Head Kore 94 Ti, & Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti.
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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25/26 Gear, Boot Trends, Making the Most of Any Season, & More w/ Powder Hound (Ep.338)
We catch up with Eric Helmbrecht of Powder Hound, our Blister Recommended Shop in Girdwood, Alaska to discuss the ups and downs of this season up in Alaska; our tips and tricks on how to make the most of any season; 25/26 gear; Dual BOA; boot trends; aftermarket liners; and more.