BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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.
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Matthew Fairbrother on His Self-Supported NZ Rally Win, the North Shore Triple Triple Crown, & More (Ep.248)
Matthew Fairbrother has made a name for himself by reeling off one mind-bending feet of endurance after another on a mountain bike. We sat down with him to get the rundown on some of his recent exploits.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Under the Tree
Next up in our 2024 Gift Guide series, we’re sharing the items that our reviewers think will make for awesome additions beneath the tree this holiday season. Check it out for more gift ideas for any of the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.
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.
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.
Ted Ligety on the 24/25 World Cup Ski Racing Season: Major Storylines, Massive Rumors, & More (Ep.332)
Jonathan talks with Ted Ligety about this World Cup season’s major storylines, massive rumors, biggest battles, and some behind-the-scenes secrets of the World Cup.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Stocking Stuffers
‘Tis the season for giving, and our reviewers are here to help. We are kicking off our annual Holiday Gift Guides with some top stocking stuffer ideas for the bikers, skiers, snowboarders, campers, hikers, travelers, and just about any other type of person on your list.
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.
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.
Gear Quiz, Ski Recycling, & Circular Business w/ Powder7 (Ep.321)
It’s time to quiz our Blister Recommended Shop, Powder7, to see which gear has them most excited for the season and hear all their hot takes; we also dive into the backstory of their circular business model, from its garage-born roots to their expansive current setup.
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.
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
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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.
3-Board Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
We’ve recently been talking a lot about quivers of skis, but now it’s time for boards. We asked several of our snowboard reviewers to assemble their ideal 3-board quivers — check out their picks.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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
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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
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‘Dumb & Dumber’ w/ Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.31)
In honor of its 30th anniversary, we discuss one of Cody’s all-time favorite movies, and you’ll hear him make the case for Dumb & Dumber being the greatest ski movie ever??
Blister x Carv: Why We’re Partnering for the 24/25 Ski Season
Every year at Blister, we try to raise the bar. See how and why we believe that partnering with Carv this season represents another step forward.
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
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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.
2024-2025 K2 Omen Team
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new K2 Omen Team ski.
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.
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.
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Weather Forecasting, Artificial Intelligence, & Storm Chasing w/ OpenSnow Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.336)
OpenSnow’s Joel Gratz is back to talk about advancements in weather forecasting and how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing weather models; the challenges of making seasonal forecasts; & some tips for planning ski trips and for storm chasing and skiing in Japan.
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.
2024-2025 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Armada ARV 106.