BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
WNDR Alpine’s 20/21 Lineup with Matt Sterbenz, Pep Fujas, & Xan Marshland (Ep.109)
Matt Sterbenz, Pep Fujas, and Xan Marshland came to Crested Butte and sat down with us in Blister HQ to fill us in on WNDR Alpine’s new materials, new updates to the Intention 110, and their brand new ski, the Vital 100. And you’ll also hear some stories about Matt and Pep competing in slopestyle events against each other back in the day, and more.
Win a YETI Cooler
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get YETI’s Roadie 24 hard cooler!
Blister Brand Guide: Salomon Running Shoe Lineup, 2020
Salomon recently added even more new models to their 2020 running lineup. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about the new additions and where they slot into the rest of the brand’s collection.
Anneke Beerten on Racing, ‘Badass’ Books, & Big Ideas (Ep. 34)
Anneke Beerten was born in the Netherlands, started racing BMX when she was 4, then became a 2 x world champion in BMX, a 3-time Four-cross world champion, the Queen of Crankworx, and she’s won, podiumed, and top 5’d many enduro, DH, DS races. She also just won the So Cal Enduro and Snow Summit DH. So Blister reviewer Dylan Wood and Jonathan Ellsworth caught up with Anneke to talk about racing; what she’s up to these days; ‘badass’ books; business ideas; and you’ll get to hear ‘the story of Dylan and Anneke.’
2020 Speedgoat 50K Winner, Noah Brautigam (Ep. 61)
Noah Brautigam just won the Speedgoat 50K, and a few days after winning, he sat down with us in Blister HQ to provide a very fresh and fun recap of the race, and describe what tweaks were made to allow the event to happen. We also discuss his background and a surprising discovery that has him feeling great, performing at a high level, and recovering really well.
2021-2022 K2 Reckoner 122
Last season we got to ski a lot of very deep snow on the very wide K2 Reckoner 122. Check out our Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons for more on this new playful pow ski.
Deep Dive: K2 Reckoner 122
We compare the Reckoner 122 to the Reckoner 112, Volkl Revolt 121, K2 Catamaran, Salomon QST 118, Moment Wildcat, Dynastar M-Free 118, Faction Candide 5.0, 4FRNT Inthayne, J Skis Friend, Line Outline, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Icelantic Nomad 115, Parlor McFellon Pro, Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, Blizzard Rustler 11, K2 Mindbender 116C, ON3P Jeffrey 116, Prior CBC, & Kye Shapes Metamorph.
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Swiftwick Running Sock Roundup
We’ve been running in several of Swiftwick’s socks, including a few new options that they just released today. Check out our roundup to see how the numerous models in their lineup compare.
Jeremy Bloom on Winning, Happiness, & The Weight of Gold (Ep. 138)
Jeremy Bloom is a 3-time world champion mogul skier, a 2-time Olympian, an 11-time World Cup gold medalist, and an All-American football player that was drafted into the NFL. He’s also the executive producer of an important new film, The Weight of Gold, which explores the mental health challenges that Olympic athletes often face. So we talked to Jeremy about his own background; the pursuit of athletic excellence; winning and happiness; brain health; and more.
Pros, Cons, & Potential Solutions to Increased Trail Use (Ep. 33)
Bike sales are through the roof this season, and all around the world, a lot of people are hitting the trails. So we talked to the executive director of the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, Dave Ochs, to discuss the implications of — and potential solutions to — increased trail use.
Win a Camping Sleep System from Zenbivy
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, & a pillow from Zenbivy!
Mountain Biking Flat-Pedal Shoe Roundup — 2020
Flat-pedal shoes now vary a lot, from those with ultra-sticky, racing-slick-style outsoles to options that resemble hiking shoes to others that look like any other sneaker. Check out our roundup for in-depth comparisons on 6 shoes that we’ve been using.
Bikes, Forks, & Our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.108)
Jonathan Ellsworth talks to David Golay, Dylan Wood, & Luke Koppa about the Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana; Manitou Mezzer & RockShox ZEB; Rocky Mountain Instinct BC; our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide; and … ‘The Year of Ellsworth.’
Martinus Evans, 300 Pounds & Running (Ep. 60)
Martinus Evans is the founder of 300poundsandrunning.com and the Slow AF Run Club, and Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Martinus about modern media, being a Black runner in 2020, DJ-ing, motivation, Detroit pizza vs. Chicago pizza, the Slow AF Run Club, and more.
2021-2022 Blizzard Black Pearl 88
For the 20/21 season, Blizzard decided to update one of the most popular skis in the world, the Black Pearl 88. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more about what’s changed with the new ski, and our initial on-snow impressions.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2021-2022 Head Kore 103 W
Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, and rocker profile pics for the new Kore 103 W
Hustle Labs’ Category-Defying Magnetic Pedals (Ep.97)
Magnetic pedals might sound crazy to riders used to a simple flats vs. clips dichotomy, but we’re finding them to be a compelling option for the right riders. And so we sat down with Hustle’s Design Engineer, Tripp Hurt, to talk about why it’s worth upsetting the current pedal paradigm, who magnetic pedals are (and aren’t) for, and much more.
2022 Fox DHX
Fox’s new DHX is a simpler, less-expensive coil shock than their flagship DHX2, and for some riders, that will sound appealing. But does it deliver? That really depends on what you’re looking for.
Flash Review — Orbea Occam LT
The Orbea Occam LT isn’t trying to be a mini-Enduro bike, and for the right rider, that’s a really good thing. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions of this super-efficient long-travel Trail bike.
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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Deep Dive: Atomic Ski Boots Brand Lineup, 21/22
In our new “Deep Dive” series on ski boots, we’re laying out *all* the details and differences between the boots in a brand’s entire lineup. We’re kicking it off with the 21/22 Atomic ski boot collection, from racing to touring boots, including all notable specs, features, most similar boots from other brands, and more. Become a Deep Dive subscriber or Blister Member to check it out.
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.)
1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (21/22)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ picks for one ski to rule them all, with additions from Kristin Sinnott, Jonathan Ellsworth, Eric Freson, Drew Kelly, & Sascha Anastas.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2021 — Kids & Parents Edition
Need some last-minute gift ideas for outdoorsy parents and kids? Check out our recommendations.
Eric Jackson on the Past, Present, & Future of Paddlesports (Ep.195)
Eric Jackson is a visionary, iconoclast, designer, founder, and one of the most successful and influential kayakers in history. In this conversation, Eric provides a masterclass on the history and evolution of paddlesports, and there are lessons here for how to grow — and preserve the best aspects of — other sports, communities, and industries like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, trail running, etc.
Flash Review — SCOR 4060 LT
We’ve just started spending time on the new SCOR 4060 LT, and it’s shaping up to be a really interesting take on a long-travel Enduro bike. Check out our Flash Review for 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.
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.)
Would You Rather: Mellow Groomer Laps vs. Nonstop Terror
Would you rather be scared on every run you take or limit yourself to mellow groomer laps? That’s the question we’re tackling in this week’s edition of Would You Rather.
Win Any 2023 Liberty Ski
Enter for a chance to win some brand-new skis from Liberty!
MountainFLOW founder, Peter Arlein, on How Ski Wax Works; its Environmental Impact; Ceramic Nano Technology; & More (Ep.175)
We discuss the environmental impacts of ski wax (and how ski wax actually works); Peter’s appearance on Shark Tank; the upcoming ban on fluorocarbon waxes at the highest levels of ski racing; and Peter reveals mountainFLOW’s brand-new product.