BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2020-2021 Fritschi Xenic 10
The category of lightweight (~300 g) touring bindings has been expanding & improving over the last few years, and the Fritschi Xenic 10 is the most recent addition. Check out our full review to see how it compares to the competition.
SKI INC. 2020: The Current State & Future of the Ski Industry (Ep. 126)
The ski industry has undergone rapid changes in the past several years, and we are currently in another unprecedented moment with the COVID-19 pandemic. So to help us better understand the past, present, and future of the ski industry, we talked to industry veteran and author of SKI INC, and SKI INC. 2020, Chris Diamond, about the rise of the EPIC and IKON passes; this recent era of rampant ski resort acquisitions; the state (and fate) of independent ski areas; whether COVID-19 will likely have lasting impacts on the ski industry; and more.
2020 Guerrilla Gravity Smash
We’ve now had two reviewers convert Guerrilla Gravity’s 120mm-travel Trail Pistol to their 145mm-travel Smash (an option that’s noteworthy in itself) and they both think the Smash is one of the more versatile and easy-to-recommend bikes in the Trail category. Check out our full review of the Smash.
Flash Review: 20/21 Volkl Katana 108
Check out our initial impressions of the new Katana 108.
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.)
Crash Course: Telemark Ski Gear, Part 1 (Ep.95)
Since we have to learn how to tele ski and shoot a tele video, we’re crowdsourcing a crash course in telemark technique (see Blister Podcast episode 125) and in telemark gear. So here in Tele Gear Part 1, we’re talking again with the artist, Geoff McFetridge; Flylow Gear co-founder and president, Dan Abrams; and Blister reviewers Paul Forward and Kristin Sinnott.
Win Sunglasses from SPY
This week TWO people will each get a pair of sunglasses from SPY — enter for your chance to win!
2021-2022 Dynafit Hoji Free
This year we spent time in the Dynafit Hoji Free, the stiffest boot in the Hoji series, and think its blend of uphill mobility and downhill power may be unrivaled. But there’s more to it than that — check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: 130-Flex Touring Boots
We directly compare several 130-flex alpine touring boots, including the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130, Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130, Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, Dynafit Hoji Free, Scarpa Maestrale XT, Lange XT3 130, K2 Mindbender 130, Fischer Ranger Free 130, Dalbello Lupo Factory, & Dalbello Lupo Pro HD.
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.)
What We’re Watching — April, 2020
Looking for more isolation entertainment? We just updated our video roundup with 13 more of our favorite MTB and snowsports videos, from goofy to gnarly.
2021-2022 J Skis Slacker
J Skis has set out to make the “least nerdy touring ski on the market,” and the result is their brand-new Slacker. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to find out how their non-nerdy touring ski design compares to the rest of the market.
Altra King MT 2
Altra recently revised their most minimal trail shoe, the King MT, and after running a couple hundred miles in it, we think the new King MT 2 is a very nice upgrade from previous versions.
Topo Athletic Founder, Tony Post (Ep.45)
We talk to Topo Athletic founder, Tony Post, about serving as the CEO of Vibram USA; founding Topo Athletic; minimalist and maximalist shoes; Topo’s design philosophy and process; and more.
Fauna Pioneer
This season we spent a good chunk of time skiing Fauna’s lightweight (and beautiful) freeride ski, the Pioneer. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons to see how this new ski performed.
Deep Dive: Fauna Pioneer
We compare the Pioneer to the Moment PB&J, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Sego Big Horn 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, WNDR Intention 110, Moment Wildcat 108, Salomon QST 106, Liberty Origin 106, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, Line Vision 108, Amplid Facelift 108, 4FRNT Raven, Renoun Citadel 106, Atomic Backland 107, Blizzard Zero G 105, & Black Diamond Helio 105.
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.)
Crash Course: How to Telemark Ski, Part 1 (Ep.125)
Baby giraffes? Organic bamboo scissors? Superman? Since we now have to learn how to tele ski (we’ll explain), we’re crowdsourcing a crash course in what we need to know to avoid embarrassing and / or killing ourselves. So here in Part 1, we solicited the best tips and advice from artist and telemarker, Geoff McFetridge; Flylow Gear president, Dan Abrams; and Blister reviewers, Paul Forward and Kristin Sinnott.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Pedals & Tools from OneUp
This week the winner will get OneUp’s pedals & their excellent EDC tool system!
Blister Summit Panel on Ski Design (Ep.159)
We are airing the panel session on ski design that we held at the Blister Summit. We talk to the designers behind the skis from Blizzard, Folsom Custom Skis, Rossignol, Dynastar, and Wagner Custom Skis to get their respective design philosophies; discuss current trends in ski design; debate whether skis are being dumbed down today; determine once and for all whether stated sidecut radius numbers are fake; & more.
Gear of the Year (So Far) (Ep.79)
We check in with several of our reviewers to discuss the gear they’ve been most impressed with so far this year; the new products they’re most excited to check out; and along the way we talk about mullet bikes, bike shop pranks, and unveil several genius new ideas that we definitely shouldn’t be giving away for free.
2022 Canyon Lux Trail
The Canyon Lux has seen plenty of action (and results) on the World Cup XC circuit, and now it’s got a bigger sibling, the Lux Trail. The new bike is a lot more than just an XC race bike with a little extra suspension, though — check out all the details in our First Look.
New 4FRNT Switch & MSP 107
4FRNT just launched their 2021-2022 ski lineup, and back at the Blister Summit, we sat down with 4FRNT’s Sam Kimmerle & Nick Africano to get the rundown on the brand-new Switch; the consistently positive feedback surrounding the MSP 107; who has the coolest name in the ski industry; and more.
Dakota Jones on the Footprints Running Camp (Ep.91)
We talk with Dakota Jones about how motivation evolves, different chapters of life, and what led to the launch of the Footprints Running Camp.
Benji Alexander’s Bid to Become Jamaica’s 1st Olympic Alpine Ski Racer (Ep.178)
Benji Alexander is a passionate ski racer and backcountry skier with a stranger-than-fiction backstory. So we talk to Benji about how Burning Man got him into skiing; what inspired his Olympic aspirations; the numerous logistics he has had to navigate to make this happen; the financial hurdles that all Olympic hopefuls have to face; and what motivates him to keep pushing forward.
EXT Era Fork
After making a big splash with their rear shocks, EXT’s first fork is here. There’s a whole lot that’s interesting and unusual about the Era, but how does it all add up on the trail? Check out our full review to find out — now with some additional thoughts from Xan Marshland.
Would You Rather: Dream Hardtail or Mid-Price Full Suspension?
Dream hardtail or more modest full suspension bike as an everyday ride? That’s the question we’re tackling in our new “Would You Rather” series. Check out our reviewers’ individual takes on the site, and let us know what you’d do in the comments.
Fanatik
Fanatik is an outstanding mountain bike-specific shop in Bellingham, WA, with a focus on custom bike and wheel builds, and a large e-commerce presence. They’re the local go-to for parts, service, and complete bikes, as well as an integral part of the Bellingham mountain biking community.
A Very Deep Dive on Coffee (Ep.158)
You had to know we’d do this, right? We sat down with Sam Higby to talk about Sam’s time in the outdoor industry and in the coffee business; the difference between good and bad instant coffee; light roasts vs. dark roasts (and what some dark roasts have in common with hot sauce or double IPAs); the brewing process & brewing at altitude; how to make great coffee on a budget; and more.
Win Packs & Jerseys from RMU
This week TWO people will each get RMU’s Enduro 5L fanny pack + one of their Party Time Tech Tees!