BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win Shorts & Vests from Ultimate Direction
Enter for a chance to win Ultimate Direction’s hydration-integrated Hydro Shorts + pick any of their vests!
Deep Dive: Alpine Touring Bindings, 2020
We directly compare several of the current, more downhill-oriented touring bindings, including the Salomon / Atomic Shift MNC 13, Marker Duke PT 16, CAST Freetour, Fritschi Tecton, Marker Kingpin, G3 ION 12, Fritschi Vipec EVO, & Dynafit ST Rotation 10. We also discuss what you tend to gain and give up by going to much lighter touring bindings, and in what scenarios that lighter category might make more sense for you.
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Bikes, Bike Shops, & Crack Waffles (Ep. 27)
We sit down with bike-industry veterans Simon Stewart and Joe Parkin to announce their brand-new shop name; talk about what it’s like to own and operate a bike shop in these times; and finally, we discuss Joe’s wildly addictive creation that our editor-in-chief calls, the “Crack Waffle.”
Five Ten Kestrel Pro Boa
Five Ten’s Kestrel Pro Boa clipless mtb shoe combines elements from stiff & light XC shoes and much burlier, hike-friendly options, and the result is a very versatile shoe. Check out our review for more.
Running Shorts Roundup — 2020
Every year we get more and more running short options, from those that could replace your hydration vest to ultra minimal pairs. We’ve rounded up 8 men’s & women’s options that we’ve been using and detail what sets each apart from the others.
2021-2022 Movement Fly Two 115
Movement’s Fly Two collection is targeted at skiers who like to take a playful approach to the mountain, and their Fly Two 115 in particular has us very excited about its potential to be both playful and stable. Check out our First Look to see why.
How to Recreate Responsibly in the Time of COVID (Ep. 130)
As a number of locations are beginning to relax travel restrictions and are able to welcome visitors back, we wanted to discuss some important reminders and best practices for recreating responsibly in this time of COVID. We’ve also included some important links in the show notes to this episode that you should check out to ensure that you are up-to-date on state and local ordinances. So give this a listen, and let’s all do our best to do things the right way.
2020 Yeti SB130
We’ve had more reviewers spending more time on Yeti’s mid-travel 29er, and have updated our review of the SB130.
Flash Review: 20/21 Majesty Superwolf
Update 5.25.20: we recently got the Superwolf into some truly firm, steep terrain and have updated our thoughts on its performance.
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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Flash Review: 20/21 Strafe Cham Jacket & Pants
We just spent a long day in Strafe’s new Cham kit and came away with some extremely positive 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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Mojo MORC 40 Offset-Reducing Crowns
Last year we started to see several of the best DH racers in the world using non-standard fork crowns, many of which turned out to be the Mojo MORC 40. They’re now available to the public, and we’ve been testing these offset-reducing crowns to see just how much of an impact they make on trail, and whether or not you need to be a World Cup racer to appreciate them.
Zach Bitter on His New 100-Mile Treadmill World Record (Ep.52)
Not only does Zach Bitter hold the world record for the fastest time that a human has run 100 miles, he recently just set the record for fastest 100 miles ever run … on a treadmill?? So we spoke to Zach about when he first got the idea to attempt this; the biggest differences between running 100 miles on a treadmill vs a track; his preparation and strategy; and Mike McKnight’s recent ‘Zero-Calorie 100’ effort.
Blister Brand Guide: Evil Mountain Bike Lineup
Evil has taken a different approach than many to building both their bikes and their brand. Their current lineup covers a wide range, from shorter-travel 29ers to Enduro sleds, and you can check out our brand guide to see which of their bikes might be right for you.
Strongest Wheels on the Market? Revel Wheels & “Fusion Fiber” Ep.101
We dive deep into the details with Revel Bikes founder, Adam Miller, about Revel’s new wheels — which he claims are the strongest wheels on the market — and this thing they’re using called “fusion fiber.” We talk about what fusion fiber is; their recyclability; the unique production process; other applications of fusion fiber, and more.
2020-2021 Marker Duke PT 16
Marker’s Duke PT is the latest binding that lets you skin uphill in a “tech” toe, but ski down in what’s essentially an alpine binding. Check out our video & written review to see just how it works, and how it compares to the competition.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Mick Hannah on Racing & What Comes Next (Ep.89)
Mick Hannah just concluded a 20-plus year career on the World Cup DH circuit, but he’s far from done with bikes — and has a whole lot to say about racing, bike tech, growing mountain biking, and more.
Flash Review: 2022 Santa Cruz Bronson
The new Santa Cruz Bronson now features ultra-trendy mixed wheel sizes, but how does that play out on the trail? Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.
Catching Up with Grayson Murphy (Ep.99)
Grayson Murphy is back on Off The Couch to talk about her 2021 race season; trail racing in Europe vs. the US; the Olympic trials; avoiding injuries; the biggest changes to her own training; the most ‘off the couch’ thing she’s ever done; and more.
Canfield Lithium
The Canfield Lithium is a highly capable Enduro bike that’s also much more versatile than its travel numbers might suggest. Check out our full review for everything that makes the Lithium stand out.
Jackie Paaso on her Arctic 12 Expedition (Ep.187)
We talk to the American skier who now calls Sweden home, Jackie Paaso, about her very raw, very real new film, The Arctic 12. We discuss her background; being on the Freeride World Tour with her husband, Reine Barkered; and the ins and outs of their 26-day expedition through the tallest peaks of northern Sweden.
Tech Tip: DIY Fork Lower Service
You can dramatically improve your suspension fork’s performance at home, in under an hour. Let us show you how.
Shop Talk: Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shops (Ep.167)
We’re talking with Greg Klein, president of Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shops, which is family owned and operated with several locations in the greater Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. We talk about what brought Greg’s father (Willi) to PA; Seven Springs Mountain Resort; the key ingredients of a great ski shop; ski length & ski width; Willi’s women’s program; shop beer vs. shop pizza; & more.
Win a Helmet & Shoes from Leatt
This week the winner can pick any half-shell helmet and pair of shoes from Leatt!
La Sportiva Cyklon
With a BOA fit system, aggressive outsole, and minimal midsole, the Cyklon is designed specifically for off-camber, mountainous terrain — and for that, it’s excellent. But there’s more to it, so check out our full review for the whole story.
Getting Here: Gunnison & Crested Butte
We’re big fans of our home valley, and for anyone who’s interested in visiting, we put together this guide to give you the information you’ll need to make your trip here easier and better.
Vinny Armstrong on the Future of Freeride (Ep.88)
We catch up with Vinny Armstrong to get her take on what the future of freeride looks like to this highly accomplished 22-year-old rider.
Flash Review: Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol
The new Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol is now full-carbon, but does this shorter-travel bike still feel like a mini-Enduro bike, or something else entirely? 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.)