BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 20/21 Majesty / ATK R12
Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth each add (a lot of) their thoughts on this new lightweight touring binding.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Whitedot Altum 114
The Whitedot Altum 114 is one of those skis that we think a very wide range of skiers will like, from those always looking for natural features to hit, to those who ski with a more directional style. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Whitedot Altum 114
We compare the Altum 114 to the Moment Wildcat, K2 Reckoner 112, Line Outline, Moment Deathwish, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Icelantic Nomad 115, Parlor McFellon Pro, Liberty Origin 112, Nordica Enforcer 115 Free, Blizzard Rustler 11, Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, K2 Mindbender 116C, Prior Northwest 110, Prior CBC, & Kye Shapes Metamorph.
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.
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Biking 101: Mtn Bike Fork Offset
What is fork offset — and more importantly — why should you care about it? In our latest Gear 101 article, we answer these questions, how fork offset actually affects your on-trail experience, why more manufacturers are using different offsets, & more.
Revel Bikes & Why Cycles founder, Adam Miller (Ep. 25)
By the time he hit his mid-20s, Adam Miller had already founded three bike companies: Borealis Fat Bikes, Why Cycles, and Revel Bikes. So we talk to Adam (who is now 28 years old) about how and why a kid from Alaska started three bike companies, and what he believes makes Revel bikes different — and better.
What We’re Watching — May, 2020
We’ve just updated our “What We’re Watching” roundup with 10 new films & videos, from hot laps with Candide, to hilarious shorts from Thomas Genon & Katie Burrell, to free films from MSP & Armada, and more.
2021-2022 Majesty Vanguard
New for 20/21, the Majesty Vanguard is a lightweight, twin-tipped, and strong 118mm-wide ski — a combination we don’t see all that often. Check out our First Look & Flash Review for more on this new big-mountain ski.
Georgia Porter on Career Shifts, Strength Training, & the 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials (Ep.50)
We talk to Georgia Porter about her dislike of running as a kid; her grandma who was running ultras back before running ultras was a thing; how to incorporate apple fritters and beer into your training regimen; competing at the 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials; her belief that all runners would benefit from learning to love strength training; and more.
Flash Review: 20/21 K2 Reckoner 102
Update 5.12.20: We’ve added some more thoughts on the Reckoner 102 and how it compares to the Line Sir Francis Bacon.
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.)
2020 Santa Cruz Megatower
We’ve now had two reviewers on Santa Cruz’s 160mm-travel 29er and have updated our review with more thoughts on what kinds of riders will appreciate it and how it compares to its predecessor, the Santa Cruz Hightower LT.
Blister Brand Guide: Transition Mountain Bike Lineup
Transition’s mountain bike lineup has undergone some big changes recently, though their progressive approach to geometry & broad-ranging lineup remains. Check out our Brand Guide to see what sets each of their bikes apart.
Bikes vs. Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 1 (Ep. 24)
Which bike company is currently most like which ski company? And which bike and ski company do most other bike and ski brands secretly wish they could trade places with? Noah Bodman, Jonathan Ellsworth, David Golay, and Eric Freson make parallels and analogies between these two industries to see if it gives us a better sense of the current position, reputation, and trajectory of a bunch of different brands in these sports.
Your Questions + Our Review of PBR’s ‘Hard Coffee’ (Ep.99)
What outdoor gear is in need of the biggest improvement? How old is too old to try your first backflip?; If you had to opt for skis that are too long or too short, which would you pick? What should I do with my life? How does one start reviewing for Blister? Could you please provide an unbiased review and comparison of the Blister Membership, Deep Dive Subscription, and Blister Premier Membership? Luke Koppa and Jonathan answer these and many more.
Flash Review: 20/21 Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130
Update 5.8.20: After spending more time in the new Hawx Prime XTD 130, we’ve updated our Flash Review.
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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
McKenna Peterson on Ski Movies, Boats, & Hemingway’s Typewriter (Ep.185)
Last Friday, we had a GEAR:30 conversation with McKenna Peterson to discuss her ski gear preferences. Today, we dive into McKenna’s past and present to talk about her segment in the new MSP film; discuss some of the formative events of her life, and learn more about what makes this professional skier (and professional commercial fishing captain) tick.
Flash Review: 2022 Norco Range
The 2022 Norco Range gets a new high-pivot layout, and the results are eye-opening. 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.)
What We’re Watching — October 2021
Our recurring What We’re Watching series is back, and we’ve got a dozen skiing, biking, and fishing videos for your enjoyment. There’s everything from quick shredits to some longer options, and a bit of recent event coverage, too.
The Pro’s Gear: McKenna Peterson (Ep.166)
We sat down with one of the stars of Matchstick Productions’ new film, The Stomping Grounds, to discuss her personal gear preferences; what ski equipment she’d most like to see get made; the topic of women-specific gear; the best ways to get more women involved in skiing; and more.
Win an Outerwear Kit from Outdoor Research
Enter for a chance to win OR’s Skytour Ascentshell Jacket & Bibs!
Olivia Amber: from XC Skiing to the Tech World to Mountain Running (Ep.97)
Olivia Amber grew up in rural Wisconsin; headed off to Maine (where she became an all-American XC skier); found her way into the tech world of San Francisco; then started getting into ultra running. Now, Olivia is a Salomon athlete who is also juggling a career in tech. We talk about all of the above, plus coffee; sleeping / not sleeping; her current & future interests in running; and more.
Vali Höll, New World Cup DH Overall Champion (Ep.86)
Matt Manser (of GEAR:30 fame) and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to the very impressive (and very candid) Vali Höll about her remarkable season; race tactics; racing styles; Greg Minnaar & whether she can imagine still racing in 20 years; and more.
2022 Trek Top Fuel
The Top Fuel has been in Trek’s lineup for nearly 20 years now, but they’ve just overhauled it and the 2022 model is a very different beast. Check out our First Look for all the details.
Women’s Mountain Bike Short Roundup — 2021, Part 2
We’re back with another roundup of women’s mountain bike shorts, this time with six options from Dakine, Club Ride, 7mesh, Machines For Freedom, Wild Rye, and Flylow.
Rudy Project Crossway Helmet
Rudy Project’s Crossway Helmet is a lightweight, well-ventilated option for XC and Trail riding. Check out our review to see how it compares to the competition, and if it’d make sense for you.
Just Announced: 21/22 is Final Season for Full Tilt
Today it was announced that the Full Tilt name and brand will be no more, starting in 22/23.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (Sep 2021) (Ep.184)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the NFL(?); the massive increase in Epic Pass sales; the name change to “Palisades Tahoe”; whether you should shower; some of our all-time favorite TV characters; and more.