BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 20/21 Folsom Cash 106 Carbon
Check out our initial impressions of Folsom’s carbon-laminate Cash 106.
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McConkey’s Spatula, Modern Pow Skis, & Luke’s Mustache (Ep.94)
Paul Forward, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the signs we’re going stir crazy; Shane McConkey’s Volant Spatula vs. other modern pow skis; the DPS Koala 119; the new LINE Vision 118; our current nominations for best underwear; Luke’s new mustache; and more.
2021-2022 K2 Reckoner 112
K2 overhauled their freestyle lineup for 20/21, and the new Reckoner 112 has proven to be a very fun, intuitive ski that we think many playful skiers could appreciate. Check out our *video* review, written review, & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: K2 Reckoner 112
We compare the Reckoner 112 to the Reckoner 102, Reckoner 122, Line Sir Francis Bacon, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Line Outline, K2 Mindbender 116C, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Parlor McFellon Pro, Liberty Origin 112, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 11, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, Prior Northwest 110, ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Whitedot Altum 114, Black Crows Atris, & Folsom Primary.
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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Win Men’s & Women’s MTB Kits
Enter for your chance to win shorts from Wild Rye or Abit and a hip pack from KAVU!
Flash Review: 20/21 Line Blade
Update 4.3.20: We’ve added some more of our thoughts on the Blade, including how it handles firm, smooth snow & steep, off-piste terrain.
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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Nathan VaporKrar 2.0 12L Race Vest
Designed with Rob Krar’s input, the Nathan VaporKrar 2.0 12L Race Vest aims to provide enough storage capacity for long runs & races while still being durable, lightweight, & stable. Check out our review to see how well it’s lived up to those claims.
Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Jacket
We’ve spent a lot of time skinning and skiing in Eddie Bauer’s BC Freshline Jacket and think it and its eVent fabric offer an excellent combination of weather protection and breathability. Check out our full review.
How the Outdoor Industry is Pivoting to Fight COVID-19 (Ep.20)
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, a number of companies in the outdoor industry are pivoting away from their normal operations and product offerings to provide healthcare workers with critical gear. So we talk to physician assistant and Blister reviewer, Sascha Anastas, about the scope of the problem, and we then talk to Kitsbow, Industry Nine, and Shaggy’s Copper Country Skis about how they are each helping the cause.
Eric Schranz, Ultrarunnerpodcast.com, on Running, His Career, & Heist Films (Ep.44)
Eric Schranz has been a staple of the trail running and ultrarunning world for over a decade — both as a passionate runner, and as the host of Ultrarunnerpodcast.com. And since Eric spends so much of his time writing about and interviewing other runners, Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) and I thought it would be fun to put Eric in the guest seat. So Brendan and I talked with Eric about how he got into running; his work in the music industry and politics; getting started at ultrarunnerpodcast.com; the art of conversation; how running media differs from other sports media coverage; and a whole lot more — including, a rather spirited discussion about the best bank robbery and heist movies of all time.
2021-2022 Faction Agent 3.0
For 20/21 Faction is expanding their Agent series of touring skis with the addition of the Agent 3.0 & Agent 4.0. Check out our First Look to see how the Agent 3.0’s design compares to the increasingly diverse backcountry category.
Baby / Toddler Baselayer & Midlayer Roundup
Whether you’re looking to take advantage of current sales or stocking up on comfy loungewear for your little one, you should check out our baby / toddler baselayer & midlayer roundup for a wide range of versatile layers.
Catching Up with Caite Zeliff (Ep.124)
Caite Zeliff is a former ski racer turned big mountain skier who won the first ever Kings & Queens of Corbet’s competition in 2018, then won it again in 2019, then was on the podium this past year. She’s filmed with Warren Miller and TGR, she is equally fun to ski with and to shoot the breeze with, and, while she’s already accomplished a lot, it seems like Caite is just getting started. So we caught up with Caite on her birthday to discuss skiing; filming vs photo shoots; her best Marcus Caston story; her music and podcast recommendations; and more.
Flash Review: 20/21 Lange XT3 130 LV
Update 3.27.20: We’ve spent a bit more time in Lange’s new AT boot and have 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.
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.)
2021-2022 Parlor McFellon Pro
The Parlor McFellon Pro & Mountain Jay make for a great example of how you can take the same shape and come up with two very different skis that work for very different skiers. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of the McFellon Pro.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2021 Forbidden Dreadnought
“A DH bike in all but the small print” is a bold claim for a 154mm-travel bike, but the Forbidden Dreadnought just might live up to it — in more ways than you might think. Check out our full review for all the details.
Chris Porter on Mullets, Dual-Crown Enduro Forks, & More (Ep.80)
Chris Porter, one of the most interesting and most opinionated figures in the MTB world, is back on Bikes and Big Ideas. We discuss the Geometron G1 & how Chris chooses to set up his personal bike; dual-crown Enduro forks & how we both wish they were more common; EXT suspension, including the Era fork and custom G1-spec Storia shock; & much more.
2021 Leadville 100 Winner, Annie Hughes (Ep.92)
Annie Hughes is 23 years old and is quickly becoming a force in the world of ultra running. So we talked with Annie about her preparation for Leadville and the race itself; waiting tables; our idea to run for president (which is related to waiting tables); her plans to run the Moab 240 this October, and what she’s most excited about beyond this October.
Hip Pack Roundup — 2021
Hip packs have gone from being an ironic fashion throwback to a commonly accepted mountain bike accessory, but they now come in all shapes and sizes. We’ve been testing six options, from ultra-minimalist to quite roomy, and here you can check out how they compare and which would work best for you.
Mountain Town Economics, Pt 2: Housing, Community, & Core Values (Ep.179)
Our guest today is Troy Russ, the community development director of Crested Butte. Troy has a long history in community planning and development, so is able to provide an incredibly well-informed perspective on a broad range of topics, and there are a lot of relevant considerations and takeaways for mountain communities everywhere.
Hoka One One Zinal
The Zinal is Hoka’s latest offering in the more minimally cushioned, fast-and-light category of trail shoes. So how does it compare to the numerous other options in that class, and what sort of runners should have it on their list? Check out our review.
Tech Tip of the Week: Quieting Shimano Brake Pad Rattle
Shimano’s brakes are some of the most popular options out there, but their finned brake pads also have a reputation for rattling. Luckily there’s an easy DIY fix to quiet them down. Check it out.
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.