BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Marathoner Nell Rojas on Strength Training, Speed Work, & Low Mileage (Ep.38)
Nell Rojas is fascinating. And fast. So fast that on February 29th, she’s got a shot at making the USA Marathon team, despite the fact that she didn’t race her 1st marathon until 2018. But she then won her 2nd marathon (the very competitive Grandma’s Marathon), and now, the Olympic Trials are right around the corner. So we talked to Nell about her unique background; the dynamics of being coached by her dad (Rick Rojas); her uncommon emphasis on strength training, low mileage, speed work, and more.
Flash Review: 20/21 Parlor McFellon Pro
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the McFellon Pro.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Baselayer Roundup — 2020
A great layering system starts with a great baselayer — check out our baselayer roundup for a bunch of options for men and women, ranging from light and breathable to thick and toasty.
2021-2022 Armada ARG II
We’ve been getting time in Alaska on the super-fat Armada ARG II, and you can now check out our review.
Win any 20/21 Icelantic Ski
Enter for your chance to win any ski from Icelantic’s 20/21 lineup!
Patagonia’s Glen Morden & Corey Simpson on Product Performance & Sustainability (Ep.86)
Patagonia’s Glen Morden (Product Innovation, Materials, & Development) and Corey Simpson (Communications) came to Crested Butte to ski with us and to discuss how Patagonia is thinking about sustainability and product performance; how they continue to evolve on this front; talk about a few of their new pieces; their prototyping process; and more.
Flash Review: 19/20 Folsom Blister Pro 104
Check out some of our on-snow impressions of the Folsom Blister Pro 104.
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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10th Annual Blister Awards — Outdoor Retailer Snow Show
Check out Part 2 of our Blister Outdoor Retailer awards, including classics like best / worst graphics, gear we were most tempted to steal, the “WTF is that?” award, and many more…
Liza Howard on Donut Money; Parenting; Age & Expectations; Band of Runners; & More (Ep.37)
Liza Howard is smart, funny, accomplished, humble, and by her own account … is extremely susceptible to peer pressure. She’s run marathons to impress a guy, still runs marathons for donut money, has won the Leadville 100 (and other big races) multiple times, is a coach, a parent, a NOLS Wilderness instructor, and the director of the terrific non-profit, Band of Runners. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and you are in for a treat.
Trip Report: Eleven Cat Skiing
We recently headed out to Irwin, Colorado, with Eleven Cat Skiing to do some very proper pow ski testing. Check out our trip report for a full recap and more info.
Flash Review: 20/21 Dynastar M-Free 108
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new M-Free 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.
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2020 Outdoor Retailer Highlights (Ep.85)
We sat down at the Outdoor Retailer / SIA show to discuss some of the most notable trends, interesting products, weirdest products, and the thing at the show that caused Jonathan to legally change his name.
Win any Sego Ski
Enter for your chance to win any of Sego’s 14 different skis!
Duncan Callahan on Winter Training; Coaching & Competing; & More (Ep.36)
Duncan Callahan is back on Off The Couch, and we discuss the increasing amount of coaching he’s doing with Carmichael Training Systems (including our own Maddie Hart); thoughts on winter training; the logistics of being a coach versus being an athlete, and more.
2020-2021 DPS Alchemist Zelda 106 C2
We’ve been spending a lot of time on DPS’s redesigned Zelda A106 C2 and have come away pretty impressed by the versatility of this lightweight all-mountain ski. Check out our full review.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win any Shoe from Deckers X Lab
This week the winner will get any shoes or sandals they want from the brand that makes what our editor-in-chief calls “the most comfortable things I’ve ever put on my feet.”
Claudio Caluori on Building Pump Tracks in Israel + Upcoming Projects (Ep.68)
We talk with Claudio Caluori after he’d just returned from Israel. The conflict between Israel and Palestine had escalated while Claudio was there, and we wanted to learn more about the work he was doing in Israel; why he stayed to finish the project; and what he learned while being on the ground there. We also discuss a really exciting project that Claudio breaks the news about during this conversation.
2021 Transition Spire
Transition’s just-released Patrol was the longest-travel non-DH bike in their lineup — for just 48 hours. Enter the all-new Spire, Transition’s 170mm-travel 29er. So how do the two bikes differ, and who should be most interested in each? Check out our First Look on the Spire for all the details.
Flash Review: 2022 Fox 34
Fox gave their 34 a substantial update for 2022, and we’ve been spending time on the new one. Check out our Flash Review for our initial impressions, including how it compares to the new and old Fox 36.
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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Book Club: Andrew Alexander King on the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Ep.168)
We talk with mountaineer, climber, and big-wave surfer, Andrew Alexander King, about the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, and why this book written in the 2nd century is still so relevant today.
Blister Summit Brand Lineups: Dynastar Skis 21/22
We talk to Matt Beers about the history and evolution of Dynastar, and their new 21/22 “M-Line” of skis.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 118
DPS is updating their big, stout, yet playful pow ski for 21/22. Check out our Flash Review for our take on how it compares to the previous version, and a few other playful-yet-stable pow skis.
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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2021 Transition Patrol
The Patrol has long been in Transition’s lineup as their longest-travel Enduro bike, with 27.5’’ wheels. Today they dropped an updated version, and while the 160 mm of rear travel remains, the new Patrol gets the mullet treatment, with a 29’’ wheel and 160mm-travel fork up front. There’s a lot more that’s new than just wheel sizes, so check out our First Look for all the details.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 6: Ski Boot Suspension (Ep.148)
Matt Manser is back to talk about bike crashes and ski-boot suspension.
Win Pit Viper’s New MTB Apparel Line + 3 Sunglasses
Pit Viper just launched their first line of technical MTB apparel, and the winner this week will get basically everything in the new collection + 3 pairs of their sunglasses!
Miranda Miller on MGM Alternative, Enduro vs DH, Espresso Machines, & More (Ep.67)
We’re talking with Miranda Miller about starting her new YouTube channel, MGM Alternative, with Remi Gauvin and Jesse Melamed; choosing riding partners; racing Enduro vs. racing DH; espresso machines & World Cup wins; books; & more.
Stuff We Like: May 2021
In our new monthly series with the remarkably descriptive title, “Stuff We Like,” our reviewers share a broad range of products they’re currently using — and really liking — from small accessories to the clothes they’re lounging around in, to just about anything and everything else.