BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Random Review: Beastie Boys Story
The Beastie Boys just dropped a “live documentary,” and we explain why everyone needs to see it.
Rickey Gates on Running across America (Ep.48)
In 2017, Rickey Gates set out on an odyssey to run across America — 3,700 miles from South Carolina to San Francisco. We talked to Rickey about this cross-country adventure and what he learned along the way, and how it fits in with his other projects, like his “Every Single Street” initiative; “Hut Run Hut” and “Bus Run Bus”; and “50 Classic Trails.”
Flash Review: 20/21 Sego Condor 108
Update 4.28.20: Jonathan Ellsworth adds some of his thoughts on the Condor 108 and how it compares to the 4FRNT Raven & Salomon QST 106.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Dalbello Lupo Pro HD
We’ve now put more than 60 days in Dalbello’s Lupo Pro HD, and tried it with a variety of tongue & liner combinations. Check out our full review for an in-depth look at the boot, how it compares to a variety of other touring and alpine boots, and who we think would most appreciate it.
Hoka One One EVO Speedgoat
If you’re someone who’s strayed away from maximal trail shoes because they’re often too heavy or bulky — or you’re just looking for a lighter, well-cushioned shoe — the Hoka EVO Speedgoat should be on your radar. Check out our full review.
Flash Review: 20/21 Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender
Check out our thoughts on the BLACKOPS Sender and how it compares to the BLACKOPS Sender Ti.
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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2021-2022 Volkl Secret 102
The Volkl Secret 102 definitely stands out in the current women’s ski market and it might be just what some aggressive skiers have been looking for, though it won’t be for everyone. Check out our full review.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks: From Special Ops to Backcountry Skiing (Ep.97)
Mystery Ranch has a long history of working with and making packs for the US military, fire departments, and law enforcement. They also make everything from backpacks for everyday use, to packs for backcountry skiing, and the company has quite a unique culture. So we sat down with product designer, Alex Rich, to discuss what it’s like to design packs for US special forces; how their military designs trickle down to outdoor packs (and vice versa); how their design ethos reflects their sustainability culture; and more.
Win Men’s & Women’s Hiking Kits from Eddie Bauer
Enter for a chance to win a softshell jacket, baselayer, & pants from Eddie Bauer!
Best / Worst Ideas for Our Blister ‘Crash Course’ Videos (Ep. 22)
As a way to show our appreciation for our Bikes & Big Ideas listeners, we discussed our best / worst ideas for the bikes edition of our Blister ‘Crash Course’ video series — and some of the ideas are truly magnificent. So check it out, and then please feel free to suggest your own best / worst ideas for our ‘Crash Course’ bike videos.
Flash Review: 20/21 Majesty Havoc
Check out Paul Forward’s initial impressions of the new Majesty Havoc.
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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(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.)
2020-2021 Majesty Havoc
We’re reviewing a number of Majesty’s new 20/21 skis, including the 110mm-wide, freeride-oriented Havoc. Check out our First Look for more info.
Houdini Shelter Anorak
Anoraks: one of the most controversial topics at Blister. Well, our managing editor has decided to continue to anger our editor-in-chief by testing more of them, and Houdini’s Shelter Anorak has become one of his all-time favorites. Check out his review of this minimal, waterproof shell.
2020-2021 K2 Recon Pro
We’ve seen a lot of companies making lighter and lighter alpine boots over the past few years, but that category hadn’t extended past the 130-flex realm. That changes for 20/21 with the introduction of the K2 Recon Pro — a lightweight boot with a stated flex of 140 and several unique features. Check out our First Look.
Jenny & Scott Jurek on Cooking, Running, & Kids (Ep.47)
Late last week, Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked with Jenny and Scott Jurek. This probably wasn’t the conversation that you ought to have when you get to talk with a running icon like Scott Jurek and someone who is as accomplished and interesting as Jenny, but, whatever. We had fun, and you will, too. Among other things, we talk about Scott’s very first race; Jenny’s transition from climbing to running; Scott’s love of cooking; Jenny’s ambition to set the Slowest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail; and the process of co-writing their wonderful book, North.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Any Renoun Skis
This week the winner will get to pick a pair of Renoun’s unique skis!
Dan Bacon of Wheelbased on Integration, Active Suspension, & the Future of MTB Tech (Ep.85)
MTB patent applications are a great window into what’s coming down the pipeline, and Dan Bacon, (of Wheelbased.com) knows more about them than anyone. We get into it about cockpit integration (and how some of us hate it); electronic brakes(?!?!); active suspension; automakers joining the fray; and a whole bunch more.
Stuff We Like: September 2021
In this month’s edition of our “Stuff We Like” series, we’ve got everything from stoves to beverages, gloves, headlamps, knives, & more.
Hoka Mach 4
The Hoka Mach 4 offers a rare combination of plush cushioning and springy efficiency that makes it great for a wide variety of road runs, but it’s not quite a perfect do-everything shoe. Check out our review to see why, and if it’d make sense for you.
2021 Guerrilla Gravity Pedalhead
Guerrilla Gravity’s Pedalhead hardtail just got a major update, and we’ve been spending a whole bunch of time on it. Check out our full review for our thoughts on the bike that GG says is “built for everything from crushing singletrack miles to getting rad around town.”
From G.N.A.R. Star to Mayor? Why Spencer Cordovano is Running for Office (Ep.183)
How does a ski bum go from starring in the beloved movie G.N.A.R. to running for mayor? And why? We talk with Spencer Cordovano to get some answers, and you’ll get to hear how and why Spencer went from ripping BN runs the movie G.N.A.R. to working to mobilize a certain constituency to make the mountain town he lives in and the community he loves … even better.
Tech Tip: Tubeless Tire Tricks
Tubeless tires are ubiquitous on mountain bikes these days, but they can still be a real headache. Fortunately, we’ve got a bunch of tips and tricks that can help make setting them up and maintaining them much easier.
Win a Full Riding Kit from Giro
This week our winner will get a helmet, goggles, shoes, pants, and a jersey from Giro!
Eric Pollard on Innovation, Graphics, & Season’s Ski Lineup (Ep.164)
It is difficult to overstate the innovation that Eric Pollard has brought to modern skiing, and in this conversation, you’ll get to hear more about how Eric sees the world and finds himself pursuing new directions. We also talk about graphics; Season’s all-black topsheets; and each of the models in Season’s ski lineup.
USWE Pace 8 Running Vest
Our running editor has been searching for the ideal running vest for 6 years now, and the USWE Pace 8 might just be the best one he’s used. Check out our review to see why.
Alex Desmond on Designing a Better Adaptive MTB (Ep.84)
Alex Desmond is an engineer, and when a friend of his suffered a stroke and was no longer able to ride a bike, Alex decided to do something about it. Six years later, the fruits of that project are here — as the Orange Phase AD3. Not only is the end result remarkable, but the story of how it came to be might be even wilder, so we sat down with Alex to get the rundown on the project including a whole lot of the technical details; getting the likes of Martyn Ashton and Lorraine Truong involved; the limitations of other adaptive mountain bikes; and how Alex ultimately used the project to land a job at Orange.
Dakine Seeker 18L Bike Hydration Backpack
Fanny packs are seemingly taking over the mountain bike world, but larger packs still have their place, and the Dakine Seeker 18 is a good one. Check out our full review.