BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2018-2019 Scott Scrapper 105
New for 18/19, the Scott Scrapper 105 is a ski that could be placed in either the all-mountain or touring-ski categories, though it really stands out from most of the skis in both. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and flash review.
18/19 Scott Scrapper 105
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Scrapper 105, with comparisons to a few inbounds and touring skis like the Black Diamond Helio 105, Line Sick Day 104, and Armada Tracer 108.
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27.5” Trail Bikes — A Guide + Comparisons
“Trail Bikes” range from lightweight XC whips to burly enduro machines and it can be confusing to choose from all the options. So we’ve compared thirty-one 27.5” wheeled bikes and ordered them from most climbing-oriented to most downhill-oriented, with some new options for this year.
Silky Pocketboy and Ultra Accel Saws
If you don’t think you need to read a review about saws, think again. Check out our review of the Silky Pocketboy and Ultra Accel to learn more.
18/19 Folsom Skis Primary — “The Hammer” Edition
Here are a number of our initial on-snow impressions of The Hammer.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2018-2019 Folsom Skis Primary — “The Hammer” Edition
Last year, we started talking to Folsom about creating an all-mountain charger named “The Hammer.” And after much back-and-forth, the ski’s been built, and we’re excited about how it turned out. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Win Camping & Backpacking Stoves from Primus
Win 2 stoves from Primus — one for your bigger meals at camp, and one for your fast-and-light backcountry missions.
Deep Dive: Fischer Ranger 102 FR
We compare the Ranger 102 FR to the Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Line Sick Day 104, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, ON3P Kartel 108, Faction Candide 3.0, and more…
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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Alpenglow Sports
Not only is Alpenglow Sports an excellent shop, it is also at the epicenter of Lake Tahoe outdoor culture.
2020-2021 Atomic Vantage 97 Ti
The brand-new Atomic Vantage 97 Ti is one of the strongest, most powerful skis we’ve reviewed. But how versatile is it, and how well does it work when you don’t feel like skiing flat out? Check out our full review.
Salomon Skin Pro 15 Set Pack
We’ve now put over 40 days in the Salomon Skin Pro 15 Set Pack, and have continued to find it to be a surprisingly versatile pack that works well for a variety of activities.
John “Verm” Sherman (Ep.12)
John Sherman, one of the godfathers of modern bouldering, discusses the major ways in which the climbing scene has changed since his day; how and why he became a dedicated conservationist; making peace with the changing ethics and arrival of crowds; and much more.
Mammut Eisfeld Light SO Hoody and Pants
The Mammut Eisfeld Light Hoody and Pants’ new fabric technology makes them stand out from the competition, and when combined with the rest of their design, this makes the Eisfeld Light kit a solid soft shell option for alpine climbing.
2019-2020 ON3P Jeffrey 108
We’ve now had three reviewers on the new ON3P Kartel 108, and we still think it’s one of the most interesting options in the all-mountain freestyle category. See why in our full review.
18/19 Liberty Helix 98
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the brand-new Helix 98, with comparisons to the Liberty Origin 96, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, and more…
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:
2-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (19/20)
The quivers keep getting smaller, and the decisions keep getting harder. We’re now asking our reviewers to cut their quivers down to 2 skis, and you can now check out all of their selections.
3-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (19/20)
Check out Part 2 of our reviewers’ 3-ski-quiver selections, with additions from Kristin Sinnott, Kara Williard, Sascha Anastas, Jonathan Ellsworth, & Cy Whitling.
Cappuccino Cowboys Apologizes + Jared Hazen & Eric Senseman (Ep.26)
Mr. Cappuccino of the Cappuccino Cowboys is back on the show to issue an apology for his performance last week. And then Jared Hazen and Eric Senseman join us, so we got to ask them why they continue to associate with Mr. Cappuccino, and more.
4-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (19/20)
Check out part 2 of our reviewers’ 4-ski-quiver selections, including additions from Eric Freson, Kara Williard, Paul Forward, Sascha Anastas, and Sam Shaheen.
Reporter Jason Blevins on Backcountry.com (Ep.109)
Jason Blevins of the Colorado Sun broke the story about backcountry.com’s practices around trademark issues, so we talk to Jason about how this story got on his radar; the specifics of what backcountry.com was doing; how common or uncommon these practices are; how backcountry.com has subsequently responded; and what needs to be done going forward.
Our Climbing & MTB Trip with 57hours
With the help of 57hours and our guide, Willie Benegas, we spent a few days biking and climbing around Moab — check out our recap video and trip report.
5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (19/20)
It’s that time of year — we’re fantasizing about skiing and our ideal ski quivers. We’ll be rolling out a bunch of our reviewers’ personal selections, and we’re kicking it off with our 5-ski quivers.
What is The North Face Futurelight? (Ep.74)
The North Face is attempting to do something that many have tried, but few have succeeded: compete head-to-head with Gore-Tex in the waterproof / breathable fabric category. So we talked with Scott Mellin, the Global General Manager of Mountain Sports at The North Face, about their new fabric technology, Futurelight, the ideas behind it; what sets it apart in the waterproof / breathable fabric market; sustainability practices related to Futurelight; some stories from athlete testing, and much more.
Win an Avalanche Safety Course with 57hours
Win a 3-day AIARE Level 1 or Level 2 avalanche safety course!
Insulated Skirt Roundup
An insulated skirt may seem like a niche product, but after using several of them this fall, many of our reviewers now consider them an essential piece. Check out our roundup for a bunch of skirts that can take you from your morning run, bike, or ski tour all the way to après.
Blister Brand Guide: Topo Athletic Running Shoe Lineup, 2019
Topo Athletic takes a different approach than many brands when it comes to running shoes. They specialize in lower-drop shoes with wider, foot-shaped toe boxes, and their lineup covers a wide range of road and trail shoes. Check out our Brand Guide to figure out which Topo shoe might be best for you.
DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, no longer with DPS
UPDATE: We now have a statement from Stephan Drake regarding his departure from the company he founded.