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.
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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:
Win a Helmet, Sunglasses, & Pads from POC
This week you could win POC’s Kortal Race MIPS Helmet, Devour Sunglasses, & VPD Oseus Knee Pads!
2021 Ibis Ripley AF
We’ve spent the past few months riding the least-expensive version of Ibis’s least-expensive bike, the Ripley AF. All of our reviewers came away impressed, and you can check out our video and written reviews for the whole story.
Galfer on MTB Brake Tech (Ep.81)
Mountain biking with inadequate brakes is terrifying, but the role of pads and rotors is often underappreciated. So we sat down with Daryl Simmons of Galfer USA to go deep on brake pads and rotors, including differences in pad materials and why the basic metallic vs. organic debate doesn’t tell the whole story; what factors influence wet-weather performance and heat resistance; rotor design and how to think about choosing rotor sizes; and a whole lot more.
Blister Brand Guide: Rocky Mountain’s Mountain Bike Lineup, 2022
For model-year 2022, Rocky Mountain’s lineup remains mostly the same, apart from some new build kits and colors on their already-successful offerings. Check out our Brand Guide to see which 2022 Rocky Mountain bike might work best for you.
Flash Review: Nicolai / Geometron G1
The Nicolai G1 stands out as being just about the most aggressive-seeming Enduro bike on the market, and we’ve been spending time on it. Check out our Flash Review for our initial 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.)
Running through the News (Aug 2021) (Ep.93)
Today we’re kicking off a new series on Off The Couch, and Sanjay Rawal joins us to talk primarily about track and field at the Olympics, but we also talk about the Leadville 100, and the longest foot race in the world, the 3,100-mile Self Transcendence race in New York.
Stuff We Like: August 2021
In the latest edition of “Stuff We Like,” our reviewers share a broad range of products they’re currently using — and really liking — from fancy sparkling water to bike tires, boots, and more.
Mountain Town Economics, Pt 3: Developing Housing, Addressing Climate Change, & Mitigating Megafires (Ep.180)
While we are dealing with the crisis of affordable housing, we are also dealing with a crisis of megafires. And our guest today, Scott Ehlert, is here to make clear how these two crises are related, and what solutions are available to mitigate both.
Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra
One of our reviewers is calling the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra “one of the best long-distance trail shoes on the market.” Check out his review to see why.
Debatable: Internal Cable Routing Isn’t Worth It
It seems like almost every bike comes with internal cable routing these days, but why? Our Bike Editor lays out his case for why cables ought to stay external.
Shop Talk: Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.160)
We talk with Rachel and Drew Harding, the owners of the Spokane Alpine Haus, about the ski scene in Spokane, Washington; the Alpine Haus’ massive equipment leasing program; interesting ways to destroy skis; kid’s gear; and more.
Win a Made-in-USA Shirt from Kitsbow
This week the winner will get Kitsbow’s Icon Flannel Shirt, which is made in the USA from Pendleton Wool!