BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 19/20 Fauna Pioneer
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Fauna Pioneer.
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2019-2020 Folsom Blister Pro 104
This season we’ve been spending a lot of time on the ski we’ve been working on with Folsom, the Blister Pro 104, and you can now check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Folsom Blister Pro 104
We compare the Blister Pro 104 to the Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Nordica Enforcer 100, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Volkl Mantra 102, ON3P Woodsman 108, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Blizzard Cochise, K2 Mindbender 99 Ti, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Salomon QST 106, Armada ARV 106Ti, Blizzard Rustler 10, 4FRNT MSP 107, and J Skis Metal.
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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Eric Walker on Running 5k a Day for 365 Days (Ep.39)
By some measures, Eric Walker is a pretty normal guy. He lives in Minnesota, he’s not a professional runner, he’s 38 years old, and he’s a husband and a dad. But at some point in 2018, Eric found himself committed to the goal of running 5 kilometers every day for 365 days … and a year later, he’d done it. So Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Eric to find out what motivated him to do this? How he actually pulled it off? What he learned in the process? And whether this something he thinks the rest of us should try?
Mtn Guide Rob Coppolillo on Backcountry Travel, Education, & Gear (Ep.119)
We talk to IFMGA / AMGA mountain guide, Rob Coppolillo (author of The Mountain Guide Manual and the new book, The Ski Guide Manual) about how he got into guiding; the current state of backcountry and avalanche education; his take on the pros and cons of avalanche airbag packs; the fundamental question of the most effective way to travel in the backcountry; and more.
Spyder Sanction GTX Pro Shell Jacket
The Sanction GTX Pro Shell Jacket is one of Spyder’s top-of-the-line shells, and we’ve had three reviewers testing it this season. Check out our full review.
Flash Review: 20/21 Black Crows Atris
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Atris.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win any Shaggy’s Ski
Enter for your chance to win any ski from Shaggy’s 2020 lineup!
From Courmayeur to Chamonix: Testing new SCOTT Skis (Ep.87)
Sam Shaheen was recently testing the new SCOTT Superguide Freetour in the Italian Alps, so in our latest GEAR:30, he talks with SCOTT about their new ski, their new touring boot, the history of SCOTT, and more.
2021-2022 Whitedot Altum 104
We’ve now spent a good chunk of time on the Whitedot Altum 104, and have come away quite impressed by the versatility of this playful, all-mountain ski. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Whitedot Altum 104
We compare the Altum 104 to the Moment PB&J, Dynastar M-Free 108, K2 Reckoner 112, Prior Northwest 110, Faction Prodigy 3.0, Icelantic Nomad 105, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Moment Deathwish, Blizzard Rustler 10, ON3P Woodsman 108, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Sego Big Horn 106, Moment Wildcat 108, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Armada ARV 106Ti, Liberty Origin 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, and J Skis Metal.
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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Women’s Insulated Vest Roundup
Whether for high-output activities or strolling around town, a good insulated vest can be a very versatile year-round layer. Check out some of our favorites.
2020 Transition Scout
Transition just released an updated version of their mid-travel 27.5” bike, the Scout, and the new bike looks like a very intriguing mix of playful and aggressive. Check out our thoughts in our First Look.
Flash Review: 20/21 K2 Reckoner 112
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Reckoner 112.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Valentine’s Day Roundup — 2020
Looking for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for that special someone? Check out some of our reviewers’ top picks.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2021-2022 RMU Apostle 3.0 106
The revised Apostle 3.0 106 is an exceptionally maneuverable and playful ski, but also one that certain skiers could really love for skiing fast and dynamically all over the mountain. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Bikes vs. Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2 (Ep.72)
Which ski brand is most similar to Transition? Guerrilla Gravity? Specialized? Which bike company is most like K2? ON3P? Moment? We answer all of these questions and more in Part 2 of Bikes vs. Skis. Check it out — and let us know your answers.
Women’s Rain Jacket Roundup — 2021
A reliable, packable rain jacket is always nice to have — especially when you never really know what the weather is going to throw at you. We’ve been testing five women’s rain jackets (plus one for kids) and in this roundup, we discuss what sets each one apart.
Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts Roundup — 2021
These days “mountain bike shorts” can be a lot of things, from highly-technical pieces with fancy fabrics and bike-specific fits to more casual options that look good on or off the bike. We’ve been testing 10 options across the whole spectrum, and you can check out our latest roundup here.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Pagoda 106 C2
We got some days on the latest version of DPS’s 106 C2 shape, this time with their new Pagoda construction. Check out our initial thoughts.
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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Your Insurance Probably Sucks. Spot Can Change That. (Ep.172)
If you’re reading this, then you need to listen to this episode. Because many of us in the outdoor community either don’t have insurance, or have deductibles that we can barely afford to pay when the inevitable accident happens. But Spot is disrupting the insurance industry with a hard-to-believe alternative that is actually affordable. We sat down with the co-founder and CEO of Spot, Matt Randall, to discuss exactly how Spot works; why the insurance industry is such a mess; and why we think you and pretty much everyone you know ought to be covered by Spot.
Stuff We Like: June 2021
We’re back with this month’s edition of “Stuff We Like.” The June version includes everything from bandanas to MTB pedals to kayak paddles and much more.
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 3: Pret (Ep.151)
We talk with the president & CEO of Pret Helmets about the “dart test” portion of the safety certification process; the prospects of implementing customizable helmet liners; why Pret places such an emphasis on ventilation; and more.
Win a Pack & Jacket from Ultimate Direction
This week the winner will get an ultralight backpack and shell from Ultimate Direction!
2021-2022 Volkl M6 Mantra
The Volkl Mantra has been a reference ski in the all-mountain category for over a decade, and Volkl updated it for 21/22. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons to see what’s new, what isn’t, and how this new ski compares to the current market.
Deep Dive: Volkl M6 Mantra
We compare the M6 Mantra to the M5 Mantra, Volkl Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Nordica Enforcer 94, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 96, Salomon QST 99, Moment Commander 98, 4FRNT MSP 99, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Dynastar M-Pro 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9, & DPS Pagoda Piste 94 C2.
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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Bikes vs. Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 1 (Ep.71)
Which bike & ski company would you buy stock in right now? Which company is currently holding the “Cool Kids Belt”? Who is currently overhyped, and who is flying under the radar? Who do other brands secretly wish they could trade places with? We answer all these questions and more, so check it out and tell us your answers to these questions in the comments section.