BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
The Upcoming DH Season (Ep.17)
The World Cup Downhill season starts in just a couple of weeks, so we checked in with Blister reviewers Noah Bodman, David Golay, and Ben Sims to get their thoughts on and predictions for the upcoming season. We also discuss the future prospects and popularity of World Cup DH racing versus the popularity and trajectory of Enduro World Series racing, and we place one very big wager on the upcoming season.
Flash Review: 20/21 Salomon Stance 96
We just spent a day on the new Stance 96 — check out our initial on-snow impressions.
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Holden Sierra Bib
If you’re in the market for a new resort ski / snowboard bib, the comfortable, waterproof, and clean-looking Holden Sierra Bibs are worth a look. Check out our review.
Hayden Hawks on the Black Canyon 100K & Western States (Ep.41)
When a 15-year-old Hayden Hawks first learned about the Western States 100, he knew that he would someday get into running ultras, and it became his dream to race Western States. Fast forward 14 years later, and the now-29-year-old Hayden Hawks is a world-class runner, he’s just won the Black Canyon 100k, and he’s qualified to race Western States this June. So we talked to Hayden about his Black Canyon 100 win and the specific lessons he learned there. And we discuss his trajectory from running track in high school to where he is today, and more.
Blister Speaker Series 2.5: Tommy Caldwell (Ep.120)
Last week at Western Colorado University, we talked to Tommy Caldwell about speed climbing & setting the speed record on the Nose with Alex Honnold; strength vs. experience; how he focuses on climbing projects while also having more disparate responsibilities than ever; and how and why he’s become increasingly involved with environmental causes; and more.
2021-2022 Prior Northwest 110
Last year Prior’s Northwest 110, a fairly heavy, strong, yet playful-looking ski, earned our “Dying to Try It” award, and now having spent a good chunk of time on it, we’re very glad we did, in fact, get to try it. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Prior Northwest 110
We compare the Northwest 110 to the Prior CBC, ON3P Jeffrey 108, K2 Reckoner 112, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, Moment Deathwish, Blizzard Rustler 11, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Nordica Enforcer 110, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Black Crows Atris, & Faction Prodigy 4.0.
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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La Sportiva Bushido II
The La Sportiva Bushido II is designed for fast running on the most technical of terrain, but it’s also supposed to be more versatile and comfortable than the previous iteration. So … is it? Check out our full review.
Flash Review: 20/21 Blizzard Cochise 106
Update 3.2.20: we have a very exciting update on the new Cochise 106.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 20/21 Dynastar M-Pro 99
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new M-Pro 99.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win any Insulated Jacket from Strafe
Enter for your chance to win any insulated jacket from Strafe!
2021-2022 Kye Shapes Metamorph
The Metamorph is the “all-mountain” ski in Kye Shapes lineup, and we think it could really appeal to the right skiers. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Voormi Merino Wool Layer Roundup
We’ve been using several of Voormi’s merino wool layers this year, for everything from winter running to ski touring to around town, and have come away impressed by their versatility and overall performance.
Ski Wax & Waxing Skis: What You Need to Know (Ep.89)
We talk with Graham Lonetto, the Alpine Director for the USA at Swix — the company that invented color-coded waxes, and one of the largest manufacturers of ski wax in the world — about different types of waxes and application methods; the most common mistake made when ski waxing; the FIS’s ban on fluorocarbons in waxes; and more.
Deep Dive: Kye Shapes Metamorph
We compare the Metamorph to the Prior CBC, Icelantic Nomad 105, Icelantic Nomad 115, Moment Deathwish, Moment Wildcat, Blizzard Rustler 11, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Nordica Enforcer 115 Free, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, DPS Foundation Koala 119, Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, Dynastar M-Free 118, Volkl Revolt 121, Faction Candide 4.0.
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:
Flash Review — Ibis Ripley AF
Update 8.3.21: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on Ibis’s budget-friendly, shorter-travel Trail bike.
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 Pivot Trail 429
Pivot’s longstanding Trail 429 recently got a major update, but how true to the original recipe is the new, V3 version? We’ve now had two reviewers spending a lot of time on the new bike, and you can check out our full review for their thoughts on the new bike and how it compares to the rest of the market.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend (July 2021) (Ep.176)
Cody and Jonathan discuss athletes & mental health; the affordable housing issues facing mountain towns; Pit Viper vs. far-right extremists (??); the ongoing consolidation of outdoor media; and more.
Stuff We Like: July 2021
In this edition of our “Stuff We Like” series, we’ve got a mix of products we’ve grown to love even more after posting our reviews, some daily essentials, camping gear, and more.
Andrew Alexander King’s Denali Expedition & the Gear He Used (Ep.156)
Andrew Alexander King tells us about his experience on Denali and some of the most important gear he used.
Win Women’s & Men’s Kits from Club Ride
This week TWO people will get a shirt, short, & chamois from Club Ride!
2021-2022 Sego Comp 110
The Sego Comp 110 seems like a pretty niche ski — it was designed for freeride skiers who need to ski fast and go big, and also throw tricks. But after a season on it, we think its rare blend of traits could be appealing to many skiers — not just those on the competition circuit. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Sego Comp 110
We compare the Comp 110 to the Sego Big Horn 106, Dynastar M-Free 108, J Skis Hotshot, Volkl Katana 108, Moment Commander 108, Blizzard Cochise 106, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Prior Northwest 110, ON3P Woodsman 108, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Black Crows Corvus, Prior Husume, Icelantic Nomad 105, Black Crows Atris, 4FRNT MSP 107, Moment Wildcat 108, & Faction Dictator 3.0.
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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Little Bellas / Sabra Davison (Ep.76)
Sabra Davison grew up ski racing and running, but when she got into mountain biking, she saw girls participating at far lower rates — so she decided to do something about it. Sabra (along with her sister, World Cup XC racer and two-time Olympian, Lea) founded Little Bellas to get girls into riding bikes, and develop the confidence to keep with it. We sat down with Sabra to talk about Little Bellas; how to make skill building fun; removing barriers to participation in what is an expensive sport; and a whole lot more.
Nobl TR37 Wheels
Carbon wheels have become fairly commonplace but Nobl’s TR37s are quite different from most of the market, with front- and rear-specific rims and an unusual “Sine Wave” rim profile. That’s well and good, but how do they compare to the competition on the trail? Check out our full review to find out.
Flat Pedal Roundup — 2021
It’s certainly possible to spend a whole lot of money on a pair of flat pedals, but should you? Flat pedals cover a huge range from basic composite options through super-blingy machined aluminum wonders, and we’ve been testing nine different options across the whole spectrum. Check out our roundup to find out how they all stack up.
2021-2022 DPS Foundation Koala 103
Two of our reviewers spent time on DPS’s new, playful all-mountain ski and both really enjoyed their time on it. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons of the Koala 103 for more on this versatile ski.