BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
The North Face Freethinker Futurelight Jacket & Pants
The North Face’s new “Futurelight” fabric has been the mysterious buzzword of the industry this season, and we’ve now spent some time in their Freethinker Futurelight Jacket & Pants. Check out our initial review of this new outwear kit.
Best Mtn Bike Gear of the Past Decade (Ep.13)
Of the entire past decade, what was the most influential bike or bike part? What were the best bikes or bike parts? What were the biggest gear trends? And what was our selection for the Best Product of the Decade? We cover all of this and more.
2021-2022 4FRNT Inthayne
Update: reviewer Cy Whitling has been spending time on 4FRNT’s playful pow ski, the Inthayne, and he now adds his take on the ski.
Sanjay Rawal on Running Dumb, Training Slow, & Finding Joy through Exertion (Ep.33)
We talk to Sanjay Rawal about his rather spectacular performance — and even more spectacular meltdown — near the end of the California International Marathon, and discuss the concepts of running dumb; training slow; finding joy through exertion; whether it is possible to run a great time by not caring about running a great time; and more.
Spyder Turret GTX Shell Pants
Spyder recently brought back their “Freeski” collection, designed specifically for freeride and freestyle skiers. Their Turret GTX Pants package proven, high-end materials into a design and style that we haven’t seen from the brand in a long time, and you can check out our review for more.
Ski & Snowboard Industry Predictions for the New Decade (Ep.115)
What will the ski & snowboard industry look like 10 years from now? Will backcountry skiing and splitboarding keep growing? Will indoor ski areas become more common? Will there be fewer or more ski companies in existence 10 years from now? We offer our predictions on all of these questions and more.
La Sportiva Lycan
La Sportiva has made a name for themselves by making shoes specifically designed for technical, mountainous terrain. But their Lycan looks to fill a void in their lineup — a softer, wider, and more comfortable option for moderate terrain and longer distances. Check out our full review.
Flash Review: 19/20 Moment Commander 98
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new Moment Commander 98.
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Best Ski Gear of the Past Decade (Ep.81)
Of the entire past decade, what was the most influential ski, ski boot, and ski binding? What was the best ski? What were the biggest trends? And what was our selection for the Best Product of the Decade? We cover all of this and more.
Flash Review: 19/20 WNDR Alpine Intention 110
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the cambered version of the WNDR Alpine Intention 110.
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2021-2022 Icelantic Nomad 105
We’ve been skiing Icelantic’s best-selling ski, the Nomad 105, and we now understand why it holds that title. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Icelantic Nomad 105
We compare the Nomad 105 to the Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Moment Deathwish, Moment Wildcat 108, Salomon Qst 106, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 4FRNT MSP 107, Liberty Origin 106, Blizzard Rustler 10, ON3P Woodsman 108, Nordica Enforcer Free 104, Armada ARV 106Ti, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, & 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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Blister Brand Guide: Giant / Liv Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
Giant is the largest bike manufacturer in the world, so it makes sense that Giant and its sister brand, Liv, make a wide range of mountain bikes. Check out our Brand Guide to quickly figure out how each Giant & Liv bike differs, and which one might work best for you.
Loungewear Roundup
Sometimes, all you want is to be comfortable. It’s great to have soft, cozy clothing for those days when the main activity is doing no activity at all, and we’ve rounded up several of our favorite, comfy tops, bottoms, & slippers for men & women.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max
Inov-8 say their “graphene-enhanced” TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max is “the first max cushioned shoe that adapts and reacts to terrain.” That’s a bold claim, but during our time with this shoe, it has proven to be a very appealing option for long days on the trail where comfort, efficiency, and stability are paramount. Check out our full review for the whole story.
Flash Review: Trek Session
We’ve been spending time on the new, high-pivot 2022 Trek Session. Check out our Flash Review for some initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021 Marin Alpine Trail
The Marin Alpine Trail is one of the most playful Enduro bikes we’ve been on recently, but also manages to keep a great deal of capability in technical terrain — and is an impressive bang-for-buck to boot. We think it’s a really compelling option for the right sort of rider, and you can check out our full review to find out who we think will get on best with this unique offering from Marin.
Unlikely Hikers & the Evolution of the Outdoor Industry (Ep.86)
If you want to understand one of the most important developments currently taking place in the outdoor industry, then listen up. Jenny Bruso is the founder of Unlikely Hikers, and what she has started is a movement that is growing fast, and for good reason. See why.
Flash Review: 21/22 Atomic Maverick 88 Ti
This season we spent time on all the new Maverick “Ti” skis, and here we discuss our initial thoughts on the narrowest option in the group.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Blister Brand Guide: Santa Cruz / Juliana Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
Santa Cruz and its sister brand, Juliana, have been steadily updating several of their long-standing bikes over the past year. Check out our Brand Guide for more info on their whole 2021 lineup, and which of their bikes might make sense for you.
Ride Concepts Hellion Elite Shoe
Ride Concepts recently added a new flat-pedal shoe to their lineup, the Hellion Elite, which is a relatively low-profile option with the brand’s stickiest rubber. But how does it compare to popular options like the Five Ten Freerider Pro, and which riders are going to like this new shoe the most? Check out our full review to find out.
Old Principles & New Challenges of Apparel Design (Ep.147)
We talk with Carl Moriarty (previously the Design Director at Arc’teryx, currently the Design Director at Rapha) about his career path in the outdoor industry; several principles of technical apparel design; the challenge of balancing high performance with sustainability; and how being clear on these things can help us evaluate advertising claims about new pieces.
Win a Women’s or Men’s MTB Kit from 7mesh
This week the winner will get kitted out head-to-toe with high-end Mtb apparel from 7mesh!
Flash Review: 21/22 Romp Zorro 89
Romp is adding a few new designs to their lineup for next year, and we’ve so far been impressed by the versatility of their new narrow all-mountain ski.
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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Hoka One One Evo Mafate 2
The Evo Mafate 2 is designed to cover a lot of distance while still being light, efficient, and reliable on a wide range of trail surfaces. And so far, we’d say it pretty much lives up to the hype. Check out our review for more.
Öhlins TTX22 Shock
The world of high-end shocks is one filled with lots of dials and adjustments, but that can also make it a bit tricky to arrive at your ideal settings. The Öhlins TTX22, however, has proven to offer the reliable, high-end performance you’d expect of a top-tier product, but is also very simple and easy to get running really well. Check out our full review for the whole story.