BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2020-2021 DPS Foundation Koala 119
UPDATE: After we published our review of the DPS Koala F119, Dash Longe — who had a large role in the creation of the ski — shared his assessment of our review, then offered his own take on the ski and its purpose. Check out what Dash had to say.
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WNDR Alpine’s New Skis (Ep.63)
We talk to WNDR Alpine’s founder, Matt Sterbenz, and brand manager, Xan Marshland, about the creation of and the future plans for WNDR Alpine; its relation to the biotech company, Checkerspot; and we dive deep into the details of their new ski, the Intention 110.
How to Have a Constructive Conversation about e-Bikes (Ep.8)
Like politics and religion, e-bikes are a topic that get people extremely worked up, often result in name calling, and rarely are productive. And this needs to change, because e-Bikes are not going away. So we talked to Dave Wiens, the executive director of the International Mountain Biking Association, to help clarify what all the fuss is about; identify what the biggest issues are with e-mountain bikes; present the concerns that the advocates of — and the opponents of — e-bikes need to understand; and lay out what the best way forward looks like.
Shorts Roundup — 2019
Companies are now making lots of shorts that not only look great, but that can also handle days on the trails, wall, water, or bike. We’ve collected a number of our favorite options for men and women — check them out here.
David Roche on the Philosophy Behind His Coaching (Ep.14)
David Roche is one of the most successful running coaches out there, but he is definitely not the most conventional running coach out there. So we explore with David the philosophy and principles that undergird his coaching; how he went from being a 200 lb. football & baseball player to two-time national champion in the 10k; what new training ideas seem most promising to him; and more.
Deep Dive: DPS Foundation Koala 119
We compare the Koala F119 to the Rossignol Black Ops 118, Prior CBC, Dynastar Menace Proto, J Skis Friend, ON3P Jeffrey 116, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Volkl Revolt 121, Nordica Enforcer Pro, Icelantic Nomad 115, Faction Candide 5.0, and Faction Candide 4.0.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Biotech hits the Backcountry: Checkerspot & WNDR Alpine (Ep.98)
What does biotech have to do with backcountry skiing? And what does microalgae have to do with skis? And why did the founder of 4FRNT Skis, Matt Sterbenz, agree to get involved with a new startup ski brand, WNDR Alpine? We sat down in Blister HQ with Checkerspot co-founder and CEO, Charlie Dimmler, and WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, to talk about the creation of WNDR Alpine; its relation to and the mission of Checkerspot; and more.
What You’re Wearing Part 2: Wool (Ep.62)
Why are more and more companies making products out of wool? What makes it unique from other fibers? And how is merino wool different from regular wool? We talk to Icebreaker’s Josh Vaughan about these questions; wool’s environmental impact; the variety of wool types and how they differ; and he provides some amazingly in-depth insight about wool’s unique properties.
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Win a pair of La Sportiva’s versatile TX3 shoes!
La Sportiva TX3 Shoe
Approach shoes vary a lot, from casual sneaker styles to others that are basically toned-down mountaineering boots. So where does La Sportiva’s TX3 fall, and how does it compare to the competition? Check out our full review.
2019 BTR Ranger 27.5
“Enduro Hardtail” — sound like an oxymoron? Well BTR, a custom builder out of England, makes them, and one of our reviewers has spent the past 2 years riding their long and slack steel hardtail, with some surprising conclusions. Check out the full review of the BTR Ranger.
Runner, Cat Herder, Garbage Man, & Mad Moose Events Director, Justin Ricks (Ep.13)
We talk to Mad Moose race director, Justin Ricks, about walking away from running; returning to running — and leaving a secure corporate job and moving his family into a camper to do so; putting on 20+ race events a year with his family; scoring impressive results when he himself decides to race; and how running is very much a whole family affair for the Ricks’.
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5
A lot of running shoes are marketed as being good for “all terrain,” though few actually deliver. But we think the Hoka Challenger ATR5 truly does, and you can check out our full review to see where this shoe shines in particular.
How to Change the World with Bikes: World Bicycle Relief (Ep.97)
For many of us, bikes are primarily fun. But for many others, bikes are major drivers of economic development, educational opportunity, health care, and equality. World Bicycle Relief was started by the founder of SRAM to provide bikes to developing countries, and we talk with WBR’s CEO, Dave Neiswander, about the origins of World Bicycle Relief; its trajectory and challenges; all the product design that goes into their bikes; and what each of us can do to support the WBR mission.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Reviewer Reports: Privateer 161; Suspension Roundup; Aggressive Hardtails; & Wheel Size (Ep.53)
We’re discussing the Privateer 161; offering more fork and shock comparisons; wrapping our heads around Marin’s aggressive hardtail; and our bike editor makes the case for why you might want to reconsider swearing allegiance to one particular wheel size.
Flash Review: 20/21 Moment Chipotle Banana
Check out Paul Forward’s initial take on Moment’s 122mm-wide Chipotle Banana, both as a pure pow ski and as a resort chop 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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2021-2022 4FRNT Devastator
From the steep and deep to the firm and fast, we’ve been spending a lot of time on the overhauled 4FRNT Devastator. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to see how the new ski compares to its predecessor and the rest of the playful all-mountain market.
Deep Dive: 4FRNT Devastator
We compare the new Devastator to the previous Devastator, Moment Meridian, Sego Big Horn 106, Whitedot Altum 104, Moment Wildcat 108, J Skis Hotshot, Dynastar M-Free 108, K2 Reckoner 112, Black Crows Atris, Line Sir Francis Bacon, ON3P Woodsman 108, Volkl Revolt 104, Season Nexus, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Icelantic Nomad 105, 4FRNT MSP 107, Blizzard Rustler 10, & Liberty Origin 106.
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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Flash Review: 20/21 Faction La Machine
Reviewer Paul Forward has been skiing a lot of pow on a lot of fat skis. One of those has been Faction’s 126mm-wide La Machine — check out his 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.
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La Sportiva Jackal GTX
The Jackal GTX takes the more accommodating fit and long-distance-oriented design of the standard Jackal and makes it better for cold, wet trails thanks to a Gore-Tex laminate. Check out our review to see how it’s been performing this winter.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Dylan Wood (Ep.135)
In the hot seat: Blister mountain bike and ski reviewer, Dylan Wood.
2021-2022 Blizzard Cochise 106
Blizzard updated their all-mountain charger this season, and it’s now time for us to weigh in on the updated Cochise 106. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Blizzard Cochise 106
We compare the Cochise 106 to the previous Cochise, the Volkl Katana 108, Prior Husume, Black Crows Corvus, Rossignol Blackops Sender Ti, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Fischer Ranger 107 Ti, Dynastar M-Pro 105, Nordica Enforcer 100, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 4FRNT MSP 107, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Hotshot, Salomon QST 106, Dynastar M-Free 108, & ON3P Woodsman 108.
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 Majesty Skis & Rocky Mounts Ski Rack
This week this winner will get a pair of Majesty’s freeride skis + Rocky Mount’s LiftOp ski rack!
Flash Review: 20/21 Norse Enduro
We just spent a day on a new ski from a new ski company — the Norse Enduro. 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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2021 Canyon Stoic
Sub-$2K price tag, huge size range, modern geometry — the new Canyon Stoic hardtail checks a lot of boxes on paper. And after spending a couple months riding it, we think it checks a lot of boxes on the trail, too. Check out our full review of this versatile hardtail.