BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Völkl M7 Mantra
We compare the M7 Mantra to the M6 Mantra, Mantra 102, Blizzard Anomaly 94, Faction Dancer 2, Nordica Enforcer 94, Salomon Stance 96, Wagner Summit 97, Fischer Ranger 96, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, 4FRNT MSP 99, Black Crows Justis, Nordica Enforcer 99, Kastle Paragon 101, Stockli Stormrider 95, ZAG Harfang 96, Head Kore 94 Ti, & Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti.
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25/26 Gear, Boot Trends, Making the Most of Any Season, & More w/ Powder Hound (Ep.338)
We catch up with Eric Helmbrecht of Powder Hound, our Blister Recommended Shop in Girdwood, Alaska to discuss the ups and downs of this season up in Alaska; our tips and tricks on how to make the most of any season; 25/26 gear; Dual BOA; boot trends; aftermarket liners; and more.
Deep Dive: Kona Process 153
We compare the Kona Process 153 to the Transition Sentinel V3, Knolly Fugitive 140, Marin Alpine Trail XR, Forbidden Druid V2, Deviate Highlander II, Norco Sight, Yeti SB165, Kona Process 134, Transition Smuggler, REEB Steezl, and Santa Cruz Bronson 5.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Kona Process 153
The Process 153 is Kona’s take on the modern long-travel Trail bike, but it also carries some unique traits. The result is a spirited, fun bike that we think plenty of people could get along with. Our Full Review has all the details.
Win Apparel From Mountain Equipment & Bridgedale
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the men’s or women’s Switch Pro Hooded Jacket from Mountain Equipment, as well as a 3-pack of men’s or women’s Lightweight Merino Endurance Over Calf socks from Bridgedale!
2025-2026 Dynastar M-Free 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the brand-new Dynastar M-Free 100.
Flash Review: 25/26 Dynastar M-Free 100
For 25/26, Dynastar is replacing the existing M-Free 99 with the new M-Free 100. So, how different is the new ski? Here are some of our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Reviewer Reports: Tons of Bikes, Chain Damper Shootout, & Much More (Ep.265)
David Golay and Zack Henderson check in on a ton of gear they’ve been testing, including bikes, suspension, and a bunch of other components — including a comparison of Ochain’s active spider vs. Rimpact’s new Chain Damper.
2025-2026 Fischer Nightstick 97
The Nightstick has historically been Fischer’s competition park ski, but that name now applies to several park and all-mountain-freestyle models. The Nightstick 97 is designed to be the most versatile of the bunch, and we’re ready to weigh in on it — here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Fischer Nightstick 97
We compare the Fischer Nightstick 97 to the Fischer Nightstick 104, Fischer Ranger 96, Fischer Ranger 102, Liberty Scope 104, Rossignol Sender Free 100, Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, K2 Reckoner 102, Faction Studio 2, Dynastar M-Free 99, Season Kin, Line Optic 96, RMU Apostle 96 Ti, J Skis Allplay, 4FRNT Switch, Prior Northwest 100, Line Chronic 101, Völkl Revolt 104, and Whitedot Altum 104.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Lo-Fi Wine Making With Uffe Deichmann, Poppelvej Wines (Ep.61)
Uffe Deichmann is a sort of pioneer in Australian winemaking; his focus on lo-fi production methods and non-traditional flavors has helped redefine what consumers expect from the land down under. We dive deep into the history of Poppelvej, Uffe’s own journey through winemaking, and the philosophy that underlies the incredible wine they are producing.
Cannondale Topstone Carbon Gen 3
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon has entered its third generation. More tire clearance, frame storage, and a supposedly more compliant implementation of the KingPin rear suspension design make it one of the more fully-featured Gravel bikes on the market. Let’s walk through the details of the new Topstone Carbon.
Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kore 100 Ti
The Kore 100 Ti occupies the middle of Head’s overhauled freeride collection, and we’ve already logged several days on it. Here’s what we’ve learned so far, including some interesting takeaways after A/B testing it against the Kore 99 Ti W.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Head Kore 100 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Head Kore 100 Ti.
Flash Review: 25/26 4FRNT MSP 99
Here are our initial thoughts on the second-generation version of 4FRNT’s metal-laminate all-mountain ski and how it compares to the narrower and wider MSP models.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Lal Katana
Lal Bikes turned a lot of heads when they launched the Supre Drive a few years ago, and now they’re launching their own bike built around it. Meet the Katana.
Flash Review: 25/26 Faction Dancer 79
Faction is expanding their Dancer collection of directional, metal-laminate all-mountain skis, and we’ve started getting time on the newest and narrowest ski, the Dancer 79.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Faction Dancer 79
Faction is adding a narrower option to their metal-laminate Dancer collection. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the brand-new Faction Dancer 79.
DT Swiss 350 Ratchet DEG Hubs & Pure Carbon Rims
DT Swiss is bringing their faster-engaging Ratchet DEG freehub design to their more affordable 350 hubs, along with some flashier color options than their standard black. They’re also now offering their top-tier carbon MTB rims on their own. Check out what’s new from DT Swiss.
RAAW Yalla!! V2
Revamped for 2025, the RAAW Yalla!! V2 gets a lot more than just an extra exclamation point in the name. The new frame doesn’t deviate too far from the original but gets mixed wheel compatibility, redesigned adjustable dropouts, updated tubing and protection details, and a bunch of other tweaks. Check out RAAW’s updated DH bike in our First Look.
Flash Review: 25/26 FullSend Max K 106
We’ve been testing two versions of FullSend’s do-everything all-mountain ski, including a fully rockered model and a cambered version with a swallowtail. Here are our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 FullSend Max K 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for two versions — fully rockered and cambered with a swallowtail — of the new FullSend Max K 106.
Tinctures, Traditions, & Taste: the Bitters Creation Process w/ Bennett Bitters (Ep.65)
Bitters have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, and in cocktails for centuries, but they receive far less attention than the spirits in our glass. So we talk with the founders of Bennett Bitters about bitters in general, and the complex process they use to produce some of the best bitters on the market.
Allied Cycle Works ABLE Gen 2
Allied Cycle Works has revamped the ABLE, their race-oriented Gravel bike. The original elevated chainstay design is no longer, but it gets even more clearance for big tires, a new in-frame storage design, and updated geometry. Check out the details in our First Look.
Revel Ritual and ReRun
Hot on the heels of the Rascal SL launch, Revel is dropping two more bikes on the other end of the spectrum — including their first eMTB. Check out the new Ritual and electrified ReRun.
Flash Review: 25/26 RMU Zephyr 88
The Zephyr 88 is RMU’s most piste-oriented ski, and we’ve logged our first few days on it. Here are our initial takeaways.
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2025-2026 RMU Zephyr 88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, flex pattern numbers, and some more info about RMU’s carver, the Zephyr 88.