BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Making the 1st Electric Snowmobile: Taiga Motors (Ep.92)
While more and more electric cars are hitting the streets, Taiga Motors is about to bring the world’s first commercial electric snowmobiles to the backcountry and ski areas. So we talked with Taiga Motors CEO & co-founder, Sam Bruneau, about taking the electric snowmobile from a college project to an actual business; and we get into the specifics of charging a Taiga, and how these electric sleds measure up against gas-powered ones in terms of power, torque, weight, range, and performance in harsh temperatures.
Wild Rye Freel Short, Marion Chammy, & Sandia Shirt
Wild Rye is a women’s-specific apparel company that’s designing pieces that stand out not only in terms of style, but also performance. Check out our review of their Freel Shorts, Marion Chammy, and Sandia Shirt.
2020-2021 Salomon QST 99
Salomon overhauled their QST 99 for 19/20, and we think the new ski ought to be very appealing to a whole lot of skiers. Check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Salomon QST 99
We compare the new QST 99 to the K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Volkl Mantra M5, Volkl Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide, 4FRNT MSP 99, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Fischer Ranger 99Ti, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9, Renoun Endurance 98, Moment Commander 98, ON3P Wrenegade 96, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Dynastar Legend X96, and Liberty Origin 96.
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How & Why We Do What We Do
If you’re curious about Blister’s history, how the review world generally works, and how and why we do things differently, check out the recent Channel Mastery podcast, where Jonathan Ellsworth was asked to discuss Blister’s background and mission.
19/20 Faction Candide 5.0
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Candide Thovex’s signature ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 2: Flex Patterns (Ep.55)
We’re talking again with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, about the messy world of ski boot flex ratings; the actual differences between some brands’ 120 and 130 rated boot; how Atomic arrives at their own flex ratings; the next areas of innovation that Atomic is focused on, and more.
Guerrilla Gravity’s New Bikes & Big Ideas (Ep.3)
When a small indie bike company with a heavy-metal vibe makes extremely big claims about the cutting-edge materials they are using to manufacture bikes right here in the USA, and doing all of this at a pretty modest price point … are they full of crap, or are they truly onto something here? And if so, how big of a deal is this? Jonathan Ellsworth headed to Guerrilla Gravity HQ in Denver to sit down with their co-founders and their director of composites to find out.
Video: Riding in Gunnison – Crested Butte
Want to know why we *really* like the riding around here? This short video from Dakine will give you a taste of the rocky and desert-like riding around Gunnison, and the aspen forests and high-alpine terrain around Crested Butte.
Jennifer Pharr Davis on ‘Hiking’ vs ‘Trail Running’ Culture (Ep.7)
Scott Jurek called his attempt to break Jennifer Pharr Davis’ FKT record for hiking the Appalachian Trail the hardest thing he’d ever done. And yet, hiking and thru-hiking often isn’t given proper credit either as a monumental test of endurance, or as a more accessible / less intimidating activity to get more people outdoors. So we talk to Jennifer about the divides between hiking culture & trail running culture; lessons from her book, The Pursuit of Endurance, and more.
2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 116C
Apart from the name, the new K2 Mindbender 116C doesn’t share a lot in common with the Mindbender 99Ti and Mindbender 108Ti. And that’s no accident. Check out our full review for more.
Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 116C
We compare the Mindbender 116C to the Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Rossignol Super 7 RD, Rossignol Super 7 HD, Line Sick Day 114, Blizzard Rustler 11, Head Kore 117, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Faction Dictator 4.0, Blizzard Spur, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, 4FRNT Inthayne, Icelantic Nomad 115, Nordica Enforcer Pro, and 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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Running Shirt Roundup — 2019
Tired of being hot and sweaty all summer? Check out our running shirt roundup for a bunch of options that’ll work just as well for your next ultra as they will for your next session on the treadmill.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots — Part 1: Plastics (Ep.54)
Ski boots are made of plastic, and different plastics feel and perform very differently from one another. So we get deep into the details with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, to help you figure out which plastics are used in your ski boots, and the pros & cons & general performance characteristics of different plastics — which will help you understand why you might like or dislike your current boots, and what you ought to be looking for in your next pair.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132)
Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 103
DPS is launching a new ski in their playful “Koala” series for 21/22 — check out our reviewers’ initial thoughts on it.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Mike Foote on His Grand Canyon R2R2R ALT FKT; Race Directing; & Reading (Ep.79)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Mike Foote, who on 12.31.20, headed out with fellow The North Face athlete, Rob Krar, to attempt an FKT of the Rim to Rim to Rim “alt” route of the Grand Canyon. So we get Mike’s version of the event, and then go on to discuss a whole lot more.
2021-2022 Parlor Warbird
There are lots of smaller-batch ski manufacturers these days, but very few that have branched out into the category of dedicated carving skis. Parlor changed that with their Warbird — a 78mm-wide ski designed to excel on groomed snow.
Deep Dive: Parlor Warbird
We compare the Warbird to the K2 Disruption 78Ti, K2 Disruption 78C, Fischer RC4 The Curv, Fischer RC4 The Curv GT, Salomon S/Force Bold, K2 Disruption MTi, Liberty V82, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, & Parlor Cardinal 90.
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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Andrew Alexander King & The Between Worlds Project (Ep.159)
Andrew Alexander King is an explorer, alpinist, climber, and surfer who was born in Detroit; has climbed over 50 different mountains around the world from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Atlantic, Indian, and the Pacific Ocean; is currently aiming to become the first African American to climb the highest mountain and volcano on each continent; and is the founder of the The Between Worlds Project.
On Running Cloudventure
The Cloudventure is On’s take on a versatile, everyday trail running shoe — but with a few unique twists. Check out our review to see how it compares to many other options on the market, and where we think it makes the most sense.
Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT (Ep.131)
We talked with Megan Shenton, the head of the ski dept. at Outdoor Gear Exchange, about how this ski season is going so far in New England; the history of Outdoor Gear Exchange; some of her personal favorite gear and some of the OGE staff’s favorite products; and more.
2021-2022 J Skis Hotshot
We’ve now had two reviewers putting in a lot of time on J’s playful, metal-laminate ski — and they’re both big fans. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons of the Hotshot.
Deep Dive: J Skis Hotshot
We compare the Hotshot to the Dynastar M-Free 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Whitedot Altum 104, Salomon QST 106, K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Sego Big Horn 106, Black Crows Atris, Volkl Revolt 104, 4FRNT Devastator, Season Nexus, Volkl Katana 108, & Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105.
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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