BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 3: Racers & Race Boots (Ep.60)
How do elite ski racers like Marcel Hirsher, Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller, and Daron Rahlves “feel” their gear, and their ski boots in particular? We talk to Matt Manser about this; forward lean; ‘static’ power straps vs. ‘elastic’ Booster Straps; whether WC skiers or WC DH mtn bikers are pickier about their equipment; and more.

Win a Bike Rack from Kuat
Win Kuat’s flagship bike rack, the NV 2.0 — a hitch-mounted bike rack with capacity for two bikes.

Promising or Pointless? 5 Weird New Bike Products (Ep.6)
Sometimes “different” is better. Other times, it’s just dumb. So we discuss a number of very unconventional new products: the Trust Message linkage fork; Structure Cycleworks’ SCW1 linkage fork / frame system; high-pivot trail bikes and the Forbidden Druid; Starling Cycles’ ‘Jack Drive’ bikes; and Tannus Armour tire inserts.

La Sportiva Cobra Eco
La Sportiva recently released a new, more environmentally friendly version of their classic Cobra shoe, and we’ve now spent a year in the new Cobra Eco to see how it compares.

Meghan Hicks, managing editor, iRunFar (Ep.11)
Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Meghan Hicks — who is one hell of a trail runner in her own right — about her background; covering the “puke fests and the transcendental moments” of trail running; how iRunFar.com came to be; what motivates her to run; what she thinks is the most misunderstood thing about ultra races; and more.

2021-2022 Moment Deathwish Tour 112
Moment just released a new version of their Deathwish — the Deathwish Tour. And after spending time on it this past season, we think the new ski stands out in the touring market. Check out our full review.

Up & Coming: Skier AND Mtn Biker, Dylan Siggers (Ep.96)
Today we’re launching our new Up & Coming series, where we’ll be highlighting some athletes who, if they aren’t already on your radar, they should be. And first up is Dylan Siggers, because few people out there are this good on skis and on a bike. Plus, Dylan is also involved in filmmaking and music, so we talk to him about skiing, biking, filming, music, and more.

19/20 Atomic Backland 107
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Atomic’s wider touring ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win a Blanket from Rumpl
Get Rumpl’s new, recycled, and very versatile NanoLoft blanket.

New Ski & Climbing Gear + Random Reviews (Ep.59)
Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, & Sam Shaheen argue about the new Volkl Mantra 102 and how it compares to the M5 Mantra; discuss with more civility the Line Vision 98; Dalbello Lupo Pro HD ski boot; Camp Nano 22 vs. Orbit Wire carabiners; and close with several extremely random reviews.

Anthill Films’ Latest: Return to Earth (Ep.5)
Anthill Films’ latest movie, Return to Earth, displays the sick cinematography and sick bike riding that Anthill is known for. But in Return to Earth, they’re going after some bigger stakes. So we talk to Anthill’s Darcy Wittenberg and Ian Dunn about those stakes; the origins & early days of Anthill; some of the locations, riders, and cinematography in Return to Earth; and more.

Arc’teryx Alpha SK 32 Backpack
This year Arc’teryx released a very minimalist backcountry ski / snowboard pack. So, how does the new Alpha SK 32 compare to more traditional options, and what do you gain and lose by going with this fast-and-light pack?

Training Your Body — and Your Brain (Ep.95)
You’re probably already convinced of the importance of physical exertion, going outside, and staying physically fit and healthy. But what about the fitness of your brain? We talk to the neuroscientist, Michael Merzenich, about the significant neurological benefits of going fast, going outside, and undertaking new activities; the more effective and less effective ways to exercise our brains; the changes to our brains caused by the time so many of us — and our kids — are spending in front of phone, computer, and TV screens; and more.

2019-2020 ON3P Woodsman 108
We’ve now had three reviewers on ON3P’s new Woodsman 108, and it’s time to weigh in on how their newest all-mountain ski performs, and how it compares to their Wrenegade 108, their Jeffrey 108 (and in our Deep Dive Comparisons, pretty much every other relevant ski on the market). Check it out.

Deep Dive: ON3P Woodsman 108
We compare the Woodsman 108 to the ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Wrenegade 108, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Salomon QST 106, Armada ARV 106Ti LTD, Liberty Origin 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, Elan Ripstick 106, 4FRNT MSP 107, Black Crows Corvus, Moment Commander 108, J Skis Metal, Prior Husume, and Blizzard Cochise.
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:

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.
If you’re already an active member, please log in.
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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.