BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
The Guide Life with AMGA President, Angela Hawse (Ep.85)
Angela Hawse is the president of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), and is certified to the highest international mountain guide standards. We talk to her about how she got into guiding; the various roles she has taken on in her career; what advice she would offer to aspiring guides; her company Chicks Climbing and Skiing, her work with POW Climb, and more.
2019-2020 Faction Candide 4.0
Candide Thovex has made more of an impact on the ski industry than most people, and his signature Faction skis have helped him do that. One of those skis, the Candide 4.0, is getting updated for 19/20, and you can now check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Patagonia SnowDrifter Bibs
The brand-new Patagonia SnowDrifter Bibs replace their well-loved Descensionsist Pants. So how do the SnowDrifter Bibs compare to their predecessor and the rest of the ski / snowboard pants on the market?
Deep Dive: Armada ARV 106Ti LTD2
We compare the ARV 106Ti LTD2 to the ON3P Kartel 108, Moment Meridian 107, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Faction Candide 3.0, Prodigy 3.0, & Prodigy 4.0, Sego Big Horn 106, and J Skis Metal.
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2019-2020 Armada ARV 106Ti LTD2
We’ve now had two reviewers on two different lengths of Armada & evo’s limited-edition ski, the ARV 106Ti LTD, and you can now check out our full review.
19/20 Salomon QST 106
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the all-new QST 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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Zeal Hatchet Goggle
Goggles with magnetic lens-swap systems have made it easier than ever to swap lenses. But most of them are very expensive, and some people aren’t thrilled about a few magnets being the only thing securing lenses to their frames. The Zeal Hatchet aims to solve both of those issues — check out our full review.
2021-2022 Armada Tracer 108
Armada is tweaking several of their backcountry oriented Tracer skis for 19/20, supposedly making them both lighter and more durable. So how does the new Tracer 108’s design compare to the rest of the market? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
19/20 Amplid Facelift 108
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Amplid’s playful touring 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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New Skis, New Goggles, & Random Reviews (Ep.44)
Sam Shaheen, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about new goggles; new skis; which ski companies made the biggest impressions on us this season; funniest answers so far to our BLISTER Survey; and more.
2021-2022 Black Crows Orb
For 19/20 Black Crows is overhauling their narrower all-mountain ski, the Orb, and the updated version is basically a new ski entirely. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Sweet Protection Firewall Goggle
Sweet Protection has been making high-quality helmets and outerwear for years, and for 19/20, they’re breaking into a new category — goggles. Check out our review of their new budget-oriented Firewall Goggle.
Win Folsom Custom Skis / Blister Survey
A penny for your thoughts? How about a fully custom, $1300 ski for your thoughts? Fill out our survey to help us make BLISTER better, and you’ll be entered to win the Folsom custom ski of your choice.
Deep Dive: Line Outline
We compare the Outline to the Line Sir Francis Bacon, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, K2 Catamaran, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Blizzard Spur, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Prior CBC, Icelantic Nomad 115, Rossignol Black Ops 118, and Dynastar PR-OTO Factory.
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.
(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)
2021-2022 Line Outline
The new Outline is the latest addition to Eric Pollard & Line’s venerable series of pow skis, and it’s time now for our full review.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
What We’re Watching — October, 2020
Fall is the season of ski movies / edits, and this fall has definitely not disappointed in that regard. Check out our latest “What We’re Watching” video roundup to watch some of our favorites.
Brendan Leonard on his new FKT, the Deadline Dungeon, & More (Ep.71)
Today we’re putting our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) in the interviewee seat to hear about his recent FKT; his review of his FKT route and whether you should do it; movies; his current running program; gas station donuts; how well he deals with deadlines; some of his current and upcoming projects, and more.
Strafe Cham Jacket & Pants
This season Strafe once again updated their touring-oriented Cham Jacket & Pant, and we think the latest iteration is one of the best backcountry outerwear kits we’ve used. Check out our full, in-depth review to see why.
Hunt to Eat founder, Mahting Putelis (Ep.147)
This is another installment in our series on food, and food systems, and our guest today was first introduced to me by Blister reviewer, Paul Forward. Mahting Putelis is the founder of Hunt to Eat, which is an organization that “exists to find modern, progressive, and inclusive ways to support and grow the community of folks that go outdoors, harvest wild meat, or plants, or fungi, and take these things home to be cooked with care for themselves or their friends and family.”
Cody Townsend on Coffee Makers, Bindings, & Beacons (Ep.119)
On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, we sat down in Blister HQ with Cody Townsend to talk about coffee makers, bindings, beacons, terrain management, mortality, movies, and more.
Win Hestra Gloves + Sweet Protection Helmet & Goggles
The winner this week will get Sweet Protection’s new Looper Helmet & Boondock Goggles + they’ll get to pick any Hestra glove or mitten they want!
Big Mtn Skier (& Trail Runner), Cody Townsend (Ep.70)
Six months ago, professional skier, Cody Townsend, hated running. Now he loves it. So what happened?? And will his current training program really get him ready to ski tour up and down some of the gnarliest peaks in North America for his ongoing Fifty Project? If you have ever found yourself in the “I hate running” camp, you should listen to this episode.
Blister Speaker Series 3.1: Cody Townsend (Ep.146)
Cody Townsend came to Western Colorado University and spoke about why his education has been so beneficial to his career; social media and the new responsibilities of athletes today; starting & growing a business (Arcade Belts); The Fifty Project and all of the behind-the-scenes work; and more.
Eric Pollard Leaves LINE Skis
Today Eric Pollard announced that, after spending 21 years and making 48 ski models with them, he is leaving LINE Skis. Learn more here.
What You’re Wearing, Part 6: Alpaca Wool (Ep.118)
How much do you know about Alpaca wool? And what do you about manufacturing in Peru? We talk about these things and more with the founders of Arms of Andes, which is a company that makes outdoor clothing from Royal Alpaca wool that is single-sourced and produced in Peru. We discuss the characteristics and benefits of Royal Alpaca wool; the traditional method used to collect the wool; their commitment to manufacturing in Peru; what they’re doing to try to be one of the most sustainable clothing brands in the world; and more.
Win Picture Organic Jackets + DPS Phantom
The TWO winners this week will each get a ski / snowboard jacket from Picture Organic + DPS’s permanent base-glide treatment, Phantom!
Ultimate Direction Race Vest 5.0
One of our reviewers says that the Ultimate Direction Race Vest 5.0 may be the best running vest he’s used for moderate distances and races. Check out our review to see why, and how it compares to alternatives from Nathan & Salomon.