BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
19/20 Faction Candide 4.0
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the updated 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.
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 K2 Mindbender 115C Alliance
The new Mindbender 115C Alliance is the widest women’s ski in K2’s 19/20 lineup, but we think its versatility makes it a very appealing option for a lot of skiers. Check out our full review, including comparisons to the Nordica Santa Ana 110 and Blizzard Sheeva 11.
Summer Baby Clothes Roundup
Our youngest (by far) reviewer has been very busy testing a bunch of sun-protective clothing this summer, and with just a bit of writing help from his mom, we’ve rounded up a number of tops, bottoms, and accessories that can help keep your little one cool, protected, and comfortable. Check it out here, along with some of the cutest photos we’ve ever posted on Blister.
2020-2021 Salomon QST 118
Along with the rest of the Salomon QST skis, the widest ski in the brand’s lineup, the QST 118, is getting some updates for 19/20. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new QST 118.
2021-2022 Volkl Mantra 102
We had three reviewers on Volkl’s new Mantra 102 this year, and we all think it’s an excellent addition for skiers seeking high-speed stability and all-round performance.
Deep Dive: Volkl Mantra 102
We compare the Mantra 102 to the Mantra M5, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Head Monster 98, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Nordica Enforcer 100, Blizzard Bonafide, Blizzard Cochise, Fischer Ranger 99 Ti, Black Crows Corvus, J Skis Masterblaster, J Skis Metal, Salomon QST 99, 4FRNT MSP 99, Salomon QST 106, ON3P Wrenegade 96, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, and Moment Commander 98.
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.)
Reviewing the Reviewer: Luke Koppa (Ep.58)
Today we’re launching a new series on GEAR:30 called, “Reviewing the Reviewer,” where we’ll ask Blister reviewers questions, then score their answers to determine a cumulative grade for each reviewer. First up, BLISTER managing editor, Luke Koppa. (And ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, wrote in with some bonus questions for Luke, too.)
Win a Men’s or Women’s MTB Kit from Velocio
Get a jersey, outer short, inner bib short, gloves, and socks from Velocio’s MTB-oriented Trail collection!
BLISTER’s Maddie Hart Wins the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Miler (Ep.10)
BLISTER reviewer, Maddie Hart, just won the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Run, making her the youngest person — male or female — to ever win the event. So we talked to Maddie about the race; her strategy; her preparation for it; the gear she used; and her big achievement.
WTB Ranger 2.4 Tire
WTB recently introduced some narrower versions of its Ranger tire, and we think the Ranger 2.4 is a competitive option for those seeking a nice balance of low rolling resistance and traction in their XC or Trail tire.
2019 Santa Cruz Hightower LT
With the introduction of the redesigned Hightower and new Megatower, you’re probably going to see a lot of Santa Cruz Hightower LTs on the used market. So we put together a full review of the Hightower LT, and we think it’s still a great bike for those seeking a nice balance of playfulness and stability in their Trail bike.
From Skiing Park to Working for NASA: LJ Strenio (Ep.94)
Last week, LJ Strenio, posted a photo of a letter from NASA congratulating him on being accepted as an intern to the Armstrong Flight Research Facility. But how does a park skier from Vermont, this star of the LINE Traveling Circus, this guy who once served as Vin Diesel’s stunt double, and this guy who has a 29-minute crash reel that is shot after shot of him destroying himself, get accepted to work for NASA? We talked to LJ to get the whole story — and it’s a great one.
19/20 G3 FINDr 102
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of G3’s new magnet-equipped 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.
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.)
Altra Superior 4.0
This year Altra updated one of their long-standing, more minimal trail shoes, and we think the new Superior 4.0 may be a bit more divisive than the previous versions.
2020-2021 G3 FINDr 102
G3’s lightweight 19/20 FINDr series features something that we have never seen before in skis — magnets. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new FINDr 102.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Brooklyn Bell on Biking, Art, Skiing, & More (Ep.52)
Brooklyn Bell is a mountain biker and a skier and an artist and a former figure skater and a future frog scientist (maybe). So we talk about all of that and a whole lot more, including Brooklyn’s current big idea.
Women’s Insulated Parka & Jacket Roundup
Looking for a big, warm, comfortable coat for chilly days around town? Check out several of the insulated parkas & jackets that our reviewers have been testing out this season.
Gordon Gianniny
Vitals: 6’1”, 145 lbs For more on my background, listen to the below podcast, starting around 6:40 Running Background, Style, and General Preferences I grew up in Durango, CO and started running in middle school after discovering that I wasn’t very good at the foot-eye
Flash Review: 20/21 Black Crows Anima
With all the new snow here, we’ve been getting time on some bigger skis in bigger terrain. One of those has been the updated Black Crows Anima — check out our 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.
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 Renoun Endurance 88
Renoun’s skis are legitimately unique, due to the non-Newtonian polymer in their construction. We’ve been spending time on their narrowest all-mountain ski, the Endurance 88, and the results have, once again, been very surprising. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Renoun Endurance 88
We compare the Endurance 88 to the Armada Declivity 92 Ti, Salomon Stance 90, Blizzard Brahma 88, Head Kore 93, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Nordica Enforcer 88, J Skis Masterblaster, Volkl Mantra M5, Folsom Spar 88, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, & Liberty Evolv 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.
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.)
Brendan’s New Book: I Hate Running and You Can Too (Ep.80)
Our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard, has a new book coming out, so Jonathan talked to him about zen koans, piñatas, other running books, kids, and why Jonathan thinks you should read this book whether you hate running, or love it.
2021 Fox 40 Fork
The first iteration of the Fox 40 dual-crown fork came onto the market in 2005, and now for 2021, Fox has given it an overhaul. So just how different is the new version, and how does it perform on the trail? Check out our full review.
Kevin Geisen
Kevin Geisen in the Hoka One One Evo Mafate 2, Moab, UT Vitals: 6’1”, 185 lbs Running Background, Style, and General Preferences Growing up as a cross country skier in northern Wisconsin, running was merely a form of cross training for many years. Although I
The Blister Summit: What It Is, Why We Made It, & Why You Should Come (Ep.134)
Our inaugural Blister Summit launches in less than two weeks! So Kristin Sinnott, our Blister Summit director, and Jonathan talk about the origins of the idea, why we think it’s important; why we think you should come!; and we cover a ton of the details and logistics of this first-of-its-kind event in the snowsports world.
Win Goggles, Poles, & a Ski Bag from Zipline
Enter for your chance to win Zipline’s magnetic-lens Hybrid XT goggles, ski bag, & the David Wise x Zipline adjustable poles!
2021-2022 Sego Big Horn 106
With the updates made for 20/21, Sego turned their Big Horn 106 into an even more versatile and stable, yet still very playful all-mountain ski. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.