BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Amundsen Peak Anorak
Anoraks and technical fabrics don’t often get packaged together. But Norwegian brand, Amundsen, combined the two in their Peak Anorak, and the resulting jacket certainly stands out compared to the rest of the ski jackets on the market.
New Gear + Sam’s Review of Tinder (Ep.42)
Sam Shaheen, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about some of their favorite new skis, then — in what might be our most anticipated review ever — Sam Shaheen gives us his honest, in-depth, pretty hilarious, and surprisingly insightful take on the dating app, Tinder.
2024-2025 Romp Skis Zorro 100
This season we built a custom ski with Romp, and you can now check out our full review for more info on the custom process, the resulting ski, and how well it lived up to our expectations.
19/20 K2 Mindbender 116C
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the widest ski in K2’s new Mindbender lineup.
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2019-2020 Rossignol Soul 7 HD W
You may have heard a thing or two about the Rossignol Soul 7. Time now to talk about the women’s Soul 7 HD W, and you can check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Deep Dive: Dynastar Legend X96
We compare the Legend X96 to the Volkl Mantra M5, Blizzard Bonafide, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, Moment Commander 98, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97Ti, 4FRNT MSP 99, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Liberty Origin 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, Renoun Endurance 94, and ON3p Wrenegade 96.
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.)
2019-2020 Dynastar Legend X96
The Dynastar Legend X96 is low on weight, very stiff with respect to its flex pattern, and accessible in terms of its shape. Check out our full review to see the on-snow result of that combo.
Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon
Mammut recently updated their Barryvox avalanche beacons, and after using it for over a year, we think the new Barryvox S is an excellent option for both professional and recreational users alike. Check out our review.
Flylow Vixen Coat 2.1
Just a few years ago, almost all hardshell jackets were stiff, crinkly, and uncomfortable. But now many companies make waterproof hardshells that feel more like softshells. The Flylow Vixen Coat 2.1 falls into that category, and it’s an excellent all-round women’s ski shell.
Deep Dive: Prior Husume
We compare the Husume to the ON3P Wrenegade 108, Blizzard Cochise, Folsom Hammer, Black Crows Corvus, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Moment Commander 108, Faction Dictator 3.0, Nordica Enforcer 110, 4FRNT MSP 107, and J Skis Metal.
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 Prior Husume
We’ve now had several reviewers on Prior’s all-mountain / big-mountain charger, the Husume, and you can now check out our full review.
Win Gloves or Mitts from Gordini
Win some ski / snowboard gloves or mittens from Gordini!
Trends, Favorite Gear, and Most / Least Durable Products, with Eric Helmbrecht of Powder Hound AK (Ep.41)
Alaska is a place where your gear really needs to hold up. So we talk to Eric Helmbrecht, owner of Powder Hound Ski Shop in Girdwood Alaska, about the trends he’s seeing in skiing and snowboarding; the gear with the most & least durability issues; some of his favorite gear; and more.
Strafe Meadow Jacket
If you’re looking for a technical women’s ski shell that can be used in the backcountry and the resort, but that doesn’t look all that “techy,” the Strafe Meadow Jacket is worth a good look.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Faction Skis: Company History & 20/21 Lineup (Ep.115)
For some time now, Faction has been one of the hottest brands in skiing. But how much do you actually know about the company? This week we are talking about the history of the brand, some key moments in the company, and some big recent changes; what it’s like to go skiing with and design skis for Candide Thovex; and Faction’s lineup for the upcoming season.
Manitou Mezzer Pro Fork
Manitou’s Mezzer Pro was one of the first “extra-stiff,” single-crown forks to hit the market, and we’ve spent the last 4 months comparing it to its growing competition. Check out our full review to see how it stacks up.
Patagonia Announces New CEO + Head of Patagonia, Inc.
Today Patagonia announced their new CEO, as well as their new head of Patagonia, Inc., which is the portion of the company that designs & produces their apparel & equipment.
Reviewer Reports: Trek Slash, Banshee Phantom, EXT Shock, Hayes Brakes (Ep.40)
We check in with reviewers Dylan Wood (who gets to keep his seat at the bar), David Golay (who is now reconsidering what makes brakes good or bad), and Eric Freson (who still enjoys a sick jazz soundtrack) to get their updates on the Trek Slash, EXT Storia shock, Hayes Dominion A4 brakes, and the Banshee Phantom V3.
Coree Woltering on his Ice Age Trail FKT, Catcalls, & Tick Removal (Ep.67)
Coree Woltering is definitely one of the most interesting ultrarunners out there, so Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Coree about the one time when a catcall actually worked; why the running world needs to stop overlooking midwestern athletes; Quick Trip burgers and how to remove ticks; and the injury and the miracle that happened while he was setting a new FKT on the Ice Age Trail.
EXT Storia Lok V3 Shock
EXT’s custom shocks have been used on everything from F1 cars to motocross, but they also make some very interesting suspension components for mountain bikers. We’ve been testing the latest version of their Enduro-oriented Storia Lok shock, and it is very impressive. Check out our full review for an in-depth explanation.
Will Gadd on The Last Ascent + Doing all the Sports (Ep.143)
We talk to the elite ice climber, Will Gadd, about ice climbing, skiing, paragliding, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking — and how they relate to one another. And we talk about his new film, The Last Ascent, which documents Will’s return to Mount Kilimanjaro to climb the Messner route and the Tanzanian ice (at 19,000’ altitude) while there’s still time.
Car Camping Gear Roundup — 2020
We’ve rounded up a bunch of gear that has made our camping experiences more enjoyable, whether you need products that work for both car-camping and backpacking, like to head out with your little one, or simply want to make your next car-camping trip more pleasant.
The Skier’s Sportshop
Looking for ski gear — whether for you or the rest of your family — in the Edmonton, Alberta area? The Skier’s Sportshop is our top pick.
The Spokane Alpine Haus
Spokane Alpine Haus is our pick for all ski- and ride-related gear in the Spokane area, now with two convenient locations.
Win Ultralight Down Blankets from Rumpl
The TWO winners this week will each get Rumpl’s Featherlite Down Blanket!