BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Amplid Facelift 108
We compare the Facelift 108 to the Line Vision 108, Line Sir Francis Bacon, 4FRNT Raven, Renoun Citadel 106, Line Sick Day 104, Black Diamond Helio 105, K2 Wayback 106, Elan Ripstick 106, Faction Candide 3.0, and Sego Big Horn 106.
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Nursing-Friendly Summer Apparel Roundup
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite women’s apparel for the warm days ahead. All the items are nursing-friendly (but not nursing-specific), so check it out whether you’re a new mom or just looking for a new wardrobe.
2021-2022 Salomon QST Lumen 99
Along with their unisex QST skis, Salomon is also updating the women’s versions of their popular QST line of all-mountain skis. So, what’s different? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the 19/20 QST Lumen 99.
Skiing in Iceland + New Ski Reviews (Ep.49)
Jonathan Ellsworth talks about testing the ON3P Woodsman 108 and Black Crows Navis while heli skiing with Eleven Experience in Iceland, and Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa talk about their time on the Volkl Mantra 102 & Revolt 121, Faction Candide 5.0, and more.
2021-2022 4FRNT MSP 107
4FRNT says the MSP 107 “is intuitive from the first turn instilling a higher level of confidence everywhere on the mountain.” Check out our full review to see how we’d characterize the ski.
Deep Dive: 4FRNT MSP 107
We compare the MSP 107 to the Nordica Enforcer 110, J Skis Metal, Blizzard Cochise, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Prior Husume, Moment Commander 108, Folsom Hammer, Black Crows Corvus, and Faction Dictator 3.0.
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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Win Active Lifestyle Apparel from Foehn
Whether you’re a climber, biker, skier, or just someone who lives an active lifestyle, you should check out this week’s Gear Giveaway.
2019-2020 Faction Chapter 1.0
Faction is bringing back the Chapter name to their lineup for 19/20, but these new Chapter skis are nothing like the previous skis that shared their name. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the Chapter 1.0.
Patagonia Ascensionist Jacket
Patagonia’s new Ascensionist Jacket takes Gore’s excellent Active membrane & C-Knit backer and packages it into a breathable, versatile, lightweight, and sustainable jacket. Check out our full review.
Travis Ganong: U.S. Ski Racer + Backcountry & Big-Mtn Skier (Ep.89)
Travis Ganong might be the most well-rounded skier in the world (just listen to this conversation), and he is certainly one of the most passionate. He’s a Team U.S.A. downhiller and Super G racer, and he is also obsessed with backcountry touring and big-mtn skiing. So we talk about all of it: racing & training; catching the attention of Shane McConkey as a kid; backcountry skiing; and more.
19/20 Dalbello Lupo Pro HD
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of Dalbello’s new 50/50 crossover ski boot.
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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Stevie Kremer Does Things Different (Ep.4)
Stevie Kremer is a world-class runner, but her life sure doesn’t include many of the stereotypes that description might conjure up. So we discuss her unusual training routine; sitcoms & life lessons; how she got into trail running and ski mountaineering; and juggling being a runner, mother, and educator.
Win Goggles, Poles, & a Pack from Zipline
Enter to win a sweet ski package from the official supplier of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team, Zipline.
Avalanche Airbag Tech Talk with Black Diamond (Ep.48)
Supercapacitors, Venturi valves, and scary-high currents — this week we discuss airbag design and technology with Black Diamond’s Director of Design Engineering.
2019-2020 Faction Dictator 4.0
We’ve now had 3 reviewers on Faction’s big-mountain charger, the Dictator 4.0. Check out our full review for each of their takes.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2021-2022 Armada Declivity 92 Ti
We’ve spent the past few weeks skiing one of Armada’s new metal-laminate skis, the Declivity 92 Ti. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons of this fun, lively, & versatile ski.
Deep Dive: Armada Declivity 92 Ti
We compare the Declivity 92 Ti to the Salomon Stance 90, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Head Kore 93, Nordica Enforcer 94, J Skis Masterblaster, Volkl Mantra M5, Folsom Spar 88, Blizzard Brahma 88, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Line Blade, Liberty Evolv 90, & Liberty V92.
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 Kastle Skis & Spyder Jackets
The TWO winners this week will each get a pair of Kastle skis + a jacket from Spyder.
Shop Talk: Backcountry Essentials, Bellingham WA (Ep.128)
On our latest edition of ‘Shop Talk’, we’ve got the founder of Backcountry Essentials, Chris Gerston, talking about Bellingham; starting Backcountry Essentials; and some of the gear that he thinks works really well for skiing at Mt Baker and for volcano skiing.
PNW Components Rainier Gen 3 Dropper Post
The PNW Components Gen-3 Rainier is a very promising option in the increasingly crowded field of dropper posts, and comes at an unusually attractive price. So how does it compare to the competition? Check out our review.
La Sportiva Blizzard GTX
The Blizzard GTX is one of a few shoes on the market specifically designed for running on snow and ice. We’ve spent time in it doing just that, and in our full review, we go into who would really benefit from a specialized shoe like this, and who might be better off in something more versatile.
Flash Review: 20/21 Salomon Stance 90
Here are our initial thoughts on the new Stance 90, with comparisons to several other skis in its class.
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.)
Snowboarder Elena Hight on Competition, Transitions, & Blank Canvas (Ep.155)
Elena Hight is an X Games Gold Medalist, two-time Olympian, and a badass. We discuss her new film, Blank Canvas; competitive drive; how similar or different it is preparing to ride a big backcountry line versus a half-pipe contest run; her time in the mountains with the likes of Hana Beaman, Travis Rice, and Danny Davis; the art of getting better at dealing with changes and transitions in life; and more.
Winter Running Gear Roundup
Freezing temps and / or snowy trails mean your running gear plays a much larger role in how enjoyable your runs will be. Check out a few of the misc. pieces that some of our reviewers use just about every time they head out for a winter run.
1-Ski-Boot Quiver; Listener Questions; Skis; Apparel; & Masks (Ep.127)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss several listener questions about ski quivers; 1-boot quivers; some game-changing news in the ski boot world; a number of skis, apparel pieces, and ski masks we’ve been testing; & what we’re celebrating this week.
1-Ski-Boot Quiver: Reviewer Selections (20/21)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ 1-boot-quiver selections, with additions from Paul Forward & Eric Freson
Win Candide Thovex’s Skis
We can’t guarantee they’ll make you ski like him, but the winner this week will get Candide’s signature ski, the Faction CT 5.0.