BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 116C
We compare the Mindbender 116C to the Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Rossignol Super 7 RD, Rossignol Super 7 HD, Line Sick Day 114, Blizzard Rustler 11, Head Kore 117, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Faction Dictator 4.0, Blizzard Spur, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, 4FRNT Inthayne, Icelantic Nomad 115, Nordica Enforcer Pro, and 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.)
Running Shirt Roundup — 2019
Tired of being hot and sweaty all summer? Check out our running shirt roundup for a bunch of options that’ll work just as well for your next ultra as they will for your next session on the treadmill.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots — Part 1: Plastics (Ep.54)
Ski boots are made of plastic, and different plastics feel and perform very differently from one another. So we get deep into the details with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, to help you figure out which plastics are used in your ski boots, and the pros & cons & general performance characteristics of different plastics — which will help you understand why you might like or dislike your current boots, and what you ought to be looking for in your next pair.
2020-2021 Liberty Origin 106
When we first saw the 19/20 Liberty Origin 106, we thought the new ski could have increased versatility without losing much of what made it stand out from the competition. And after spending time on it, we think that’s exactly what Liberty has achieved. Check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Liberty Origin 106
We compare the updated Origin 106 to the previous Liberty Origin 106, Line Sick Day 104, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 106, Elan Ripstick 106, Renoun Citadel 106, Nordica Enforcer 110, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, 4FRNT MSP 107, Black Crows Corvus, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Prior Husume, J Skis Metal, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Blizzard Cochise, 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.
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.)
Win Men’s or Women’s Apparel from Amundsen
Win functional and stylish apparel from Norwegian brand, Amundsen Sports!
Sweet Protection Ascender Helmet
“Dual-Certified” helmets — designed to protect you both while climbing and skiing / snowboarding — are a growing product category. And for 19/20, Sweet Protection is presenting their own version. Check out our full review for more on their new Ascender Helmet.
Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell Jacket W
Fjällräven says their Keb Eco-Shell Jacket is ideal for year-round use, and after using it for everything from rainy tropical hikes to ski touring, we’d agree. Check out our full review.
Fresh Takes on Trail Running & its Future (Ep.6)
While participation in trail running and ultra trail races is increasing, it has tended to draw an older crowd. But younger runners are getting into the sport, and they aren’t following all the old conventions. So we discuss the current and future state of trail running and ultra running with two young and rising trail runners, Maddie Hart and Gordon Gianniny.
2019 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Live Valve
After 3 months of testing, here is our full review of both Pivot’s Mach 5.5 Carbon bike, and Fox’s “Live Valve” electronic suspension system that’s available on the Mach 5.5.
Flash Review: 19/20 Prior Northwest 110
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Prior’s new all-mountain-freestyle 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.)
Running Sock Roundup
What running sock should you get? A minimal low-cut with no cushion? A thicker one with more coverage? We’ve rounded up a bunch of different options to make it easier to find the perfect sock for you.
Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 99Ti
We compare the Mindbender 99Ti to the Volkl Mantra M5, Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, 4FRNT MSP 99, Moment Commander 98, ON3P Wrenegade 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Liberty Origin 96, Renoun Endurance 98, and Dynastar Legend X96.
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 99Ti
We had three reviewers on two different lengths of K2’s new Mindbender 99Ti, and you can now check out our full review.
Win a Men’s or Women’s MTB Kit from Mons Royale
Win a jersey, bike short, and chamois from Mons Royale!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132)
Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 103
DPS is launching a new ski in their playful “Koala” series for 21/22 — check out our reviewers’ initial thoughts on it.
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.)
Mike Foote on His Grand Canyon R2R2R ALT FKT; Race Directing; & Reading (Ep.79)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Mike Foote, who on 12.31.20, headed out with fellow The North Face athlete, Rob Krar, to attempt an FKT of the Rim to Rim to Rim “alt” route of the Grand Canyon. So we get Mike’s version of the event, and then go on to discuss a whole lot more.
2021-2022 Parlor Warbird
There are lots of smaller-batch ski manufacturers these days, but very few that have branched out into the category of dedicated carving skis. Parlor changed that with their Warbird — a 78mm-wide ski designed to excel on groomed snow.
Deep Dive: Parlor Warbird
We compare the Warbird to the K2 Disruption 78Ti, K2 Disruption 78C, Fischer RC4 The Curv, Fischer RC4 The Curv GT, Salomon S/Force Bold, K2 Disruption MTi, Liberty V82, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, & Parlor Cardinal 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.)
Andrew Alexander King & The Between Worlds Project (Ep.159)
Andrew Alexander King is an explorer, alpinist, climber, and surfer who was born in Detroit; has climbed over 50 different mountains around the world from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Atlantic, Indian, and the Pacific Ocean; is currently aiming to become the first African American to climb the highest mountain and volcano on each continent; and is the founder of the The Between Worlds Project.
On Running Cloudventure
The Cloudventure is On’s take on a versatile, everyday trail running shoe — but with a few unique twists. Check out our review to see how it compares to many other options on the market, and where we think it makes the most sense.
Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT (Ep.131)
We talked with Megan Shenton, the head of the ski dept. at Outdoor Gear Exchange, about how this ski season is going so far in New England; the history of Outdoor Gear Exchange; some of her personal favorite gear and some of the OGE staff’s favorite products; and more.
2021-2022 J Skis Hotshot
We’ve now had two reviewers putting in a lot of time on J’s playful, metal-laminate ski — and they’re both big fans. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons of the Hotshot.
Deep Dive: J Skis Hotshot
We compare the Hotshot to the Dynastar M-Free 108, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Whitedot Altum 104, Salomon QST 106, K2 Reckoner 102, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Sego Big Horn 106, Black Crows Atris, Volkl Revolt 104, 4FRNT Devastator, Season Nexus, Volkl Katana 108, & Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105.
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.)