BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win DPS’s Phantom Permanent Base Glide Treatment
4 people are each going to get a pack of DPS’s Phantom 2.0 permanent base glide treatment — enter now for your chance to win!
2020-2021 Nordica Strider 120 DYN
We’ve now spent over 120 days in Nordica’s 50/50 boot, the Strider 120, and we think it’s a very good option for those looking for a legit 120-flex boot that they’ll use inside and outside of the resort.
Black Diamond Helio Active Shell
The Black Diamond Helio Active Shell is an extremely impressive Gore-Tex jacket, and is worth a good look if you’re a backcountry skier or snowboarder who appreciates weather resistance, breathability, and low weight. Check out our full review.
Snowboarder Kelly Clark on Her 20-Year Career (Ep.79)
The winningest snowboarder in history, Kelly Clark, recently retired after an astonishing 20-year career of competition. So we talked to Kelly about that career; the new limited-edition “RISE” snowboard she designed with Burton; how snowboarding has evolved; her relationship with Chloe Kim; the mission of the Kelly Clark Foundation; her extremely important thoughts on “achievement” and “success”; and what’s next for her.
19/20 Line Outline
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of Line’s new playful pow ski, the Outline.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Nordica Promachine 115 W
This year Nordica released the Promachine 115 W, which is reportedly one of the stiffest women’s-specific boots on the market. Check out our full review to see how it compares to other women’s boots, as well as some of the stiffer unisex boots on the market.
Flylow Baker Bib
The Flylow Baker Bib has garnered a cult following among skiers and snowboarders who are really hard on their gear. Check out our full review.
2021-2022 Dynastar M-Free 118
It’s been a good year to test pow skis in Crested Butte, and the Dynastar M-Free 118 is one of the most surprising ones we’ve been on. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Dynastar PR-OTO Factory
We compare the PR-OTO Factory to the Rossignol Black Ops 118, ON3P Renegade 114, Prior CBC, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Head Kore 117, Nordica Enforcer Pro, Blizzard Spur, K2 Catamaran, and Icelantic Nomad 115.
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 from LINE, Nordica, 4FRNT, and J Skis + a Confession & Sneak Peek (Ep.37)
We talk new skis from Line, Nordica, 4FRNT, and J Skis. Also, I share my change of heart over light skis, Luke and Sam discuss their new article on caring for your outerwear, and we give a sneak peek for our upcoming and very intimate episode of GEAR:30.
Arc’teryx Sabre LT Jacket
This year Arc’teryx released the Sabre LT Jacket — a lighter and more comfortable version of their classic Sabre Jacket. So how does the “LT” version compare to the original and other options on the market? Check out our full review.
19/20 4FRNT Inthayne
We just finished a pow-filled day on the 4FRNT Inthayne, and here you can check out our initial on-snow 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.
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Showers Pass IMBA Jacket
Finding the right MTB shell is tricky. It has to protect you from wind and water, breathe during climbs, and shrug off impacts with branches, rocks, and occasionally, the ground. So how well does the Showers Pass IMBA Jacket balance these traits? Check out our full review.
Patagona — “Done in R1”
The iconic Patagonia R1 Fleece has now been around for 20 years. To celebrate, Patagonia not only increased the recycled content in the line, but they also released one of the most hilarious product-promo videos we’ve ever seen. Check it out.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2020 Running Shoe Trends & Current Events (Ep.63)
This week we take a look at the trends in running shoes for 2020. Jonathan Ellsworth is joined by Maddie Hart and Gordon Gianniny to talk about knit uppers on trail shoes (??), massive heels, marketing copy, and we even design our own ‘Blister Pro’ shoe. Then we wrap up by talking about a few current events and get Maddie and Gordon’s upcoming plans.
Blister Brand Guide: Yeti Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
Yeti’s lineup sees some notable changes for 2021, including the return of a Yeti hardtail, a new XC bike, and of course, plenty of full-suspension Trail bikes. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about the line and which bike might make sense for you.
Adventures of a Hemophiliac: Chris Bombardier on Climbing Mount Everest (Ep.140)
Chris Bombardier is the first person with hemophilia to complete all Seven Summits, and tomorrow, a film comes out called Bombardier Blood that tells Chris’ story and homes in on his attempt to summit Mt. Everest. So we talked to Chris about baseball (and sharks); hemophilia and the experience of those who have the condition; climbing Everest; the important work of Save One Life; and more.
Win MTB Gear from Race Face
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a handlebar, grips, a hip pack, & a hat from Race Face!
2021-2022 Volkl Blaze 106
We’re always skeptical when brands claim that their lightweight skis offers “no compromises on the down,” but after spending time on it this past season, the new Volkl Blaze 106 clearly stood out as a lightweight ski that’s still lots of fun on the descent. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Voormi: How a ‘Textile Technology’ Company Does Outdoor Apparel (Ep.110)
Voormi is not interested in being just another outdoor apparel company. They develop their own textiles inhouse; they manufacture in the United States; and they’ve got some big plans. So we sat down in Blister HQ with Timm Smith, their head of materials development, to learn more about the Voormi story and where the brand is heading.
Deep Dive: Volkl Blaze 106
We compare the Blaze 106 to the Line Sick Day 104, Volkl BMT 109, Faction Agent 3.0, Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, Moment Deathwish Tour, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, 4FRNT Raven, Atomic Backland 107, Blizzard Zero G 105, Black Diamond Helio 105, & Line Vision 108.
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.)
Paul Basagoitia on His Emmy-Winning Film, Any One of Us (Ep.35)
Any One of Us, the film about Paul Basagoitia and spinal cord injuries, just won an Emmy! So we are reposting the conversation we had with Paul, who was the first back-to-back winner of Crankworx Slopestyle; participated in Red Bull Rampage numerous times; and was one of the top riders in the game. But one tiny mishap led to a crash that left him paralyzed, and Paul’s life was changed in an instant. But that’s not the end of the story — Paul is currently making an absolutely incredible comeback.
What We’re Watching — August, 2020
Update 8.12.20: Check out our latest video roundup for super-fast raw biking, footage from one of the steepest races in the world, seriously steep skiing & snowboarding, and more.
2021-2022 Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130
This spring and summer, we used the new Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 for everything from steep, icy couloirs to pow laps to backcountry booter sessions, and think many people should have this AT boot on their radar. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
Camille Herron on Rocky Balboa, Training, & More World Records (Ep. 62)
What do Taco Bell, the Harlem Globetrotters, a twisted femur, & Rocky Balboa have in common? They’ve all played a role in the journey of Camille Herron to become a world champion runner and multiple world record holder — and Camille still has some very big plans. So Brendan and Jonathan talk with Camille about all of the above, including her unusual path to trail running, and what her sights are set on next.
Current State of the Camping Industry (Ep. 139)
“Camping” is a massive industry, and a lot goes on under that single name. So on our latest Blister Podcast, we discuss who’s doing it; what the different segments of camping are; the most important trends; some of the current problems and challenges in the space; and some of the potential solutions.