BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blister Speaker Series 1.4: Ashley Korenblat (Ep.86)
Ashley Korenblat is the former chair of IMBA, currently owns Western Spirit Cycling and Outerbike, is the founder and managing director of Public Land Solutions, is on the advisory board for the Outdoor Industry Association, and she is a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. We talked to Ashley about her trajectory, and about the critical issues surrounding public lands policies and debates that we all need to understand and participate in.
Deep Dive: Line Vision 108
We compare the Vision 108 to the Amplid Facelift 108, Line Sir Francis Bacon, Line Sick Day 104, 4FRNT Raven, Renoun Citadel 106, Black Diamond Helio 105, K2 Wayback 106, Elan Ripstick 106, Faction Candide 3.0, Sego Big Horn 106, Atomic Backland FR 109, and Scott Scrapper 105.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 Line Vision 108
Line is calling their Vision 108 a “freeride” ski, but we’ve never been on a “freeride” ski quite like this. Check out our full review.
19/20 Volkl Revolt 121
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Volkl’s brand-new playful pow 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.
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(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 Transition Smuggler Carbon
Transition says their Smuggler is a bike that “defies categorization.” So, where does it actually fit in the Trail / All-Mountain category? Check out our full review.
2019-2020 Moment Blister Pro / Wildcat
We’ve had three reviewers spending a lot of time on two lengths of the current Blister Pro / Wildcat, and you can now check out our full review.
Introducing: Bikes & Big Ideas
We’re pleased to announce our newest addition to the BLISTER Podcast Network: BIKES & BIG IDEAS, hosted by Jonathan Ellsworth and co-hosted by Claudio Caluori. Check out our trailer to learn more about what we’re up to and why.
Win Men’s or Women’s Apparel from Kavu
Ready for those hot summer days? Enter to win a full apparel kit from Kavu!
Ultrarunner, Writer, Coach: Sarah Lavender Smith (Ep.3)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to ultrarunner, Sarah Lavender Smith, about what inspired her to start running; “mommy guilt;” the importance of being process oriented; running marathons with horses; competitiveness; and how she went from smoking and partying to running ultras.
Avalanche Airbags, Close Calls, & Backcountry Safety (Ep.45)
Near-death experiences, avalanche airbags, and changing risk tolerance — this week on GEAR:30 we talk to mountain guide and Mammut’s safety expert, Doug Workman, about life and survival in the mountains.
Deep Dive: Moment Blister Pro / Wildcat
We compare the Blister Pro / Wildcat to the Rossignol Black Ops 118, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, Prior CBC, Icelantic Nomad 115, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Blizzard Spur, Line Outline, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Nordica Enforcer Pro, Line Sick Day 114, Rossignol Super 7 RD, Rossignol Super 7 HD, and Blizzard Rustler 11.
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.)
2020-2021 Amplid Creamer
If you’re someone who loves riding hard and fast through nasty conditions and who wants an exceptionally damp and stable board to keep up with you, the new Amplid Creamer is worth a look. Check out our full review.
19/20 Volkl Mantra 102
We just spent a day on Volkl’s new Mantra 102 — 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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Banks Kriz
Banks Kriz, Crested Butte, CO. Age: 24 | Vitals: 5’’7”, 145 lbs. | Years biking: 8 | Current Residence: Crested Butte, Colorado Background It all started back in Atlanta, Georgia, when I received my first bike: my sister’s pink, 16” Diamondback with a coaster brake.
2021-2022 Armada BDOG
Phil Casabon is one of the best freestyle skiers out there, and for 19/20, Armada is overhauling his signature ski. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new BDOG ski.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Ski Quivers for Garden Gnomes, 1-Year-Olds, & Heli Guides (Ep.125)
We talk to Blister reviewers Sascha Anastas & Paul Forward about their ski quivers; binding preferences; coffee in AK; your questions; and more.
Win Men’s & Women’s Kits from Le Bent
The TWO winners this week will each get kitted out head-to-toe by Le Bent!
2-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (20/21)
Check out Part Two of our reviewers’ 2-ski quiver selections, with additions from Kristin Sinnott, Jonathan Ellsworth, Sascha Anastas, Eric Freson, & Sam Shaheen.
Protect Your Phone: Survivor Endurance Case
We talk about protecting our brains with a helmet, and our bank accounts with injury insurance. Time to talk about protecting the pocket supercomputers we all carry when we’re skiing, riding, running, and wrecking.
On Guide Books & Decision Making in the Backcountry (Ep.152)
Sales of backcountry guide books are up, and more and more people are venturing out. So we talked with Beacon Guide Books founder, Andy Sovick about how he got into publishing guide books; why he actually dislikes the term “guide books”; whether or not backcountry guide books should even exist; the responsibilities that come with publishing them; why Andy is an advocate of the “ATES” system (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale); and more.
Improving Performance by Rethinking Fit? BOA Fit System (Ep.75)
Most of you are familiar with the BOA fit system, but do you know what BOA is up to today? Or maybe you’ve thought, What’s wrong with regular shoe laces? We went to the BOA Performance Fit Lab to learn more; hear why they see a big opportunity in trail running shoes; and see how they are working with companies to optimize products.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2020 — Stocking Stuffers
It’s that time of year again, where many of us are thinking about gifts for our family and friends. Our reviewers are chiming in with their gift ideas, and we’re kicking things off with stocking stuffers.
2021 Canfield Tilt & Lithium
Canfield recently added two new 29ers to their lineup, the Tilt & Lithium, and we’re very excited about both. Check out our First Look to see why.
Win 4FRNT Skis
The winner this week will get a pair of skis from 4FRNT’s 20/21 collection!
Buttered Noodles; Opening Day; & Ski Quivers (Ep.124)
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the opening day of the ski season; approaches to building ski quivers; our specific selections; Luke’s latest rant; What we’re Celebrating; & more.
3-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (20/21)
In Part Two of our reviewers’ 3-ski quiver selections, reviewers Paul Forward, Sascha Anastas, Kristin Sinnott, & Jonathan Ellsworth add their picks.
Matt Hart on Nike, The Oregon Project, & PEDs in Sports (Ep.74)
We talk to Matt Hart about his book, Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and its Culture of Deception, which is is an important book that everyone interested in competitive athletics should read. We discuss how Matt got interested in and involved with this story; whether we should just make all performance-enhancing drugs legal in all sports; who is most to blame for PED use in sports; what Nike’s response to the book has been; and Alberto Salazar’s upcoming trial.