BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Rab Sharp Edge Jacket and Pants
There aren’t many kits out there designed specifically for ski mountaineering, but Rab’s Sharp Edge Jacket and Pants are. So how do they perform in big terrain, and should you still be considering them even if you’re not walking around in crampons and hacking your way up steep ice? Check out our full review.
Blister Speaker Series 1.1 – Brendan Leonard, Semi-Rad.com
We just held the inaugural Blister Speaker Series event at Western Colorado University with Brendan Leonard — author, filmmaker, and creator of semi-rad.com. So here is that live conversation where we talk with Brendan about work, work ethic, creativity, and how to keep from compromising your vision in whatever field you are passionate about pursuing.
2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 98Ti Alliance
K2’s Mindbender series includes six brand-new women’s skis, and here you can check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the women’s Mindbender 98Ti Alliance.
Candide Thovex — THE INTRO | BEHIND THE SCENES | SKI THE WORLD
To say that we’re excited about this would be a serious understatement. Check out the trailer for Candide Thovex’s new series documenting his absurdly creative and impressive edit where he skied in nine different countries, none of which was done on snow.
2021-2022 Folsom Trophy Carbon
The Folsom Trophy Carbon is one of the few playful pow skis that’s light enough to tour on, and you can now check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Folsom Trophy Carbon
We compare the Trophy Carbon to the Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro & Wildcat Tour, Blizzard Rustler 11, Rossignol Super 7 HD, Scott Scrapper 115, Liberty Origin 112, and Faction Candide 4.0.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Deep Dive: Faction Prodigy 4.0
We compare the Prodigy 4.0 to the Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Icelantic Nomad 115, Blizzard Rustler 11, Rossignol Black Ops 118, Prior CBC, Rossignol Super 7 HD, Liberty Origin 112, and Faction Prodigy 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.)
2019-2020 Faction Prodigy 4.0
Want a ski that’s quick and playful while also being strong and damp? If so, the Prodigy 4.0 is worth a good look. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
2021-2022 Blizzard Sheeva 10
The Blizzard Sheeva 10 has proved to be a very versatile ski — not only in terms of conditions and terrain, but also in the types of skiers it suits. Check out our full review for more.
2019-2020 Fischer Ranger Free 130
This year Fischer released a brand-new AT boot, and we’ve now updated our full review after getting more time and reviewers in the Ranger Free 130.
Win Women’s & Men’s Gloves / Mitts from Oyuki
Win gloves or mitts from the Niseko-based brand, Oyuki!
New Innovations in Bootfitting with Pulse Boot Lab (Ep.35)
Are you one of the many people who has wished that your ski boots were a bit stiffer or more comfortable? Well then listen up, because, the bootfitters at Pulse Boot Lab in Revelstoke have come up with a number of innovative ways to achieve both.
2021-2022 Prior CBC
The Prior CBC is very stiff, very playful, and most importantly — very good. Check out our full review of this freestyle pow ski.
Deep Dive: Prior CBC
We compare the CBC to the Rossignol Black Ops 118, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Blizzard Spur, Faction Candide 4.0, and K2 Catamaran.
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 4FRNT Raven
We’ve now had more time and more reviewers on the 4FRNT Raven, and you can check out here our updated review of this exceptional touring ski.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Mountain Biking Flat-Pedal Shoe Roundup — 2020
Flat-pedal shoes now vary a lot, from those with ultra-sticky, racing-slick-style outsoles to options that resemble hiking shoes to others that look like any other sneaker. Check out our roundup for in-depth comparisons on 6 shoes that we’ve been using.
Bikes, Forks, & Our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.108)
Jonathan Ellsworth talks to David Golay, Dylan Wood, & Luke Koppa about the Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana; Manitou Mezzer & RockShox ZEB; Rocky Mountain Instinct BC; our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide; and … ‘The Year of Ellsworth.’
Martinus Evans, 300 Pounds & Running (Ep. 60)
Martinus Evans is the founder of 300poundsandrunning.com and the Slow AF Run Club, and Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Martinus about modern media, being a Black runner in 2020, DJ-ing, motivation, Detroit pizza vs. Chicago pizza, the Slow AF Run Club, and more.
2021-2022 Blizzard Black Pearl 88
For the 20/21 season, Blizzard decided to update one of the most popular skis in the world, the Black Pearl 88. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more about what’s changed with the new ski, and our initial on-snow impressions.
National Brotherhood of Skiers co-founder & U.S. Ski Hall of Fame inductee, Art Clay (Ep. 137)
Art Clay is the co-founder of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, and he and his NBS co-founder, Ben Finley, are the first African Americans elected into the US Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame. This past weekend, Jonathan Ellsworth sat down with Art at his home in Chicago to talk about growing up in Chicago in the 1940s; his first time skiing; the idea to start the National Brotherhood of Skiers; cutie pies; the Black Summit; and more.
EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack
For those who like to ride bikes and take pictures on the trail, you’re often left with the choice of slugging around a bulky backpack or leaving your camera gear vulnerable. The EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack aims to solve that dilemma, offering camera protection and storage in the form of a compact, breathable hip pack. Check out our review of this impressive, purpose-built product.
What We’re Watching — July, 2020
Another week, another batch of cool videos. This week we’ve added 9 videos from legends of biking and skiing, as well as several exciting newcomers.
Aprch, CBD, & the Story Behind an Emerging Category (Ep.107)
This week we’re switching things up a bit and taking a close look at a massive emerging category — CBD products in general — and one specific company, Aprch. And to walk us through some of the relevant science, regulations, production processes, and the trajectory of this industry, we talk with Aprch co-founder, Adam Hunter.
2020-2021 DPS Pagoda Piste 100 C2
For 20/21, DPS is launching not only several new ski shapes, but also two brand-new ski constructions. They’re making some pretty bold claims about their new Pagoda Piste & Pagoda Tour designs, and you can check out our First Look of the Pagoda Piste 100 C2 to learn about their rationale for those claims and how the design of the ski compares to the rest of the market.
The New RockShox ZEB with Chris Mandell (Ep. 32)
David Golay and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the backstory of the new ZEB fork and why RockShox built it; who it’s for; its available configurations and compatibility; the ZEB vs. the Lyrik and more, with RockShox’s Chris Mandell.
Salomon S/Lab Ultra 2
Last week we reviewed the Salomon Ultra /Pro and now we’re chiming in on its lighter, more race-oriented sibling, the S/Lab Ultra 2. After spending several 20+ mile days in this S/Lab shoe, we’ve come away impressed by its versatility and think that it could work for a lot of people — not just those who are trying to win the next ultramarathon.