BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Armada ARV 96 Ti
We compare the ARV 96 Ti to the Rossignol Black Ops 98, Dynastar Menace 98, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Fischer Ranger 94 FR, Liberty Helix 98, Liberty Origin 96, J Skis Masterblaster, Moment Commander 98, Renoun Endurance 98, Nordica Enforcer 100, 4FRNT MSP 99, ON3P Wrenegade 96, and Blizzard Rustler 9.
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Win a Down Hoodie from Holden
Enter to win a cozy hoodie packed with high-quality, trackable down insulation.
Patagonia’s Technical Fabric Development & Design (Ep.47)
This week we talk to Patagonia’s senior material developer, Pasha Whitmire, about how Patagonia designs, develops, and tests their technical fabrics; myths surrounding waterproof / breathable materials; why the future of fabric development lies in sustainability; the advantages and disadvantages of working with big names like Gore-Tex; and a whole lot more outerwear geekery.
Claudio Caluori (Ep.1)
We talk to Bikes & Big Ideas co-host, Claudio Caluori, about the origin story of this podcast; his background in XC & DH racing, how Velosolutions got started, experiments with food & diet; the #pumpforpeace project, and more.
Smith I/O Mag XL Goggle
Smith’s original I/O goggle helped start the trend of lenses with quick and easy lens-swap systems. The I/O line has evolved a lot since then, with the brand-new I/O Mag XL being one of the newest additions. Check out our full review of the I/O Mag XL.
David Golay
Blister reviewer, David Golay Age: 28 | Vitals: 6’’0”, 165 lbs. | Years mountain biking: 18 | Current Residence: Seattle, WA I got my introduction into mountain biking in my hometown of Ithaca, NY and began by riding — and quickly racing — XC. By
Dylan Wood
Dylan Wood racing the Santa Cruz Hightower LT, Crested Butte, CO. (photo by Jared Farley) Age: 25 | Vitals: 5’10.5”, 160 lbs. | Years mountain biking: 13 | Current Residence: Gunnison, CO I started mountain biking as a kid and soon built a lot of
Ben Sims
Ben Sims Age: 37 | Vitals: 5’10”, 180 lbs | Years mountain biking: 11 | Current Residence: Monument, CO I grew up in West Georgia and came to Colorado in the summer of 2000. My college years in Colorado introduced me to the world of
2021-2022 Prior Northwest 100
The brand-new Prior Northwest 100 slots into a diverse class of playful all-mountain skis. So how does its design compare to the competition? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
2020-2021 DPS Alchemist Wailer A110 C2
DPS’s Wailer 112 has become very popular with many skiers, but it’s also been a bit polarizing. For 19/20, they’re adding a different version that could be appealing to those who weren’t previously interested in the Wailer 112. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new Wailer A110.
19/20 DPS Alchemist Wailer 110 C2
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the brand-new Wailer A110.
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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Dierdre Wolownick, The Sharp End of Life (Ep.87)
In some circles, Dierdre Wolownick is best known as Alex Honnold’s mom. But she is also the oldest woman to climb El Cap, an author, teacher, linguist, musician, marathon runner, and someone who continues to push her comfort zone. We talk to Dierdre about her new book The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story; what shaped her philosophy of parenting; how she’s become more courageous with age; and the importance of continuing to push past limits.
Tobe Novo Jacket and Bib
Tobe’s Novo Jacket & Bib bring the burly construction and durability of snowmobile outerwear to a skiing / snowboarding silhouette, but do these crossover pieces have any downsides? Check out our full review.
2019-2020 Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition
For 19/20 Elan is releasing a limited “Black Edition” of their Ripstick 106. So what’s actually different with this new ski? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
2021-2022 Line Sakana
Spring skiing is here, so we figured it’d be a good time to look back on one of the most fun skis we’ve been on for spring conditions — the Line Sakana. Plus, we’ve added some updates about how it performs as a 50/50 ski.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
Flash Review: 20/21 Renoun Endurance 88
We’ve been spending time on Renoun’s narrowest all-mountain ski — check out our initial 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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Flash Review: 20/21 J Skis Hotshot
Update 12.17.20: check out our thoughts on how the Hotshot has been handling chop, crud, and off-piste terrain.
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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Mountain Bike Jacket Roundup — 2020
This roundup is for the folks who don’t let a bit of cold and / or wet weather keep them from getting out on the trails. Check out 8 of the Mtb shells we’ve been testing, ranging from ultra packable and breathable to burly and fully waterproof.
Topo Athletic Mtn Racer
The Mtn Racer is designed to be a lightweight, high-cushion trail shoe for those who like to run fast over long distances and rough terrain. So how well does it live up to those claims, and how does it compare to other shoes in its class like the Altra Timp & Hoka Speedgoat? Check out our review.
Flash Review: 20/21 DPS Pagoda Piste 94 C2
Check out our initial thoughts about the new Pagoda Piste 94 C2, and how it compares to the Pagoda Piste 90 RP.
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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Zoë Rom on Fruit, Oreos, Fireball, FKTs, & Running Culture (Ep.77)
Zoë Rom is a runner / scrambler / climber; reader; writer; and host of the DNF Podcast. We talk with her about all of this plus her interest in continuing to deepen and enrich running culture; the very specific way to win her heart; getting cut from the cross country team in high school; winning her first ultra with the help of Oreos & Fireball; her FKT on Capitol Peak; what she’s reading, watching, and listening to; and more.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2020 — In the Garage
Our final gift guide is dedicated to those big-ticket items — check out our reviewers’ top picks.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2020 — Kids & Parents Edition
This edition of our gift guide is all about the little ones (and their parents). Check out our gift ideas for folks who like to get outside with their kids.
Flash Review: 20/21 Volkl Revolt 104
We’ve now spent some more time on the Revolt 104 in the resort — check out our initial 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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Bode Miller on Education, Mental Preparation, Technology, Ski Design, & More (Ep.154)
We catch up with one of the greatest ski racers of all time to discuss his involvement in rethinking education; the use of technology and data in skiing; the crucial lesson his grandmother taught him at a young age; his greatest competitive advantage as a ski racer; what he aims to do in terms of ski design with Crosson skis; and more.