BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Folsom Spar 88
We compare the Spar 88 to the Blizzard Brahma, Head Monster 88 Ti, Nordica Enforcer 93, J Skis Masterblaster, Renoun Z-Line 90, Atomic Vantage 90 Ti, Armada Invictus 89Ti, K2 Ikonic 84Ti, and Black Crows Orb.
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 Folsom Spar 88
Building a narrower “all-mountain” ski that actually works well all around the mountain is trickier (or, at least rarer) than you might think. But the Folsom Spar 88 does, and you can now check out our full review.
Holden M-51 Fishtail 3 Layer Jacket
Look good, ski good. The Holden M-51 Fishtail Jacket definitely brings a lot of style to the table, and it doesn’t skimp out on technical features, either. Check out our review.
Benshi Creative — “Before Tomorrow”
We watch a lot of ski edits, but the one series that has clearly stood out this year is Benshi Creative’s “Before Tomorrow.” Check out all three episodes here.
19/20 DPS Foundation Koala 119
Here’s our updated Flash Review of DPS’s new pow ski, where Jonathan Ellsworth shares his thoughts on the Koala F119.
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.)
Blister Speaker Series 1.3: Dan Abrams, Flylow (Ep.84)
Our 3rd Blister Speaker Series at Western Colorado University was with Dan Abrams, president and co-founder of Flylow. Dan gets into the details of running an outerwear company, and in doing so, offers insight into maintaining perspective while under pressure, how he approaches risky decisions, making the most of bad situations, and more.
Smith 4D Mag Goggle
Ski & snowboard goggles have undergone a lot of changes recently, but one thing that’s remained relatively unchanged is their lenses. For 19/20, Smith is changing that with their 4D Mag goggle, which features a unique extended lens to offer increased field of view. So is it just a gimmick, or a notable advancement? Check out our review.
Amundsen Peak Anorak
Anoraks and technical fabrics don’t often get packaged together. But Norwegian brand, Amundsen, combined the two in their Peak Anorak, and the resulting jacket certainly stands out compared to the rest of the ski jackets on the market.
New Gear + Sam’s Review of Tinder (Ep.42)
Sam Shaheen, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about some of their favorite new skis, then — in what might be our most anticipated review ever — Sam Shaheen gives us his honest, in-depth, pretty hilarious, and surprisingly insightful take on the dating app, Tinder.
2024-2025 Romp Skis Zorro 100
This season we built a custom ski with Romp, and you can now check out our full review for more info on the custom process, the resulting ski, and how well it lived up to our expectations.
19/20 K2 Mindbender 116C
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the widest ski in K2’s new Mindbender lineup.
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 Rossignol Soul 7 HD W
You may have heard a thing or two about the Rossignol Soul 7. Time now to talk about the women’s Soul 7 HD W, and you can check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Deep Dive: Dynastar Legend X96
We compare the Legend X96 to the Volkl Mantra M5, Blizzard Bonafide, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, Moment Commander 98, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97Ti, 4FRNT MSP 99, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Liberty Origin 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, Renoun Endurance 94, and ON3p Wrenegade 96.
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 Dynastar Legend X96
The Dynastar Legend X96 is low on weight, very stiff with respect to its flex pattern, and accessible in terms of its shape. Check out our full review to see the on-snow result of that combo.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Mali Noyes & Lani Bruntz ski The Wurl (Ep.148)
The Wurl — The Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup — has gained a lot of attention in the trail running and climbing worlds, but it had never been done in the winter, and Mali Noyes and Lani Bruntz set out to ski it. So we talked with Mali and Lani about the origins of this idea to ski The Wurl, and the planning, logistics, and scouting that happened behind the scenes.
In Defense of Indoor Trainers (Ep.42)
Trainers? Trainers?? Roadies have been using them forever, but many mountain bikers dismiss them (like we did). But Simon Stewart (aka, Mr. Tank Driver / co-owner of BV Bike Company) lays out a compelling case for why all cyclists — including mountain bikers — should reconsider their stance on the modern, indoor trainer.
Shop Talk: John Weir, Bentgate (Ep.120)
We talk to John Weir from Bentgate in Golden, Colorado, about fitting AT boots; the rise of splitboarding; John’s predictions for this upcoming season; some of the precautions and protocols that Bentgate is taking and putting in place this winter; a lasting (positive) effect that COVID may have on the bootfitting process; and more.
2021-2022 Sego Condor 108
Sego’s Condor 108 was one of the more surprising skis we got on last season, and we think it is a reliable, predictable, and versatile tool that will work for a lot of skiers – whether you take a more directional or more playful approach to the mountain. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive Comparisons.
Deep Dive: Sego Condor 108
We compare the Condor 108 to the 4FRNT Raven, Volkl Blaze 106, Volkl BMT 109, Line Sick Day 104, Armada Tracer 108, Faction Agent 3.0, Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, Elan Ripstick 106, RMU North Shore 108, J Skis Slacker, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Deathwish Tour, G3 ROAMr 108, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, Atomic Backland 107, Blizzard Zero G 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.)
Win the LINE Blade
The winner this week will get Line’s new “fun carver,” the Blade!
PSA: Flaw in PIEPS DSP Sport & DSP Pro Avalanche Transceivers
If you or someone you know has a PIEPS DSP Sport or PIEPS DSP Pro avalanche transceiver, please read this.
What We’re Watching — October, 2020
Fall is the season of ski movies / edits, and this fall has definitely not disappointed in that regard. Check out our latest “What We’re Watching” video roundup to watch some of our favorites.
Brendan Leonard on his new FKT, the Deadline Dungeon, & More (Ep.71)
Today we’re putting our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) in the interviewee seat to hear about his recent FKT; his review of his FKT route and whether you should do it; movies; his current running program; gas station donuts; how well he deals with deadlines; some of his current and upcoming projects, and more.
Strafe Cham Jacket & Pants
This season Strafe once again updated their touring-oriented Cham Jacket & Pant, and we think the latest iteration is one of the best backcountry outerwear kits we’ve used. Check out our full, in-depth review to see why.
Hunt to Eat founder, Mahting Putelis (Ep.147)
This is another installment in our series on food, and food systems, and our guest today was first introduced to me by Blister reviewer, Paul Forward. Mahting Putelis is the founder of Hunt to Eat, which is an organization that “exists to find modern, progressive, and inclusive ways to support and grow the community of folks that go outdoors, harvest wild meat, or plants, or fungi, and take these things home to be cooked with care for themselves or their friends and family.”
Cody Townsend on Coffee Makers, Bindings, & Beacons (Ep.119)
On our latest GEAR:30 podcast, we sat down in Blister HQ with Cody Townsend to talk about coffee makers, bindings, beacons, terrain management, mortality, movies, and more.