BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 (Ep.53)
Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa discuss mind-boggling new technologies like titanium-coated fibres; inventive sustainability stories involving recycled medical supplies; and the noteworthy trends — both good and bad — that they saw this week at the OR show.
New Products, New Trends, & Old Marketing Tactics (Ep.2)
We talk with BLISTER senior bike editor, Noah Bodman, about Guerrilla Gravity’s modular designs; the emerging category of ‘Downcountry’ Bikes; whether ‘mullet bikes’ are just a fad; and whether the lingo used to market and sell bikes is in need of a refresh.
Outdoor Retailer Summer 2019 Highlights
New cams, puffy ponchos, heat-moldable running shoes, and more — check out our recap from day 2 of Outdoor Retailer.
Brendan Runs the Bighorn 100 (Ep.5)
This past weekend, our Off The Couch co-host, Brendan Leonard, ran the Bighorn Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run. So Jonathan Ellsworth talks with him about why he decided to run it; how he prepared; the highs and lows of the experience; his advice for anyone thinking of running a 100; and whether or not he plans on running another 100 miler.
2021-2022 J Skis The Friend
This season we spent time on another length of the J Skis Friend and have added an update on the 183 cm version of J’s pow ski.
Deep Dive: J Skis The Friend
UPDATE: We compare The Friend to the ON3P Kartel 116, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Armada ARV 116 JJ, Moment Wildcat, previous Friend, K2 Catamaran, Rossignol Black Ops 118, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, Faction Candide 5.0, Faction Candide 4.0, Prior CBC, 4FRNT Inthayne, Line Outline, and Icelantic Nomad 115.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Scarpa Maestro Mid Eco
While most companies make tons of climbing shoes for bouldering, sport, and gym climbing, there aren’t nearly as many trad-specific shoes out there. But Scarpa recently made an addition to this category, the Maestro Mid Eco, and you can check out our review of this comfort-oriented shoe.
Lab Austere Hydration Pack, Tool Kit, & Wallet
Lab Austere is a new brand that’s aiming to make simple — and more importantly, very useful — MTB accessories. Check out our review of their Minimize Hydration Lumbar Pack, Trunk Roll Up Tool Kit, and Simplify Wallet.
2021-2022 Volkl Revolt 121
The new Volkl Revolt 121 stood out this spring across a broad range of conditions and surprisingly deep snow. Check out our full review and Deep Dive on the site for more on this playful pow ski.
Deep Dive: Volkl Revolt 121
We compare the Revolt 121 to the Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Rossignol Black Ops 118, Prior CBC, 4FRNT Inthayne, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, Line Outline, Icelantic Nomad 115, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, Faction Candide 5.0, and Faction Candide 4.0.
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.
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The Dumpster Fire Episode (Ep.52)
Things kind of go off the rails in our latest GEAR:30 episode, with topics ranging from the ON3P Woodsman 108, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, new ski boots, and heat-moldable hiking shoes, to very contentious debates about Hard Seltzer, energy bar flavors, and Smashburger.
19/20 Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Ripstick 106 Black Edition, including notes on how it compares to the standard Ripstick 106.
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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Win any Sunglasses You Want from Dragon
Win a new pair of shades from Dragon!
Father’s Day Gift Guide — 2019
Still looking for a way to thank your dad this Father’s Day? Fear not — we’ve rounded up several last-minute gift ideas that won’t feel last-minute to the dads in your life.
Tecnica Plasma S Shoe
Best known for their ski boots, Tecnica recently launched a hiking line that brings something entirely new to the market: a heat-moldable fit. And after using their new Plasma S Shoe for the past year, you can now check out our full review.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Hoka One One Rincon 2
One of our reviewers says the recently redesigned Hoka Rincon 2 is “everything that a high-cushion shoe should be.” Check out our review to see what he means, and how this lightweight, less-expensive shoe compares to its competition.
2021 Trek Slash
We’ve spent quite a bit of time now on the new Trek Slash, and three of our reviewers are weighing in on this smooth, stable, and surprisingly versatile long-travel bike. Check out our full review.
2021-2022 Tecnica Cochise 130
The Tecnica Cochise was one of the first boots designed to offer alpine-boot downhill performance with uphill capability, and they’re overhauling it for 21/22. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to see what they’ve changed and how the new boot compares to the current market.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132)
Product Manager of Atomic Ski Boots, Matt Manser, is back to talk about heel pockets and tongue volume and Luke Koppa’s feet and how plug boots are not a thing and Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra and their new “Professional” Series of Liners and Dual Straps.
Flash Review: 21/22 DPS Foundation Koala 103
DPS is launching a new ski in their playful “Koala” series for 21/22 — check out our reviewers’ initial thoughts on it.
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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Mike Foote on His Grand Canyon R2R2R ALT FKT; Race Directing; & Reading (Ep.79)
Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Mike Foote, who on 12.31.20, headed out with fellow The North Face athlete, Rob Krar, to attempt an FKT of the Rim to Rim to Rim “alt” route of the Grand Canyon. So we get Mike’s version of the event, and then go on to discuss a whole lot more.
2021-2022 Parlor Warbird
There are lots of smaller-batch ski manufacturers these days, but very few that have branched out into the category of dedicated carving skis. Parlor changed that with their Warbird — a 78mm-wide ski designed to excel on groomed snow.
Deep Dive: Parlor Warbird
We compare the Warbird to the K2 Disruption 78Ti, K2 Disruption 78C, Fischer RC4 The Curv, Fischer RC4 The Curv GT, Salomon S/Force Bold, K2 Disruption MTi, Liberty V82, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, & Parlor Cardinal 90.
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.)
Andrew Alexander King & The Between Worlds Project (Ep.159)
Andrew Alexander King is an explorer, alpinist, climber, and surfer who was born in Detroit; has climbed over 50 different mountains around the world from Kilimanjaro to the highest mountain in the Atlantic, Indian, and the Pacific Ocean; is currently aiming to become the first African American to climb the highest mountain and volcano on each continent; and is the founder of the The Between Worlds Project.
On Running Cloudventure
The Cloudventure is On’s take on a versatile, everyday trail running shoe — but with a few unique twists. Check out our review to see how it compares to many other options on the market, and where we think it makes the most sense.
Shop Talk: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT (Ep.131)
We talked with Megan Shenton, the head of the ski dept. at Outdoor Gear Exchange, about how this ski season is going so far in New England; the history of Outdoor Gear Exchange; some of her personal favorite gear and some of the OGE staff’s favorite products; and more.