BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Fischer RC4 The Curv for Blister

2020-2021 Fischer RC4 The Curv

The Fischer RC4 The Curv has been one of our favorite frontside skis since it came out, and it is a 3 x winner of a Blister “Best Of” award. Check out our full review to see why.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Liberty Helix 98 for Blister

Deep Dive: Liberty Helix 98

We compare the Helix 98 to the Liberty Origin 96, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, 4FRNT MSP 99, Moment Commander 98, Renoun Endurance 98, K2 Pinnacle 95 Ti, Blizzard Rustler 9, 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.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Liberty Helix 98 for Blister

2021-2022 Liberty Helix 98

This year Liberty re-introduced the Helix name to their lineup with the new Helix 98, and you can now check out our full review of this versatile all-mountain ski.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Scarpa Maestrale XT for Blister

19/20 Scarpa Maestrale XT

Here are our initial on-snow impressions of Scarpa’s new, burly touring boot.

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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Cy Whitling reviews the J Skis Friend for Blister

18/19 J Skis The Friend

Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the redesigned J Skis Friend.

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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Luke Koppa reviews the Rossignol Black Ops 118 for Blister

18/19 Rossignol Black Ops 118

Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Rossignol’s big freestyle pow ski, the Black Ops 118.

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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Blister's Base Layer Index

Index: Base Layers

We just updated our Base Layer Index with several new options — from versatile year-round pieces to warm layers for the coldest winter days.

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Sam Shaheen and Jonathan Ellsworth review the K2 Super Charger for Blister

Deep Dive: K2 Super Charger

We compare the Super Charger to several other carvers, including the Head Worldcup Rebels i.Speed Pro, Head Supershape i.Rally & i.Titan, Fischer RC4 The Curv & RC4 The Curv GT, Liberty V76, Dynastar Speedzone 12 Ti, and DPS Alchemist Cassiar 79.

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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Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Volant Spatula for Blister

Volant Spatula (2002-2003)

WARNING: Yesterday we let Shane talk about his creation, the Volant Spatula. Now it’s our turn. Prepare to go disturbingly in-depth about a ski made back in 2002.

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Sam Shaheen and Jonathan Ellsworth review the K2 Super Charger for Blister

2019-2020 K2 Super Charger

The K2 Super Charger is an aptly named ski, so if you like to ski hard and fast on groomers, it’s certainly worth a look. Check out our full review for more.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Faction Prodigy 4.0 for Blister

18/19 Faction Prodigy 4.0

Here are our initial impressions of Faction’s wider all-mountain freestyle ski, the Prodigy 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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Luke Koppa reviews the Renoun Endurance 98 for Blister

Deep Dive: Renoun Endurance 98

We compare the Endurance 98 to the Moment Commander 98, 4FRNT MSP 99, Nordica Enforcer 100, Blizzard Bonafide, Volkl Mantra M5, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9, K2 Pinnacle 95 Ti, Liberty Origin 96, 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.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Luke Koppa on the Salomon QST 118, Crested Butte, Colorado.

Flash Review: 20/21 Salomon QST 118

Update 7.3.20: Jonathan Ellsworth weighs in on the Salomon QST 118.

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.)

Eric Freson and Luke Koppa review the Revel Rail 27.5 for Blister

2020 Revel Rail

We’ve now had two reviewers riding Revel’s 165mm-travel bike, the Rail, and they’ve both come away very impressed by its versatility. Check out our full review to see why, and how it compares to some other options in its class.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Our Favorite Kid’s Gear, Part 1 (Ep.105)

Kristin Sinnott and Justin Bobb join Jonathan Ellsworth to talk about some of the kid’s gear they’ve found to be the most game changing. And even if you don’t have kids, you should still listen to learn about a piece of gear that we’ve currently named, “The JBobber.” And there’s another piece of equipment that currently has a unanimous approval rating among our Blister parents, and might be the single greatest piece of kid’s gear of all time? Check it out.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

The History & Future of the BC Bike Race with Dean Payne & Simon Stewart (Ep. 29)

We talk with Dean Payne, the president and co-founder of the BC Bike Race, about the origins and evolution of one of the most epic bike races and events in the world. And Simon Stewart (aka, Mr. Tank Driver) is sitting in as co-host to discuss with Dean all things BC Bike Race, the world’s largest hockey stick, drinking with Russell Crowe, and what goes into putting together an event like this.

Noah Bodman reviews on the WTB Verdict & Judge and compares them to the Maxxis Minion DHF & DHRII for Blister

WTB Verdict & Judge

The Judge & Verdict are two of WTB’s newest, aggressive tire options and we’ve put around 500 miles on them. Check out our review to see what makes them stand out in this crowded category, and how they compare to similar options like the Maxxis Minion DHF & DHRII.

Abby Hall & Cordis Hall go on Blister's Off The Couch podcast to discuss the FKT of the Cottonwood Marble Loop, their upcoming FKT attempt on the Pfiffner Traverse, and more

Abby & Cordis Hall on Couple Goals, FKTs, & their Pfiffner Traverse ‘Date Run’ (Ep. 56)

Abby and Cordis Hall are both very good runners who both run for Adidas TERREX and who both recently set FKTs for the Cottonwood Marble Loop in Death Valley. And Abby and Cordis are soon going to both be going after another FKT, this time, on the rather gnarly Pfiffner Traverse. So we discuss all of that, plus the benefits and challenges that arise when your partner is also a competitive runner. And we also talk about a current rule that is in place specifically for women’s FKTs that deserves to be re-considered.

Blister breaks down the design of the 2021 Transition Spur

2021 Transition Spur

Transition just announced a new addition to their lineup: the 120mm-travel, 29”-wheeled Spur. Check out our First Look for more on the new “All-Country” bike and how its design compares to the current crop of shorter-travel 29ers.

Hilary Eisen goes on the Blister Podcast to discuss the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the changes being made to it, why outdoor enthusiasts should care, and what they can do to help protect NEPA

What You Need to Know – and Do – about the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) (Ep. 134)

You are probably familiar with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but what do you know about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)? NEPA is a critical piece of legislation, and each of us needs to understand what it does and why it matters so much — especially since some major changes to NEPA are being proposed that could have extremely serious environmental and human rights consequences. So to help us understand the high stakes of the changes being proposed, we spoke to Hilary Eisen, the policy director for the Winter Wildlands Alliance.

Maddie Hart reviews the La Sportiva Helios III for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado.

La Sportiva Helios III

When it was first introduced, the Helios was an outlier in the La Sportiva trail running lineup — an ultralight, minimal, flexible shoe for mellower terrain. They recently brought back the Helios and we think the new Helios III is the most refined version yet. Check out our review.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

2021-2022 4FRNT Raven

For the 20/21 season, 4FRNT is offering a new, special edition of their excellent Raven ski. Check out our First Look & Flash Review for more on this collab with Eric Hjorleifson & Pomoca, and how the newest Raven compares to the rest of the market.