BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
No, Thank YOU
In our latest Open Mic piece, Brendan Leonard tells us how to deal with a world full of F@!% Yous.
Flash Review: 24/25 Peak 104 by Dav
We recently spent a day touring on the lighter version of Peak’s 104 mm-wide ski, the Peak 104 by Dav. Check out our initial impressions.
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James Bond, ‘The World Is Not Enough’ w/ Jonathan Ellsworth & Simon Stewart (Ep.29)
James Bond films have probably put skiing and snowboarding in front of more people than any other film series. So we discuss this, then, in honor of the 25th anniversary of ‘The World is Not Enough,’ we break down that film and its absolutely-all-time ski scene.
BCA Float E2-35 Avalanche Airbag Backpack
Avalanche airbag backpacks have come a long way, and one of our reviewers has tested most of them over the past decade. BCA’s newest option, the Float E2-35, is his current favorite — check out our Full Review to see why.
Maxxis High Roller
Maxxis says that the newest iteration of their High Roller is a gravity tire for conditions that are somewhat soft and loose, but not to the point of demanding a full-on mud spike. That’s a big departure from earlier iterations of the High Roller, but it would fill a real gap in Maxxis’ lineup (and the MTB tire market as a whole). So, is their description on point? We’ve ridden the High Roller in a wide range of conditions and are ready to weigh in.
Flash Review: 24/25 Volkl M7 Mantra
Last season we started spending time on Volkl’s newest Mantra (in two different lengths) to see just how much has changed between the M6 and M7. Here are some of our initial impressions.
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Auden Schendler on Joy, Living Well, & His New Book, Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering our Soul (Ep.334)
Auden and Jonathan talk about human purpose, the importance of joy and living well; and Auden spells out the need for systemic change — and not just token actions — to actually address climate change.
Flash Review — Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
Rocky Mountain’s first entry into the light-assist eMTB category features their new in-house designed and built Dyname S4 Lite motor and a new frame with mixed wheel size compatibility. The Instinct Powerplay SL seemingly has a lot going for it, and we’ve spent enough time on it now to share some initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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CARV Co-Founder Alex Jackson & Pro Skier Marcus Caston on Using New Tech to Ski Better & Have More Fun On Snow (Ep.323)
We’re geeking out with pro skier, Marcus Caston, and CARV co-founder, Alex Jackson, about CARV’s slick & sophisticated system that aims to help skiers improve their skiing and have more fun on snow. Fans of new tech, high edge angles, and / or skiing better, listen up.
Win Any Pret Helmet & Goggle
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get their pick of any Pret Helmet, as well as their choice of any pair of Pret Goggles!
Blister Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Kids & Parents Edition
Rounding out our Holiday Gift Guide series this year is a collection of gift ideas that we think would be great for outdoor-oriented kids and parents — or those who are looking for new ways to spend more time outside with their little ones.
Fox DHX Live Valve Neo Electronic Shock
Fox took their time developing the new wireless version of their electronically-controlled Live Valve bike suspension. We’ve been testing the DHX Live Valve Neo since early summer, and it’s clear that Fox has come up with something pretty interesting.
Risk, Consequence, & an 8-Step Checklist
In this Open Mic piece, Hadley Hammer offers lots of food for thought, and an 8-Step checklist that each of us would do well to act on.
PeopleForBikes CEO, Jenn Dice, on Assessing, Advocating For, & Building Better Bike Infrastructure (Ep.249)
Getting more people on bikes more regularly is a laudable goal, and building better bike infrastructure is key to making it happen. PeopleForBikes does a whole lot to make that happen all over the US, and we sat down with their CEO, Jenn Dice, to hear all about it — and we dive into off-road bike access & advocacy, the specter of increased tariffs on bikes (and a lot of other stuff), and a whole bunch more.
Flash Review — EXT Vaia
EXT’s new Vaia is an inverted dual-crown fork with additional features and design details that set it apart from most of the DH fork market — at least on paper. But how does it stack up on the trail? Check out our early thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win a ‘Powder Day’ Sweater From Alpine Revival
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the men’s or women’s Powder Day Zipneck Sweater from Alpine Revival!
Cane Creek Tigon
Air and coil shocks both have their merits, but what about a hybrid of the two? Cane Creek took a creative new direction with their Tigon shock. But has it worked? Check out our Full Review to find out.
BMC URS AMP LT
The BMC URS AMP LT looks like a versatile off-road-focused eGravel Bike with progressive geometry and ample cargo-carrying capability — making for a very interesting take on the electrified Gravel Bike category.
Flash Review — BMC URS AMP LT
BMC has added the TQ HPR50 motor to their off-road focused URS LT Gravel Bike, check out our early impressions of the BMC URS AMP LT.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Blizzard Anomaly 88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Anomaly 88.
Flash Review: 24/25 Blizzard Anomaly 88
We’ve had multiple reviewers testing the new Anomaly 88 to see how it compares to the Blizzard Brahma and the rest of the narrower all-mountain class. Here are their initial thoughts.
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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2024-2025 Kästle MX88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Kästle MX88.
Ashley King of Significant Other Bikes on Custom Frames, Finding a Home in the Bike Industry, & More (Ep. 253)
Ashley King of Significant Other Bikes makes beautiful and distinctive frames out of her shop in Golden, Colorado, and her journey into the bike world and frame building is not a conventional one either. So we sat down with her to hear all about it.
2024-2025 LINE Vision 96
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new LINE Vision 96.
2024-2025 ON3P Billy Goat 118 Tour
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Billy Goat 118 Tour.
Flash Review: 24/25 Armada ARV 112
Here are some of our initial takeaways after spending time on Armada’s new freestyle-friendly powder (or all-mountain?) ski.
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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2024-2025 Armada ARV 112
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada ARV 112.