BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 108Ti
We compare the Mindbender 108Ti to the Blizzard Cochise, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Prior Husume, Folsom Hammer, 4FRNT MSP 107, Black Crows Corvus, Faction Dictator 3.0, Head Kore 105, Moment Commander 108, Nordica Enforcer 110, and J Skis Metal.
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Brendan Leonard & Jonathan Ellsworth on Their Running Backgrounds & What Makes Someone a “Runner”? (Ep.1)
In our inaugural episode of Blister’s new running podcast, Off The Couch, Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about their running backgrounds; their love / hate relationships with running; and Strava as a modern-day spiritual exercise??
Win an Avalanche Beacon from Black Diamond
Enter to win Black Diamond’s new avalanche beacon!
2020-2021 RMU North Shore 108
RMU’s North Shore 108 seems to combine elements from both the more directional, harder-charging end of the spectrum, as well as the more forgiving and playful side. So what does that actually look like? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and Flash Review.
19/20 RMU North Shore 108
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of RMU’s narrower big-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.
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.)
Colltex Clariden Climbing Skins
Colltex has been making climbing skins for more than 50 years, and it shows. Their Clariden skins’ low weight, great glide, and easy to use adhesive make them an excellent option for a lot of backcountry skiers.
Blister Speaker Series 1.2: Eric Larsen – Polar Adventurer, Expedition Guide, & Educator (Ep.81)
Last week we held our 2nd Blister Speaker Series event at Western Colorado University with Eric Larsen, a North and South Pole adventurer, expedition guide, author, and climate educator. Here is that conversation, where we talk to Eric about the importance of doing difficult things, perseverance, leadership, and more.
Ski Pole Roundup — 2019
Not all ski poles are created equal, so after spending dozens of seasons and hundreds of days using a whole bunch of them, we offer this roundup of a bunch of inbounds and backcountry-oriented options.
19/20 Line Vision 108
After getting more time on it, we’ve updated our initial on-snow impressions of Line’s very light 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.)
Flylow Donna Pant 2.1
Comfortable? Check. Waterproof? Check. Versatile? Check. Stylish? Check. The Flylow Donna Pant 2.1 ticks a lot of boxes, and is worth a good look if you’re in the market for a women’s ski pant.
2020-2021 Rossignol BLACKOPS Holyshred
This year Rossignol added another ski to their secretive and mysterious Black Ops lineup, and you can now check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the Black Ops 98.
2019-2020 Armada Invictus 99 Ti
5 reviewers, 1 ski. We’ve now had a handful of reviewers on Armada’s metal-laminate Invictus 99 Ti, and you can check out our full review for each of their takes.
Win Bindings & Skins from G3
Win a G3 Ion 12 touring binding and any skin you want from G3’s Alpinist+ collection!
2019-2020 DPS Alchemist Uschi 94 C2
The DPS Alchemist Uschi 94 won a “Best Of” award in our Winter Buyer’s Guide this year, and now you can read our full review to see why we’re such big fans of this lightweight women’s all-mountain ski.
Kristen Ulmer on the Art of Fear (Ep.80)
Kristen Ulmer was once the best female big mountain skier in the world, and many regarded her as fearless. But she wasn’t fearless, and her ways of coping with fear took a heavy toll on her. Kristen has since become a specialist of this deeply misunderstood emotion, so we discuss how we can all develop a healthier relationship with fear in any and every area of our lives.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Black Crows Skis co-founder, Camille Jaccoux (Ep.144)
We talk to Black Crows Skis founder, Camille Jaccoux, about growing up in Chamonix and his background in skiing; what Black Crows is doing to grow the brand while trying to stay true to the reasons they started the company; the lost art of ski ballet; who would win in a mogul comp between Camille and Glen Plake; and more.
Win Men’s & Women’s Packs from Dakine
The TWO winners of this week’s Gear Giveaway will each get one of Dakine’s Heli Pro ski / board packs!
Shop Talk: Sebastian Steinbach, Black Sheep Sports (Ep.116)
We talk to the founder of Black Sheep Sports about this past ski season; his predictions for the upcoming ski season in Europe — and whether we’ll see a backcountry boom in Europe? We then talk about the critical art of customer service; why friends shouldn’t tell friends to just “Go buy this boot”; and more.
2021 Fox 38 Fork
We’ve spent the last 3 months riding Fox’s burliest single-crown fork, the 38, and comparing it to other mainstays in the category to see just how much of a difference the bigger chassis (and new internals) make on the trail. Spoiler alert: it’s a significant difference, but there’s more to it. Check out our full review.
Jonathan & Maddie run (and record this during) the Elk Run 5k (Ep.68)
Last Saturday, Blister reviewer & accomplished ultrarunner, Maddie Hart, ran the Emma Coburn Elk Run 5k with Blister founder & unaccomplished runner, Jonathan Ellsworth, and they recorded the experience. Hilarity (and embarrassment) ensued, but it was all for a great cause.
Order our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide
The most honest, accurate, and useful buyer’s guide in the world. Order your copy today.
Faction Skis: Company History & 20/21 Lineup (Ep.115)
For some time now, Faction has been one of the hottest brands in skiing. But how much do you actually know about the company? This week we are talking about the history of the brand, some key moments in the company, and some big recent changes; what it’s like to go skiing with and design skis for Candide Thovex; and Faction’s lineup for the upcoming season.
Manitou Mezzer Pro Fork
Manitou’s Mezzer Pro was one of the first “extra-stiff,” single-crown forks to hit the market, and we’ve spent the last 4 months comparing it to its growing competition. Check out our full review to see how it stacks up.
Patagonia Announces New CEO + Head of Patagonia, Inc.
Today Patagonia announced their new CEO, as well as their new head of Patagonia, Inc., which is the portion of the company that designs & produces their apparel & equipment.
Reviewer Reports: Trek Slash, Banshee Phantom, EXT Shock, Hayes Brakes (Ep.40)
We check in with reviewers Dylan Wood (who gets to keep his seat at the bar), David Golay (who is now reconsidering what makes brakes good or bad), and Eric Freson (who still enjoys a sick jazz soundtrack) to get their updates on the Trek Slash, EXT Storia shock, Hayes Dominion A4 brakes, and the Banshee Phantom V3.
Coree Woltering on his Ice Age Trail FKT, Catcalls, & Tick Removal (Ep.67)
Coree Woltering is definitely one of the most interesting ultrarunners out there, so Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked to Coree about the one time when a catcall actually worked; why the running world needs to stop overlooking midwestern athletes; Quick Trip burgers and how to remove ticks; and the injury and the miracle that happened while he was setting a new FKT on the Ice Age Trail.