BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
New Innovations in Bootfitting with Pulse Boot Lab (Ep.35)
Are you one of the many people who has wished that your ski boots were a bit stiffer or more comfortable? Well then listen up, because, the bootfitters at Pulse Boot Lab in Revelstoke have come up with a number of innovative ways to achieve both.
2021-2022 Prior CBC
The Prior CBC is very stiff, very playful, and most importantly — very good. Check out our full review of this freestyle pow ski.
Deep Dive: Prior CBC
We compare the CBC to the Rossignol Black Ops 118, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Blizzard Spur, Faction Candide 4.0, and K2 Catamaran.
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2020-2021 4FRNT Raven
We’ve now had more time and more reviewers on the 4FRNT Raven, and you can check out here our updated review of this exceptional touring ski.
Butte & Co.
If you need to rent or tune gear in Crested Butte, Butte & Co. gets our highest recommendation.
2021-2022 Line Pandora 104
This year the Line Pandora 104 replaced a Blister favorite, the Pandora 110. But after spending a lot of time on the new ski, it’s become another favorite, and earned itself a “Best Of” award. Check out our full review for more.
2019 Pivot Shuttle
The Pivot Shuttle is one of the lightest e-bikes out there. So how does it compare to traditional mountain bikes, and who should be considering it? Check out our review.
19/20 K2 Mindbender 99Ti
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the brand-new K2 Mindbender 99Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2022-2023 Rossignol BLACKOPS 118
Our managing editor is calling the Rossignol Black Ops 118 his favorite resort pow ski of all time, and one of his favorite skis in general. Check out our full review to see why.
Deep Dive: Rossignol Black Ops 118
We compare the Black Ops 118 to the Moment Blister Pro / Wildcat, K2 Catamaran, Icelantic Nomad 115, Blizzard Spur, and Prior CBC.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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WTB Vigilante 2.6 and Trail Boss 2.6 Tires
Some wider tires feel very similar to their narrower versions, while others feel like entirely different products. So which category do the 2.6″ versions of the WTB Trail Boss and Vigilante fall into, and what do you gain or lose by going with the wider versions? Check out our review.
Deep Dive: Renoun Citadel 106
We compare the Citadel 106 to the Line Sick Day 104, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 106, Faction Candide 3.0, Blizzard Rustler 10, Sego Big Horn 106, Armada Tracer 108, Elan Ripstick 106, and Renoun Endurance 98.
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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2021-2022 Renoun Citadel 106
Crazy light, crazy easy, and crazy … stable? Check out our full review of the Renoun Citadel 106 for more on this unique ski.
2018-2019 Rossignol Krypto
Rossignol says the Krypto is based on their big-mountain charger, the XV. So just how burly is the Krypto, and could it also work for more playful and less aggressive riders? Check out our full review.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Eliot Jackson on Night Owls, Bike Culture, & the Grow Cycling Foundation (Ep.36)
Eliot Jackson and Katie Holden have just launched the Grow Cycling Foundation, so we caught up with Eliot to talk about Grow Cycling; their plan to get a Velosolutions Pumptrack built in downtown Los Angeles; how to create a more welcoming bike culture; his terrific podcast, Reggy Radio; night owls; and more.
Scarpa Spin Ultra
Nowadays just about every major brand makes a few shoes targeted at running longer distances, but their approaches vary a good deal. The Scarpa Spin Ultra sets itself apart from some of its competition thanks to a comfy midsole and upper, but there’s more to it than just that. Check out our full review.
2020 Running Shoe Trends & Current Events (Ep.63)
This week we take a look at the trends in running shoes for 2020. Jonathan Ellsworth is joined by Maddie Hart and Gordon Gianniny to talk about knit uppers on trail shoes (??), massive heels, marketing copy, and we even design our own ‘Blister Pro’ shoe. Then we wrap up by talking about a few current events and get Maddie and Gordon’s upcoming plans.
Blister Brand Guide: Yeti Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
Yeti’s lineup sees some notable changes for 2021, including the return of a Yeti hardtail, a new XC bike, and of course, plenty of full-suspension Trail bikes. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about the line and which bike might make sense for you.
Adventures of a Hemophiliac: Chris Bombardier on Climbing Mount Everest (Ep.140)
Chris Bombardier is the first person with hemophilia to complete all Seven Summits, and tomorrow, a film comes out called Bombardier Blood that tells Chris’ story and homes in on his attempt to summit Mt. Everest. So we talked to Chris about baseball (and sharks); hemophilia and the experience of those who have the condition; climbing Everest; the important work of Save One Life; and more.
Win MTB Gear from Race Face
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a handlebar, grips, a hip pack, & a hat from Race Face!
2021-2022 Volkl Blaze 106
We’re always skeptical when brands claim that their lightweight skis offers “no compromises on the down,” but after spending time on it this past season, the new Volkl Blaze 106 clearly stood out as a lightweight ski that’s still lots of fun on the descent. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Voormi: How a ‘Textile Technology’ Company Does Outdoor Apparel (Ep.110)
Voormi is not interested in being just another outdoor apparel company. They develop their own textiles inhouse; they manufacture in the United States; and they’ve got some big plans. So we sat down in Blister HQ with Timm Smith, their head of materials development, to learn more about the Voormi story and where the brand is heading.
Deep Dive: Volkl Blaze 106
We compare the Blaze 106 to the Line Sick Day 104, Volkl BMT 109, Faction Agent 3.0, Folsom Cash 106 Carbon, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, Moment Deathwish Tour, WNDR Alpine Intention 110, 4FRNT Raven, Atomic Backland 107, Blizzard Zero G 105, Black Diamond Helio 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.)
Paul Basagoitia on His Emmy-Winning Film, Any One of Us (Ep.35)
Any One of Us, the film about Paul Basagoitia and spinal cord injuries, just won an Emmy! So we are reposting the conversation we had with Paul, who was the first back-to-back winner of Crankworx Slopestyle; participated in Red Bull Rampage numerous times; and was one of the top riders in the game. But one tiny mishap led to a crash that left him paralyzed, and Paul’s life was changed in an instant. But that’s not the end of the story — Paul is currently making an absolutely incredible comeback.
What We’re Watching — August, 2020
Update 8.12.20: Check out our latest video roundup for super-fast raw biking, footage from one of the steepest races in the world, seriously steep skiing & snowboarding, and more.
2021-2022 Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130
This spring and summer, we used the new Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 for everything from steep, icy couloirs to pow laps to backcountry booter sessions, and think many people should have this AT boot on their radar. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.