BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Liberty Origin 96
We compare the Origin 96 to the Liberty Helix 98, Blizzard Rustler 9, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Renoun Endurance 98, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, 4FRNT MSP 99, Moment Commander 98, ON3P Wrenegade 96, and K2 Pinnacle 95 Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2020-2021 Liberty Origin 96
This year Liberty updated one of our favorite skis in the ~95-100 mm wide all-mountain category, their Origin 96, and you can now check out our full review.
Spy Ace EC Goggle
Spy’s new Ace EC goggle uses a single electrochromic lens that lets you change the tint with a touch of a button. Yep, one lens for everything. So, how does it actually work in reality, and are there any downsides? Check out our review.
Patagonia Micro Puff Storm Jacket
The Patagonia Micro Puff Storm Jacket is essentially a waterproof version of a Blister favorite, the Micro Puff Hoody. So is the Storm just as impressive as the original? Check out our review.
Michelle Parker — “Originate”
Originate is a 5-part series about the behind-the-scenes aspects of being a pro skier, and features Michelle Parker, Elyse Saugstad, Angel Collinson, Cody Townsend, and Mark Abma. The finale is now out (with a cameo by our very own Paul Forward), and you can check out all 5 episodes here.
New Skis & Outerwear (Ep.33)
We discuss the latest skis and outerwear we’re reviewing, including the Black Crows Corvus, Rossi Black Ops, Parlor Cardinal 90, Argent Skis Badger, Flylow Baker Bibs, and Patagonia Micro Puff Storm.
2020-2021 Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour
We now have around 30 days in Dynafit’s new touring boot, the Hoji Pro Tour, and here you can check out our updated review.
Win a Men’s or Women’s Jacket from Strafe
Win a super versatile jacket from Strafe!
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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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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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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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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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win a Camping Sleep System from Zenbivy
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, & a pillow from Zenbivy!
Mountain Biking Flat-Pedal Shoe Roundup — 2020
Flat-pedal shoes now vary a lot, from those with ultra-sticky, racing-slick-style outsoles to options that resemble hiking shoes to others that look like any other sneaker. Check out our roundup for in-depth comparisons on 6 shoes that we’ve been using.
Bikes, Forks, & Our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide (Ep.108)
Jonathan Ellsworth talks to David Golay, Dylan Wood, & Luke Koppa about the Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana; Manitou Mezzer & RockShox ZEB; Rocky Mountain Instinct BC; our 20/21 Winter Buyer’s Guide; and … ‘The Year of Ellsworth.’
Martinus Evans, 300 Pounds & Running (Ep. 60)
Martinus Evans is the founder of 300poundsandrunning.com and the Slow AF Run Club, and Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Martinus about modern media, being a Black runner in 2020, DJ-ing, motivation, Detroit pizza vs. Chicago pizza, the Slow AF Run Club, and more.
2021-2022 Blizzard Black Pearl 88
For the 20/21 season, Blizzard decided to update one of the most popular skis in the world, the Black Pearl 88. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to learn more about what’s changed with the new ski, and our initial on-snow impressions.
National Brotherhood of Skiers co-founder & U.S. Ski Hall of Fame inductee, Art Clay (Ep. 137)
Art Clay is the co-founder of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, and he and his NBS co-founder, Ben Finley, are the first African Americans elected into the US Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame. This past weekend, Jonathan Ellsworth sat down with Art at his home in Chicago to talk about growing up in Chicago in the 1940s; his first time skiing; the idea to start the National Brotherhood of Skiers; cutie pies; the Black Summit; and more.
EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack
For those who like to ride bikes and take pictures on the trail, you’re often left with the choice of slugging around a bulky backpack or leaving your camera gear vulnerable. The EVOC Capture 7L Camera Pack aims to solve that dilemma, offering camera protection and storage in the form of a compact, breathable hip pack. Check out our review of this impressive, purpose-built product.
What We’re Watching — July, 2020
Another week, another batch of cool videos. This week we’ve added 9 videos from legends of biking and skiing, as well as several exciting newcomers.
Aprch, CBD, & the Story Behind an Emerging Category (Ep.107)
This week we’re switching things up a bit and taking a close look at a massive emerging category — CBD products in general — and one specific company, Aprch. And to walk us through some of the relevant science, regulations, production processes, and the trajectory of this industry, we talk with Aprch co-founder, Adam Hunter.
2020-2021 DPS Pagoda Piste 100 C2
For 20/21, DPS is launching not only several new ski shapes, but also two brand-new ski constructions. They’re making some pretty bold claims about their new Pagoda Piste & Pagoda Tour designs, and you can check out our First Look of the Pagoda Piste 100 C2 to learn about their rationale for those claims and how the design of the ski compares to the rest of the market.
The New RockShox ZEB with Chris Mandell (Ep. 32)
David Golay and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the backstory of the new ZEB fork and why RockShox built it; who it’s for; its available configurations and compatibility; the ZEB vs. the Lyrik and more, with RockShox’s Chris Mandell.