BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2017 Ibis Ripley LS
Versatility, versatility, versatility. Check out our full review of the Ibis Ripley LS.
Kuat Transfer Bike Rack
When it comes to bike racks, you’re often choosing between expensive options that are secure, or inexpensive options that are unreliable and unstable. But the Kuat Transfer aims to change that. Check out our review.
18/19 Head Monster 88 Ti
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the redesigned Monster 88 Ti, including comparisons to the 17/18 version.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2019-2020 Head Monster 88 Ti
With the Monster 98 and 108 now gone, the new, redesigned Head Monster 88 Ti is now the widest ski in the Monster series. So what changed and what stayed the same with this new ski? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and Flash Review.
Flip Flop & Sandals Roundup, 2018
As you may know by now, flip flops and sandals are some of our favorite pieces of gear, and we’re in them year round. So it’s time for an updated roundup of a number of our favorites for men and women — from casual flip-flops, to versatile sandals that could replace your hiking shoes.
Edelrid Tommy Caldwell ProDryDT Rope
While it might initially seem like a heavy workhorse rope, the Edelrid Tommy Caldwell ProDryDT has proven far more versatile than that. Check out our review, with comparisons to the Mammut Infinity and Sterling Evolution Helix.
Eric Pollard — “Burning Sidewall”
The new Line Sakana is a unique ski, one that we said encourages a unique style of skiing. And now Eric Pollard — who designed the ski — just released a short film that perfectly illustrates this.
Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight Cams
Black Diamond’s Camalot Ultralights take their classic Camalot design and trim down the weight significantly, but what about durability and value? We weigh in on how the Ultralights compare to the original Camalots, as well as some other options on the market like the Metolius Ultralight Master Cams.
Parlor Skis 18/19 Lineup & ‘Build Your Own Skis’ Class (Ep.24)
We talk to Boston-based Parlor Skis co-founder, Mark Wallace, about the origins story of Parlor; their “Build Your Own Skis” class; the new models in their 18/19 lineup — including Parlor snowboards and splitboards; and several trends on the East Coast ski scene. (We also talk about lasagna, burritos, and Camaros.)
Win a Tent from Kelty
Enter for your chance to win a new tent from Kelty.
Deep Dive: Armada Tracer 108
We compare the Tracer 108 to the Line Sick Day 104, Salomon QST 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Atomic Backland FR 109, Liberty Origin 106, Faction Candide 3.0, Blizzard Rustler 10, Sego Condor Ti, and more…
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.)
Petzl Boreo Helmet
Climbing helmet standards have typically been focused on protecting against impacts from above (e.g. rockfall). But Petzl’s new Boreo helmet is also tested against the front, side, and rear impacts that are common in actual falls. The idea certainly makes sense, but how well is that idea executed here? Check out our review.
2018-2019 Armada Tracer 108
After skiing it in the resort and touring on it in the backcountry, the redesigned Armada Tracer 108 has proven to be a versatile, predictable, and playful 50/50 ski. Check out our full review.
Moment Blister Pro: the History
You’ve been asking, and now we can confirm: the Blister Pro is coming back. And we figured now would be a good time to detail the history of how this ski came to be, and when you’ll be able to get yours. Check it out.
Kristin van der Kloot
Age: 29 | Vitals: 5’2”, ~100 lbs. | Years Climbing: 9 | Current Residence: Stamford, CT I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors. I grew up skiing, climbing, backpacking, surfing…you name it; as long as it was outside, I loved it. Last year I
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Men’s & Women’s Hiking Kits from Eddie Bauer
Enter for a chance to win a softshell jacket, baselayer, & pants from Eddie Bauer!
Best / Worst Ideas for Our Blister ‘Crash Course’ Videos (Ep. 22)
As a way to show our appreciation for our Bikes & Big Ideas listeners, we discussed our best / worst ideas for the bikes edition of our Blister ‘Crash Course’ video series — and some of the ideas are truly magnificent. So check it out, and then please feel free to suggest your own best / worst ideas for our ‘Crash Course’ bike videos.
Flash Review: 20/21 Majesty Havoc
Check out Paul Forward’s initial impressions of the new Majesty Havoc.
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.)
2020-2021 Majesty Havoc
We’re reviewing a number of Majesty’s new 20/21 skis, including the 110mm-wide, freeride-oriented Havoc. Check out our First Look for more info.
Houdini Shelter Anorak
Anoraks: one of the most controversial topics at Blister. Well, our managing editor has decided to continue to anger our editor-in-chief by testing more of them, and Houdini’s Shelter Anorak has become one of his all-time favorites. Check out his review of this minimal, waterproof shell.
2020-2021 K2 Recon Pro
We’ve seen a lot of companies making lighter and lighter alpine boots over the past few years, but that category hadn’t extended past the 130-flex realm. That changes for 20/21 with the introduction of the K2 Recon Pro — a lightweight boot with a stated flex of 140 and several unique features. Check out our First Look.
Jenny & Scott Jurek on Cooking, Running, & Kids (Ep.47)
Late last week, Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked with Jenny and Scott Jurek. This probably wasn’t the conversation that you ought to have when you get to talk with a running icon like Scott Jurek and someone who is as accomplished and interesting as Jenny, but, whatever. We had fun, and you will, too. Among other things, we talk about Scott’s very first race; Jenny’s transition from climbing to running; Scott’s love of cooking; Jenny’s ambition to set the Slowest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail; and the process of co-writing their wonderful book, North.
Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5
The Terra Kiger is Nike’s take on a low-stack-height, fast trail shoe, and we’ve now put over 200 miles in it. Check out our review to see how it compares to the competition.
X Games Real Ski 2020 Gold Medalist, Jake Mageau (Ep. 127)
The creativity and talent on display in X Games Real Ski is always so bonkers that it can be easy to overlook all that goes into making these 90-second edits. So we talked with Real Ski 2020 winner, Jake Mageau, about what really goes into filming a successful 90-second edit; scouting and settling on locations; the insane “Mind Flip” he puts down in this edit, and more.
Basketball Legend Bill Walton on His Love of Bikes, Life, & Humanity (Ep. 21)
Bill Walton is not only one of the greatest basketball players of all time, his passion for bikes is all-time, too. So we talked to Bill about his life-long love of bikes, and about his upcoming event, Bike For Humanity, which is a virtual event that Bill created as a way for all of us to show our solidarity in these times. We also discuss the top-5, all-time, NBA ‘bike’ guys; Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, and more.
AT Binding Shootout, New Touring Skis, & Tiger King (Ep.96)
Luke Koppa, Jonathan Ellsworth, and Luke’s mustache discuss the pros and cons of a number of current AT bindings, including the new Marker Duke PT, the SHIFT binding, Daymaker Alpine Touring adapters, frame bindings, and tech toe bindings. They then discuss four new touring skis: the J Skis Slacker, Sego Condor, 4FRNT Raven, and Volkl Blaze 106. Then it’s time to talk Tiger King.
Get Your Bike Storage Dialed with Feedback Sports
Still leaning your bikes up against the wall? Well this week you’ve got a chance to win a $500 gift card from Feedback Sports, who make a wide assortment of bike storage and repair products.