BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Strafe Alpha Direct Insulator
There are lots of specialized layers out there, but not many that work well for a wide range of conditions, temperatures, and activities. The Strafe Alpha Direct Insulator is one of the few that falls into that versatile second category, and here you can check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Atomic Bent Chetler 120
We compare the Bent Chetler 120 to the Moment Wildcat & Wildcat Tour, Armada ARV 116 JJ, ON3P Kartel 116, previous Atomic Bent Chetler, Bent Chetler 100, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Faction Candide 4.0, 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.)
2021-2022 Atomic Bent Chetler 120
We’ve now spent around 45 days on the Atomic Bent Chetler 120 — from deep pow to bad snow in technical terrain — and now have an update on its versatility, durability, and who we think will like it most.
Deep Dive: Moment Commander 98
We compare the Commander 98 to the Blizzard Bonafide, Volkl Mantra M5, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Armada Invictus 99 Ti, Head Kore 99, Liberty Origin 96, Renoun Endurance 98, 4FRNT MSP 99, 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.)
2018-2019 Moment Commander 98
We’ve now had several days and a few reviewers on Moment’s new metal-laminate Commander 98, and you can now check out our full review.
“Best Of” Runner-Ups + New Skis (Ep.31)
We discuss 3 skis that very narrowly missed getting a “Best Of” selection from us, then we turn to some new skis we’ve been getting on from Folsom, Rossignol, Head, Moment, Dynastar, and more.
2021-2022 Blizzard Rustler 9
This year Blizzard added a narrower ski to their Freeride line, and you can now check out our full review of the Rustler 9.
Win Any Faction Ski You Want
Yep. Any Faction ski you want. Click to enter now.
Ski Mountaineer Greg Hill on “Progress, not Perfection” (Ep.76)
We talk to Greg Hill about the new Canadian chapter of Protect Our Winters, his take on how to address “eco-anxiety”, backcountry ski guiding and safety, and more.
18/19 Folsom Trophy Carbon
Check out our intitial on-snow impressions of Folsom’s lightweight playful pow 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.)
Richard Permin — “Good Morning”
Richard Permin — best rooftop skier of all time?
2020-2021 Moment Meridian 107
We’ve had more days and more reviewers on Moment’s reverse-camber all-mountain ski, the Meridian 107, and you can now check out our updated review.
Black Diamond Expedition 3 Ski Poles
After using it for more than 50 days, Black Diamond’s Expedition 3 pole has proven to be a reliable piece of equipment that’s worth a look for splitboarders, skiers, or anyone who wants a packable and durable pole for year-round use.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2018 — In the Garage
We’ve now shared our suggestions for stocking stuffers and gifts that’d be great under the tree. Now it’s time for the big items — those that you may just need to hide in the garage.
Strafe Scarlett Bib Pant
Most of us want ski pants to do 2 things: keep us comfortable and look good. Strafe’s Scarlett Bib Pant accomplishes both of those things and more, and you can now check out our full review for more info on this “Best Of” winner.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Skid Row Running Club founder, Judge Craig Mitchell (Ep. 136)
Whether or not you’re a runner, you ought to know about the Skid Row Running Club and the Skid Row Marathon. We talk to the club founder, Judge Craig Mitchell, about why he started the club; his background; the duty of police officers to protect and serve; the need for minimum sentencing reform; and much more.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Kristin Sinnott (Ep.106)
On our latest “Reviewing the Reviewer” episode of GEAR:30, we talk to Kristin Sinnott about her gear preferences; Family Feud; killer bees; her background in alpine and nordic skiing; and more.
Win Sunglasses from Dragon
Enter for a chance to win any pair of Dragon’s floatable H20 sunglasses.
Pivot Cycles’ Elorie Slater on Industry Trends, Bike Prices, & Female Participation in MTB (Ep. 30)
We talk with Elorie Slater about her unusual path to becoming the head of marketing for Pivot Cycles; her take on the bike industry in the time of COVID, and where the industry goes from here; bike prices and “entry level” pricing; and the notion of women-specific gear and female participation in mountain biking.
Sunglasses Roundup — 2020
Sunglasses: you use them, and if you spend a lot of time outside, you probably use them all the time. We’ve rounded up a variety of our current go-to sunglasses, from affordable, casual options to versatile, yet stylish frames to performance-oriented shades.
Men’s Mountain Bike Shorts Roundup — 2020
We’ve been using several different “all-purpose” MTB shorts for the past two seasons, and in this roundup our reviewers break down what makes each one stand out and where each excels.
Flash Review: 20/21 K2 Reckoner 122
Update 7.7.20: we’ve added some thoughts on how the Reckoner 122 handles resort “pow” and choppier conditions.
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.)
Skid Row Running Club founder, Judge Craig Mitchell (Ep. 57)
The Skid Row Running Club is “an unusual running club that uses the power of running to improve the lives of those who are at risk of homelessness and addiction” in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles, CA. We talk to its founder, Judge Craig Mitchell, about why he started the club; his background as a runner and teacher; the duty of police officers to protect and serve; the need for minimum sentencing reform; and much more.
Blister Brand Guide: Commencal Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021
Commencal basically overhauled their entire MTB lineup for 2021. Check out our Brand Guide to see what’s new, and which of their new bikes might work for you.
Olympian Dotsie Bausch on Cycling, Switch4Good, & the Dairy Industry (Ep. 135)
Dotsie Bausch is a 7-time USA Cycling National Champion, an Olympic medalist, a featured athlete in the film, The Game Changers, and the executive director of Switch4Good. We talked to Dotsie about her very unusual path to an Olympic podium; her work at Swith4Good; and what we ought to understand about dairy products and the dairy industry.
Baby / Child Carriers Roundup
For the active parents out there, we’ve just updated our child-carriers roundup, including the popular and recently overhauled Osprey Poco Plus backpack.
Win Shoes, Shorts, & a Top from New Balance
This week TWO people will each get a pair of shoes from New Balance, and get to pick from any of their shorts and tees / tanks!