BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Blister's Lightweight Touring Binding Shootout

Lightweight Touring Binding Shootout

We’ve now covered several of the most interesting lightweight touring bindings for 18/19 (including the new G3 ZED), and now we’re comparing them to show where, exactly, each binding stands out, which one might make the most sense for you, and how this lightweight category of bindings compares to heavier touring bindings like the Salomon / Atomic Shift, Marker Kingpin, and Fritschi Tecton.

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Sam Shaheen reviews the G3 ZED 12 for Blister

2020-2021 G3 ZED 12

The new ZED 12 binding is very impressive on paper. But on snow, how does it compare to the other lightweight touring bindings on the market? Check out our review.

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Paul Forward reviews the Scarpa Alien RS for Blister

2019-2020 Scarpa Alien RS

We gave Scarpa’s Alien RS a “Best Of” award in our 18/19 Winter Buyer’s Guide, saying its performance almost created a new class of boot. Now you can check out our full review for more info on how it compares to several other lightweight touring boots.

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Andrew Mildenburger's Strictly Business ski movie on Blister

Andrew Mildenberger — “Strictly Business”

“Strictly Business” recently won the amateur Film of the Year award at IF3, and after watching it, nothing about the film seems “amateur” — the skiing and cinematography are up there with the best in the business. Check out the full film here.

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Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth review the Moment Commander 98 for Blister

18/19 Moment Commander 98

Yesterday we posted our initial impressions of the new Moment Commander 108, and now Blister Members can check out our Flash Review of the Commander 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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Sam Shaheen reviews the Scott Couloir 2 Helmet for Blister

Scott Couloir 2 Helmet

For people who like to climb up mountains and ski down them, the Scott Couloir 2 helmet — which passes skiing and mountaineering certifications — is a very compelling option.

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Noah Bodman reviews the Mondraker Foxy 29 for Blister

2019 Mondraker Foxy 29

The Mondraker Foxy 29 takes a bit of a different approach to traditional Trail-bike geometry, and the result is a correspondingly unique on-trail experience. Check out our review.

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Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa review the Moment Commander 108

18/19 Moment Commander 108

We just spent a few days on the Moment Commander 108, and Blister Members can now check out what is probably one of our longest Flash Reviews to date.

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.)

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Jeremy Pancras WOULD YOU film on BLISTER

Jeremy Pancras — “WOULD YOU”

Jeremy Pancras’s new film takes a look at why we choose to ski, telling that story from the perspective of some of the best up-and-comers and established legends in the ski world. It’s one of our editor’s favorite ski films of the year, and is certainly worth a watch.

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Luke Koppa reviews the J Skis Masterblaster for Blister

2020-2021 J Skis Masterblaster

Having gotten more time and more reviewers on the J Skis Masterblaster, we’ve updated our review with comments about the ski’s stability, playfulness, and why it stands out in the all-mountain category.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Luke Koppa on the Salomon QST 118, Crested Butte, Colorado.

Flash Review: 20/21 Salomon QST 118

Update 7.3.20: Jonathan Ellsworth weighs in on the Salomon QST 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.

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.)

Eric Freson and Luke Koppa review the Revel Rail 27.5 for Blister

2020 Revel Rail

We’ve now had two reviewers riding Revel’s 165mm-travel bike, the Rail, and they’ve both come away very impressed by its versatility. Check out our full review to see why, and how it compares to some other options in its class.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Our Favorite Kid’s Gear, Part 1 (Ep.105)

Kristin Sinnott and Justin Bobb join Jonathan Ellsworth to talk about some of the kid’s gear they’ve found to be the most game changing. And even if you don’t have kids, you should still listen to learn about a piece of gear that we’ve currently named, “The JBobber.” And there’s another piece of equipment that currently has a unanimous approval rating among our Blister parents, and might be the single greatest piece of kid’s gear of all time? Check it out.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

The History & Future of the BC Bike Race with Dean Payne & Simon Stewart (Ep. 29)

We talk with Dean Payne, the president and co-founder of the BC Bike Race, about the origins and evolution of one of the most epic bike races and events in the world. And Simon Stewart (aka, Mr. Tank Driver) is sitting in as co-host to discuss with Dean all things BC Bike Race, the world’s largest hockey stick, drinking with Russell Crowe, and what goes into putting together an event like this.

Noah Bodman reviews on the WTB Verdict & Judge and compares them to the Maxxis Minion DHF & DHRII for Blister

WTB Verdict & Judge

The Judge & Verdict are two of WTB’s newest, aggressive tire options and we’ve put around 500 miles on them. Check out our review to see what makes them stand out in this crowded category, and how they compare to similar options like the Maxxis Minion DHF & DHRII.

Abby Hall & Cordis Hall go on Blister's Off The Couch podcast to discuss the FKT of the Cottonwood Marble Loop, their upcoming FKT attempt on the Pfiffner Traverse, and more

Abby & Cordis Hall on Couple Goals, FKTs, & their Pfiffner Traverse ‘Date Run’ (Ep. 56)

Abby and Cordis Hall are both very good runners who both run for Adidas TERREX and who both recently set FKTs for the Cottonwood Marble Loop in Death Valley. And Abby and Cordis are soon going to both be going after another FKT, this time, on the rather gnarly Pfiffner Traverse. So we discuss all of that, plus the benefits and challenges that arise when your partner is also a competitive runner. And we also talk about a current rule that is in place specifically for women’s FKTs that deserves to be re-considered.

Blister breaks down the design of the 2021 Transition Spur

2021 Transition Spur

Transition just announced a new addition to their lineup: the 120mm-travel, 29”-wheeled Spur. Check out our First Look for more on the new “All-Country” bike and how its design compares to the current crop of shorter-travel 29ers.

Hilary Eisen goes on the Blister Podcast to discuss the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the changes being made to it, why outdoor enthusiasts should care, and what they can do to help protect NEPA

What You Need to Know – and Do – about the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) (Ep. 134)

You are probably familiar with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but what do you know about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)? NEPA is a critical piece of legislation, and each of us needs to understand what it does and why it matters so much — especially since some major changes to NEPA are being proposed that could have extremely serious environmental and human rights consequences. So to help us understand the high stakes of the changes being proposed, we spoke to Hilary Eisen, the policy director for the Winter Wildlands Alliance.

Maddie Hart reviews the La Sportiva Helios III for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado.

La Sportiva Helios III

When it was first introduced, the Helios was an outlier in the La Sportiva trail running lineup — an ultralight, minimal, flexible shoe for mellower terrain. They recently brought back the Helios and we think the new Helios III is the most refined version yet. Check out our review.

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

2021-2022 4FRNT Raven

For the 20/21 season, 4FRNT is offering a new, special edition of their excellent Raven ski. Check out our First Look & Flash Review for more on this collab with Eric Hjorleifson & Pomoca, and how the newest Raven compares to the rest of the market.