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

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Kara Williard reviews the Liv Rail MIPS Helmet for BLISTER

Liv Rail MIPS Helmet

Liv’s recently overhauled Rail MIPS helmet is the brand’s highest-end model for off-road use, and it’s been a welcome companion during all of our hot rides this summer.

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GEAR THERAPY! — Session #1 (Ep.187)

GEAR THERAPY! — Session #1 (Ep.187)

Bikes are expensive, there are more good ones than ever before, and understanding the tradeoffs between options and how to find the right one to suit your needs can be tricky. We’re here to help. Welcome to Gear Therapy.

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Eric Freson reviews the Yeti SB140 for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Yeti SB140

We’ve started spending time on Yeti’s long-awaited successor to the SB130 — so is the new SB140 a refreshed take on that longstanding and ultra-popular all-rounder, or is it something else entirely? Check out our early impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.

To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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David Golay reviews the Manitou Mattoc Pro for Blister

2023 Manitou Mattoc

Our Bike Editor has long been a big fan of the Manitou Mezzer and got pretty excited when Manitou dropped a new version of their Mattoc Trail bike fork, since it looked a lot like a mini-Mezzer on paper. Having now spent a lot of time with the Mattoc, the story is a bit more complicated than that — but that’s probably a good thing for a lot of folks.

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Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Heckler SL for Blister

Flash Review — Santa Cruz Heckler SL

Santa Cruz has entered the lightweight eMTB market, and we’ve started spending time on the new Heckler SL. Check out our early impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.

To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already a 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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Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Heckler SL for Blister

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

The class of lightweight, lower-powered eMTBs is growing rapidly, and Santa Cruz has thrown their hat into the ring with the new Heckler SL. Check out how they’ve gone about it, plus our initial ride impressions.

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Dylan Wood reviews the Shore and Chore Beach and Utility Cart for Blister

Shore and Chore Beach and Utility Cart

Shore and Chore’s utility cart is a well-built, thoroughly-featured hauling device that’s proven to be practical for a wide variety of uses — from paddling our local rivers to DIY projects, errands, and more. Check out our Full Review for the whole rundown.

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

Vemdalen Ski Shop

Vemdalen Ski Shop is a dedicated, specialty ski shop right beside the ski area Vemdalsskalet. At Vemdalen Ski Shop, you are guaranteed a great shopping experience with their staff full of expertise, an authentic atmosphere, and excellent gear to suit your needs.

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David Golay reviews the We Are One Triad wheels for Blister

We Are One Convergence Wheels

We Are One has been making some of our favorite carbon wheels for quite a while now, and the latest models in their Convergence line are claimed to be stronger and more damped than their longstanding Union rims — and they use a wild-looking design to get there. We’ve been spending a lot of time on the middle-width wheel in the range, the Triad, and are ready to weigh in.

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David Golay reviews the 2024 Trek Slash for BLISTER

Trek on the New High-Pivot Slash (Ep.186)

The Trek Slash has been in their lineup for a long time, but the new sixth-generation bike is a big departure from the earlier iterations — first and foremost because of its new high-pivot suspension layout — and we sat down with the lead engineer on the project, Matt Yerke, to hear all about it.

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David Golay reviews the 2024 Trek Slash for BLISTER

Flash Review — 2024 Trek Slash

The Trek Slash has gone high-pivot and grown a mullet, and we’ve started spending time on the new one.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.

To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already a 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.)

Read More »
David Golay reviews the Contra MC for Blister

Flash Review — Contra MC

We’ve got a Contra MC in for long term review, and we’ve been spending a lot of time on it. Check out our impressions so far.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are produced for Blister members.

To get our comprehensive deep dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear without waiting for our full reviews, become a Blister Member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already a 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.)

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

Blister Speaker Series: Angel Collinson (Ep.278)

Last Thursday, Angel Collinson came to Western Colorado University for our Blister Speaker Series. We talk about her ski career, purpose, passion, and when it might be time to alter the path you’re on.

Dylan Wood reviews the Ride Concepts Hellion Clip Shoe for Blister

Ride Concepts Hellion Clip Shoe

The Hellion Clip is the lightest “all-mountain” clipless shoe that Ride Concepts makes, and we’ve spent all summer riding in it to figure out where it excels, where it falls short, and how it compares to the rest of the market.

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

Win a Bike Stand from Altangle

The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a Hangar Connect bike stand as well as a pair of A2 tire levers from Altangle!

Ep. 263: GEAR THERAPY! – Session #3

GEAR THERAPY! – Session #3 (Ep.263)

When it comes to gear, we’ve all been there: loads of questions, crippling confusion, severe analysis paralysis. Sometimes you don’t even know where to start. You need some help! So in our 3rd session of GEAR THERAPY, Blister Member, Arika Poulin Weller, joins Blister reviewers Kara Williard and Kristin Sinnott to get some advice on 1-ski quivers, alpine ski boots, broad ski-gear jargon and what it all means, and more.

Kara Williard reviews the Liv Rail MIPS Helmet for BLISTER

Liv Rail MIPS Helmet

Liv’s recently overhauled Rail MIPS helmet is the brand’s highest-end model for off-road use, and it’s been a welcome companion during all of our hot rides this summer.

GEAR THERAPY! — Session #1 (Ep.187)

GEAR THERAPY! — Session #1 (Ep.187)

Bikes are expensive, there are more good ones than ever before, and understanding the tradeoffs between options and how to find the right one to suit your needs can be tricky. We’re here to help. Welcome to Gear Therapy.

Eric Freson reviews the Yeti SB140 for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Yeti SB140

We’ve started spending time on Yeti’s long-awaited successor to the SB130 — so is the new SB140 a refreshed take on that longstanding and ultra-popular all-rounder, or is it something else entirely? Check out our early impressions.

David Golay reviews the Manitou Mattoc Pro for Blister

2023 Manitou Mattoc

Our Bike Editor has long been a big fan of the Manitou Mezzer and got pretty excited when Manitou dropped a new version of their Mattoc Trail bike fork, since it looked a lot like a mini-Mezzer on paper. Having now spent a lot of time with the Mattoc, the story is a bit more complicated than that — but that’s probably a good thing for a lot of folks.