BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

2021-2022 Nordica Promachine 130
Nordica is entering the lighter weight alpine boot category for 18/19, and they claim their new Promachine line combines “race-boot performance” with “all-mountain comfort and versatility.” (Yeah, right. Right?) Check out our measured specs, fit notes, and initial impressions of the new Promachine 130.

First Look: 2019 Devinci Troy
Today Devinci announced that they’re changing up one of our favorite Trail bikes, the Troy. So how similar or different is the new bike? Check out our initial impressions.

Alpenglow Sports Summer Mountain Festival 2018
Last week we attended Alpenglow Sports’ Summer Mountain Festival, which is one of the coolest events happening in the outdoor sports world. Check out our trip report to learn more about it — and when to attend their Winter Mountain Festival next year.

Julian Carr on Big Mtn Running & Massive Cliff Jumping (Ep.73)
We talk to Julian Carr about his series of big-mountain “adventure” races, the Cirque Series; on the preparation and state of mind required to send massive cliffs; and how his company, Discrete, has evolved over the past 10 years.

2020-2021 Dynafit TLT Speed
The Dynafit TLT Speed is the newest lightweight touring binding from Dynafit. But with all the new competition in the tech-binding category, how does the TLT Speed compare to the other options out there? Check out our full review.

Nik Berry (Ep.13)
Nik Berry is pushing the boundaries of his sport in a direction that many climbers aren’t even looking: his skill and composure on hard and scary trad routes fuel an obsession with freeing big aid lines and seeking out adventurous climbing. In this episode, we talk about his recent stellar season in Yosemite and how he balances a career with all that hard climbing.

18/19 Liberty Origin 96
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the 18/19 Origin 96, with comparisons to the 17/18 version, as well as a few other skis in this class.
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2018 Trek Slash 9.8
The Trek Slash is currently the best all-around Enduro bike we’ve ever reviewed. Check out our full review to find out why.

2018-2019 K2 Fulluvit 95Ti
Part of K2’s women’s Freeride Collection, the Fulluvit 95Ti is said to crush “all conditions at top speeds” while still being “lightweight and nimble for a freeride ski.” That’s some pretty big talk, but how does the Fulluvit 95Ti compare to the previous version, and how does it stack up against other ~95mm women’s all-mountain skis on the market? Check out our full review.

Stio Ralston Canvas Jacket
The Stio Ralston Canvas Jacket. Good for baling hay, building railroads, and a bunch of other less cool stuff, too. And it’s more comfortable than stiff, heavy canvas jackets of the past.

Win Men’s & Women’s Sandals from Chaco
Win men’s and women’s sandals from Chaco.

18/19 4FRNT MSP 99
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the MSP 99, with comparisons to some other all-mountain skis like the Nordica Enforcer 100, Liberty Origin 96, and J Skis Masterblaster.
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Deep Dive: Black Crows Daemon
We compare the Daemon to the new Volkl Mantra, the Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Masterblaster, Liberty Origin 96, and more…
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2018 Pivot Mach 5.5
The new Pivot Mach 5.5 is a compelling option in the “does-everything-pretty-well” category of Trail bikes.

2019-2020 Black Crows Daemon
After getting more reviewers and more days on it in even more conditions, you can now check out our full review of Black Crows’ reverse-camber, all-mountain ski, the Daemon.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Deep Dive: Moment Commander 98
We compare the Commander 98 to the Fischer Ranger 99 Ti, Nordica Enforcer 100, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Salomon QST 99, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Volkl Mantra M5, Blizzard Bonafide, Volkl Mantra 102, 4FRNT MSP 99, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9, Liberty Origin 96, ON3P Wrenegade 96, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Renoun Endurance 98, & Dynastar Legend X96.
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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Sugar Cane, Castor Beans, & Poly Bags — Picture Organic Clothing (Ep.91)
Picture Organic Clothing is going way beyond common sustainability practices with things like castor bean oil waterproof membranes and sugar cane waste-derived polyester, and they are attempting to eliminate polybags from their entire supply chain. So we talked to Picture’s co-founder, Julien Durant, and their sustainability manager, Florian Palluel about these ambitious projects — including their new air-permeable membrane, Xpore, that they are putting in direction competition with Gore Pro and TNF Futurelight.

The Basics of Servicing Your Bike, with Simon Stewart (Ep. 18)
For many of us, it will soon be time to dust off our bikes and get back to riding. So what are some of the most important things you can do to your bike if you haven’t been riding it? To answer this, we talked to Simon Stewart, who has a long history in the bike industry, and who currently owns and runs the bike shop, Boneshaker Cycles, in Buena Vista, Colorado.

2020-2021 K2 Disruption 82Ti
K2 is overhauling its frontside lineup for 20/21, and the new Disruption skis feature a construction that has the potential to set them apart from the competition. Check out our First Look of the Disruption 82Ti for more info.

Giro Method Goggle
The Giro Method is far from the most expensive goggle on the market, yet it offers excellent optics and a versatile fit, all of which have made it one of our favorite goggles for those on a budget. Check out our full review.

Flash Review: 20/21 Renoun Citadel 114
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Citadel 114.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Joe Grant: Adventurer, Endurance Athlete, & Storyteller (Ep.42)
Joe Grant is an endurance athlete, a mountain runner, a reader, a writer, a thinker, a filmmaker, and, as you are about to find out, an exceptional storyteller. In this conversation, Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Joe about how he got into running; racing (and winning) the 2008 Caballo Blanco Copper Canyon Ultra and how that affected his life; his Tour de Fourteeners, a self-powered and self-supported link up of all Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks by bike and on foot; and a whole lot more.

Blister Brand Guide: Scott Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
You’ll see riders on Scott bikes in everything from Cross Country to EWS to Downhill races, and their mountain bike lineup reflects that. Check out our Brand Guide to see which Scott mountain bike might work best for you.

Bobby Brown on Big Air & Backcountry Skiing
Bobby Brown is one of the best slopestyle and big-air comp skiers of all time, but he’s currently focused on finding out what he’s capable of in the backcountry. So I talked to Bobby about his trajectory; the art of landings, air awareness, and making mid-air adjustments; who he most enjoys watching these days; what’s next for him; and more.

Flash Review: 20/21 Line Vision 118
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new Vision 118.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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New Skis, Tight Pants, & Farm Animal Analogies (Ep.90)
Luke Koppa, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the new skis, boots, and apparel they’ve been testing, including products from K2, Blizzard, Nordica, Rossignol, WNDR Alpine, Atomic, Dynastar, & more. We also discuss what skis we prefer for off-piste, icy conditions; the merits of slim-fit ski pants; which ski boots are best described as “donkeys”; and more.

Deep Dive: DPS Alchemist Wailer 106 C2
We compare the Wailer A106 C2 to the previous Wailer A106, Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender Ti, Black Crows Corvus, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Folsom Blister Pro 104, Volkl Mantra 102, Fischer Ranger 107 Ti, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Salomon QST 106, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Moment Commander 108, Blizzard Rustler 10, 4FRNT MSP 107, Moment Deathwish, Liberty Origin 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, & Line Sick Day 104.
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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