BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

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.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Summit Hooded Jacket
Lots of our reviewers love the original Outdoor Research Ferrosi Jacket, and now there’s a new, burlier version called the Ferrosi Summit. So how much of the original Ferrosi’s versatility does the Summit version maintain, and just how much burlier is it?

2019-2020 ATK Raider 2.0 12 / Hagan Core 12
The ATK Raider 2.0 12 / Hagan Core 12 manages to be the most fully-featured binding in our Lightweight Touring Binding Shootout without being the heaviest. And it has an all-metal construction. Intrigued? You should be.

Butora Altura
The La Sportiva TC Pro has long been the go-to for those who spend long days on big walls. But it now has some competition in the form of the Butora Altura. Check out our full review to see how they compare.

18/19 Renoun Citadel 106
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Renoun’s crazy-light all-mountain ski, the Citadel 106, including comparisons to the Elan Ripstick 106 and 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.
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.)

Runner Profile: Luke Koppa
Vitals: 5’8″, 155 lbs (Click here for more info on my background and skiing preferences) Running Background, Style, and General Preferences I grew up with running being a way to stay in shape for sports like soccer and rugby, and now that I’m several years

Altra Escalante
The Altra Escalante is a zero-drop shoe with a more plush, cushioned ride than many of the more minimalist options out there. So is that a good thing or a bad thing? More importantly, is it a good option for you? Our full review should help you decide.

Runner Profile: Jonathan Ellsworth, Founder / Editor, Blister
Vitals: 5’10”, ~175 lbs. (see my general bio & skier profile) Running Background, Style, and General Preferences I used to be one of those people who said things like, “I hate running.” As a little kid, high school student, college athlete, and a good chunk

2018 Zerode Taniwha
As a trail-oriented bike with no derailleur, no cassette, and a hefty price tag, the Zerode Taniwha is certainly different, but is it better?

2018-2019 K2 Gottaluvit 105Ti
New for 18/19, the K2 Gottaluvit 105Ti features a combination of weight, construction, rocker profile, and shape that make it an interesting addition to the wider all-mountain category. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.

Deep Dive: DPS Alchemist Wailer 112
We compare the Wailer A 112 to the Rossignol Super 7 HD, Line Sick Day 114, Nordica Enforcer 110, Liberty Origin 112, Volkl V-Werks Katana, 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.)

18/19 Elan Ripstick 106
Here are some of our initial on-snow impressions of the Ripstick 106, along with comparisons to the Ripstick 96, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, and 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.
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.)

Win Men’s & Women’s Shoes from Altra
Win men’s and women’s shoes of your choosing from Altra.

2018 Ibis Mojo HD4
If you generally pedal to the top of your rowdy descents, the Ibis Mojo HD4 is one of the best bikes we’ve used.

2020-2021 DPS Alchemist Wailer 112
We’ve now had a handful of reviewers on the newest version of the DPS Wailer 112. Check out our full review, where everybody weighs in.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

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.
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.)

Win Men’s & Women’s Rain Jackets from Mountain Hardwear
Enter for your chance to win Mountain Hardwear’s Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus Jacket!

Mountain Hardwear Kor Cirrus Hybrid Hoody
The Mountain Hardwear Kor Cirrus Hybrid Hoody has become one of our all-time favorite midlayers for high-output activities like ski touring and mountaineering. Check out our review to see why.

2020-2021 DPS Alchemist Wailer 106 C2
We’ve had a few reviewers putting a lot of time on DPS’s recently revised Wailer A106 C2, and you can now check out our full review for our take on the ski and how it compares to the previous Wailer A106.

The Upcoming DH Season (Ep.17)
The World Cup Downhill season starts in just a couple of weeks, so we checked in with Blister reviewers Noah Bodman, David Golay, and Ben Sims to get their thoughts on and predictions for the upcoming season. We also discuss the future prospects and popularity of World Cup DH racing versus the popularity and trajectory of Enduro World Series racing, and we place one very big wager on the upcoming season.

Flash Review: 20/21 Salomon Stance 96
We just spent a day on the new Stance 96 — check out our initial on-snow impressions.
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.)

Holden Sierra Bib
If you’re in the market for a new resort ski / snowboard bib, the comfortable, waterproof, and clean-looking Holden Sierra Bibs are worth a look. Check out our review.

Hayden Hawks on the Black Canyon 100K & Western States (Ep.41)
When a 15-year-old Hayden Hawks first learned about the Western States 100, he knew that he would someday get into running ultras, and it became his dream to race Western States. Fast forward 14 years later, and the now-29-year-old Hayden Hawks is a world-class runner, he’s just won the Black Canyon 100k, and he’s qualified to race Western States this June. So we talked to Hayden about his Black Canyon 100 win and the specific lessons he learned there. And we discuss his trajectory from running track in high school to where he is today, and more.

Blister Speaker Series 2.5: Tommy Caldwell (Ep.120)
Last week at Western Colorado University, we talked to Tommy Caldwell about speed climbing & setting the speed record on the Nose with Alex Honnold; strength vs. experience; how he focuses on climbing projects while also having more disparate responsibilities than ever; and how and why he’s become increasingly involved with environmental causes; and more.

2021-2022 Prior Northwest 110
Last year Prior’s Northwest 110, a fairly heavy, strong, yet playful-looking ski, earned our “Dying to Try It” award, and now having spent a good chunk of time on it, we’re very glad we did, in fact, get to try it. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.

Deep Dive: Prior Northwest 110
We compare the Northwest 110 to the Prior CBC, ON3P Jeffrey 108, K2 Reckoner 112, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, Moment Deathwish, Blizzard Rustler 11, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Nordica Enforcer 110, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Black Crows Atris, & Faction Prodigy 4.0.
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.)

La Sportiva Bushido II
The La Sportiva Bushido II is designed for fast running on the most technical of terrain, but it’s also supposed to be more versatile and comfortable than the previous iteration. So … is it? Check out our full review.