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

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Eric Freson reviews the Pivot Firebird 29 for Blister

2018 Pivot Firebird 29

Our reviewer calls the Pivot Firebird 29 the “Firechicken,” because it’s a long-travel 29er that descends like it’s on fire, and has a speed limit that’s primarily defined by how chicken you are. Check out our full review.

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Eric Freson; Blister Bio

Eric Freson

Age: 36 | Vitals: 5’’10” 165 lbs | Years biking: 31 | Current Residence: Gunnison Valley, Colorado Background I grew up in small-town Vermont, and was encouraged to get outside from a very young age. My first bike was a 20” BMX bike that our

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Elyse Saugstad on the Blister Podcast

Elyse Saugstad, Big Mtn Skier (Ep.74)

We talk with Elyse about filming the new MSP movie, All In; growing up in Alaska; her work with Safe As Clinics; figure skating and fantasy football (?); and the value of repeatedly finding new ways to challenge yourself.

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Matt Pincus of TrainingBeta on Blister's All Things Climbing Podcast

Matt Pincus of TrainingBeta (Ep.16)

Matt Pincus is the head coach/trainer at TrainingBeta, and he has a strong resume both as a coach and a climber. We talk to Matt about balancing his climbing goals with full-time work; the most important lessons he’s learned as a coach and trainer; and some of the key things most of us get wrong when it comes to progressing.

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Nathan Williard reviews the Ibis Ripley LS for Blister

Nathan Williard

Age: 23 | Vitals: 6’’0” 165 lbs | Years (seriously) biking: 7 | Current Residence: Santa Fe, New Mexico Background: I have always been drawn to (or rather, obsessed with) sports, mountains, and exploring. Whether it was hiking, skating, skiing, or backpacking with my dad,

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Win a Mystery Ranch Backpack; Win a Mystery Ranch Robo Flip; Blister Gear Giveaway

Win a Mystery Ranch Backpack

For a while now, Mystery Ranch has been making some of the best packs out there. And the winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get one of their new packs, the Robo Flip.

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Blister Gear Review

CAST Freetour Upgrade Kit

The CAST Freetour is the only option out there that lets you ski down on a dedicated alpine binding, and skin up with a tech toe. Check out our full review, including comparisons to the Atomic / Salomon SHIFT binding and other touring bindings.

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Blister reviews the K2 Pinnacle 95 Ti

Deep Dive: K2 Pinnacle 95 Ti

We compare the Pinnacle 95 Ti to the Blizzard Rustler 9, Elan Ripstick 96, J Skis Masterblaster, ON3P Wrenegade 96, 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.

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Blister reviews the Black Crows Orb

2018-2019 Black Crows Orb

If you want your ~90mm-wide ski to perform well even when there isn’t fresh corduroy anywhere in sight, the Black Crows Orb is worth a look. Check out our full review.

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Noah Bodman reviews the Kuat Transfer Bike Rack for Blister

Kuat Transfer Bike Rack

When it comes to bike racks, you’re often choosing between expensive options that are secure, or inexpensive options that are unreliable and unstable. But the Kuat Transfer aims to change that. Check out our review.

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Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Head Monster 88 for Blister

18/19 Head Monster 88 Ti

Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the redesigned Monster 88 Ti, including comparisons to the 17/18 version.

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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Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Head Monster 88 for Blister

2019-2020 Head Monster 88 Ti

With the Monster 98 and 108 now gone, the new, redesigned Head Monster 88 Ti is now the widest ski in the Monster series. So what changed and what stayed the same with this new ski? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and Flash Review.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth review the Majesty / ATK R12 alpine touring binding for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado

Flash Review: 20/21 Majesty / ATK R12

Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth each add (a lot of) their thoughts on this new lightweight touring binding.

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.

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Win a $500 gift card from Feedback Sports; Blister Gear Giveaway

Build Your Dream Bike Shop

Enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card from Feedback Sports and get all the bike repair & maintenance tools you need!

Luke Koppa reviews the Whitedot Altum 114 for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado.

2021-2022 Whitedot Altum 114

The Whitedot Altum 114 is one of those skis that we think a very wide range of skiers will like, from those always looking for natural features to hit, to those who ski with a more directional style. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.

Luke Koppa reviews the Whitedot Altum 114 for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Deep Dive: Whitedot Altum 114

We compare the Altum 114 to the Moment Wildcat, K2 Reckoner 112, Line Outline, Moment Deathwish, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Icelantic Nomad 115, Parlor McFellon Pro, Liberty Origin 112, Nordica Enforcer 115 Free, Blizzard Rustler 11, Rossignol BLACKOPS Gamer, K2 Mindbender 116C, Prior Northwest 110, Prior CBC, & Kye Shapes Metamorph.

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.)

Mountain bike fork offset 101; Blister covers what fork offset is and how it affects your bike

Biking 101: Mtn Bike Fork Offset

What is fork offset — and more importantly — why should you care about it? In our latest Gear 101 article, we answer these questions, how fork offset actually affects your on-trail experience, why more manufacturers are using different offsets, & more.

Revel Bikes founder, Adam Miller, goes on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas podcast to discuss founding Revel, Why Cycles, & Borealis Fat Bikes, Revel's new approach to carbon fiber wheels, & More

Revel Bikes & Why Cycles founder, Adam Miller (Ep. 25)

By the time he hit his mid-20s, Adam Miller had already founded three bike companies: Borealis Fat Bikes, Why Cycles, and Revel Bikes. So we talk to Adam (who is now 28 years old) about how and why a kid from Alaska started three bike companies, and what he believes makes Revel bikes different — and better.

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

What We’re Watching — May, 2020

We’ve just updated our “What We’re Watching” roundup with 10 new films & videos, from hot laps with Candide, to hilarious shorts from Thomas Genon & Katie Burrell, to free films from MSP & Armada, and more.

Luke Koppa reviews the Majesty Vanguard for Blister

2021-2022 Majesty Vanguard

New for 20/21, the Majesty Vanguard is a lightweight, twin-tipped, and strong 118mm-wide ski — a combination we don’t see all that often. Check out our First Look & Flash Review for more on this new big-mountain ski.

Luke Koppa reviews the K2 Reckoner 102 for Blister

Flash Review: 20/21 K2 Reckoner 102

Update 5.12.20: We’ve added some more thoughts on the Reckoner 102 and how it compares to the Line Sir Francis Bacon.

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.)

Dylan Wood reviews the Santa Cruz Megatower for Blister

2020 Santa Cruz Megatower

We’ve now had two reviewers on Santa Cruz’s 160mm-travel 29er and have updated our review with more thoughts on what kinds of riders will appreciate it and how it compares to its predecessor, the Santa Cruz Hightower LT.

Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down Transition's Mountain Bike lineup

Blister Brand Guide: Transition Mountain Bike Lineup

Transition’s mountain bike lineup has undergone some big changes recently, though their progressive approach to geometry & broad-ranging lineup remains. Check out our Brand Guide to see what sets each of their bikes apart.