BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

2nd Look: 2018-2019 Salomon S/Lab X-Alp
We’ve put more time in the S/Lab X-Alp from Salomon, and still find it to be one of the best options available in the lightweight touring boot market. Check out our new review and new comparisons here.

2020-2021 Atomic Vantage 90 Ti
The all-new 18/19 Atomic Vantage series uses a very interesting construction that claims to make the skis both lighter and stronger. Today, we’re taking a look at the Vantage 90 Ti, and you can check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.

2019-2020 Majesty Skis Werewolf CLT
Coming in at just over 1350 grams in its longest length, the Majesty Werewolf CLT is a very light, very interesting, option for ski mountaineering. Check out our review.

2018-2019 Salomon QST 106
Salomon is tweaking the QST 106 for 18/19, and after spending a good deal of time on the new QST 106 with the SHIFT binding, you can now check out our full review of this do-everything, “50/50” ski.

2020-2021 Dynafit ST Rotation 10
This year, Dynafit released the ST Rotation 10, the next evolution of their popular Radical series of bindings. Check out our full review to see what’s different with the ST Rotation 10, and how it compares to some other options on the market.

2018-2019 Faction Candide 3.0
Three of our reviewers now have time on the new Faction Candide 3.0, and you can now check out our full review.

Deep Dive: DPS Alchemist Wailer 106
We compare the Alchemist Wailer 106 to the Salomon QST 106, Volkl 100Eight, Head Kore 105, Foundation Wailer 106, and Black Diamond Boundary Pro 107.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win Men’s or Women’s Scarpa Freedom SL 120 Boots
Win a new pair of touring boots from Scarpa.

Reviewing Portraits of Climbing Legends in “The Climbers” (Ep. 8)
We talk to Jim Herrington about his new award-winning book, “The Climbers,” a compelling collection of portraits of many of the most influential climbers of the 20th century — including Fred Beckey, Yvon Chouinard, John Gill, and many more. We discuss the book, the subjects in the photos, and the book’s important role in the climbing community.

18/19 All-Mountain & Frontside Skis (Ep.15)
We just finished testing a broad range of skis, so Blister’s Sam Shaheen, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss a number of the highlights, including the new Atomic Bent Chetler 100, the HEAD Supershape i.Titan, a new carver from DPS, the Black Crows Orb, and what might be Jonathan’s new personal favorite from Blizzard.

Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro Helmet
With a removable chin bar, the Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro helmet gives riders the option of a half-shell helmet on the way up, and then full-face coverage on the way down. We’ve been very impressed by its versatility, and you can check out our full review here.

DPS Phantom Permanent Base Glide Treatment
We’ve now had 4 reviewers on DPS’ new permanent base glide treatment, Phantom, so it’s time for an update.

Cy Whitling’s Mountain Mix Coloring Book
Blister’s own Cy Whitling is making a coloring book specifically for people who like to play in the mountains, and we definitely think you should check it out.

18/19 Armada Tracer 108
We’ve now spent some time on the Tracer 108 both inside and outside the resort, and you can check out here 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.
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18/19 Atomic Bent Chetler 100
We spent the past several days on the Bent Chetler 100, here are our fairly surprising preliminary 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.
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Blizzard Announces New All-Mountain Freeride Skis
Update: in addition to their new Black Pearl 88 & 97, Brahma 88, & Bonafide 97, Blizzard is also updating the Cochise. Learn more about the new Cochise 106 here.

Unit 1 Helmet System
The Unit 1 Helmet System both protects your head and lets you listen to & control your favorite tunes via its integrated headphones. We’ve been using it this season and have come away quite impressed — check out our full review.

Flash Review: 20/21 Blizzard Bonafide 97
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new Bonafide 97.
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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The Evolution of Grayson Murphy (Ep.34)
In 2019, Grayson Murphy won the US Mountain Running Championship; the World Mountain Running Championship; and the Xterra Trail Run World Championship. But there were many twists and turns along the way in getting there, and perhaps even more impressive and instructive than her wins is her willingness to experiment, adjust, and explore new ideas and practices, which we discuss in this conversation.

Geoff McFetridge: Artist, Designer, Skater, Skier (Ep.116)
Geoff McFetridge is an iconic designer and visual artist who’s worked with the Beastie Boys, Pharrell Williams, Spike Jonez and Rick Rubin, and companies ranging from Patagonia, Nike, the New York Times, Oreo, and many more. Geoff is also a passionate skateboarder and skier, and a big fan of … BLISTER??? So we talk to Geoff about going from being a sponsored skater to starting a skateboard company to designing for some of the biggest companies, bands, musicians, and directors in the world. We discuss skate vs. ski vs. snowboard culture; being a “conflicted” telemarker; and a whole lot more.

2021-2022 Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM
Asymmetrical, plenty of girth, lots of rocker, and a surprisingly low weight — the Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM is a unique-looking ski, and you can check out our First Look for more.

2020-2021 Fischer Ranger 107 Ti
We’ve been spending time on the big gun in Fischer’s all-mountain lineup, the Ranger 107 Ti, and you can now check out our full review.

Best Ski Gear of the Past Decade
We asked more of our reviewers to provide their nominations for the best and most influential skis, ski boots, and ski bindings from the past decade. Check out their selections, then let us know yours.

Win a Helmet & Goggles From Glade
Enter for your chance to win Glade’s new photochromic Adapt Goggle & Tenmile Helmet!

Ski Gear Predictions for the Next Decade (Ep.82)
What will ski gear look like 10 years from now? What gear has the most room for improvement? What gear will *actually* change the most, and what will change the least? And what are our wildest gear predictions for where gear could be in 10 years? We discuss all of this and more.

The North Face Freethinker Futurelight Jacket & Pants
The North Face’s new “Futurelight” fabric has been the mysterious buzzword of the industry this season, and we’ve now spent some time in their Freethinker Futurelight Jacket & Pants. Check out our initial review of this new outwear kit.

Best Mtn Bike Gear of the Past Decade (Ep.13)
Of the entire past decade, what was the most influential bike or bike part? What were the best bikes or bike parts? What were the biggest gear trends? And what was our selection for the Best Product of the Decade? We cover all of this and more.