BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Five Ten Hiangle
Five Ten says that the Hiangle is “relaxed enough for all-day climbing” and “aggressive enough to tackle steep, overhanging routes.” But how comfortable and how aggressive is it really? Check out our full review with tons of comparisons to other shoes.
Mammut Ultralight Removable Airbag 3.0
Avalanche airbags can provide significant safety benefits, but they can also be prohibitively expensive or discouragingly heavy. But the Mammut Ultralight Removable Airbag 3.0 is one of the lightest and one of the least expensive airbag packs on the market, so is the problem finally solved?
Trans BC Enduro Stage Race — Recap & Bike Build Review
Our bike editor recently completed the Trans BC Enduro Stage Race — 6 days, ~145 miles, ~31,000 feet of climbing, ~45,000 feet of descending. Check out his recap of the event; how and why he picked his bike and build; and how everything performed. (This writeup is awesome, BTW.)
2019-2020 Armada Invictus 89 Ti
The Armada Invictus 89 Ti is the narrowest metal-laminate ski in Armada’s revamped Invictus lineup, and while it has two layers of titanal, it isn’t heavy, and it has lots of tip rocker. So what sort of ski is it? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Altra Duo
The Altra Duo is a really uncommon shoe that aims to combine the greater efficiency of a racing flat with the greater comfort of a maximally cushioned trainer. So what’s the result? Check out our review.
Fox Float DPX2 Rear Shock
If you like the sound of a lighter, more pedal-friendly shock that will improve the downhill performance of your Trail bike, the Fox Float DPX2 warrants a very serious look.
Sample Deep Dive: Black Crows Daemon
Curious about our Deep Dive comparisons? Check out this sample Deep Dive of the Black Crows Daemon, including the new Volkl Mantra, the Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Masterblaster, Liberty Origin 96, and more…
Sample Flash Review: 18/19 Rossignol Soul 7 HD
Interested in what our member-exclusive Flash Reviews look like? Check out this sample Flash Review of the Soul 7 HD.
Win a Blister Membership
Now’s your chance to win a year-long Blister Membership, which includes personalized gear recommendations from us; exclusive access to our Flash Reviews and Deep Dive Comparisons; a copy of our 18/19 Buyer’s Guide; and exclusive deals from brands like ON3P, Moment, J Skis, Folsom, Parlor Skis, and more…
Deep Dive: Blizzard Rustler 10
We compare the Rustler 10 to the Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 106, Line Sick Day 104, Faction Prodigy 3.0, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, and more…
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Outdoor Retailer Summer 2018 Highlights
We just wrapped up a few days at the Outdoor Retailer summer trade show where we took a look at a ton of brand-new 2019 products. Check out the highlights.
Hoka One One Hupana
The Hoka Hupana is billed as a bit of a do-everything shoe, so is it best thought of as a running shoe that can also work as a gym shoe and casual, everyday shoe? Or is it a casual shoe that can work at the gym or for the occasional run?
La Sportiva Kataki
The La Sportiva Kataki looks a lot like one of our favorite climbing shoes, the Sportiva Katana Lace. So how similar or different are the two shoes, and where does the Kataki really excel? Check out our review.
18/19 Liberty V92
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the V92, including comparisons to the Renoun Z-Line 90, Blizzard Brahma, and Folsom Spar 88.
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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2018-2019 Liberty V92
With full-length carbon, vertically laminated metal struts, and straight-up steel plates underfoot, Liberty’s brand-new “V” line of skis sound serious. Though the story gets a bit more complicated (and more interesting) when you take a closer look. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and Flash Review of the V92.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Reviewing the Reviewer: Eric Freson (Ep.98)
On our latest “Reviewing the Reviewer” episode of GEAR:30, we talk to mountain bike and ski reviewer, Eric Freson, about his gear preferences; how many times he’s broken his neck; co-founding the freeride team at Western Colorado University; and Fresonisms like “torksmash” and “smokin rocks.”
Win Men’s or Women’s MTB Kits from Flylow
Enter for a chance to win some gear from Flylow’s new spring / summer collection!
2020-2021 Movement Alp Tracks 106
We’re reviewing a few new skis from Movement, starting with one of the lightest skis we’ve weighed, the Alp Tracks 106. Check out our First Look for more on this ultralight “free touring” ski.
Why & How Chris King Became a B Corp (Ep.23)
What, exactly, does it mean for a company to be a Certified B Corporation business, and why should anyone care? To learn more, we reached out to Chris King Precision Components — which just completed the process of becoming one of the very few B Corp manufacturing companies in the bike industry — and asked about what the process of becoming a B Corp entails, why they decided to do it, and we also discuss Chris King’s approach to manufacturing out of their homebase of Portland, Oregon.
Flash Review: 20/21 J Skis Slacker
Update 4.30.20: we’ve spent a bit more time on J Skis’ touring ski and have updated our 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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Women’s Hiking / Outdoor Pants Roundup
Need a new pair of hiking pants for your next excursion … or trip around the block? Check out our women’s pant roundup, with options from light and breathable pants for summer hikes to comfy leggings that feel equally at home on the trail, rock, or bike (plus one for the little ones).
Black Diamond Mission Ski Shell & Mission Pants
We’ve put in more than 100 days between the Black Diamond Mission Ski Shell & Mission Pants, and they quickly became some of our favorite outerwear pieces for inbounds skiing. Check out our full review.
Random Review: Beastie Boys Story
The Beastie Boys just dropped a “live documentary,” and we explain why everyone needs to see it.
Rickey Gates on Running across America (Ep.48)
In 2017, Rickey Gates set out on an odyssey to run across America — 3,700 miles from South Carolina to San Francisco. We talked to Rickey about this cross-country adventure and what he learned along the way, and how it fits in with his other projects, like his “Every Single Street” initiative; “Hut Run Hut” and “Bus Run Bus”; and “50 Classic Trails.”
Flash Review: 20/21 Sego Condor 108
Update 4.28.20: Jonathan Ellsworth adds some of his thoughts on the Condor 108 and how it compares to the 4FRNT Raven & Salomon QST 106.
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.)
2021-2022 Dalbello Lupo Pro HD
We’ve now put more than 60 days in Dalbello’s Lupo Pro HD, and tried it with a variety of tongue & liner combinations. Check out our full review for an in-depth look at the boot, how it compares to a variety of other touring and alpine boots, and who we think would most appreciate it.
Hoka One One EVO Speedgoat
If you’re someone who’s strayed away from maximal trail shoes because they’re often too heavy or bulky — or you’re just looking for a lighter, well-cushioned shoe — the Hoka EVO Speedgoat should be on your radar. Check out our full review.