BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Best and Worst Product Names
In honor of Outdoor Retailer kicking off today — where we’ll be checking out a ton of new products with both very good, and very bad names — we figured it’d be a good time to go over some of the best, and worst product names we’ve ever seen. Check out what we’ve put together, then let us know your own nominations for Best or Worst. (And by the way, consider this post at least PG-13. Also, that pictured Kayak is called the Cocaine, FWIW.)
Duffel Bag Roundup — 2018
Used to be that a duffel was a duffel was a duffel. Not anymore. These days, almost every outdoor brand is making one (or several), so we’ve rounded up some of the best duffel bags out there and compared them side-by-side.
New DPS Skis & Products with Stephan Drake (Ep.22)
We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the new DPS Wailer 110; the DPS Spoon, Lotus 138, and 124; and some big news about DPS Phantom, their new ski and snowboard base treatment.
2020-2021 Scott Cosmos III
If you’re tired of low-volume ski boots with brick-wall flex patterns, then you should definitely take a look at the Scott Cosmos III. Check out our review.
Win a $150 Kuhl Gift Card + Sun Dagger Hat
Get $150 to spend on whatever you want from Kuhl. Plus, you’ll also get one of their new sun hats.
Deep Dive: Line Sick Day 114
Update: We compare the Line Sick Day 114 to the Moment Blister Pro, ON3P Wrenegade 114, Faction Dictator 4.0, Liberty Origin 112, Rossignol Super 7 HD & RD, Blizzard Rustler 11, Fischer Ranger 115 XTi, DPS Wailer 112 Alchemist, Line Mordecai, and more…
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2019-2020 Line Sick Day 114
We spent more time this past season on both lengths of the Line Sick Day 114. Check out our updated review and our new Deep Dive comparisons (including the ON3P Wrenegade 114, Liberty Origin 112, and Faction Dictator 4.0).
Deep Dive: Faction Prodigy 3.0
We compare the Prodigy 3.0 to the Faction Candide 3.0, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Blizzard Rustler 10, ON3P Kartel 108, Moment Meridian 107, Line Sick Day 104, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, 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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2019-2020 Faction Prodigy 3.0
Faction has overhauled their Prodigy 3.0, and we’re big fans of the new ski. And we think that both directional skiers and more freestyle-oriented skiers could be fans of it, too. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
La Sportiva Genius
The La Sportiva Genius is one of the most aggressive climbing shoes on the market, but it lacks one noteworthy thing: an edge. So how does it compare to other aggressive shoes like the La Sportiva Solution & Futura, Evolv Shaman, and Five Ten Hiangle? Check out our review.
Running Shorts Roundup — 2018
There are too many running shorts in the world, so we’ve rounded up seven of our favorites (for everything from quick jogs to long trail runs) and laid out which ones might work best for you.
Skier Survey from LINE
(Update: SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.) Line conducted this skier survey, and we think you should check it out. Because (1) you can win some skis, and (2) you can let them know which review publications and buyer’s guides you trust most for info on ski gear.
Hoka One One Stinson ATR 4
Hoka One One built a name for themselves making highly cushioned running shoes, and the all-new Stinson ATR 4 is the most highly cushioned trail shoe in their lineup. But it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a shoe that has this much cushioning. Check out our review and comparisons to other shoes like the Altra Olympus 3.0 & Timp and Hoka Speedgoat 2.
Sweet Protection Hunter Shorts and Hunter Mid Gloves
While Sweet Protection is well-known for producing hiqh-quality helmets, they’ve also been making a name for themselves in MTB apparel. This year, they revamped their Trail-oriented apparel line, and some of the new products have quickly become some of our favorites. Check out our review.
Win a Men’s or Women’s Jacket from Arc’teryx
This new jacket from Arc’teryx hasn’t even come out yet, but this week you have a chance to win one.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 20/21 Rossignol BLACKOPS Sender
Check out our thoughts on the BLACKOPS Sender and how it compares to the BLACKOPS Sender Ti.
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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2021-2022 Volkl Secret 102
The Volkl Secret 102 definitely stands out in the current women’s ski market and it might be just what some aggressive skiers have been looking for, though it won’t be for everyone. Check out our full review.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks: From Special Ops to Backcountry Skiing (Ep.97)
Mystery Ranch has a long history of working with and making packs for the US military, fire departments, and law enforcement. They also make everything from backpacks for everyday use, to packs for backcountry skiing, and the company has quite a unique culture. So we sat down with product designer, Alex Rich, to discuss what it’s like to design packs for US special forces; how their military designs trickle down to outdoor packs (and vice versa); how their design ethos reflects their sustainability culture; and more.
Win Men’s & Women’s Hiking Kits from Eddie Bauer
Enter for a chance to win a softshell jacket, baselayer, & pants from Eddie Bauer!
Best / Worst Ideas for Our Blister ‘Crash Course’ Videos (Ep. 22)
As a way to show our appreciation for our Bikes & Big Ideas listeners, we discussed our best / worst ideas for the bikes edition of our Blister ‘Crash Course’ video series — and some of the ideas are truly magnificent. So check it out, and then please feel free to suggest your own best / worst ideas for our ‘Crash Course’ bike videos.
Flash Review: 20/21 Majesty Havoc
Check out Paul Forward’s initial impressions of the new Majesty Havoc.
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.)
2020-2021 Majesty Havoc
We’re reviewing a number of Majesty’s new 20/21 skis, including the 110mm-wide, freeride-oriented Havoc. Check out our First Look for more info.
Houdini Shelter Anorak
Anoraks: one of the most controversial topics at Blister. Well, our managing editor has decided to continue to anger our editor-in-chief by testing more of them, and Houdini’s Shelter Anorak has become one of his all-time favorites. Check out his review of this minimal, waterproof shell.
2020-2021 K2 Recon Pro
We’ve seen a lot of companies making lighter and lighter alpine boots over the past few years, but that category hadn’t extended past the 130-flex realm. That changes for 20/21 with the introduction of the K2 Recon Pro — a lightweight boot with a stated flex of 140 and several unique features. Check out our First Look.
Jenny & Scott Jurek on Cooking, Running, & Kids (Ep.47)
Late last week, Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talked with Jenny and Scott Jurek. This probably wasn’t the conversation that you ought to have when you get to talk with a running icon like Scott Jurek and someone who is as accomplished and interesting as Jenny, but, whatever. We had fun, and you will, too. Among other things, we talk about Scott’s very first race; Jenny’s transition from climbing to running; Scott’s love of cooking; Jenny’s ambition to set the Slowest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail; and the process of co-writing their wonderful book, North.
Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 5
The Terra Kiger is Nike’s take on a low-stack-height, fast trail shoe, and we’ve now put over 200 miles in it. Check out our review to see how it compares to the competition.
X Games Real Ski 2020 Gold Medalist, Jake Mageau (Ep. 127)
The creativity and talent on display in X Games Real Ski is always so bonkers that it can be easy to overlook all that goes into making these 90-second edits. So we talked with Real Ski 2020 winner, Jake Mageau, about what really goes into filming a successful 90-second edit; scouting and settling on locations; the insane “Mind Flip” he puts down in this edit, and more.