BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2018-2019 Head Nexo LYT 130
The brand-new Head Nexo LYT 130 is the lightest alpine boot we’ve ever reviewed (and it’s lighter than a lot of touring boots we’ve reviewed). But that’s not the only thing that sets this boot apart from the competition. Check out our measured specs, fit notes, and initial impressions.
Bikes vs. Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1 (Ep.21)
Which ski company is most like which bike company? Who is the Moment Skis of the bike world? And which ski brand shares the most family resemblance with Yeti or Transition? Jonathan Ellsworth has been having this discussion for years with Blister’s bike editor, Noah Bodman, and we’re now taking it public. So give it a listen, then let us know where you agree, where you disagree, and where you’ve got the better analogies.
Deep Dive: Atomic Bent Chetler 100
Update: We compare the Bent Chetler 100 to the Line Sick Day 104, Nordica Enforcer 100, Black Crows Daemon, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Faction Prodigy 3.0, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Blizzard Rustler 10, and more…
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2018 Cannondale Trigger
The Cannondale Trigger has a few unique features that make climbing and mellow trails more enjoyable, and it’s still a lot of fun on the way down.
2021-2022 Atomic Bent Chetler 100
Since it’s named after Chris Benchetler — one of the most creative and playful skiers in the world — you might think you know exactly what sort of ski the new Bent Chetler 100 is. Think again. Check out our full review.
18/19 Liberty Origin 90
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new Origin 90, including comparisons to the old Origin 90, the Blizzard Brahma, and the Origin 96.
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 Origin 90
For the 18/19 season, Liberty has revised the Origin 90. Take a look at our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and Flash Review, to see how different it is from the 17/18 Origin 90, and how much family resemblance there is to the Origin 96, 106, and 112.
Terrene Chunk 2.6″ Tire
Fatter tires typically offer up a bunch of traction and a smooth ride, but often at the cost of weight, precision, and rolling resistance. The new Terrene Chunk 2.6” does a great job of minimizing those downsides and maintaining the main benefits of a wider tire, making it the best all-around 2.6” tire we’ve used.
2021-2022 K2 Sight
The K2 Sight is supposed to work well in the park and all over the mountain. But does it truly feel at home in the park, or is it more of a freestyle-oriented all-mountain ski? Check out our review.
2018 Trans BC Enduro Stage Race — Intro & Bike Check
If you were going to enter a six-day Enduro stage race that covers 20+ miles and ~5000 feet of climbing each day, what would your ideal build look like? Our bike editor is heading to British Columbia for the Trans BC Enduro, and he talks about this “long-ass” event and the specific bike and build he’s put together for it.
Deep Dive: 18/19 ON3P Wrenegade 108
We compare the Wrenegade 108 to the Blizzard Cochise, Nordica Enforcer 110, Faction Dictator 3.0 & Dictator 4.0, J Skis Metal, Folsom Hammer, 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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Win a Men’s or Women’s Backpack from Gregory
Gregory just updated their premium backpacking packs, and now you have a chance to win any version of the all-new Baltoro or Deva.
Sweet Protection Dissenter Helmet
Budget-oriented bike helmets tend to all be pretty similar. But the Sweet Protection Dissenter has a few key features that make it stand out, and you won’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford it.
2019-2020 ON3P Wrenegade 108
Since it’s Independence day, we figured we’d talk about a ski made by an Independent manufacturer, right here in America. Check out our full review of the new ON3P Wrenegade 108.
The North Face Summit L2 FuseForm Fleece ½ Zip Hoodie
The Summit L2 FuseForm Fleece ½ Zip Hoodie is one of The North Face’s most technical, breathable fleeces. So how does it compare to the reference piece in this category, the Patagonia R1 Hoody?
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Basketball Legend Bill Walton on His Love of Bikes, Life, & Humanity (Ep. 21)
Bill Walton is not only one of the greatest basketball players of all time, his passion for bikes is all-time, too. So we talked to Bill about his life-long love of bikes, and about his upcoming event, Bike For Humanity, which is a virtual event that Bill created as a way for all of us to show our solidarity in these times. We also discuss the top-5, all-time, NBA ‘bike’ guys; Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, and more.
AT Binding Shootout, New Touring Skis, & Tiger King (Ep.96)
Luke Koppa, Jonathan Ellsworth, and Luke’s mustache discuss the pros and cons of a number of current AT bindings, including the new Marker Duke PT, the SHIFT binding, Daymaker Alpine Touring adapters, frame bindings, and tech toe bindings. They then discuss four new touring skis: the J Skis Slacker, Sego Condor, 4FRNT Raven, and Volkl Blaze 106. Then it’s time to talk Tiger King.
Get Your Bike Storage Dialed with Feedback Sports
Still leaning your bikes up against the wall? Well this week you’ve got a chance to win a $500 gift card from Feedback Sports, who make a wide assortment of bike storage and repair products.
2020-2021 Blizzard Brahma 88
Blizzard has updated one of our favorite skis for 20/21, the Brahma 88. And you can now check out our First Look & updated Flash Review for more on this new 88mm-wide all-mountain ski.
Flash Review: 20/21 Blizzard Brahma 88
Update 4.17.20: Jonathan Ellsworth & Luke Koppa have updated their thoughts on the new Brahma 88 and how it compares to the previous Brahma.
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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2020-2021 Elan Ripstick 102 W
Elan is updating their whole freeride line for 20/21, and we’ll be spending time on the updated women’s Ripstick 102 W. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to see how it compares to the crowded category of ~105mm-wide freeride skis.
Flash Review: 20/21 Elan Ripstick 102 W
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new Ripstick 102 W.
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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Hoka One One Rincon
The Hoka Rincon packs a lot of cushion into an exceptionally lightweight package, making it an appealing option for long days on the road. But is this some specialty shoe, or does it work well even if you’re not focused on low weight & max cushion? Check out our full review.
How Outdoor Companies are Helping to Fight COVID-19
There are now a lot of outdoor companies doing a wide range of things to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. So we’ve put together an article highlighting these efforts, and we invite you to share the companies you know of that are contributing to the cause.
Freerunner, Dom Di Tommaso (@domtomato) (Ep. 46)
Dom di Tommaso (@domtomato) is a freerunner, a certified mind blower, and the guy behind one of our favorite Instagram pages and YouTube channels in the world. So on our latest Off The Couch podcast, we talked to Dom about his uncommon upbringing; his training, his focus, his injury history, and how he avoids dying doing the stuff he does; and more.
2020-2021 Fritschi Xenic 10
The category of lightweight (~300 g) touring bindings has been expanding & improving over the last few years, and the Fritschi Xenic 10 is the most recent addition. Check out our full review to see how it compares to the competition.
SKI INC. 2020: The Current State & Future of the Ski Industry (Ep. 126)
The ski industry has undergone rapid changes in the past several years, and we are currently in another unprecedented moment with the COVID-19 pandemic. So to help us better understand the past, present, and future of the ski industry, we talked to industry veteran and author of SKI INC, and SKI INC. 2020, Chris Diamond, about the rise of the EPIC and IKON passes; this recent era of rampant ski resort acquisitions; the state (and fate) of independent ski areas; whether COVID-19 will likely have lasting impacts on the ski industry; and more.