BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

2024-2025 Nordica Santa Ana 92
Nordica updated several of their longest-standing skis this season, and we’ve now spent a lot of time testing the all-new Santa Ana 92. Here’s our Full Review of this women’s all-mountain ski.

Deep Dive: Nordica Santa Ana 92
We compare the Nordica Santa Ana 92 to the previous Nordica Santa Ana 93, Nordica Santa Ana 102, Blizzard Black Pearl 94, Volkl Secret 96, K2 Mindbender 89Ti W, Majesty Havoc 90 Ti, Atomic Maven 93 C, Dynastar M-Pro 92 W, Blizzard Sheeva 9, Armada Reliance 92 Ti, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, & 4FRNT MSP CC.
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The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman (Ep.56)
Today you are going to hear what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine dining, and the ethics and aesthetics of what we eat.

Commencal T.E.M.P.O. Power
The new T.E.M.P.O. Power is Commencal’s latest eMTB, adding Bosch’s lightweight Performance Line SX motor to their shortest-travel Trail bike, with an emphasis on versatility and playfulness. Check out our First Look to see how Commencal has approached its goal of creating a lively lightweight eMTB.

Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 Dropper Post
The Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 dropper post doesn’t look all that different from the original, so what has Wolf Tooth changed? And have they meaningfully improved an already good post? We’ve spent a lot of time with both versions of the Resolve and have some thoughts.

2025-2026 Tecnica Mach1 LV 115 W TD2 GW
Here are our measured specs, photos, and a quick overview of Tecnica’s updated low-volume women’s boot, the Mach1 LV 115 W TD2 GW.

2025-2026 Armada AR ONE 130 MV
Armada just entered the ski-boot market, and we’ve started testing their flagship model, the AR ONE 130 MV. Here are the details on the AR ONE collection as a whole, and the specs and features of the AR ONE 130 MV.

Tecnica Announces 25/26 Mach1 LV Ski Boots
Tecnica has revealed the latest generation of their low-volume alpine boots, the Mach1 LV collection. Here’s what we know so far.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, December 2024 (Ep.340)
Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the big news of December and this new year; rate your takes; share what we’re reading & watching; and more.

Flash Review: 25/26 Armada AR ONE 130 MV
We just got our first laps in Armada’s first boots, the AR ONE 130 — here are some of the things that have stood out so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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The New Armada AR ONE Ski Boot: What Is It & Who’s It For? (Ep.329)
Today, for the first time, Armada is releasing a ski boot: the AR ONE. But why do a boot? And why now? What sort of boot is the AR ONE, how is it different from what’s out there, and who’s it for? We discuss all of this and more with Armada’s Matt Rihm and Bransford Briggs.

Reviewing the News w/ Dylan Wood, December 2024 (Ep. 255)
Dylan Wood is back in the studio to co-host the final Reviewing the News of 2024 with Simon, and they recap some of 2024’s more memorable stories, some fresh news from December, their favorite bike racing moments, their top bike rides of the year, & more.

Flash Review: Santa Cruz Vala
The Santa Cruz Vala has a new suspension design and Bosch’s updated CX motor. Check out our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Rossignol Sender Soul 102
The name ‘Soul’ had been absent from Rossignol’s line ever since they discontinued the extremely popular (and sometimes divisive) Soul 7 several years ago. But this season, there’s a brand-new ‘Soul’ ski — and it looks very different from the original. So, what sort of ski is the new Sender Soul 102? Here’s our Full Review.

Deep Dive: Rossignol Sender Soul 102
We compare the Rossignol Sender Soul 102 to the Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, Armada Declivity X 102, Nordica Enforcer 100, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 98, Line Pandora 99, J Skis Masterblaster, Folsom Completo 100, Icelantic Nomad 100, DPS Wailer 100, Fischer Ranger 102, Liberty Scope 104, ZAG Slap 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, Line Optic 104, Black Crows Atris, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, & Salomon Stance 102.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kaliber 130 MV BOA2
We’ve been logging time in the Kaliber 130 BOA2 and have started to learn some things about this new boot and the dual-BOA system in general.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Head Kaliber 130 MV BOA2
Here are the details and our measured specs for Head’s new dual-BOA all-mountain boot, the Kaliber 130 MV GW BOA2.

Sports Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, & Magic Bird Poop with Skratch Labs’ Founder, Dr. Allen Lim (Ep.345)
You geek out about your gear, but do you know how to fuel yourself when you’re out in the mountains or on the trail? What, when, and how much should you be eating and drinking? We talk to Scratch Labs founder, Dr. Allen Lim, about all of this, and more.

2024-2025 Icelantic Nomad 106
Icelantic overhauled their most popular skis this season — but was this risky move worth it? After a full season of testing, we think it was. Here’s our Full Review of the new Nomad 106.

Deep Dive: Icelantic Nomad 106
We compare the Nomad 106 to the previous Nomad 105, current Nomad 112, Nomad 100, J Skis Hotshot, Salomon QST 106, Nordica Unleashed 108, Moment Wildcat 108, 4FRNT Devastator, Armada ARV 106, Dynastar M-Free 108, K2 Reckoner 110, Fischer Ranger 108, Rossignol Sender Soul 102, ZAG Slap 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, Black Crows Atris, RMU Apostle 106, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Armada Declivity X 102, Line Optic 104, DPS Wailer 107, & Line Pandora 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.
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Win Carv’s Digital Ski Coach System
The TWO winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the Carv 2 Ski Coach system as well as a Carv Season Pass!

Matt Manser on Atomic’s New Redster Ski Boots, New Remedy 130, & More (Ep.334)
What’s the difference between a true race boot; a race-inspired ski boot; and a high-performance freeride or freestyle boot? Matt and Jonathan discuss all of these things and more, and you’ll hear the most important rant / public service announcement in GEAR:30 history.

Flash Review: 25/26 Majesty HNX Ti
Part of Majesty’s new Resort collection, the HNX Ti is an 85mm-wide ski with a unique look. Here are our initial thoughts after our first day on it.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Majesty HNX Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Majesty HNX Ti.

Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, January 2025 (Ep.260)
What impact are Trump’s tariffs going to have on the bike industry, and will they affect that new bike or component upgrade you have your eye on? Mike and Simon weigh in with their thoughts on the tariffs; as well as a Preview of Red Bull Hardline Tasmania; Mexico as a mountain bike destination; and a whole lot more.

‘Ski: The Greatest Ski Tour of All Time’ w/ Nikolai Schirmer, Cody Townsend, & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.35)
We talk with Nikolai Schirmer about snow monk warriors, obsessive weirdos, and his outstanding new movie. And Cody Townsend (who is in the film) joins in to talk about the evolution of ski culture, filmmaking, and more.

Flash Review — Santa Cruz Bronson 5
Update 2.6.2024: We’ve got the Santa Cruz Bronson 5 in for a long-term review, and have some updated thoughts on how it stacks up.
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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