BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Pivot Shuttle SL
We compare the Pivot Shuttle SL to the Trek Fuel EXe, Norco Fluid VLT 130, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Canyon Neuron:ONfly, and Cannondale Moterra SL.
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Reviewer Reports: Battle of Unconventional Air Shocks, High-Pivot Trail Bikes, & More (Ep.237)
We check in on a selection of the gear we’ve been testing of late, from the Forbidden Druid V2 to the Trek Slash+, plus a bunch more bikes, some air shocks from smaller brands — and a discussion of bike geometry that might surprise you.
2024-2025 Black Crows Anima Birdie
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Black Crows Anima Birdie.
Stuff We Like: August 2024
This month’s edition of our Stuff We Like series includes everything from nifty bike tools to summer clothing essentials, running vests, bike components, and more. Check it out to see all the latest gear our reviewers have been enjoying this summer.
Chef Mark Connell on Skiing & High-End Cuisine, Part 1 (Ep.48)
We talk to Mark Connell, the executive chef at PARC Aspen, about his life in skiing and high-end dining; how Jonathan & Mark first met; celebrity chefs, frozen pizza, white wine, & more.
EXT Storia V4
EXT has been making a lot of very impressive suspension products for a good while now, so is the latest V4 iteration of their Storia coil shock a worthy successor to the already very good V3? Check out our Full Review for our take.
Flash Review — Manitou Mara Pro PB
We’ve started spending time on the recently updated Manitou Mara Pro PB — and our initial impressions are promising. Learn more in our Flash Review.
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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2024-2025 K2 Mindbender 96C
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the K2 Mindbender 96C.
Flash Review — Forbidden Druid V2
High-pivot Trail bikes are a lot more common than they were back when Forbidden launched the original Druid — so how does the Druid V2 stack up in that ever-growing class? Check out our early 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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The 10th Anniversary of the Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide: Why We Started It, How It’s Evolved, & What’s in the Latest One (Ep.310)
Since we’re releasing soon the 10th edition of our Really Big Book, Jonathan talks with Luke and Kara about what’s in this latest one, how it’s evolved, and of course, we talk about that super sexy cover photo….
2024-2025 J Skis Escalator
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the J Skis Escalator.
Win Running Shoes From La Sportiva
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the Prodigio or Prodigio Women’s trail running shoe from La Sportiva!
Time Speciale 10 and Speciale 12 Pedals
It’s always worrisome when a longtime favorite product gets revised, and Time’s new Speciale pedals were the latest to give us “did they screw it up?!” anxiety. So, have these pedals been meddled with under Time’s new SRAM ownership, or is it business as usual with the Speciale 10 and 12? We have thoughts.
Devinci Recalls Chainsaw Frames
Devinci is issuing a voluntary recall of some Chainsaw frames. Here’s what you need to know.
Propain Spindrift 5
The fifth-generation Propain Spindrift 5 is still a 180 mm travel Freeride bike but has more configuration options than ever. With multiple wheel size options, single or dual crown builds, and a host of new features, there’s a lot to cover — join us as we dig in with our First Look.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Deep Dive: 2025 Trek Top Fuel
We compare the Trek Top Fuel to the prior-generation Top Fuel, Specialized Epic Evo, Rocky Mountain Element, Transition Spur, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Revel Rascal V2, Pivot Trail 429, and Forbidden Druid V2
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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2025 Trek Top Fuel
The last Trek Top Fuel was a big departure from the versions that preceded it — so has Trek given it another major overhaul with their latest update, or refined the recipe that made the outgoing model popular in the first place? We’ve got answers.
Blister Travel Guide: Chamonix
Considering a ski or snowboard trip to Chamonix? It’s one of the most famous locales in the wintersports world for a reason, and in this Blister Travel Guide, we provide all the insider info needed to make the most of your trip.
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5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Which 5 skis would you pick for all the skiing you do? We’re once again asking our reviewers to provide their answers, and in Part Two of our 5-ski quiver picks, we hear from Paul Forward, Mark Danielson, & Jonathan Ellsworth.
24/25 Ski Season & Big Moves w/ Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.318)
We catch up with Drew and Rachel Harding of our Blister Recommended Shop, Spokane Alpine Haus, to hear all about the exciting recent developments at the shop; how this news runs counter to a lot of what you see from local retailers these days; what ski / snowboard gear they’re excited about for the 24/25 season, and more.
Win Skis From 4FRNT
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the new NEVAR ski from 4FRNT!
High Above on US Manufacturing, Pack Design, Expanding Their Lineup, & More (Ep.244)
High Above has been making high-quality bike packs and accessories — in the US — for well over a decade. We sat down with them to get their thoughts on the value (and downsides) of US manufacturing; talk about their design and testing process; get some teasers of what they’re working on; and a whole lot more.
Cannondale Moterra SL vs. Mondraker Dune XR | Head-to-Head Video
The Cannondale Moterra SL and Mondraker Dune XR both offer lots of travel at fairly low weights for the eMTB category, but they accomplish that in very different ways. In this Head-to-Head video, Blister editors Simon Stewart and Dylan Wood compare and contrast these two eMTBs, discuss what sorts of riders will get along best with each one, and (try to) decide which one they’d each personally pick.
Cannondale Moterra SL
The groundbreaking Cannondale Moterra SL is claimed to be the lightest full-power eMTB on the market, but has it made too many compromises to get there, or does it deliver something truly unique? Check out our Full Review for our take.
Deep Dive: Cannondale Moterra SL
We compare the Cannondale Moterra SL to the Pivot Shuttle LT, Pivot Shuttle AM, Orbea Wild, Devinci E-Troy, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay, and Mondraker Dune XR.
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.)
Wayfarer Vans w/ Andy Mullins (Ep.50)
Camper vans are everywhere, and in today’s CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Wayfarer Van’s Andy Mullins to answer commonly asked questions about camping in — and building — vans.
Teton Village Sports
Teton Village Sports has been at the base of the fabled Jackson Hole tram since it opened for skiing. They are a full-service ski shop offering top-tier bootfitting and custom footbeds, large demo ski rental fleet that matches their retail ski offering, and an award-winning tune and repair shop offering overnight tunes ready for first chair the next day.