BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

27.5” Trail Bikes — A Guide + Comparisons
“Trail Bikes” range from lightweight XC whips to burly enduro machines and it can be confusing to choose from all the options. So we’ve compared thirty-one 27.5” wheeled bikes and ordered them from most climbing-oriented to most downhill-oriented, with some new options for this year.

Silky Pocketboy and Ultra Accel Saws
If you don’t think you need to read a review about saws, think again. Check out our review of the Silky Pocketboy and Ultra Accel to learn more.

18/19 Folsom Skis Primary — “The Hammer” Edition
Here are a number of our initial on-snow impressions of The Hammer.
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2018-2019 Folsom Skis Primary — “The Hammer” Edition
Last year, we started talking to Folsom about creating an all-mountain charger named “The Hammer.” And after much back-and-forth, the ski’s been built, and we’re excited about how it turned out. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.

Win Camping & Backpacking Stoves from Primus
Win 2 stoves from Primus — one for your bigger meals at camp, and one for your fast-and-light backcountry missions.

Deep Dive: Fischer Ranger 102 FR
We compare the Ranger 102 FR to the Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Line Sick Day 104, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 100, ON3P Kartel 108, Faction Candide 3.0, and more…
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2020-2021 Atomic Vantage 97 Ti
The brand-new Atomic Vantage 97 Ti is one of the strongest, most powerful skis we’ve reviewed. But how versatile is it, and how well does it work when you don’t feel like skiing flat out? Check out our full review.

Salomon Skin Pro 15 Set Pack
We’ve now put over 40 days in the Salomon Skin Pro 15 Set Pack, and have continued to find it to be a surprisingly versatile pack that works well for a variety of activities.

John “Verm” Sherman (Ep.12)
John Sherman, one of the godfathers of modern bouldering, discusses the major ways in which the climbing scene has changed since his day; how and why he became a dedicated conservationist; making peace with the changing ethics and arrival of crowds; and much more.

Mammut Eisfeld Light SO Hoody and Pants
The Mammut Eisfeld Light Hoody and Pants’ new fabric technology makes them stand out from the competition, and when combined with the rest of their design, this makes the Eisfeld Light kit a solid soft shell option for alpine climbing.

2019-2020 ON3P Jeffrey 108
We’ve now had three reviewers on the new ON3P Kartel 108, and we still think it’s one of the most interesting options in the all-mountain freestyle category. See why in our full review.

18/19 Liberty Helix 98
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the brand-new Helix 98, with comparisons to the Liberty Origin 96, J Skis Masterblaster, Nordica Enforcer 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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2018-2019 Faction Candide 2.0
If you’re looking for one ski to use in the park and the whole rest of the mountain, the Faction Candide 2.0 should be on your radar.

Win Men’s & Women’s Sunglasses from Glade Optics
Win a pair of sunglasses from Glade Optics.

Deep Dive: Blizzard Rustler 9
We compare the brand-new Rustler 9 to the Blizzard Bonafide & Brahma, Volkl Mantra M5, Black Crows Orb, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, K2 Pinnacle 95, and more…
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:

2019-2020 WNDR Alpine Intention 110
WNDR Alpine’s Intention 110 may sound weird on paper (it incorporates algae), but it’s been anything but weird on snow. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons to see why.

Deep Dive: WNDR Alpine Intention 110
We compare the Intention 110 to the Atomic Backland 107, Blizzard Zero G 105, Black Diamond Helio 105, K2 Wayback 106, Line Vision 108, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, Amplid Facelift 108, 4FRNT Raven, Renoun Citadel 106, Moment Wildcat 108, Salomon QST 106, Line Sick Day 104, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, & Liberty Origin 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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Flylow Domino Jacket & Siren Bib
Flylow’s Domino Jacket & Siren Bib are designed with the backcountry in mind, and while we think they perform really well there, this kit has proven to be surprisingly versatile. Check out our review.

Up & Coming? FWT World Champion, Isaac Freeland (Ep.123)
Before this FWT season, Isaac Freeland, was a very good skier who was definitely on his way up. But then Isaac not only was named the 2020 Freeride World Tour Rookie of the Year, he also became the FTW World Champion. So we had Isaac take us through his first season on the FWT, and walk us through each stop. We also discuss what it was like competing against some of the biggest names in skiing; how he approached each particular comp; the rather surreal — and abrupt — end to this comp season, and more.

Flash Review: 02/03 Volant Spatula
Reviewer Paul Forward has been spending some time on Shane McConkey’s revolutionary idea, the Volant Spatula. Check out his initial thoughts.
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 Line Vision 98
Back when we first took a look at Line’s ultralight Vision 98, we said it didn’t look like anything else on the market. And after skiing it throughout the past year, we’d also say it doesn’t ski like anything else out there, either. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.

Full Tilt Ski Boots: Past & Present (Ep.92)
Full Tilt ski boots are beloved by some (including the likes of Bode Miller, Tom Wallisch, Seth Morrison, and Sammy Carlson), but they get pigeonholed by others who think of them as only being for park rats. So we talk to Austin Peters, the Ski Boot Engineering Manager for Full Tilt and K2 Ski Boots, about the history of Full Tilt; what makes them unique; why you might opt for a Full Tilt over an overlap boot; and what’s new for 20/21.

Win a Backpack from Mystery Ranch
Enter for your chance to win Mystery Ranch’s Skyline 17 Pack!

Deep Dive: Line Vision 98
We compare the Vision 98 to the Salomon MTN Explore 95, K2 Wayback 96, Dynastar Mythic 97, Armada Tracer 98, G3 FINDr 102, 4FRNT Raven, & Line Vision 108.
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 Lange XT3 130
Lange’s XT series of boots have been staples in the “freeride touring” category for many years now, and Lange is overhauling the lineup for 20/21. Check out our First Look & Flash Review of the new XT3 130.

2020-2021 Spark R&D Women’s Arc Pro Splitboard Binding
We’re big fans of the Spark R&D Surge Pro, but what about the lighter, surfier version? Check out our review of the Women’s Arc Pro Splitboard Binding.

Scott Patrol E1 30 Avalanche Airbag Backpack
Blister reviewer Paul Forward has used a *lot* of different avalanche airbag systems, and the electric Alpride / Scott E1 system is his current favorite. Check out our review of the Scott Patrol E1 30 pack for his take on both the backpack itself and the E1 airbag system.