BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
On the Fritschi Tecton & Vipec Evo (Ep.5)
We talk to blister reviewers Brian Lindahl and Cy Whitling about their experiences testing the Fritschi Tecton & Vipec Evo alpine touring bindings, and how they would rank them among some other popular AT bindings.
Winter Outerwear & Apparel: Reviewers’ Choices (17/18)
We’re wrapping up our series on layering for different winter activities and locations. Check out our reviewers’ selections for everything from ice climbing to heli skiing.
2020-2021 Fritschi Tecton 12
We’ve got another update on the Tecton 12 with a lot of new information, including our on-snow comparisons of the Tecton vs. an alpine binding.
Hoody Roundup, 2017
We love hoodies, and here are some of our favorite more casual options (though you’ll still find us running, skiing, biking, etc. in some of them too).
2020-2021 Fritschi Vipec Evo 12
We weigh in on the new Fritschi Vipec Evo 12, and discuss why we think it is such a good option for a wide range of skiers.
2018-2019 HEAD Wild Joy
The HEAD Wild Joy is a stiff, powerful, and precise all-mountain ski that’s looking for a pilot who knows how to work a ski from edge to edge and has a thing for laying down train tracks.
Introducing: All Things Climbing
Check out our new weekly climbing podcast, All Things Climbing.
Patagonia Pluma Jacket
If you’re looking for a single jacket to use for everything you do outside, Patagonia’s new Pluma is a great option.
The New Volkl Mantra M5 (Ep.4)
Today, Volkl is announcing their new Mantra M5 and Secret, and last month, we headed to Germany to talk to Volkl’s lead designers of the new skis and to also get some initial time on snow.
4FRNT — Turnagain Pass, AK
It’s not spectacular, but it’s unusually relatable and definitely worth watching.
Evoc Trail Builder Pack
Trails need maintenance, and that requires a lot of gear. Evoc’s Trail Builder pack makes carrying all that gear a lot more comfortable, and it still rides well when loaded down.
Arc’teryx Atom SL Hoody
As the fast-and-light take on the classic Atom LT, Arc’teryx’s Atom SL Hoody might initially seem like a niche piece for specific objectives. However, we’ve been impressed not only by the Atom SL’s light weight and packability, but also its versatility.
Backcountry Travel & Wilderness Medicine (Ep.62)
What items should you be carrying with you, and what do you need to know before venturing out into the backcountry in the first place? We discuss backcountry travel and wilderness medicine with Blister reviewer, AWLS instructor, and physician Paul Forward.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2017 — In the Garage
Time for the final roundup: these are our big-ticket (or just plain big) gift ideas.
2017-2018 Line Honey Badger
Line calls the Honey Badger “the best option for lapping the park, bashing urban features, and charging the whole mountain.” So we weighed in on where we think this Honey Badger feels most at home.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Interviews from Mile 201 of the Moab 240 (Ep.22)
What’s it like to run two hundred and one miles … and know that you still have another 40 miles to go? And why would you sign up and subject yourself to this? To find out, we went to Moab, Utah, to the Moab 240 Endurance Run to capture the very raw and unfiltered reactions from runners, pacers, friends, medics, and concerned mothers from the Geyser Aid Station at mile 201 of the Moab 24. And we also learned what this race — and this community — is really about.
2020-2021 Dynafit TLT Speedfit Boot
More people are skinning uphill at ski areas and touring “on-piste,” So Dynafit developed the TLT Speedfit specifically for “on-piste tours.” Check out our full review of the boot (including whether we think you can also get away using it for backcountry touring).
19/20 Moment Deathwish
We just spent a day on the new Moment Deathwish — check out our initial 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.
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.)
‘Blink of an Eye’ writer & director, Paul Taublieb (Ep.106)
If the story told in the new film Blink of an Eye weren’t true, nobody would believe it. Friendship, brotherhood, heroes, triumph, tragedy, and redemption are the topics, and we discuss all of them on our latest Blister Podcast with the film’s writer & director, Paul Taublieb. If you are interested in or intrigued by auto racing, you will love this one. And if you have zero interest in NASCAR, then you especially need to listen, for reasons we’ll explain.
Travel Backpack Roundup — 2019
Need a new carryon bag? Or a travel-friendly backpack? How about both? We’ve been using several options that fit all of those criteria — check them out here.
The Science & Witchcraft of World Cup Ski Tuning (Ep.70)
How do the world’s elite ski racers and their technicians squeeze every drop of performance out of their skis? We sat down with Cameron Smith who runs the race department for Head USA to learn about all the major aspects of ski tuning including base vs edge angles, base prep, and waxing. We also discuss why World Cup racers have 50 skis per discipline; the elusive “speed wagon”; and the delicate balance of science and superstition in ski racing.
Win a Men’s or Women’s Outerwear Kit from Flylow
Win a jacket + bib combo from Flylow!
2020-2021 Amplid Snommelier
As part of Amplid’s “Future Shapes” collection, their Snommelier is designed to “create a unique personality” on snow. And after spending a lot of time on this big-mountain gun, we’d say that Amplid’s claims are pretty spot-on. Check out our full review for more.
Cam Smith on Moving through Mountains (Ep.21)
When Cam Smith graduated high school in Rockford, Illinois in 2014, he had little or no mountain experience. But fast forward a few years, and Cam is now an accomplished trail runner, mountain biker, a member of the U.S. ski mountaineering team, a repeat winner of the Grand Traverse Mountain Run from Crested Butte to Aspen, and a repeat winner of the Grand Traverse Triple Crown. So we talk to Cam about his journey, his goals, his relation to running and skiing and mountain biking, his work as a coach and as a guide at the Adaptive Center here in Crested Butte, and more.
Blister Speaker Series 2.2: Honnold Foundation ED, Dory Trimble (Ep.105)
When Alex Honnold, was looking for a new executive director for his Honnold foundation, he tapped Dory Trimble. And with the massive success of the film, Free Solo, Dory has guided what started as Alex’s small, personal passion project into a rapidly growing nonprofit working on global solar energy initiatives. So in our latest Blister Speaker Series, we talk to Dory about what it’s like working with Alex; how she’s managed the explosive growth of the Honnold Foundation; and she offers great advice for anyone interested in getting involved with organizations committed to doing social good.
BLISTER Buyer’s Guide, Pt. 2 + Reviews of Other Buyer’s Guides (Ep.69)
We answer a bunch of the questions you submitted, then assess some of the product reviews from several of the other ski review publications — and one gear recommendation website.
Patagonia’s Entire Waterproof Shell Lineup Now Made With Recycled Materials
In Patagonia’s latest step forward toward more sustainable apparel, they’ve made a big announcement regarding their waterproof shells. Learn more here.