BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
New Skis from Prior, Atomic, K2, and More (Ep.18)
Jonathan Ellsworth and Sam Shaheen discuss a number of skis they’ve been reviewing, including two from Prior Skis, the new Atomic Bent Chetler 100, the K2 Wayback 106, the Scott Super Guide 105, and the Salomon MTN Explore 95.
2021-2022 Salomon MTN Explore W
The Salomon MTN Explore W is a women-specific AT boot that tours extremely well and offers good support for technical descents (especially if you don’t need the stiffest boot out there).
Biking 101: Bike Fit & Geometry—Part 2
Assessing a bike’s geometry is a huge part of determining proper bike fit and how a bike will ride. So in part 2 of our Bike Fit Guide, we walk through real-world examples to see what all those geometry measurements actually mean.
Win an Ultralight Cooking Kit from MSR
Enter to win an ultralight stove, cook set, and water filter from MSR.
2019-2020 Fischer Ranger 102 FR
Our managing editor won’t stop raving about the Ranger 102 FR. It’s actually getting kind of annoying. But you should probably check out what all the fuss is about (and the rest of us are going to need to get on this thing). Here’s his review.
Flash Review: 18/19 Prior CBC
We spent some time on Prior’s playful pow ski, the CBC, and have been very surprised by it so far. Check out our initial on-snow impressions.
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2021-2022 Scarpa Maestrale RS
We’ve now spent two seasons and around 70 days in the revamped Scarpa Maestrale RS, and are still very, very impressed by this touring boot. Check out our long-term update.
Bullying in Outdoor Sports: Reactions & Responsibilities (Ep.71)
Last week, professional climber, Sascha Digulian, announced that she has been bullied for years by a fellow pro climber. A firestorm of responses ensued, and sponsorships were terminated. So we discuss why this is more than just some isolated issue in the climbing world; whether the brand sponsors did the right thing; and what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate responses — by each of us — to situations like this.
BCA Float 27 Speed Avalanche Airbag
This year, BCA released an all-new lighter and more compact version of their Float airbag system, and we’ve been spending much of this season touring in the new Float 27 Speed pack. Check out our review.
18/19 Faction Prodigy 3.0
We’ve now spent several days on the new Prodigy 3.0, and here you can read our initial on-snow impressions, including comparisons to the Candide 3.0, ON3P Kartel 108, and Fischer Ranger 102 FR.
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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Tension Climbing’s Will Anglin & Ben Spannuth, Part 2 (Ep.10)
In part 2 of our conversation with Will Anglin and Ben Spannuth of Tension Climbing, we talk about some of the finer points of shaping holds from wood, and what setting routes has to offer as a tool for learning difficult movement.
2019-2020 Blizzard Bonafide
We’ve been spending a lot of time skiing the current Bonafide, and it’s time now for our full review of this all-mountain ski that comes back unchanged for the 18/19 season.
Altra Timp
We’ve now spent more time in the Altra Timp, and have a long-term update on its performance and durability.
2019-2020 Nordica Santa Ana 100
The Nordica Santa Ana 100 was one of the most impressive women’s skis we got on this year. Check out our review to find out why.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Holden Sierra Bib
If you’re in the market for a new resort ski / snowboard bib, the comfortable, waterproof, and clean-looking Holden Sierra Bibs are worth a look. Check out our review.
Hayden Hawks on the Black Canyon 100K & Western States (Ep.41)
When a 15-year-old Hayden Hawks first learned about the Western States 100, he knew that he would someday get into running ultras, and it became his dream to race Western States. Fast forward 14 years later, and the now-29-year-old Hayden Hawks is a world-class runner, he’s just won the Black Canyon 100k, and he’s qualified to race Western States this June. So we talked to Hayden about his Black Canyon 100 win and the specific lessons he learned there. And we discuss his trajectory from running track in high school to where he is today, and more.
Blister Speaker Series 2.5: Tommy Caldwell (Ep.120)
Last week at Western Colorado University, we talked to Tommy Caldwell about speed climbing & setting the speed record on the Nose with Alex Honnold; strength vs. experience; how he focuses on climbing projects while also having more disparate responsibilities than ever; and how and why he’s become increasingly involved with environmental causes; and more.
2021-2022 Prior Northwest 110
Last year Prior’s Northwest 110, a fairly heavy, strong, yet playful-looking ski, earned our “Dying to Try It” award, and now having spent a good chunk of time on it, we’re very glad we did, in fact, get to try it. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Prior Northwest 110
We compare the Northwest 110 to the Prior CBC, ON3P Jeffrey 108, K2 Reckoner 112, ON3P Woodsman 108, Moment Wildcat 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, Moment Deathwish, Blizzard Rustler 11, Kye Shapes Metamorph, Nordica Enforcer 110, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Black Crows Atris, & Faction Prodigy 4.0.
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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La Sportiva Bushido II
The La Sportiva Bushido II is designed for fast running on the most technical of terrain, but it’s also supposed to be more versatile and comfortable than the previous iteration. So … is it? Check out our full review.
Flash Review: 20/21 Blizzard Cochise 106
Update 3.2.20: we have a very exciting update on the new Cochise 106.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 20/21 Dynastar M-Pro 99
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the new M-Pro 99.
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 any Insulated Jacket from Strafe
Enter for your chance to win any insulated jacket from Strafe!
2021-2022 Kye Shapes Metamorph
The Metamorph is the “all-mountain” ski in Kye Shapes lineup, and we think it could really appeal to the right skiers. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Voormi Merino Wool Layer Roundup
We’ve been using several of Voormi’s merino wool layers this year, for everything from winter running to ski touring to around town, and have come away impressed by their versatility and overall performance.
Ski Wax & Waxing Skis: What You Need to Know (Ep.89)
We talk with Graham Lonetto, the Alpine Director for the USA at Swix — the company that invented color-coded waxes, and one of the largest manufacturers of ski wax in the world — about different types of waxes and application methods; the most common mistake made when ski waxing; the FIS’s ban on fluorocarbons in waxes; and more.