BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Knolly Fugitive 140
We’ve had a couple of reviewers riding Knolly’s updated Fugitive 140, and it stands out from the mid-travel Trail bike market in a few interesting ways — not an easy task in that typically “jack of all trades, master of none” category. Here’s our Full Review.
Casey Brown on the Inaugural Women’s Red Bull Rampage (Ep.246)
Red Bull Rampage finally, belatedly, included a women’s category this year — and it was outstanding. Casey Brown arguably did more than anyone else to get her foot in the door, and to smash it down for others to follow, so we sat down with her to hear all about it. Don’t miss this one.
Stuff We Like: October 2024
This edition of Stuff We Like includes some excellent camera-friendly outdoor gear, several shoulder-season layering pieces, two of our bike editors’ favorite grips, and more. Check it out to see all the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Diner Coffee, Sour Beers, Well-Done Steaks, Putting Greens, & Brand Building with Alex LeBlanc of Calibration Coffee Lab (Ep.51)
Last year, we talked with Alex LeBlanc about starting Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina. Today, Alex is back to talk about how it’s going, what he’s been learning, how his thinking about coffee has evolved, and how he’s trying to build a brand that people will love.
Michelin’s New Enduro and DH Tires
Michelin gave their Enduro and DH tire lineup a big overhaul this year, and we’ve been spending time on the whole range of models. Here are our thoughts on the new Wild Enduro MH, Wild Enduro MS, Wild Enduro Rear, DH 16, and DH 22.
‘Downhill Racer’ with Daron Rahlves & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.28)
55 years ago today, the movie ‘Downhill Racer’ came out, starring two legendary actors, Robert Redford and Gene Hackman. The film critic Roger Ebert calls this “the greatest sports movie ever made,” and today, we’re discussing it with one of the greatest American downhillers of all time, Daron Rahlves.
Natural Selection Tour Expands to Ski, Snowboard, Bike, & Surf Events
Big News: Travis Rice and the Natural Selection Tour have announced their most extensive development yet — the addition of ski, bike, and surf events. Here are the details.
Amie Engerbretson on Ugly Sweater Parties + Can the Outdoor Community Actually Make a Difference? (Ep.330)
Jonathan talks with professional skier Amie Engerbretson about our upcoming ugly sweater / ski-movie-rom-com event; her film, Hypocrite; and the question, “Can the outdoor community actually make a difference?”
Ohlins DH38 & RXF38 Coil Spring Kits
Öhlins is one of the few suspension brands offering a coil conversion kit for their forks, and it manages to incorporate some compelling features at a reasonable price point. Does it deliver that fabled coil-sprung magic, or is there more to the story? Our reviewers have some thoughts after a few months of testing.
4-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Rounding out our annual 4-ski quiver picks, Jonathan Ellsworth and Kristin Sinnott share their thoughts on what their personal 4-ski quivers would look like.
Moment Skis 24/25 Lineup with Luke Jacobson (Ep.319)
Jonathan talks with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, about Moment’s latest skis; some former Moment skis; some other companies’ skis; why Hoji is a traitor(!!); and more.
Kona Process 134
The Kona Process 134 stays true to its roots and proves — yet again — that a bike doesn’t need to be complicated to be good. Check out our Full Review to see what it’s all about.
Arid Cycles on Self-Taught Frame Design, the Spade Enduro Bike, & More (Ep.245)
The Arid Spade Enduro bike prototypes are awfully striking for a host of reasons — including that their designer, Ethan Eggert, is just 19 years old. We sat down with Ethan to hear how and why he decided to start building bikes; how the Spade has evolved over its first three iterations; his plans for eventually selling frames; and a bunch more.
Propain Rage 3 R CF
Propain has been on a roll with new bike releases this year, and now it’s their Downhill bike’s turn — enter the new Rage 3 R CF. Feedback from Propain’s race team has yielded small changes that focus on frame stiffness and a quieter ride. All of the details are in our First Look.
Park City Ski Boot
With 43 years of experience, and the impressive balance of being both a ski industry expert and bootfitter as well as a board-certified Pedorthist, Brent Amsbury at Park City Ski Boot has the expertise, passion, and tools to ensure that you are comfortable and dialed in your next pair of ski boots!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review — Fox 40 Grip X2
Fox’s longstanding DH fork got a new damper this year, and we’ve started spending time on the new 40 Grip X2. Check out our early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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‘Dumb & Dumber’ w/ Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.31)
In honor of its 30th anniversary, we discuss one of Cody’s all-time favorite movies, and you’ll hear him make the case for Dumb & Dumber being the greatest ski movie ever??
Blister x Carv: Why We’re Partnering for the 24/25 Ski Season
Every year at Blister, we try to raise the bar. See how and why we believe that partnering with Carv this season represents another step forward.
Deep Dive: Spot Mayhem 140
We compare the Spot Mayhem 140 to the Rocky Mountain Instinct, Scor 2030, Yeti SB 135, Revel Rascal V2, and Commencal T.E.M.P.O.
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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Spot Mayhem 140
Spot does things differently from most bike manufacturers — with notable on-trail results. The Mayhem 140 features the latest iteration of their Living Link suspension system coupled with the stiffest frame they’ve ever built, and it still manages to stand out in a vast sea of 140mm-travel Trail bikes — in ways that are likely to really click for the right folks.
2024-2025 K2 Omen Team
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new K2 Omen Team ski.
2024-2025 Fischer The Curv GT 85 & Curv GT 85 Redefine
We’re kicking off this winter’s in-depth ski reviews with the one featured on the cover of our Winter Buyer’s Guide — Fischer’s The Curv GT 85. However, Fischer also makes a version of this new ski that reportedly performs the same, but does so while cutting 36% of equivalent carbon emissions. Here, we break down both of these on-piste carvers.
Deep Dive: Fischer The Curv GT 85 & Curv GT 85 Redefine
We compare the Fischer The Curv GT 85 and The Curv GT 85 Redefine to the Fischer RC One 82 GT, Fischer The Curv, Head Supershape e-Rally, K2 Disruption 82Ti, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti, Kastle MX84, Volkl Peregrine 82, Head Supershape e-Titan, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Head Kore 87, Atomic Maverick 88Ti, Rossignol Arcade 88, Stockli Montero AR, and Dynastar M-Cross 88.
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.)
Weather Forecasting, Artificial Intelligence, & Storm Chasing w/ OpenSnow Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.336)
OpenSnow’s Joel Gratz is back to talk about advancements in weather forecasting and how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing weather models; the challenges of making seasonal forecasts; & some tips for planning ski trips and for storm chasing and skiing in Japan.
Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX Shoes
Our Bike Editor has long been on the hunt for his ideal waterproof gravity-oriented clipless shoe for wet-weather winter use, and the Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX is the latest option he’s tried. So how have they worked out? Check out our Full Review to find out.
2024-2025 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Armada ARV 106.
2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 84
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Black Pearl 84.