BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Blister in Telluride — Recap Video
We’re heading back to Telluride tomorrow to put time on even more 18/19 gear. So, while we are busy mounting skis and packing up, check out this quick recap video we put together from our last trip.

Remembering Ryan Johnson & Marc-André Leclerc
We are devastated to learn that a week-long search and rescue operation in Alaska was brought to a close on Tuesday night, leaving two of North America’s brightest alpinists presumed dead in the Mendenhall Towers outside of Juneau. Here, our Climbing Editor, Dave Alie, reflects on the two alpinist’s lives and accomplishments.

18/19 ON3P Kartel 108
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the new Kartel 108.
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Giro Combyn Helmet
The Giro Combyn is a comfortable, low-profile helmet that’s designed to withstand the daily abuses of skiing / snowboarding, and so far, we’ve been impressed by its performance. Check out our review.

Salomon / Atomic / Armada SHIFT MNC Binding
With about 30 days now on the Salomon / Atomic SHIFT binding, two of our reviewers provide an update on both its uphill and downhill performance.

18/19 HEAD Kore 99
Here are our initial on-snow impressions of the Head Kore 99, with comparisons to the Head Kore 93 and Monster 98.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2020-2021 HEAD Kore 99
For the 18/19 season, Head is introducing the Kore 99, which fills an interesting spot in their line of lightweight resort Kore skis. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.

17/18 Scott Scrapper 115
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Scott’s lightweight pow ski, the Scrapper 115.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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ON3P Skis 18/19 Lineup (Ep.12)
ON3P is releasing their entire new lineup early next month. So we talk to ON3P’s Scott Andrus about this decision, then go over every ski in the new line, including what’s new, what’s unchanged, and what’s so new and experimental that Scott didn’t want to talk about it. (But we got him to anyway.)

Mont Bell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket
At less than 140 grams, the Mont Bell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket is incredibly light. But just how useful is this stripped-back, minimalist mid layer? Check out our review.

2nd Look: Moment Bibby Tour vs. Moment Bibby / Blister Pro
Blister reviewer, Noah Bodman, has spent a good bit of time on both the Moment Bibby Tour and Moment Bibby / Blister Pro, so he shares his thoughts on how the two skis compare.

2021-2022 Blizzard Rustler 11
We’ve now had four reviewers on the Blizzard Rustler 11 in a variety of conditions. Check out our full review, where they all weigh in.

Fixing Dangerous Bolts: Greg Barnes and the ASCA (Ep.6)
When climbing outside, how safe are the bolts we encounter? Should we trust them? Who maintains and / or replaces them? Greg Barnes, the Director of the American Safe Climbing Association, answers all our questions about bolts and more.

Adam Ondra’s “Silence”
What did it take to send the hardest sport route in the world? Watch the remarkable process.

Blister in Telluride: Trip Report
We’re heading back to Telluride on Friday to test a lot more 18/19 gear. So while we mount up more skis, check out our trip report and gallery from the last trip, then come join us!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Deep Dive: Moment Deathwish
We compare the Deathwish to the Moment Wildcat 108, Moment Meridian, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 11, Faction Prodigy 4.0, ON3P Woodsman 108, ON3P Jeffrey 108, Nordica Enforcer 110, Sego Big Horn 106, Line Sir Francis Bacon, & K2 Mindbender 108 Ti.
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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Nordica Announces New Santa Ana Skis
Nordica announced today that they’re overhauling their excellent Santa Ana skis. Check out our writeup to see what’s new with the 20/21 skis.

Flash Review: 19/20 4FRNT Renegade
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Renegade.
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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Trail Sisters founder, Gina Lucrezi (Ep.35)
Trail Sisters is a trail running community for women and an online journal that offer lots of great resources — including articles and stories, grants, retreats, directories for female coaches, trail locations, and races that meet the trail sisters standards for gender equity. So we spoke to Gina Lucrezi, the founder of Trail Sisters, about the unusual way in which Gina got into running; her impressive accomplishments as a runner; the remarkable things happening at Trail Sisters; the ways you can get involved with and support Trail Sisters; and more.

2021-2022 Åsnes Voss Z’N
Åsnes is a Norwegian brand that has been making skis for 95 years, and this year we’re testing their big-mountain-touring ski, the Voss Z’N. Check out our video First Look & writeup.

Thor Verdonk: A Life in Ski & Ski Boot Design (Ep.117)
In the world of ski and ski boot design, Thor Verdonk is well known and very well respected. So we talked to Thor about his background, his 25+ year career with the Rossignol Group and how he became the Global Brand Director for Lange, then we talk about the history of ski design and ski boot design; developing the Rossi S7; and we get his predictions about what the ski industry will look like 10 years from now.

Armada Announces New Declivity Skis
Armada just announced a completely new line of directional, metal-laminate skis that features some interesting technology. Check out our writeup to learn more about the new 20/21 Armada Declivity Series.

Winter Baby Outerwear Roundup
If you’re looking for ways to let your little one comfortably enjoy the (cold) fresh air this winter, check out our baby outerwear roundup where we cover a variety of pieces from one-pieces to jackets to overalls.

Win a 2-Night Stay at Elevation in Crested Butte
Enter for your chance to come ride with us in Crested Butte!

The Future of Lange & the New XT3 Ski Boot (Ep.83)
On our latest episode of GEAR:30, we talk to Lange’s Global Brand Director, Thor Verdonk, about Lange’s use of “dual core” technology; why “ski boots should be alive”; the brand-new, 3rd generation, Lange “XT3”; heat-moldable shells; 3d printed boots; the future of Lange; and more.

2021-2022 Atomic Backland 107
We’ve had two reviewers skiing Atomic’s Backland 107 on everything from July suncups to deep mid-winter pow. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons of this freeride touring ski.

Deep Dive: Atomic Backland 107
We compare the Backland 107 to the Black Diamond Helio 105, Blizzard Zero G 105, K2 Wayback 106, Line Vision 108, Ampler Facelift 108, G3 FINDr 102, 4FRNT Raven, & Moment Wildcat Tour 108.