BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2017-2018 Line Sir Francis Bacon, 190 cm
Many of you have asked us about it, so here are our initial impressions of the 190 cm Line Sir Francis Bacon.
2-Ski Quiver: Reviewers’ Choices (17/18)
Last week we presented our three-ski quiver selections. Time now to look at the two-ski quiver selections of some of our reviewers.
Men’s Everyday Casual / Tech Pants
Pants are pants, right? But now there are a bunch of options that blend functional performance with better styling, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites for handling everything from bike commuting to afternoon climbing sessions (and they won’t make you look like a dork).
Win Your Choice of Pret Helmets
This week, we’re giving away a helmet to 1 guy and 1 girl, so enter now for a chance to win the Pret helmet of your choice.
2020-2021 Rossignol XV Sushi LF
While it’s not the hard charger you’d expect from Xavier De La Rue, the new XV Sushi LF is a very fun board that could change the way you approach the mountain.
Danny Davis on Peace Park, the Olympics, and More (Ep.61)
We talk to Danny Davis about the upcoming Peace Park 6; why Peace Park should become a new discipline; “technical” tricks vs. “stylish” tricks; the Olympics; and the need for a unified snowboarding tour; and Danny’s growing passion for splitboarding.
East-Coast vs West-Coast Skis?
In our latest Topic of the Week, we dive into the question of how important “location” is for selecting the right ski.
Patagonia Black Hole 32L Backpack
With a water resistant, durable fabric and an easy-access design, Patagonia’s Black Hole 32L Backpack is a great option for an everyday daypack.
Pearl Izumi Launch Shorts and Summit Gloves
From the trail to the bike park, we’ve been impressed by the versatility of Pearl Izumi’s recently updated Launch Shorts and Summit Gloves.
17/18 Line Sick Day 114
We’ve now spent some time on both lengths of the Line Sick Day 114 – and done so both in and out of the resort – so here our initial performance notes and comments.
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2017 Sterling Fusion Nano IX Rope
Sterling’s revamped Fusion Nano IX rope put up some impressive numbers in lab tests, so we took it out in a variety of conditions to see how it fares in the real world.
Dakine Sawtooth Jacket and Stoker Bibs
Style or functionality? When it comes to ski outerwear, you often have to choose one, but Dakine’s Sawtooth Jacket and Stoker Bibs aim to change that.
Brooks Range Mountaineering Alpha Softshell
The Brooks Range Alpha Softshell is a unique piece that has become one of our favorite layers for climbing. Check out our review to find out why.
3-Ski Quiver: Reviewers’ Choices (17/18)
It was time to update our ski-quiver selections, so we’ve asked some of our reviewers to talk about how they think about assembling a quiver and provide their personal choices, starting with their 3-ski quivers.
Dakine Drafter 14L Pack
The Dakine Drafter 14L is a breathable and comfortable solution for carrying gear on long bike rides (especially for riders who don’t generally like wearing a pack).
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
‘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.
Win Ski Boots from Scarpa
Pick any boot you want from Scarpa’s Maestrale & Gea lines!
Blister Brand Guide: Commencal Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
Commencal is one of a few direct-to-consumer MTB brands, which means many of their bikes are significantly cheaper than their competitors. They also make several bikes that cover a pretty broad range of end uses, so check out our Brand Guide to figure out which of their bikes could be a good fit for you.
Blister Brand Guide: La Sportiva Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2019
La Sportiva has made a name for itself in many categories, including the trail running world. Their trail running shoes range from minimal race shoes to burly options designed for rough terrain, and you can check out our Brand Guide to see what sets each Sportiva shoe apart from the others.