BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
DIN Settings, Age, & Related Questions
How do you decide when to run your DIN settings higher or lower than the chart recommends? And how much of a factor should age really be?
Sweet Protection Delirious Jacket
A good shell is essential for cold and / or wet bike rides, and the Sweet Protection Delirious Jacket is one of the best cycling shells we’ve ever used.
The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
The North Face Ventrix Hoodie is a very good breathable mid layer that, the more we use it, the more often we’re grabbing it for skiing, climbing, or heading to town.
2019-2020 K2 Ikonic 84 Ti
We figured we’d end 2017 talking about one of the new skis that’s impressed us the most, and why it earned a Blister “Best Of” award — the K2 Ikonic 84 Ti.
Black Sheep Sports, Sebastian Steinbach (Ep.6)
Back in 2010, Sebastian Steinbach had the crazy idea to defy traditional European ski culture and open a freeride-specific ski shop in Munich, Germany. We talk to Sebastian about what he was thinking (???), differences between European & North American ski culture, and some of his current favorite products for skiing in the Alps.
Norrona Lyngen Hybrid Jacket and Pants
Norrona’s soft shell / hard shell Lyngen Hybrid Jacket and Pants are excellent options for those looking for a touring kit that effectively blends weather protection and breathability.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
4-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (19/20)
Check out part 2 of our reviewers’ 4-ski-quiver selections, including additions from Eric Freson, Kara Williard, Paul Forward, Sascha Anastas, and Sam Shaheen.
Reporter Jason Blevins on Backcountry.com (Ep.109)
Jason Blevins of the Colorado Sun broke the story about backcountry.com’s practices around trademark issues, so we talk to Jason about how this story got on his radar; the specifics of what backcountry.com was doing; how common or uncommon these practices are; how backcountry.com has subsequently responded; and what needs to be done going forward.
Our Climbing & MTB Trip with 57hours
With the help of 57hours and our guide, Willie Benegas, we spent a few days biking and climbing around Moab — check out our recap video and trip report.
5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (19/20)
It’s that time of year — we’re fantasizing about skiing and our ideal ski quivers. We’ll be rolling out a bunch of our reviewers’ personal selections, and we’re kicking it off with our 5-ski quivers.
What is The North Face Futurelight? (Ep.74)
The North Face is attempting to do something that many have tried, but few have succeeded: compete head-to-head with Gore-Tex in the waterproof / breathable fabric category. So we talked with Scott Mellin, the Global General Manager of Mountain Sports at The North Face, about their new fabric technology, Futurelight, the ideas behind it; what sets it apart in the waterproof / breathable fabric market; sustainability practices related to Futurelight; some stories from athlete testing, and much more.
Win an Avalanche Safety Course with 57hours
Win a 3-day AIARE Level 1 or Level 2 avalanche safety course!
Insulated Skirt Roundup
An insulated skirt may seem like a niche product, but after using several of them this fall, many of our reviewers now consider them an essential piece. Check out our roundup for a bunch of skirts that can take you from your morning run, bike, or ski tour all the way to après.
Blister Brand Guide: Topo Athletic Running Shoe Lineup, 2019
Topo Athletic takes a different approach than many brands when it comes to running shoes. They specialize in lower-drop shoes with wider, foot-shaped toe boxes, and their lineup covers a wide range of road and trail shoes. Check out our Brand Guide to figure out which Topo shoe might be best for you.
DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, no longer with DPS
UPDATE: We now have a statement from Stephan Drake regarding his departure from the company he founded.
Is Cappuccino Cowboys Ruining Ultrarunning? (Ep.25)
What is Cappuccino Cowboys, and who is the person behind it? Is he an evil genius hell-bent on ruining ultrarunning? A provocateur shaking up the stodgy state of running media? Or is he just a giant pain in the ass of Jim Walmsley, Eric Senseman, Jared Hazen, Cody Reed, Tommy Rivs and a few other unfortunate souls? We spoke to Mr. Cappuccino himself to find out.
Blister Speaker Series 2.3: Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson (Ep.108)
In our latest BLISTER Speaker Series at Western Colorado University, Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, talks about managing the significant growth of this indie brand; manufacturing in Sparks, Nevada; crucial decisions he’s had to make; how he would assess those decisions in hindsight; and more.
2019-2020 Renoun Citadel 114
Renoun is currently working on adding a wider ski to their lineup, and we recently received a prototype of their new Citadel 114. Check out our First Look for our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of this lightweight, uniquely constructed ski.