BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Camo is the New Black: Interbike 2017 (Ep.56)
On location in Las Vegas, we talk to Blister bike editor, Noah Bodman, about the current state of Interbike; the most intriguing bikes we rode; the most interesting products we’ve seen; and the most bizarre stuff on the trade show floor.
DPS’ The Shadow Campaign: “The Space Within”
Missing deep days? Check out the new video from DPS Cinematic.
Down vs. Synthetic: Ethical & Environmental Issues
Is down insulation a “green” material? How do synthetics compare? We discuss the environmental and ethical impacts of insulation in our Topic of the Week.
17/18 Blizzard Rustler 11
Here are our initial on-snow reports on the Blizzard Rustler 11 from three different Blister reviewers.
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.)
Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody II
Want to ditch your slimy sunscreen? Want sun protection that works year-round, and not just for the dog days of summer? If so, the Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody II is worth a look …
Edelrid Mega Jul Belay Device
The Edelrid Mega Jul offers an intriguing combination of assisted braking functionality and minimal weight, and though it’s not the best all-around belay device, it performs well in particular climbing situations.
Peter Bauer on the Past, Present, & Future of Snowboarding (Ep.55)
We talk to Peter Bauer (4-time world champ, freeriding pioneer, and co-founder of Amplid) about the history and culture of snowboarding, its inextricable ties to skiing, and the current health of the sport.
2017 YT Capra AL Comp
The Capra is a very downhill-oriented bike that offers a huge margin for error when things go awry. While it’s not a do-everything Trail bike, YT succeeded in making the Capra a bike that does exactly what a lot of riders want out of their long-travel rigs. And compared to just about every brand out there, the bang for the buck that YT offers is unbeatable.
Big vs. Small Ski Companies — Who’s Building Better Skis?
When it comes to building the best skis, do the big brands have the edge, or is there an advantage to being the little guy?
Numinous (featuring Kye Petersen)
The latest from Dendrite Studios features rowdy lines and their signature stunning visuals.
2017 SRAM Code RSC Brakes
Our Mountain Bike editor calls the SRAM Code brakes the best he’s ever ridden. Check out his review to see why.
2018-2019 Fischer Pro Mtn 95 Ti
The Fischer Pro Mtn 95 Ti has a combination of construction elements that we’ve never seen in a ski we’ve tested. So what’s the end result? Check out our full review.
Seagull Commuter Sling
After over a year and a half of daily use, the Seagull Commuter Sling has proven to be one of our favorite messenger bags.
Adam Ondra’s New Grade + DH World Championships (Ep.54)
This week, we discuss the hardest sport route in the world and Adam Ondra’s proposed new grade, then debate (and bet on) this weekend’s World Championships Downhill races in Cairns, Australia.
Evolv Zender Shoe
The Evolv Zender effectively blends comfort, lightweight construction, scrambling performance, and low cost, making it a great option as an all-around approach shoe.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Why We Built a Running-Shoe Brand Guide (Ep.17)
Finding the right running shoe can be extremely complicated and confusing. So reviewers Luke Koppa, Jonathan Ellsworth, Maddie Hart, and Gordon Gianniny discuss our new BLISTER Brand Guide to Running Shoes; why we saw a need for it; what we hope it accomplishes for runners everywhere; and the trends and takeaways we’ve seen in the process of building it.
Blister Speaker Series 2.1: Claudio Caluori (Ep.101)
Last week, we kicked off season #2 of our monthly Blister Speaker Series at Western Colorado University, where we invite influential figures to come talk about how they are shaping the outdoor industry. Our first guest of the new season was Claudio Caluori, the announcer for the World Cup Downhill series, a former pro XC and DH racer, the founder of Velosolutions, and the initiator of #pumpforpeace. We touch on all of these things in our conversation, and get Claudio’s perspective on a wide range of topics and questions.
VIDEO: Claudio Caluori on the World Cup DH Season
We’ll be rolling out videos of many of our podcasts, and the first one is our conversation with Claudio Caluori, where he recaps the extremely exciting season and finale of the World Cup Downhill series. Watch it here.
Our Upcoming Trip to Moab with 57 Hours
We’re heading to Moab for a multi-sport trip, and we’re linking up with a 57 Hours guide to do it. Learn more about our trip, the backstory, and more.
2019 Specialized Enduro 27.5
Specialized recently released a new Enduro, but whether you’re looking at the resale market, don’t love the new Enduro’s geometry or 29er-only design, or are just looking for a versatile Enduro / Trail bike, we think the Enduro 27.5 still deserves strong consideration. Check out Eric Freson’s full review, and Luke Koppa also adds his thoughts from the perspective of a newcomer to the sport.
CushCore Pro Tire Inserts
We recently published Noah Bodman’s take on CushCore’s Pro tire inserts, and now David Golay adds his thoughts. Check them out here.
Biking 101: Bike Fit & Geometry — Part 1
Selecting the “right” bike means selecting the right *size* bike — and understanding how a bike’s “geometry” affects that. So check out our Bike Fit & Geometry 101 article to learn more about a bike’s geometry and how it affects both fit and performance.
What You’re Wearing, Part 4: Hemp (Ep.65)
Shooting hemp t-shirts with guns; eating hemp seeds; building houses with hemp; and industrial hemp legalization in the US — Part 4 of our “What You’re Wearing” series tackles the complex history, misconceptions, and many uses of hemp.
Claudio Caluori on the World Cup DH Season (Ep.9)
Coming straight to Crested Butte after the amazing World Cup season finale, Claudio Caluori sits down with Jonathan Ellsworth in BLISTER HQ to discuss whether this was the best WC DH season ever; Loic Bruni & Amaury Pierron’s epic battle; his biggest takeaways from the men’s and women’s seasons; and what, if anything, could be done to make the series even better.
Win a G3 ZED Touring Binding
We have 2 big announcements this week: (1) you can win a pair of G3 ZED bindings and (2) Blister Members now get 10% off & free shipping on everything from G3. Learn more here.
Blister Brand Guide: Altra Lineup, 2019
Timp 1.5 vs. Lone Peak 4. Paradigm 4.5 vs. Duo 1.5. What sets Altra’s shoes apart from one another, and which is the best shoe for you? Check out our Brand Guide for an overview of their entire road and trail lineup.
Blister Brand Guide: Specialized Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
In our new “Blister Brand Guide” series, we go over the entire product lineup of a brand, highlight how each product stands out from the rest of the lineup, and help you figure out quickly and easily which one might be best for you. First up on the MTB side: Specialized.