BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
10 Notable Things We Saw at Interbike
There’s lots of talk *about* Interbike these days, but what were the most noteworthy things we saw at Interbike? Here’s our Top 10.
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.
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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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Support Robb Gaffney
Robb Gaffney is a historic figure in the ski world, and he & his family need our help. Robb (who wrote the book Squallywood, created the Game of GNAR, and produced GNAR The Movie) was diagnosed with a rare form of bone-marrow cancer that he’s fighting hard against. But that has left him unable to work for the foreseeable future, and this has created a very significant financial burden for his family. A GoFundMe page has been started for Robb, and we would ask you to please make a donation.
Strafe Sickbird Suit
One-piece snowsuits have had an interesting history. They were once very common, then they became a bit of a joke, and now some brands are making high-end one-pieces with modern materials and features. The Strafe Sickbird Suit falls into that last category, and we’ve come away both surprised and impressed by it. Check out our review.
2020-2021 Liberty Genome
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere officially ends tomorrow, and just in case that’s got you down, we thought we’d get you dreaming of skiing deep pow on super-fat skis. So check out our full review of the 140mm-wide Liberty Genome.
Folsom Skis & the New Blister Pro 104 (Ep.66)
We’ve been working on a special project with Folsom Skis, and it’s finally time to discuss the details with Folsom’s Mike McCabe. We also talk about Folsom’s (insane?) new plan to build and deliver custom skis in 2-3 days; go over a few highlights from the 19/20 Folsom lineup; and we ask Mike how much of a nightmare it was to work with us on this project.
Win a Backpack from Mystery Ranch
Enter now to win Mystery Ranch’s brand-new alpine pack, the Scepter 35.
Blister Brand Guide: Santa Cruz / Juliana Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
Santa Cruz and its sister brand, Juliana, have garnered a strong following over the years, and they make a wide range of mountain bikes. Check out our Brand Guide for an overview of their entire lineups.
Blister Brand Guide: Salomon Running Shoe Lineup, 2019
From shoes designed to help Kilian Jornet dance up technical terrain, to studded winter spikes and everyday road and trail shoes, Salomon makes a really wide variety of running shoes. Check out our Salomon Brand Guide to quickly get clear on their whole lineup and figure out which shoes might work best for you.
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.