BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Patagonia Alpine Houdini Jacket
Patagonia’s Alpine Houdini is the waterproof version of their extremely popular Houdini jacket. We weigh in on its fit differences with the original Houdini, its versatility, and which version of the Houdini you should consider.
Strafe Pyramid Jacket
Strafe’s new Pyramid Jacket features an updated Neoshell membrane, and Strafe says it is equally at home in the backcountry as it is in the resort. So is this really a true “50/50” piece?
New Tech & Trends in Outerwear (Ep.49)
We talk to Blister’s outerwear editor, Sam Shaheen, about the most important new tech & trends in apparel; how & why he first got involved with Blister; starting his own outwear company at the age of 15, and more.
Salomon Bonatti Pro WP Jacket
We were impressed by Salomon’s Bonatti jacket last year, and there are some key improvements to the new Bonatti Pro WP that make it even better.
A Nearly Fatal Birthday, Part 2 (Ep.48)
On our last podcast, we told you about a serious ski accident that Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, was fortunate to survive. But the crash itself was only part of the story, and the weeks after the crash have been full of a number of very consequential events, decisions, and lessons, and we discuss them here.
Boreal Mutant
The Mutant is yet another shoe that is said to “excel in all areas,” but where does it really shine, and how does it compare to the competition?
Strafe Recon Jacket and Pants
The Recon Jacket and Pants are Strafe’s first foray into 4-season softshells, and we’ve been impressed by their performance.
Mammut Zephir Altitude Harness
The Mammut Zephir Altitude Harness is a very light and packable harness that’s great on glaciers or easy alpine climbs.
2018-2019 HEAD Kore 93
The HEAD Kore 93 is the lightest inbounds ski we’ve ever seen, and it punches well above its weight class in terms of stability. Check out our full review.
2019-2020 Salomon S/Lab X-Alp Boot
The new Salomon S/Lab X-Alp builds on the success of the Arc’teryx Procline with a more ski-focused design.
Rockshox Reverb 1x Remote
The Rockshox Reverb is one of the most ubiquitous dropper posts on the market, but it’s always had one major shortcoming: the remote. The new 1x Remote sets out to fix that.
17/18 Faction Prodigy 2.0
Here are our initial impressions after a couple days on snow with the Faction Prodigy 2.0.
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2019-2020 G3 SENDr 112
The G3 SENDr 112 is supposed to be a hard-charging, backcountry ski. So how serious of a ski is it, and where does it truly excel?
A Nearly Fatal Birthday in the Backcountry (Ep.47)
On July 9, Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, was involved in a near-fatal fall while ski touring on Independence Pass. This is the account of what happened; what can be learned from the incident and our decision-making; and what’s next for him.
2017 Yeti SB5
If you’re looking for a mellow cruiser, the Yeti SB5 wouldn’t be our first recommendation. But if you want a versatile bike that can be rallied hard, it should be on your short list.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Biotech hits the Backcountry: Checkerspot & WNDR Alpine (Ep.98)
What does biotech have to do with backcountry skiing? And what does microalgae have to do with skis? And why did the founder of 4FRNT Skis, Matt Sterbenz, agree to get involved with a new startup ski brand, WNDR Alpine? We sat down in Blister HQ with Checkerspot co-founder and CEO, Charlie Dimmler, and WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, to talk about the creation of WNDR Alpine; its relation to and the mission of Checkerspot; and more.
What You’re Wearing Part 2: Wool (Ep.62)
Why are more and more companies making products out of wool? What makes it unique from other fibers? And how is merino wool different from regular wool? We talk to Icebreaker’s Josh Vaughan about these questions; wool’s environmental impact; the variety of wool types and how they differ; and he provides some amazingly in-depth insight about wool’s unique properties.
La Sportiva TX3 Shoe
Approach shoes vary a lot, from casual sneaker styles to others that are basically toned-down mountaineering boots. So where does La Sportiva’s TX3 fall, and how does it compare to the competition? Check out our full review.
2019 BTR Ranger 27.5
“Enduro Hardtail” — sound like an oxymoron? Well BTR, a custom builder out of England, makes them, and one of our reviewers has spent the past 2 years riding their long and slack steel hardtail, with some surprising conclusions. Check out the full review of the BTR Ranger.
Runner, Cat Herder, Garbage Man, & Mad Moose Events Director, Justin Ricks (Ep.13)
We talk to Mad Moose race director, Justin Ricks, about walking away from running; returning to running — and leaving a secure corporate job and moving his family into a camper to do so; putting on 20+ race events a year with his family; scoring impressive results when he himself decides to race; and how running is very much a whole family affair for the Ricks’.
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5
A lot of running shoes are marketed as being good for “all terrain,” though few actually deliver. But we think the Hoka Challenger ATR5 truly does, and you can check out our full review to see where this shoe shines in particular.
How to Change the World with Bikes: World Bicycle Relief (Ep.97)
For many of us, bikes are primarily fun. But for many others, bikes are major drivers of economic development, educational opportunity, health care, and equality. World Bicycle Relief was started by the founder of SRAM to provide bikes to developing countries, and we talk with WBR’s CEO, Dave Neiswander, about the origins of World Bicycle Relief; its trajectory and challenges; all the product design that goes into their bikes; and what each of us can do to support the WBR mission.
Crosson Skis founder, Chase Englehart (Ep.61)
Crosson Skis is a small, new company that’s making some very big claims. So we talk to their founder, Chase Englehart, about the origins of Crosson; what makes their skis different — and better; building skis outside of Seattle; working with athletes like Bobby Brown and Banks Gilberti; and their 19/20 lineup.
World Bicycle Relief: Making a Better World with Bikes (Ep.7)
For many of us, bikes are primarily fun. But for many others, bikes are major drivers of economic development, educational opportunity, health care, and equality. World Bicycle Relief was started by the founder of SRAM to provide bikes to developing countries, and we talk with WBR’s CEO, Dave Neiswander, about the origins of World Bicycle Relief; its trajectory and challenges; all the product design that goes into their bikes; and what each of us can do to support the WBR mission.
19/20 Icelantic Nomad 105
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Icelantic’s new Nomad 105.
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.)
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