BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 25/26 Völkl Mantra 84
Today we take a look at Völkl’s narrowest ‘Mantra’ — the redesigned Mantra 84.
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2025-2026 Völkl Mantra 84
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the brand-new Völkl Mantra 84.
Pursuing Excellence in the Service of Others: Jeff Galli, Campione Roman Kitchen (Ep.64)
Today we’re talking about the pursuit of excellence and how that can demonstrate a deep care for other people with Jeff Galli, the GM and co-owner of Campione, a roman kitchen in Livingston, Montana that was named to the New York Time’s 50 Best Restaurants in the U.S. list in 2023.
Project321 RG3 Hubs
We’ve been very impressed with Project321’s G3 mountain bike hubs, and now they’ve got a pared-down road and gravel version: the RG3. Check them out here.
Norco Sight VLT CX
The Norco Sight VLT CX keeps its high pivot suspension layout but manages to pack a huge 800 Wh battery while weighing a claimed 20% less than the old one. That’s an impressive trick — let’s see how they’ve pulled it off.
Flash Review: 2026 Fox DHX2
We’ve started spending time on the new Fox DHX2. Check out how it’s going so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 ZAG Mata
The nebulous but growing class of ‘fun carvers’ is an exciting one, and ZAG’s Mata is one of the latest additions. Here’s our Full Review of this 90mm-wide, asymmetrical ski that ZAG describes as “aggressive but not exclusive.”
Deep Dive: ZAG Mata
We compare the ZAG Mata to the Line Blade, Black Crows Mirus Cor, Folsom Spar Turbo, Black Crows Octo, ZAG Harfang 96, Fischer The Curv GT 85, ZAG Slap 98, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Dynastar M-Cross 88, K2 Mindbender 90C, Salomon Stance 90, Wagner Summit 91, & 4FRNT MSP 91.
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.
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Stuff We Like: March 2025
In this month’s edition of Stuff We Like, our reviewers cover everything from multifunctional apparel to several gear-organization solutions, snowboard-boot liners, ski outerwear, snowsports backpacks, and more.
2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2
Right on the heels of giving their fork lineup a big overhaul, Fox has new versions of their Float X2 and DHX2 gravity shocks. It’s a big refresh, too, including completely different damper architecture and a bunch more. Check out what’s changed.
2025-2026 Völkl Mantra 84 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the women’s Völkl Mantra 84 W.
2024-2025 Atomic X9S Retro ARC 735 RS
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Atomic X9S Retro ARC 735 RS.
2024-2025 ON3P Jeffrey 92
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Jeffrey 92.
Ted Ligety on Ski Tuning, World Cup Racing, & the Art of Going Fast (Ep.340)
As part of the 5850 Fest at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Jonathan talked with Ted Ligety about the tricky conditions and the very challenging course here in Sun Valley for the Super G and GS races, and the incredibly demanding business of going fast.
Win Running Apparel From Path Projects
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a Graves PX Shell Jacket, Kessler LS Tee, and Graves PX shorts from Path Projects! Enter before Friday, April 4th for your chance to win.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Reviewer Reports: Testing at Palisades, Ski Touring Gear, Favorite Ski Socks & Midlayers (Ep.346)
Luke, Kristin, and Jonathan discuss some of the skis, boots, and bindings that have stood out during their recent testing; Luke’s experience at Palisades Tahoe + Level 1 SuperUnknown; which ski socks they each used most this season; some interesting new midlayers, & more.
Win a Portable Ramp From MTB Hopper
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Lite 2025 Portable Ramp from MTB Hopper!
The Resurrection of Kona w/ Jacob Heilbron (Ep.273)
In April 2024, Kona Bikes set up their tent at Sea Otter and promptly tore it back down. Kent Outdoors, which owned Kona at the time, pulled the rug right out from under them and declared that Kona was no longer in business. A year later, we check in with Kona founder Jacob Heilbron about selling Kona to Kent, how things have been since buying it back, and more.
Enve M6 Wheels
Enve’s flagship M-Series wheels have historically been quite stiff — arguably to a fault — but their latest fifth-generation versions are claimed to be far more compliant and more durable. Here’s what we’ve found after seven months on the Trail-oriented M6 wheels.
2025-2026 Head Kore 87 Ti W
Head overhauled their longstanding and popular Kore skis for the 2025-2026 season, and we’ve been spending time on all of the new models. So, how similar or different are these new Kores? We’re kicking off our Full Reviews with the narrowest of the bunch, the Kore 87 Ti W.
Deep Dive: Head Kore 87 Ti W
We compare the Kore 87 Ti W to the previous Kore 85 W, new Kore 93 Ti, Blizzard Black Pearl 88, Nordica Santa Ana 88, Salomon Stance 88 W, Elan Ripstick 94 W, DPS Wailer 90, Nordica Santa Ana 92, K2 Mindbender 89Ti W, Volkl Mantra 84 W, Majesty Havoc 90 Ti, & Salomon QST Lux 92.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Amateur Hour: Tequila, with Simon Stewart, Eli Brown, & Troy Rarick (Ep.69)
CRAFTED co-hosts Simon Stewart and Eli Brown talk with Troy Rarick, the founder of Over the Edge bike shops and the person who first got Simon into tequila, about why tequila might be the quintessential craft spirit. They also share their current favorite tequilas, some advice on how to choose a good bottle; and more.
FSA Gradient Cranks, Wheels, and Cockpit
FSA just dropped a full new Gradient lineup aimed at the Enduro side of the sport, including a new wheelset, cranks, bars, and stems. We’ve spent a few months riding the whole lot for a few months now with promising results — check out our Full Review.
Canyon Sender CFR
Troy Brosnan’s Mont-Saint Anne-winning Canyon Sender CFR is officially available to the public. The big update is the high pivot suspension layout, but it gets further refinements in nearly every other area of the design. Check out Canyon’s new Downhill race bike in our First Look.
DT Swiss to Close Trickstuff HQ, Consoldate Operations
DT Swiss is closing Trickstuff’s original headquarters, and relocating the brand to existing DT facilities. Here’s the rundown.
Mali Noyes’ Incredible Feat: Skiing the Chuting Gallery in 47 Days (Ep.355)
Mali Noyes just pulled off a mind-blowing feat: skiing the Chuting Gallery in 47 days. So how did she do it? And what led her to try? Jonathan talks with Mali about all of it, including some of the best advice she received from Greg Hill, Cody Townsend, Janelle Smiley, and Sam Smoothy.
Flash Review: 25/26 Rossignol Arcade 94
Update 5.5.25: We’ve added some more thoughts on Rossignol’s new piste-oriented ski, including how the Arcade 94 handles the very variable conditions of the spring, and its off-piste capabilities.
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.
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