BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
La Sportiva Otaki
The Otaki is an all-around climbing shoe that La Sportiva says is closely related to the Katana Lace. So how similar or different are these two shoes, and where does the Otaki really shine?
2017 Scott Genius LT Plus
The Scott Genius LT 720 Plus offers a big, cushy ride that smooths out the trail. Kind of like one of those Zorbs. Read on…
Alex Honnold’s Free Solo of El Cap (Ep.43)
In this episode, Blister’s climbing editor joins us in the attempt to wrap our heads around Honnold’s successful free solo of El Cap, and to debate whether this is the greatest athletic achievement ever.
2017 Yeti SB5 Beti
The Yeti SB5 Beti is a fast and efficient women’s trail bike that really excels on the up.
2016-2017 Kastle BMX 105
Kastle calls the BMX 105 a “powerful freeride ski” that can handle pretty much anything. So where did we find it to really shine? Check out our full review.
Terrene Chunk Tire
Terrene is a new tire company offering a wide range of options. We’ve spent a wet fall and spring on their high-volume Chunk tire.
2017 Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX
Canyon is making its US debut this summer, and here’s our review of their Spectral CF 9.0 EX, their inexpensive, mid-travel bike that emphasizes maneuverability and playfulness.
2021-2022 Armada ARV 116 JJ
We’ve been spending time on Armada’s latest powder ski, the all-new ARV 116 JJ.
2017 YT Jeffsy 29
The YT Jeffsy 29 is more playful than you might expect from a semi-long-travel 29er. It’s also less expensive than you might expect, too.
17/18 Faction Dictator 3.0
I skied the Dictator 3.0 today, all day. It was my first day on the ski, and it was a bit surprising. So figured I’d post my initial impressions.
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2018-2019 K2 Split Bean
The K2 Split Bean is a super fun, responsive splitboard for jibbing and surfing deep snow, spring corn, and slush.
Rocky Mounts SplitRail Bike Rack
The Rocky Mounts SplitRail is a high-end rack that’s less expensive and lighter than other high-end options.
2018-2019 4FRNT Devastator
Here’s our full review of the 184 cm 4FRNT Devastator, with thoughts on length, mount point, stability vs maneuverability, and its suitability as a 1-ski quiver.
17/18 HEAD Kore 93
Here are our initial on-snow thoughts and impressions of the HEAD Kore 93.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: Nordica Enforcer Pro (vs Enforcer 110)
We’ll be getting a bit more time on the Enforcer Pro for our full review, but here are a bunch of notes and comparisons.
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2021-2022 Volkl Mantra 102
We had three reviewers on Volkl’s new Mantra 102 this year, and we all think it’s an excellent addition for skiers seeking high-speed stability and all-round performance.
Deep Dive: Volkl Mantra 102
We compare the Mantra 102 to the Mantra M5, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Head Monster 98, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Nordica Enforcer 100, Blizzard Bonafide, Blizzard Cochise, Fischer Ranger 99 Ti, Black Crows Corvus, J Skis Masterblaster, J Skis Metal, Salomon QST 99, 4FRNT MSP 99, Salomon QST 106, ON3P Wrenegade 96, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, and Moment Commander 98.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Reviewing the Reviewer: Luke Koppa (Ep.58)
Today we’re launching a new series on GEAR:30 called, “Reviewing the Reviewer,” where we’ll ask Blister reviewers questions, then score their answers to determine a cumulative grade for each reviewer. First up, BLISTER managing editor, Luke Koppa. (And ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, wrote in with some bonus questions for Luke, too.)
Win a Men’s or Women’s MTB Kit from Velocio
Get a jersey, outer short, inner bib short, gloves, and socks from Velocio’s MTB-oriented Trail collection!
BLISTER’s Maddie Hart Wins the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Miler (Ep.10)
BLISTER reviewer, Maddie Hart, just won the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Run, making her the youngest person — male or female — to ever win the event. So we talked to Maddie about the race; her strategy; her preparation for it; the gear she used; and her big achievement.
WTB Ranger 2.4 Tire
WTB recently introduced some narrower versions of its Ranger tire, and we think the Ranger 2.4 is a competitive option for those seeking a nice balance of low rolling resistance and traction in their XC or Trail tire.
2019 Santa Cruz Hightower LT
With the introduction of the redesigned Hightower and new Megatower, you’re probably going to see a lot of Santa Cruz Hightower LTs on the used market. So we put together a full review of the Hightower LT, and we think it’s still a great bike for those seeking a nice balance of playfulness and stability in their Trail bike.
From Skiing Park to Working for NASA: LJ Strenio (Ep.94)
Last week, LJ Strenio, posted a photo of a letter from NASA congratulating him on being accepted as an intern to the Armstrong Flight Research Facility. But how does a park skier from Vermont, this star of the LINE Traveling Circus, this guy who once served as Vin Diesel’s stunt double, and this guy who has a 29-minute crash reel that is shot after shot of him destroying himself, get accepted to work for NASA? We talked to LJ to get the whole story — and it’s a great one.
19/20 G3 FINDr 102
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of G3’s new magnet-equipped touring ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Altra Superior 4.0
This year Altra updated one of their long-standing, more minimal trail shoes, and we think the new Superior 4.0 may be a bit more divisive than the previous versions.
2020-2021 G3 FINDr 102
G3’s lightweight 19/20 FINDr series features something that we have never seen before in skis — magnets. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new FINDr 102.
2021-2022 Salomon QST 106
We were fans of the popular Salomon QST 106, and it was one of our top picks for “50/50” inbounds & backcountry use. But for 19/20, Salomon has redesigned this ski, and we think it now has a different target demographic. Check out our review of the new QST 106.