BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2017 Yeti SB4.5
The Yeti SB4.5 has a blend of efficiency and stability that’s unlike most bikes in its class.
Spring Ski Review Trip – Mt Bachelor
We’re heading back to Mount Bachelor with a heavy-hitting lineup of new skis. Check out what we’re bringing, and why you ought to join us.
New Bike Stuff! (Ep.39)
We talk to Blister’s bike editor, Noah Bodman, about where the most innovations are taking place in the bike world; whether e-bikes are gaining acceptance; several particular bikes (including the YT Jeffsy, the Canyon Spectral, and a couple of “plus” bikes); and the upcoming World Cup DH season.
2020-2021 Rossignol XV Magtek Splitboard
The Rossignol XV Magtek Split is a powerful and versatile splitboard.
2017-2018 Liv Hail Advanced 1
The new Liv Hail is a women’s-specific, all-mountain bike for riders who prioritize fast and aggressive descending.
Arctic Oven Igloo Tent
If you’re looking for ways to spend extended periods of time in the wilderness for ski touring, fishing, surfing, hunting, etc., the made-in-Alaska Arctic Oven Igloo heated tent is one of the very best options we’ve used.
New Release: 2018 Fox Forks and Shocks
Fox just realeased their new shock and fork lineup.
2017 Banshee Phantom
After more time on the Banshee Phantom, we’ve got an update.
DPS Skis Founder, Stephan Drake (Ep.38)
We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the early days of DPS, ski design, and the new DPS ski boot that aims to change skiing as we know it.
Tipsy Elves Powder Blaster Ski Suit
Sure, the Tipsy Elves Powder Blaster Ski Suit is awesome, but is it bright enough? And warm? And how many beers does it hold?
2017 Surly Karate Monkey
The Surly Karate Monkey was the cheapest, and the simplest bike we rode at Interbike, but was it the most fun?
2017 Pivot Mach 429 Trail
If “XC with a bit extra” sounds like your cup of tea, the Pivot Mach 429 Trail is a great option.
2019-2020 Liberty Origin Pro
The Liberty Schuster Pro is a fun and versatile powder ski that shouldn’t be overlooked by skiers looking for a more directional ride.
Roxa R3 130 T.I. Boot
Roxa’s new R3 130 T.I. may have flown a bit under the radar at the trade shows, but it has proven to be a capable boot
2018-2019 CAST Freetour System
With their Freetour System, CAST aims to meld no-compromise downhill performance with the uphill efficiency of a tech touring binding.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
19/20 Faction Candide 5.0
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of Candide Thovex’s signature ski.
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A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 2: Flex Patterns (Ep.55)
We’re talking again with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, about the messy world of ski boot flex ratings; the actual differences between some brands’ 120 and 130 rated boot; how Atomic arrives at their own flex ratings; the next areas of innovation that Atomic is focused on, and more.
Guerrilla Gravity’s New Bikes & Big Ideas (Ep.3)
When a small indie bike company with a heavy-metal vibe makes extremely big claims about the cutting-edge materials they are using to manufacture bikes right here in the USA, and doing all of this at a pretty modest price point … are they full of crap, or are they truly onto something here? And if so, how big of a deal is this? Jonathan Ellsworth headed to Guerrilla Gravity HQ in Denver to sit down with their co-founders and their director of composites to find out.
Video: Riding in Gunnison – Crested Butte
Want to know why we *really* like the riding around here? This short video from Dakine will give you a taste of the rocky and desert-like riding around Gunnison, and the aspen forests and high-alpine terrain around Crested Butte.
Jennifer Pharr Davis on ‘Hiking’ vs ‘Trail Running’ Culture (Ep.7)
Scott Jurek called his attempt to break Jennifer Pharr Davis’ FKT record for hiking the Appalachian Trail the hardest thing he’d ever done. And yet, hiking and thru-hiking often isn’t given proper credit either as a monumental test of endurance, or as a more accessible / less intimidating activity to get more people outdoors. So we talk to Jennifer about the divides between hiking culture & trail running culture; lessons from her book, The Pursuit of Endurance, and more.
2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 116C
Apart from the name, the new K2 Mindbender 116C doesn’t share a lot in common with the Mindbender 99Ti and Mindbender 108Ti. And that’s no accident. Check out our full review for more.
Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 116C
We compare the Mindbender 116C to the Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Rossignol Super 7 RD, Rossignol Super 7 HD, Line Sick Day 114, Blizzard Rustler 11, Head Kore 117, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Faction Dictator 4.0, Blizzard Spur, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, 4FRNT Inthayne, Icelantic Nomad 115, Nordica Enforcer Pro, and Faction Candide 4.0.
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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Running Shirt Roundup — 2019
Tired of being hot and sweaty all summer? Check out our running shirt roundup for a bunch of options that’ll work just as well for your next ultra as they will for your next session on the treadmill.
A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots — Part 1: Plastics (Ep.54)
Ski boots are made of plastic, and different plastics feel and perform very differently from one another. So we get deep into the details with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, to help you figure out which plastics are used in your ski boots, and the pros & cons & general performance characteristics of different plastics — which will help you understand why you might like or dislike your current boots, and what you ought to be looking for in your next pair.
2020-2021 Liberty Origin 106
When we first saw the 19/20 Liberty Origin 106, we thought the new ski could have increased versatility without losing much of what made it stand out from the competition. And after spending time on it, we think that’s exactly what Liberty has achieved. Check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Liberty Origin 106
We compare the updated Origin 106 to the previous Liberty Origin 106, Line Sick Day 104, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 106, Elan Ripstick 106, Renoun Citadel 106, Nordica Enforcer 110, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, 4FRNT MSP 107, Black Crows Corvus, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Prior Husume, J Skis Metal, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Blizzard Cochise, and Faction Dictator 3.0.
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.)