BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2020-2021 Spark R&D Surge Splitboard Binding
Spark R&D updated their Surge binding for the 17/18 season. So how burly is it, and how does it compare to other lightweight, stiff splitboard bindings like the Karakoram Prime Carbon?
New Grade300 wheelset from Industry 9
Industry Nine has debuted a new downhill wheel, the Grade300. Here are more of the details…
What’s Up with K2? And Rossignol Mtn Bikes? (Ep.50)
To mark the occasion of our 50th episode, we bring back our very first guest on the podcast, Jed Yeiser, to talk about what’s going on at K2, Rossignol’s move into mountain biking, and more.
2020-2021 Parlor Skis Mountain Jay
The Parlor Skis Mountain Jay has a unique shape and rocker profile that immediately got our attention, and you can now read our full review.
Rossignol Introduces … Mtn Bikes?
One of the largest, most historic ski manufacturers in the world is introducing a collection of mountain bikes.
2017-2018 Head Monster 88
Here’s our full review of the new Head Monster 88.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
CushCore Pro Tire Inserts
We recently published Noah Bodman’s take on CushCore’s Pro tire inserts, and now David Golay adds his thoughts. Check them out here.
Biking 101: Bike Fit & Geometry — Part 1
Selecting the “right” bike means selecting the right *size* bike — and understanding how a bike’s “geometry” affects that. So check out our Bike Fit & Geometry 101 article to learn more about a bike’s geometry and how it affects both fit and performance.
What You’re Wearing, Part 4: Hemp (Ep.65)
Shooting hemp t-shirts with guns; eating hemp seeds; building houses with hemp; and industrial hemp legalization in the US — Part 4 of our “What You’re Wearing” series tackles the complex history, misconceptions, and many uses of hemp.
Claudio Caluori on the World Cup DH Season (Ep.9)
Coming straight to Crested Butte after the amazing World Cup season finale, Claudio Caluori sits down with Jonathan Ellsworth in BLISTER HQ to discuss whether this was the best WC DH season ever; Loic Bruni & Amaury Pierron’s epic battle; his biggest takeaways from the men’s and women’s seasons; and what, if anything, could be done to make the series even better.
Win a G3 ZED Touring Binding
We have 2 big announcements this week: (1) you can win a pair of G3 ZED bindings and (2) Blister Members now get 10% off & free shipping on everything from G3. Learn more here.
Blister Brand Guide: Altra Lineup, 2019
Timp 1.5 vs. Lone Peak 4. Paradigm 4.5 vs. Duo 1.5. What sets Altra’s shoes apart from one another, and which is the best shoe for you? Check out our Brand Guide for an overview of their entire road and trail lineup.
Blister Brand Guide: Specialized Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
In our new “Blister Brand Guide” series, we go over the entire product lineup of a brand, highlight how each product stands out from the rest of the lineup, and help you figure out quickly and easily which one might be best for you. First up on the MTB side: Specialized.
2020 Ibis Ripmo AF
Today Ibis announced the brand-new Ripmo AF, as in “aluminum frame.” As in, the first all-aluminum Ibis bike since they reopened shop in 2005. But there’s a whole lot more to this new Trail / Enduro bike than just being made of metal — check out our First Look for more info.