BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
3rd Look: Salomon MTN Explore
Two Blister reviewers have loved the Salomon MTN Explore boot. Now David Steele weighs in with his impressions.
Deep Dive: HEAD Kore 117
We compare the Head Kore 117 to the Rossignol Super 7 RD and HD, Salomon QST 118, Nordica Enforcer Pro, Volkl Confession, and more.
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2nd Look: HEAD Kore 117
Here’s our 2nd Look at the HEAD Kore 117, with time on the ski now in Alaska and Mt Bachelor.
3rd Look: 2017-2018 Blizzard Cochise
The Cochise has been one of the most important all-mountain skis on the market for years, and it comes back unchanged for 17/18. So it was time to take a fresh look at the ski, offer new comparisons, and see how the Cochise measures up today.
2017-2018 Banshee Rune
The Banshee Rune is a 160 mm all-mountain bike best suited to going fast in big terrain, and it’s also available in several different wheelsize and spacing options. Check out our review.
18/19 ON3P Billy Goat
We got time on both the 184 and 189 cm Billy Goat at Mt Bachelor, and here are our preliminary thoughts on the latest iteration of this ski.
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Sage Cattabriga-Alosa (Ep.41)
We sat down with one of the best big-mountain skiers of all time to talk about kids, intuition, preparing for big lines, and a whole lot more.
Trip Report: Mt Bachelor
While we’re finishing up our reviews from Mt Bachelor, check out our photo gallery of where we were skiing and what we were up to
Syncros Tailor Cage HV 1.5
The Syncros Tailor Cage HV 1.5 is a clever and simple option for carrying tools on your bike.
Truck M1 Glove
The Truck M1 glove is a ski / work glove at a phenomenal price ($29.95). So how does it perform?
New Ski Reviews from Mt Bachelor (Ep.40)
Blister reviewers talk about some of the most surprising skis we reviewed at Mt Bachelor, then discuss what our 1-ski and 2-ski quiver picks would be for Mt Bachelor.
So here are our very fresh thoughts on a number of very high-profile skis.
2020-2021 HEAD Raptor 140 RS
The HEAD Raptor 140 RS is one of our favorite ski boots we’ve ever used, and shouldn’t be ruled out if you typically ski 130-flex boots.
17/18 Armada ARV 116 JJ
Here are our initial thoughts on the Armada ARV 116 JJ.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2018-2019 Nordica Enforcer 110
We now have several days at Mt Bachelor on the new Nordica Enforcer 110, here’s our initial review.
17/18 DPS Alchemist Wailer 112
We’ve been surprised so far by the versatility of the DPS Wailer A 112.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Training Your Body — and Your Brain (Ep.95)
You’re probably already convinced of the importance of physical exertion, going outside, and staying physically fit and healthy. But what about the fitness of your brain? We talk to the neuroscientist, Michael Merzenich, about the significant neurological benefits of going fast, going outside, and undertaking new activities; the more effective and less effective ways to exercise our brains; the changes to our brains caused by the time so many of us — and our kids — are spending in front of phone, computer, and TV screens; and more.
2019-2020 ON3P Woodsman 108
We’ve now had three reviewers on ON3P’s new Woodsman 108, and it’s time to weigh in on how their newest all-mountain ski performs, and how it compares to their Wrenegade 108, their Jeffrey 108 (and in our Deep Dive Comparisons, pretty much every other relevant ski on the market). Check it out.
Deep Dive: ON3P Woodsman 108
We compare the Woodsman 108 to the ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Wrenegade 108, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Salomon QST 106, Armada ARV 106Ti LTD, Liberty Origin 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, Elan Ripstick 106, 4FRNT MSP 107, Black Crows Corvus, Moment Commander 108, J Skis Metal, Prior Husume, and Blizzard Cochise.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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19/20 Faction Candide 4.0
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the updated Faction Candide 4.0.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2021-2022 K2 Mindbender 115C Alliance
The new Mindbender 115C Alliance is the widest women’s ski in K2’s 19/20 lineup, but we think its versatility makes it a very appealing option for a lot of skiers. Check out our full review, including comparisons to the Nordica Santa Ana 110 and Blizzard Sheeva 11.
Summer Baby Clothes Roundup
Our youngest (by far) reviewer has been very busy testing a bunch of sun-protective clothing this summer, and with just a bit of writing help from his mom, we’ve rounded up a number of tops, bottoms, and accessories that can help keep your little one cool, protected, and comfortable. Check it out here, along with some of the cutest photos we’ve ever posted on Blister.
2020-2021 Salomon QST 118
Along with the rest of the Salomon QST skis, the widest ski in the brand’s lineup, the QST 118, is getting some updates for 19/20. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new QST 118.
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
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.)
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.