BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
The Best – and Worst – of Interbike, 2016 (Ep.26)
We talk to our bike editor, Noah Bodman, right from the showroom floor about the highlights and lowlights of Interbike.
Update: SRAM X01 DH Drivetrain
After a year on SRAM’s X01 DH drivetrain we’ve run into some durability issues, and found some solutions to them.
Loaded Precision X40 27.5 Hookless Carbon Wheelset
The Loaded Precision X40 27.5 Hookless Carbon Wheelset is an affordable option for riders looking for very stiff wheels.
Five Ten Kestrel Lace
The Five Ten Kestrel lace strikes an exceptional balance of pedaling efficiency and walkability.
Giro Ledge MIPS Helmet
Giro’s new Ledge MIPS delivers high-end safety in a sleek package that costs about the same as most non-MIPS entry-level helmets.
2018-2019 Amplid Milligram Splitboard
The Amplid Milligram is one of the lightest and most responsive splitboards we’ve ever been on
Deep Dive: Alpine Touring Bindings Shootout
We’ve detailed the performance of each of the bindings in our roundup, so in this final installment, we sum up the strengths and weaknesses of each binding.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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MIPS Trail Helmet Roundup
More and more MIPS equipped helmets are hitting the market, so we took a look at how MIPS works, and compared five trail helmets from Lazer, Scott, Smith, Giro, and Sweet Protection.
Race Face Khyber Glove, Charlie Tech Top, & Khyber Shorts
Here is our review of Race Face’s women’s trail kit.
Flash Review: Salomon MTN Explore 88
So far we’ve been impressed with Salomon’s narrower touring ski.
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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Trip Report: Testing New Gear, Exploring New Zealand
We headed to Canterbury, NZ, to test new ski equipment and to explore this exquisite place.
First Look: 2016-2017 Tecnica Zero G Guide Pro Boot
Tecnica’s new Zero G Guide Pro boot is squarely aimed at dethroning our 2015 Product of the Year – the Salomon MTN lab – so how do they compare?
Race Face Chester Pedal
We’ve been putting Race Face’s new Chester composite pedal through the ringer, and so far we’ve been impressed.
Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hoody
The Patagonia Nano-Air jacket is one of our favorite mid-layers, so how does the new Nano-Air Light measure up?
New Ski Gear Report from Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand (Ep.25)
Our reviewers discuss the most surprising and the most impressive gear we just tested in New Zealand.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2021-2022 Black Crows Orb
For 19/20 Black Crows is overhauling their narrower all-mountain ski, the Orb, and the updated version is basically a new ski entirely. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Sweet Protection Firewall Goggle
Sweet Protection has been making high-quality helmets and outerwear for years, and for 19/20, they’re breaking into a new category — goggles. Check out our review of their new budget-oriented Firewall Goggle.
Win Folsom Custom Skis / Blister Survey
A penny for your thoughts? How about a fully custom, $1300 ski for your thoughts? Fill out our survey to help us make BLISTER better, and you’ll be entered to win the Folsom custom ski of your choice.
Deep Dive: Line Outline
We compare the Outline to the Line Sir Francis Bacon, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, K2 Catamaran, Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Blizzard Spur, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Prior CBC, Icelantic Nomad 115, Rossignol Black Ops 118, and Dynastar PR-OTO Factory.
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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2021-2022 Line Outline
The new Outline is the latest addition to Eric Pollard & Line’s venerable series of pow skis, and it’s time now for our full review.
Semi-Rad — “Chart Imitates Life”
Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) has been making our favorite drawings and observations for years, and now he’s compiled a bunch of them in one place. Learn more about how to get the best book ever for your coffee table, tent, or bathroom.
2019-2020 Icelantic Maiden 101
Icelantic is updating their women’s Freeride collection for 19/20, and you can now check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the 1-ski-quiver candidate in the line, the Maiden 101.
19/20 Armada ARV 96 Ti
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the ARV 96 Ti.
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.
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Patagonia R1 TechFace Pullover
Last year Patagonia released what quickly became one of our favorite layers for high-output activities in the mountains — the R1 TechFace Hoody. This year, they released a more minimal Pullover version, and for some people, it could be even better than the original. Check out our review.
We’re Hiring
We are looking to bring on an editor to direct the bike side of BLISTER. If you really know bikes and you really know how to write, learn more here.
Win an Avalanche Rescue Kit + a Pack from Ortovox
Spring touring season is here, and now’s your chance to get a full avalanche rescue kit + a backpack from Ortovox!
Avalanche Beacons & Backcountry Safety with BCA Co-Founder, Bruce Edgerly (Ep.43)
Avalanche beacons might not be sexy, but their proper use and design can be the difference between life and death. So we sat down with BCA’s co-founder, Bruce Edgerly, to talk about avalanche transceiver design, backcountry safety research, and the most important — yet often overlooked — aspects of a rescue.