BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
The New Armada AR ONE Ski Boot: What Is It & Who’s It For? (Ep.329)
Today, for the first time, Armada is releasing a ski boot: the AR ONE. But why do a boot? And why now? What sort of boot is the AR ONE, how is it different from what’s out there, and who’s it for? We discuss all of this and more with Armada’s Matt Rihm and Bransford Briggs.
Reviewing the News w/ Dylan Wood, December 2024 (Ep. 255)
Dylan Wood is back in the studio to co-host the final Reviewing the News of 2024 with Simon, and they recap some of 2024’s more memorable stories, some fresh news from December, their favorite bike racing moments, their top bike rides of the year, & more.
Flash Review: Santa Cruz Vala
The Santa Cruz Vala has a new suspension design and Bosch’s updated CX motor. Check out our initial impressions.
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2024-2025 Rossignol Sender Soul 102
The name ‘Soul’ had been absent from Rossignol’s line ever since they discontinued the extremely popular (and sometimes divisive) Soul 7 several years ago. But this season, there’s a brand-new ‘Soul’ ski — and it looks very different from the original. So, what sort of ski is the new Sender Soul 102? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Rossignol Sender Soul 102
We compare the Rossignol Sender Soul 102 to the Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, Armada Declivity X 102, Nordica Enforcer 100, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 98, Line Pandora 99, J Skis Masterblaster, Folsom Completo 100, Icelantic Nomad 100, DPS Wailer 100, Fischer Ranger 102, Liberty Scope 104, ZAG Slap 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, Line Optic 104, Black Crows Atris, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, & Salomon Stance 102.
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2024-2025 ON3P Jeffrey 108
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Jeffrey 108.
2025 Gnu Hyper, 160 cm
The Gnu Hyper has roots in freestyle while promising all mountain versatility in varied conditions. We’ve spent a good deal of time getting acquainted with the Hyper, and it seems quite appealing for a broad category of riders. Check out our Full Review for the details.
Deep Dive: Marin Alpine Trail XR
We compare the Marin Alpine Trail to the original Alpine Trail, Yeti SB165, Santa Cruz Nomad, Propain Tyee, Privateer 161 V2, RAAW Madonna V3, Chromag Lowdown, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Ibis HD6, Kavenz VHP 16, and Banshee Titan.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Marin Alpine Trail XR
The refreshed Marin Alpine Trail XR still brings excellent value but feels like a much more modern and well-rounded take on a modern Enduro bike than the old one. Our Full Review explains why it’s a standout.
Our Reviewers’ 2024 Craft Obsessions & 2025 Curiosities (Ep.55)
Today, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025.
5 New Films: ‘Circle of Madness’; ‘Grown’; ‘White Gold’; ‘Blue Hour’; & ‘Variable’ w/ Mike Rogge & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.33)
Mike and Jonathan talk about the state of snowsports films today, and make the case for 5 new films from 2024 that deserve your attention. So check out these films, let us know what you think of them, and let us know what else you think were some of the standout films of 2024.
2024-2025 HEAD Supershape e-Titan
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated HEAD Supershape e-Titan.
Flash Review — EXT Arma V4
We’ve been quite impressed with the EXT Storia V4 shock — so what about its bigger sibling, the Arma? Check out our thoughts so far.
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Flash Review: 24/25 Nordica Enforcer 94
Jonathan shares his initial thoughts on the latest version of the Enforcer 94, how it compares to prior iterations, and where it feels most at home vs. the wider Enforcers.
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2024-2025 Nordica Enforcer 94
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Nordica Enforcer 94.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Fox Speedframe Helmets
Safety is the whole point when it comes to helmets, and two of the updated models in Fox’s Speedframe lineup are now #1 and #2 in Virginia Tech’s safety rankings. But how does the new Speedframe Pro fit and feel compared to the prior generation? We’re ready to weigh in.
Flash Review: 24/25 Heritage Lab Swallowtail R120
Reviewer and heli-guide, Paul Forward, has been testing a new version of Heritage Lab’s big-mountain powder ski, the Swallowtail R120. Here are his initial impressions after his first days with it in Alaska.
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Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kaliber 130 MV BOA2
We’ve been logging time in the Kaliber 130 BOA2 and have started to learn some things about this new boot and the dual-BOA system in general.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Head Kaliber 130 MV BOA2
Here are the details and our measured specs for Head’s new dual-BOA all-mountain boot, the Kaliber 130 MV GW BOA2.
Sports Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, & Magic Bird Poop with Skratch Labs’ Founder, Dr. Allen Lim (Ep.345)
You geek out about your gear, but do you know how to fuel yourself when you’re out in the mountains or on the trail? What, when, and how much should you be eating and drinking? We talk to Scratch Labs founder, Dr. Allen Lim, about all of this, and more.
2024-2025 Icelantic Nomad 106
Icelantic overhauled their most popular skis this season — but was this risky move worth it? After a full season of testing, we think it was. Here’s our Full Review of the new Nomad 106.
Deep Dive: Icelantic Nomad 106
We compare the Nomad 106 to the previous Nomad 105, current Nomad 112, Nomad 100, J Skis Hotshot, Salomon QST 106, Nordica Unleashed 108, Moment Wildcat 108, 4FRNT Devastator, Armada ARV 106, Dynastar M-Free 108, K2 Reckoner 110, Fischer Ranger 108, Rossignol Sender Soul 102, ZAG Slap 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, Black Crows Atris, RMU Apostle 106, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Armada Declivity X 102, Line Optic 104, DPS Wailer 107, & Line Pandora 106.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win Carv’s Digital Ski Coach System
The TWO winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the Carv 2 Ski Coach system as well as a Carv Season Pass!
Matt Manser on Atomic’s New Redster Ski Boots, New Remedy 130, & More (Ep.334)
What’s the difference between a true race boot; a race-inspired ski boot; and a high-performance freeride or freestyle boot? Matt and Jonathan discuss all of these things and more, and you’ll hear the most important rant / public service announcement in GEAR:30 history.
Flash Review: 25/26 Majesty HNX Ti
Part of Majesty’s new Resort collection, the HNX Ti is an 85mm-wide ski with a unique look. Here are our initial thoughts after our first day on it.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Majesty HNX Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Majesty HNX Ti.
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, January 2025 (Ep.260)
What impact are Trump’s tariffs going to have on the bike industry, and will they affect that new bike or component upgrade you have your eye on? Mike and Simon weigh in with their thoughts on the tariffs; as well as a Preview of Red Bull Hardline Tasmania; Mexico as a mountain bike destination; and a whole lot more.