BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Howler Brothers Feedback Hoodie
Howler Brothers simply makes good looking, comfortable stuff. (Their Harkers Flannel is still an absolute favorite of ours.) The Howler Feedback Hoodie (MSRP: $85) has what I would describe as a relaxed, roomier cut—Howler calls it a “Regular Fit.” On my 5’10”, 180 lb. frame, I could have gone with
Westcomb Ozone Hoody
Westcomb Ozone Hoody Size Tested: Large Features: Polartec Power stretch body-hugging 4-way stretch Athletic hood 2 hand pockets Integrated thumb loops Blister’s Measured Weight: 460 grams Front Zipper Length (measured, size Large): 70 cm MSRP: $180 USD Days Worn: ~150 And our versatility award
Mons Royale Mid Hit Hoody
We’ve already reviewed the men’s and women’s version of the Mons Royale Mid Hit hoody, but we’re talking about it again since it is still one of our favorites. And it isn’t just one of our favorite hoodies, it’s one of our favorite pieces of clothing, period. The Mid Hit has a
United by Blue Men’s Standard Zip Hoodie
While it seems like just about every company nowadays has some sort of environmental mission or “green goals,” United by Blue does things a little differently. Instead of operating as a nonprofit or donating a percentage of their earnings to environmental causes, United by Blue gives
Bike Racks 101
Roof, hitch, or strap-on bike rack? Each style has its pros and cons, some of which aren’t obvious. So before you waste your money, check out the Blister guide to choosing the right rack.
Return of the Rat
Josh Bryceland is back on top, still very much being himself, and doing things on a bike that few have done before.
2015 Race Face SixC Carbon Cinch Cranks
The 2015 Race Face SixC Carbon Cinch Cranks are very impressive on multiple fronts.
SCARPA Furia
The Scarpa Furia is an excellent all-around shoe for bouldering and hard sport climbing, and strikes a good balance between sensitivity and power.
MRP Wave Chainring
The MRP Wave narrow / wide chainring features a unique design that offers some durability and performance benefits.
Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket
The Outdoor Research Helium II is a minimalist rain jacket that’s perfect for sudden storms.
Thomson Elite Covert Dropper Seatpost
The Thomson Elite Covert may be the best dropper post on the market.
Sterling Evolution Aero 9.2 Rope
The Sterling Evolution Aero offers a durability boost over its predecessors that makes it the best 9.2mm rope on the market today.
2015 SRAM X01 DH 7-Speed Drivetrain
SRAM’s X01 DH 7-Speed Drivetrain offers the best available performance, but there are other factors to consider, too.
Sterling Evolution Helix 9.5 Rope
The Sterling Evolution Helix is a top performer in the do-it-all, single rope category, and proves that ropes aren’t merely about weight vs. diameter.
Outdoor Research Cirque Pants
The Outdoor Research Cirque is a versatile, multi-season softshell pant.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Black Diamond Vector Helmet
Once upon a time, climbing helmets were pretty much all the same. Not anymore. There are ultralight helmets on one end, and durable but heavy options on the other. The Black Diamond Vector falls in between, making it a versatile option. Check out our full review, with comparisons to several helmets from Black Diamond, Petzl, and Mammut.
Suspension 101: Designs
Trying to figure out bike suspension designs – how they work and the pros & cons of each – can feel like you need an engineering degree. So we put together this article to clarify the differences between the various suspension designs on the market. Check it out.
Bikes vs. Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 2 (Ep.23)
We’re back with round 2 of Bikes vs. Skis, where we ask the question, “Which particular bike company is most like which particular ski company?”
Win Men’s & Women’s Shoes or Boots from Keen
The two winners of this week’s Giveaway will each win a pair of shoes or boots from Keen’s Targhee or Terradora lines. The revamped men’s Targhee and new women’s Terradora each come in a variety of styles and colors, from breathable low-cut shoes to waterproof boots. So whether you’re planning a short hike after work or a weekend backpacking trip, you can pick a model that’s right for you.
Altra Boston Escalante Racer
The Boston Escalante Racer is supposed to be a “faster, higher-performance” version of their original Escalante. Check out what they changed, what they didn’t, and our initial impressions.
Evolv Agro
While many high-performance bouldering and sport-climbing climbing shoes have been moving in the “soft and sensitive” direction, the Evolv Agro takes a different approach. Check out our review, with comparisons to the La Sportiva Solution, Five Ten Hiangle, and Evolv Shaman.
Matchstick Productions — Hoji
Matchstick Productions just dropped the full trailer for the new Hoji movie, and to say we’re excited would be a pretty serious understatement. Check out the trailer
Deep Dive: Elan Ripstick 106
We compare the Ripstick 106 to the Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, Salomon QST 106, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Blizzard Rustler 10, Renoun Citadel 106, and Liberty Origin 106.
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2019-2020 Elan Ripstick 106
We got two reviewers on two lengths of the Elan Ripstick 106 this past season, and now it’s time for us to weigh in on this lightweight all-mountain ski. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
7 Generations Film — Kickstarter Campaign
The management of public lands has been a very hot topic lately, and in northern Minnesota, two proposed sulfide-ore copper mines have people questioning their impact on the massive nearby wilderness areas. Now, two filmmakers are hoping to shed more light on the issue. Learn more here.
Mountain Equipment Tupilak 37+ Pack
The new Mountain Equipment Tupilak 37+ is one of the best climbing packs we’ve used. Check out our review, including comparisons to the Patagonia Ascensionist and Osprey Variant 37.
Bolt Restrictions, Hardware Committees, and Threatened Access (Ep.14)
Climbing is growing — really fast. At some crags around the country, that means that our impact has also been growing, which has forced the critical question of how best to manage the increased traffic on public lands. So today we’re talking about best practices, controversial approaches, and how climbing culture could be affected if oversight from outside of the climbing community becomes the new norm.