BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2019-2020 Salomon NFX
Two words: supremely stable. The Salomon NFX is the most stable competition slopestyle ski we’ve ever reviewed.
Patagonia Merino Air Hoody
Patagonia’s new Merino Air Hoody is an unconventional baselayer that actually lives up to Patagonia’s big claims about it.
October in Review
In case you missed any of October’s highlights, here’s the cheat-sheet.
Deep Dive: Powder Ski Comparisons
If all this talk of an El Nino winter has you thinking of deep pow & fat skis, then check out our overview of more than a dozen pow skis, including the DPS Lotus 120 Spoon, Salomon Rocker2 122, Volkl Two and Shiro, and more.
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2nd Look: Moment Governor
We’ve been receiving a lot of questions about the Moment Governor and how it works as a wider, all-mountain ski. Here’s our 2nd Look at that question.
Giro Contact Goggle
Giro’s new Contact goggle is their entrance into the quick-change lens swapping game, and incorporates magnetic attachments. So how does it measure up to some of the current options?
2020-2021 Head Caddy
The Head Caddy might seem like your standard comp ski, but its combination of stability and playfulness make it a highly versatile park ski.
White Industries XMR Hubs
White Industries’ XMR Hubs are a smooth rolling option with taller flanges that allow for stiffer wheels.
Mountain Equipment Firefox Jacket
We’ve put over 80 days in the Mountain Equipment Firefox jacket and it’s still the best multi-season shell we’ve tested. Our review also answers the question: What’s the difference between Gore-Tex Active and Gore-Tex Pro?
WTB Asym i35 Rims, 27.5”
Wide rims carry a lot of benefits, and the WTB Asym i35 rim (27.5″) is a nicely designed one that stands alone in terms of price and width.
7mesh Strategy Jacket and Glidepath Short
7mesh’s Strategy Jacket and Glidepath Short offer a nice combination of comfort and versatility.
Deep Dive: Line Sir Francis Bacon vs. Mordecai
Line’s new Bacon and Mordecai are both playful all-mountain skis, but they certainly aren’t the same. We break down their similarities and differences.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Blizzard’s All-Mountain Line: 14/15 vs 15/16
We take a look at the entire Blizzard lineup, pit the 14/15 line against the 15/16, and talk about how the skis all relate to one another. (Might be one of the most interesting pieces we’ve ever published.)
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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Shimano XT 11-Speed Drivetrain
Shimano’s new 11-speed XT drivetrain shows promise, but falls short of established 1x options.
2015 Evil The Following
The Following from Evil Bikes is a slack, short travel 29’er that likes to go fast.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
We’ve now used the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody for around 125 days, and we’re still huge fans of this jacket (which is why it received a “Best Of” award in our 18/19 Winter Buyer’s Guide). Check out our updated review.
2020-2021 Renoun Z-Line 90
Renoun’s technology and construction is far from traditional. But what happens when you apply it to a more traditional shape? Check out our full review of the Renoun Z-Line 90.
Marzocchi Transfer Dropper Post
After more than three months of testing, the Marzocchi Transfer dropper post has proven to be just as good, if not better than most of the other posts we’ve used.
Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket
Gore-Tex has been around forever, but they just recently released a brand-new fabric. And the backcountry-oriented Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket is one of the first pieces to utilize it.
Best Skis for Beginners: Our Top Picks, 2018-2019
Here it is, our list of current skis that we think are the best for beginners, or for anyone looking to get back into skiing.
Parlor Skis x WhistlePig Whiskey: The Boss Hog Package
This week, Boston-based Parlor Skis and Vermont-based WhistlePig distillery announced a collaboration that combines two of our favorite things: skis and whiskey.
Zen & the Art of Creating the World’s Biggest Splitboard Binding Company: Will Ritter, Spark R&D (Ep.27)
We talk to Will Ritter about starting – and running – the largest splitboard binding company in the world, Spark R&D, and Will provides a number of valuable insights for anyone thinking of starting anything.
Deep Dive: 130-Flex Alpine Ski Boots
We directly compare several 130-flex alpine boots, including the Salomon S/Max 130 & S/Max 130 Carbon, Nordica Promachine 130, Head Raptor 140 RS & Nexo LYT 130, Atomic Hawx Ultra 130, and K2 Recon 130.
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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Win Goggles + a Helmet from Smith
Enter to win Smith’s new I/O Mag goggle and Code helmet!
Timely Words from Conrad Anker
Yesterday afternoon, the great alpinist, Conrad Anker, posted what he called, “a short essay on being positive.” And they are words worth far more than the time it takes to read them. Check out the full essay here.
Big Agnes Flume UL 30 Sleeping Bag
Picking out the right sleeping bag comes down to a lot of compromises: Light, or durable? Packable, or comfortable? But the Big Agnes Flume UL 30 is one of the best bags we’ve used when it comes to being very light and still maintaining comfort.
Ski Sock Roundup — 2018
The wrong pair of ski socks can screw up your day. So we’ve rounded up 17 pairs — from ultra-thin to thickly cushioned — and noted what sets each apart, and which will likely work best for you.