BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Auden Schendler on Joy, Living Well, & His New Book, Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering our Soul (Ep.334)
Auden and Jonathan talk about human purpose, the importance of joy and living well; and Auden spells out the need for systemic change — and not just token actions — to actually address climate change.
Flash Review — Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
Rocky Mountain’s first entry into the light-assist eMTB category features their new in-house designed and built Dyname S4 Lite motor and a new frame with mixed wheel size compatibility. The Instinct Powerplay SL seemingly has a lot going for it, and we’ve spent enough time on it now to share some initial impressions.
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CARV Co-Founder Alex Jackson & Pro Skier Marcus Caston on Using New Tech to Ski Better & Have More Fun On Snow (Ep.323)
We’re geeking out with pro skier, Marcus Caston, and CARV co-founder, Alex Jackson, about CARV’s slick & sophisticated system that aims to help skiers improve their skiing and have more fun on snow. Fans of new tech, high edge angles, and / or skiing better, listen up.
Win Any Pret Helmet & Goggle
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get their pick of any Pret Helmet, as well as their choice of any pair of Pret Goggles!
Blister Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Kids & Parents Edition
Rounding out our Holiday Gift Guide series this year is a collection of gift ideas that we think would be great for outdoor-oriented kids and parents — or those who are looking for new ways to spend more time outside with their little ones.
Fox DHX Live Valve Neo Electronic Shock
Fox took their time developing the new wireless version of their electronically-controlled Live Valve bike suspension. We’ve been testing the DHX Live Valve Neo since early summer, and it’s clear that Fox has come up with something pretty interesting.
Risk, Consequence, & an 8-Step Checklist
In this Open Mic piece, Hadley Hammer offers lots of food for thought, and an 8-Step checklist that each of us would do well to act on.
PeopleForBikes CEO, Jenn Dice, on Assessing, Advocating For, & Building Better Bike Infrastructure (Ep.249)
Getting more people on bikes more regularly is a laudable goal, and building better bike infrastructure is key to making it happen. PeopleForBikes does a whole lot to make that happen all over the US, and we sat down with their CEO, Jenn Dice, to hear all about it — and we dive into off-road bike access & advocacy, the specter of increased tariffs on bikes (and a lot of other stuff), and a whole bunch more.
Flash Review — EXT Vaia
EXT’s new Vaia is an inverted dual-crown fork with additional features and design details that set it apart from most of the DH fork market — at least on paper. But how does it stack up on the trail? Check out our early thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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EXT Vaia Fork
EXT’s first dual-crown DH fork is here, and per usual for the brand, they’ve come up with some interesting ways to do things their own way. Check out what they’ve come up with.
Studio Shed w/ Mike Koenig (Ep.53)
Sheds and Accessory Dwelling Units (aka, ADUs) are a great way to provide extra room for outdoor gear, remote work offices, or even additional living spaces. And in today’s conversation, we sit down with Studio Shed’s co-founder Mike Koenig to discuss their unique approach to designing prefabricated backyard structures that are well-built, eco-friendly, and stylish.
CAST Freetour 2.0 Pivot Ski-Touring Binding
CAST was the first to make a touring binding that got you alpine-binding performance on the way down and a tech toe for the way up, and the Freetour 2.0 is the latest iteration of their system. Check out our First Look for all the details.
Flash Review — Kona Process 153
We were impressed by the new Kona Process 134 when we reviewed it recently, but how about its bigger sibling, the Process 153? We’ve started spending time on the longer-travel member of the family and have some early thoughts to share.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025 Mondraker Arid Carbon
Mondraker has dropped their first non-motorized Gravel bike — the Arid Carbon. With a clean aesthetic and a feature set designed to please both racers and more casual adventurers, the Arid prioritizes versatility. Let’s see what Mondraker has cooked up.
1-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
That’s a wrap — we’ve now had all of our reviewers share which skis they’d pick if they were to ski a whole season on a single setup. Check out what everyone selected this year.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Skis & More From Scott
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the SEA 98 ski, SEA Poles, and Shield AMP Pro Goggles from Scott!
2024-2025 Armada Declivity X 108
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada Declivity X 108.
2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 94
The Black Pearl series has defined Blizzard’s women-specific lineup for decades, but what’s changed with the 24/25 skis, and how does the widest model in the collection slot into the current all-mountain market? Here are our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the brand-new Black Pearl 94.
Deep Dive: Blizzard Black Pearl 94
We compare the Blizzard Black Pearl 94 to the Blizzard Black Pearl 97, Nordica Santa Ana 92, Volkl Secret 96, Volkl Secret 102, Blizzard Sheeva 9, Armada Reliance 92Ti, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Salomon QST Lumen 98, 4FRNT MSP CC, & Majesty Havoc 100 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.
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Braydon Bringhurst on the Concept, Format, and Goals of the Hard MTB League (Ep. 254)
Mountain bike racing is going through a lot of upheaval at the moment, and Braydon Bringhurst has founded a new racing format to, among other things, lower the barriers of entry to elite-level racing. Hear all about the concept and plan from the man himself.
10 Quick Things: ‘Jet Lag & Lost Passport’ Edition (Ep.338)
Jet lag, losing his passport (and advice for how to replace a lost passport), skiing in Switzerland, updates for THE HUNDRED, pizza reviews, and more — that’s what we’ve got for you in Jonathan Ellsworth’s latest edition of ‘10 Quick Things.’
2024-2025 Faction La Machine 4 Massive
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for one of Faction’s touring powder skis, the La Machine 4 Massive.
2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Black Pearl 88.
2024-2025 HEAD Supershape e-Magnum
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the HEAD Supershape e-Magnum.
2024-2025 ON3P Mango 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Mango 100.
2024-2025 K2 Reckoner KF
Karl Fostvedt and K2 have been working on a ski that suits Karl’s uniquely playful but hard-charging style, and the new Reckoner KF is the result. It’s an uncommon take on a modern all-mountain-freestyle ski, but for certain skiers, it’ll be a ton of fun. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons to learn more.
Deep Dive: K2 Reckoner KF
We compare the K2 Reckoner KF to the K2 Reckoner 110, K2 Reckoner 124, K2 Reckoner 112, Moment Wildcat, Line Bacon 115, DPS Koala 111, Armada ARV 112, Icelantic Nomad 112, RMU Apostle 114, Head Oblivion 116, RMU Professor 111, Rossignol Blackops 118, Moment Deathwish, Rossignol Sender Free 110, Meier Leeper, Faction Studio 3, Prior Northwest 116, Black Crows Anima, Blizzard Rustler 11, Volkl Revolt 114, Line Optic 114, & Salomon QST Blank.
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.)