BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Kali Avatar X Helmet
The Kali Avatar X full face helmet offers some valuable safety features in a light weight package at a good price.
Giro Wind Guard 1/4 Zip Jersey
The Giro Wind Guard 1/4 Zip Jersey offers a great combination of warmth, breathability, and casual styling that make it perfect for colder rides.
Evolving Bike Standards
There are a ton of new products and new standards that are supposed to make our riding experience better. But are these revolutionary new products that will change the way we ride? Are they evolutionary changes that improve on some of our favorite parts? Or are we looking at products that are new purely for the sake of being new? Time to discuss.
WTB High Tail Carbon Saddle
The WTB High Tail is a saddle designed to reduce tire buzz on long-travel, large-wheeled bikes, but it’s also a viable lightweight option if its narrow shape fits you.
2021-2022 Parlor Skis Cardinal 100
Parlor Skis is a custom manufacturer in Boston, and their Cardinal 100 has stood up very well against several of the best all-mountain skis in its class.
Gravity Grid Bar and Stem
The 35mm Gravity Grid bar and stem are some of the most reasonably priced big bars on the market, and they perform well, too.
Remind Solution Snowboard Boot Liners
The Remind Solution Liner is a very affordable (and comfortable) way to revive old snowboard boots.
2nd Look: Giro Feature MIPS
We take a 2nd Look at the Giro Feature MIPS helmet, with a focus on its fit and impact protection.
Bosavi Rechargeable LED Headlamp
Bosavi has created a rechargeable headlamp with some clever features that optimize it for climbing and trail running.
2015 Devinci Spartan RR
The Devinci Spartan is a stiff, fun bike that pops really well and rewards an active rider.
FLY Racing Freestone Helmet
The FLY Racing Freestone Helmet offers good coverage and ventilation at a very good price.
Trip Report: Glacier National Park
Ever wondered about skiing in Glacier? This past weekend, our associate editor chased David Steele on a “spicy” ski tour in GNP.
Five Ten Team 5.10 Black vs. La Sportiva Solution
The Five Ten Team 5.10 Black and La Sportiva Solution are both high performance climbing shoes, but they cater to almost polar opposite conditions and styles.
Nick Gottlieb
Age: 26 | Vitals: 5’10” 160 lbs | Years Paddling: 15 | Current Residence: Logan, UT I grew up in New York and cut my teeth on the Housatonic and Deerfield rivers, before attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and beginning to travel regularly for
Bliss-Stick / Waka Kayaks Tuna
The Bliss-Stick / Waka Kayaks Tuna is a high performance creekboat that requires a certain syle to enjoy.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
Hoka One One Torrent
Hoka is known for their max-cushioned shoes, but their brand-new Torrent is different. So how does this more moderately-cushioned trail shoe perform, and how does it compare to Hoka’s other trail shoes like the Speedgoat 2 and Evo Mafate? Check out our review.