BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2015-2016 Kingswood Archetype
It takes a lot to stand out in the category of directional, ~105mm-underfoot skis. See how the Kingswood Archetype fared.
2020-2021 Burton Flight Attendant
The new Burton Flight Attendant is an impressive, adaptable, freeride board for everyday, all-mountain riding.
Women’s Fleeces
Fleece is a staple in any wardrobe. Here are some of our favorite women’s fleeces.
Kuhl Savina Sweater
Kuhl Savina Sweater Color: Natural Size: Medium MSRP: $130 The Kuhl Savina Sweater Jacket is a versatile fleece jacket with a stylish cut. The Savina is made of Kuhl’s fleece blend called Alfpaca, which is 78% Acrylic and 22% Polyester. While it functions like most
Fjallraven Abisko Fleece Hoodie
Fjallraven Abisko Fleece Hoodie Color: Red Size: Small Reviewer: 5’6″, 125 lbs. I first learned about Fjallraven this past fall, and I’ve since been quite intrigued. Fjallraven is a Swedish company that was one of the first to build and sell framed packs for backpacking
Mons Royale Mid Hit Hoodie
Mons Royale Mid Hit Hoodie Color: Plum (Last year’s color) Size: Small MSRP: $220 USD (Now on sale for $184) Reviewer: 5’6″, 125 lbs. Last spring, I wrote a full review of the Mons Royale Mid Hit Hoodie, and I’ve loved it so much, I
Burton Mountain Negani Fleece
Burton Mountain Negani Fleece Color: Sea Pine Heather Size: Small MSRP: $90 (Now on sale for $68) Reviewer: 5’6″, 125 lbs. Although I am a skier, I’ve always loved Burton’s apparel, and have found their Mountain Negani Fleece to be no exception. The Mountain Negani
ZET Kayaks Director
The ZET Kayaks Director is a high-performance creeking machine for big boaters, but needs to be paddled aggressively to perform at its best.
Black Diamond Mondo Crash Pad
Black Diamond’s Mondo crash pad has been a staple under highball boulder problems for a long time, and the new, redesigned version is the most confidence-inspiring pad we’ve tested.
Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket
If you’re after a multi-season shell that’s light, packable, waterproof, and highly breathable, the Outdoor Research Axiom deserves some real consideration.
Base Repair 101
You may have encountered a rock or two by this point in the season, and base repairs are part of the game. Here’s our step-by-step guide to simple base repairs. (We also threw in a short primer on polymer chemistry, you know, just for good measure.)
2015-2016 Praxis GPO
The Praxis GPO is not a straightforward ski, but it’s a ski that offers a blend of liveliness and power that we haven’t seen before.
Arc’teryx Stikine Jacket
The Arc’teryx Stikine is an expedition-oriented jacket that offers the strengths of a stand-alone insulator and a hard shell in one.
WRSI Trident Helmet
With excellent sun protection and a lightweight carbon shell, the WRSI Trident is an excellent choice for guides, instructors, and those paddlers who spend their time in deeper rivers. But see our notes re: fit and coverage.
Makers and Riders 3-Season Dispatch Rider Weatherproof Trouser
The Makers and Riders 3-Season Dispatch Rider Weatherproof Trousers are made with Polartec NeoShell, combining technical performance with a stylish look.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
18/19 Elan Ripstick 96
We’ve now spent a couple days on Elan’s lightweight all-mountain ski, the Ripstick 96, and you can check out here our initial on-snow impressions.
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American Alpine Club CEO, Phil Powers (Ep.11)
We talk to Phil Powers, CEO of the American Alpine Club, about his own relationship to climbing (including summiting K2); the mission of the AAC and why it’s so important; the decision to give Alex Honnold the AAC’s Underhill Award; and much more.
Glade Optics Challenger Goggle
High-quality goggles have become quite expensive, but Glade Optics is aiming to change that with their Challenger goggle. We spent much of this season testing the Challenger, and have come away very impressed. Check out our review and our Glade lens comparisons.
29er Trail Bikes — A Guide + Comparisons
There are now more 29ers available than ever before, from XC race bikes to full-blown DH rigs. So we’ve assembled a comparison of sixteen 29ers to help you sort it all out, and maybe introduce you to some bikes that weren’t on your list, but should be.
Men’s Casual Boot Roundup — Spring, 2018
Since it’s shoulder season, we wanted to share some of our favorite spring / summer casual boots that can handle some mud, rain, and time on the trail.
2018-2019 Faction Prime 4.0
After skiing it in Japan and Alaska, you can now check out our full review of Faction’s powder touring ski, the Prime 4.0.
Win a Sleeping Bag & Pad from Thermarest
Win a Thermarest Parsec 20° Sleeping Bag and NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad.
Pivot Announces New Trail 429
Pivot just released their brand-new Trail 429 model. Check out the specs and our initial thoughts on the bike.
2020-2021 Liberty Origin 112
We’ve spent several days on the brand-new Liberty Origin 112 this season — including one of our deepest days — and have come away impressed. Check out our full review.
Patagonia Snowdrifter pant
The Patagonia Snowdrifter pant blends very good breathability with a useful feature set, making it a great option for days of high-output touring.
Alternative Outdoor Snacks
Granola bars are great, but sometimes you either run out or you feel like switching it up. So we asked our reviewers to give us some of their alternative outdoor snack suggestions, and we’d love to get some of your suggestions, too.
Tenaya Mundaka
The Tenaya Mundaka offers an excellent blend of performance and comfort, and is a great option for intermediate to advanced climbers looking for precision — and a wider fit — than most other high-performance shoes.