BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Weather Forecasting, Artificial Intelligence, & Storm Chasing w/ OpenSnow Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.336)
OpenSnow’s Joel Gratz is back to talk about advancements in weather forecasting and how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing weather models; the challenges of making seasonal forecasts; & some tips for planning ski trips and for storm chasing and skiing in Japan.
Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX Shoes
Our Bike Editor has long been on the hunt for his ideal waterproof gravity-oriented clipless shoe for wet-weather winter use, and the Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX is the latest option he’s tried. So how have they worked out? Check out our Full Review to find out.
2024-2025 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Armada ARV 106.
2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 84
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Black Pearl 84.
Win Carv’s Digital Ski Coach System
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the Carv 2 Ski Coach system as well as a Carv Season Pass!
Ski Racing, Ski Tuning, & State of the Bike & Ski Industry w/ Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne (Ep.325)
Today we’re talking ski racing, ski tuning, ski finishing, ski-base flatness, and the state of the bike & ski Industry w/ Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne.
2024-2025 Head Crux 105 Pro
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Crux 105 Pro touring ski.
2024-2025 Elan Ripstick 100 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the women’s Elan Ripstick 100 W.
Küat Piston Pro
We’ve spent a year with Kuat’s Piston Pro hitch rack, including plenty of winter use and hauling lots of heavy eMTBs, so it’s time to weigh in on how it performed.
2024-2025 HEAD Supershape e-Rally
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated HEAD Supershape e-Rally.
Flash Review: 24/25 Head Supershape e-Rally
We’ve been spending time on the new Head Supershape e-Rally, and directly comparing it to the outgoing version. Check out our initial thoughts.
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.)
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, November 2024 (Ep.251)
Simon welcomes Mike Ferrentino back into the studio and they discuss the seemingly limitless discounts across the bike industry; the history of bike multitools; bike theft and how to protect your bikes; old trucks; and a whole lot more.
2024-2025 Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti.
Viking Ski Shop
Viking has been a stronghold and a big part of the outdoor community in the Chicago area and beyond for over 50 years. While the industry has changed and evolved, Viking’s dedication to offering the best products, services, and prices in the greater Chicago area has remained the same.
Flash Review: 24/25 Volkl Peregrine 80 & Peregrine 82
Update 12.4.24: Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth have both spent time A/B testing these new piste skis from Volkl, and now, Jonathan adds his own take on how they compare.
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.)
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
The Current State of Alcohol, with Eli Brown (Ep.57)
Jonathan and Eli discuss alcohol consumption among younger generations; the trends — and hurdles — of non-alcoholic and low ABV cocktails; the implications of the US Surgeon General’s recommendations on alcohol consumption; and predictions for future trends in the beverage industry.
Salomon Announces 25/26 S/Pro Supra Dual BOA Ski Boots
It’s official — we’re getting boots with two BOA dials and zero traditional buckles. Here are the details on Salomon’s new S/Pro Supra Dual BOA ski boot collection.
Flash Review: 24/25 Line Pandora 99
We’ve had multiple reviewers on multiple lengths of Line’s new unisex Pandora 99. Here are some of our initial impressions of this lightweight all-mountain ski.
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.)
2024-2025 Line Pandora 99
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Line Pandora 99.
Marcus Goguen on the Freeride World Tour (Ep.341)
The Freeride World Tour kicks off this weekend, so today we are talking with one of the best comp skiers in the world, Marcus Goguen.
Flash Review: Transition Sentinel V3
Update 1.13.2025: We’ve got a bunch more time on the new Transition Sentinel, and our impressions have evolved. Check out our latest thoughts.
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.)
Flash Review: 25/26 Fischer RC4 Noize
Jonathan Ellsworth has logged a couple of days on Fischer’s new World-Cup-inspired RC4 Noize — here are his initial thoughts on this 66mm-wide carver.
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.)
2025-2026 Fischer RC4 Noize
Fischer has unveiled their latest collection of competition-race and race-inspired skis, and we’ve started testing them. Here are the details on the new RC4 Noize models, their unique construction, and more.
Athletes & Bootfitting w/ Freeride Skier Nat Segal x Pulse Boot Labs (Ep.330)
Freeride athlete Nat Segal has had a long and impressive journey as a professional skier, and a key part of it has been getting in a properly fitting ski boot. Our Blister Recommended Shop, Pulse Boot Labs and Ski Co., has helped her along the way, so we talk with Nat and Pulse to hear about bootfitting from an athlete’s perspective, and a whole lot more.
2024-2025 Armada Declivity X 102
The Armada Declivity 102 Ti was a favorite of some of our reviewers, but this season Armada updated it. So, does the new Declivity X 102 still provide the same, well, ‘x-factor’ of the original? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Armada Declivity X 102
We compare the Declivity X 102 to the Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Armada Declivity X 108, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Salomon Stance 102, Rossignol Sender Soul 102, Dynastar M-Pro 100 Ti, Head Kore 99, Völkl Mantra 102, Nordica Enforcer 104, Stöckli Stormrider 102, Atomic Maverick 105 CTI, Fischer Ranger 102, Blizzard Rustler 10, and Line Optic 104.
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.)
Win Skis From Elan
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Elan Ripstick ski of their choosing!