BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2024-2025 La Sportiva Salto
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the La Sportiva Salto skis.
Flash Review: 24/25 Black Crows Octo
Update 12.2.24: Luke Koppa adds his thoughts on the new Black Crows Octo after spending some of his first days of the season aboard it.
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2-Board Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Following their 3-board quivers, our reviewers chime in with which snowboards and splitboards they’d select for their personal 2-board quivers.
Reviewer Reports + a Shop Talk First (Ep.324)
Luke and Jonathan offer their early-season reviewer reports, then Jonathan talks to Bangtail Bike & Ski’s new owner about why he did something that no other shop in the world has done — but why others might want to.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, November 2024 (Ep.335)
Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the news of November; rate your takes; offer some mountain town advice; share what we’re reading & watching; and more.
2024-2025 K2 Omen 90
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the K2 Omen 90 freestyle ski.
Flash Review: 24/25 Ferreol Explo 86
Ski season is officially underway at our home base, and the Explo 86 is one of the first skis we got back on this winter. Here, Luke Koppa shares his initial take.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Forbidden Druid V2
There are more high-pivot Trail bikes than ever before, but the Forbidden Druid V2 is still one of the shortest-travel options. So, has Forbidden come up with a coherent short(ish) travel bike with a suspension layout more typically of Enduro and DH sleds, or does it feel caught between those categories? What we’ve found is pretty interesting.
Deep Dive: Forbidden Druid V2
We compare the Forbidden Druid V2 to the Transition Smuggler, Chromag Darco, Norco Optic, Norco Sight, Deviate Highlander II, and Orbea Rallon.
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 Baselayers from Arms of Andes
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the men’s or women’s Alpaca Wool Long Sleeve Shirt and Leggings from Arms of Andes!
Reviewer Reports: Lightweight eMTBs, Ultra-Adjustable Enduro Bikes, Electronic Suspension Battle & More (Ep.250)
Simon Stewart and David Golay give the rundown on a ton of bikes and other gear we’ve been testing, from a wide range of Trail bikes to a couple of lightweight eMTBs, the ultra-adjustable Geometron G1, and more — including a head-to-head comparison of Fox Live Valve Neo and RockShox Flight Attendant.
No, Thank YOU
In our latest Open Mic piece, Brendan Leonard tells us how to deal with a world full of F@!% Yous.
Flash Review: 24/25 Peak 104 by Dav
We recently spent a day touring on the lighter version of Peak’s 104 mm-wide ski, the Peak 104 by Dav. Check out our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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James Bond, ‘The World Is Not Enough’ w/ Jonathan Ellsworth & Simon Stewart (Ep.29)
James Bond films have probably put skiing and snowboarding in front of more people than any other film series. So we discuss this, then, in honor of the 25th anniversary of ‘The World is Not Enough,’ we break down that film and its absolutely-all-time ski scene.
BCA Float E2-35 Avalanche Airbag Backpack
Avalanche airbag backpacks have come a long way, and one of our reviewers has tested most of them over the past decade. BCA’s newest option, the Float E2-35, is his current favorite — check out our Full Review to see why.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2024-2025 Jones Storm Chaser, 152 cm
Volume-shifted boards have been having a moment in the past several years, promising playfulness matched to a whole lot of float. Born from the mind of surfboard shaper Chris Christenson, the Jones Storm Chaser is a unique take on the short-and-wide concept — and one that really impresses in the right conditions. Check out our Full Review to see how we got along with it.
Flash Review: 24/25 Dynastar M-Free 108
Jonathan and Luke spent time this weekend on the updated Dynastar M-Free 108, and here are their initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Dynastar M-Free 108
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the newly updated Dynastar M-Free 108.
2024-2025 Nordica Santa Ana 92
Nordica updated several of their longest-standing skis this season, and we’ve now spent a lot of time testing the all-new Santa Ana 92. Here’s our Full Review of this women’s all-mountain ski.
Deep Dive: Nordica Santa Ana 92
We compare the Nordica Santa Ana 92 to the previous Nordica Santa Ana 93, Nordica Santa Ana 102, Blizzard Black Pearl 94, Volkl Secret 96, K2 Mindbender 89Ti W, Majesty Havoc 90 Ti, Atomic Maven 93 C, Dynastar M-Pro 92 W, Blizzard Sheeva 9, Armada Reliance 92 Ti, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, & 4FRNT MSP CC.
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.)
The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman (Ep.56)
Today you are going to hear what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine dining, and the ethics and aesthetics of what we eat.
Commencal T.E.M.P.O. Power
The new T.E.M.P.O. Power is Commencal’s latest eMTB, adding Bosch’s lightweight Performance Line SX motor to their shortest-travel Trail bike, with an emphasis on versatility and playfulness. Check out our First Look to see how Commencal has approached its goal of creating a lively lightweight eMTB.
Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 Dropper Post
The Wolf Tooth Resolve rev2 dropper post doesn’t look all that different from the original, so what has Wolf Tooth changed? And have they meaningfully improved an already good post? We’ve spent a lot of time with both versions of the Resolve and have some thoughts.
2025-2026 Tecnica Mach1 LV 115 W TD2 GW
Here are our measured specs, photos, and a quick overview of Tecnica’s updated low-volume women’s boot, the Mach1 LV 115 W TD2 GW.
2025-2026 Armada AR ONE 130 MV
Armada just entered the ski-boot market, and we’ve started testing their flagship model, the AR ONE 130 MV. Here are the details on the AR ONE collection as a whole, and the specs and features of the AR ONE 130 MV.
Tecnica Announces 25/26 Mach1 LV Ski Boots
Tecnica has revealed the latest generation of their low-volume alpine boots, the Mach1 LV collection. Here’s what we know so far.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, December 2024 (Ep.340)
Cody and Jonathan are back to review some of the big news of December and this new year; rate your takes; share what we’re reading & watching; and more.