BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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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
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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.
Maxxis High Roller
Maxxis says that the newest iteration of their High Roller is a gravity tire for conditions that are somewhat soft and loose, but not to the point of demanding a full-on mud spike. That’s a big departure from earlier iterations of the High Roller, but it would fill a real gap in Maxxis’ lineup (and the MTB tire market as a whole). So, is their description on point? We’ve ridden the High Roller in a wide range of conditions and are ready to weigh in.
Flash Review: 24/25 Volkl M7 Mantra
Last season we started spending time on Volkl’s newest Mantra (in two different lengths) to see just how much has changed between the M6 and M7. Here are some of 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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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.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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.
Flash Review: 25/26 Armada AR ONE 130 MV
We just got our first laps in Armada’s first boots, the AR ONE 130 — here are some of the things that have stood out so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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The New Armada AR ONE Ski Boot: What Is It & Who’s It For? (Ep.329)
Today, for the first time, Armada is releasing a ski boot: the AR ONE. But why do a boot? And why now? What sort of boot is the AR ONE, how is it different from what’s out there, and who’s it for? We discuss all of this and more with Armada’s Matt Rihm and Bransford Briggs.
Reviewing the News w/ Dylan Wood, December 2024 (Ep. 255)
Dylan Wood is back in the studio to co-host the final Reviewing the News of 2024 with Simon, and they recap some of 2024’s more memorable stories, some fresh news from December, their favorite bike racing moments, their top bike rides of the year, & more.
Flash Review: Santa Cruz Vala
The Santa Cruz Vala has a new suspension design and Bosch’s updated CX motor. Check out our initial impressions.
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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2024-2025 Rossignol Sender Soul 102
The name ‘Soul’ had been absent from Rossignol’s line ever since they discontinued the extremely popular (and sometimes divisive) Soul 7 several years ago. But this season, there’s a brand-new ‘Soul’ ski — and it looks very different from the original. So, what sort of ski is the new Sender Soul 102? Here’s our Full Review.