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BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

Camille Balanche on Yeti’s Return to World Cup DH, the State of the Sport, Injuries, & More (Ep.261)

Camille Balanche on Yeti’s Return to World Cup DH, the State of the Sport, Injuries, & More (Ep.261)

World Cup DH is undergoing a ton of changes at the moment, and we sat down with Camille Balanche to get her take on all of it. In addition to getting her thoughts on the state of World Cup Downhill, we talk about her move to Yeti; her injury struggles over the last couple of seasons and returning to form; pay in women’s racing; her 2025 plans and goals; and a whole lot more.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Moment Countach 104 for Blister

Flash Review: 24/25 Moment Countach 104

This season, Moment added a narrower, more firm-snow-friendly version of their “directional freestyle” ski, and we’ve started spending time on the Countach 104. Here are our initial impressions.

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Blister reviews the Rossignol Sender Free 100.

2025-2026 Rossignol Sender Free 100

Rossignol has revealed the latest addition to their Sender Free lineup, and the new Sender Free 100 looks very similar to its wider sibling, the Sender Free 110. But this isn’t simply a case of ‘shrink it (and pink it).’ Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pics, and more info on the Sender Free 100.

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Luke Koppa reviews the Rossignol Sender Free 100 for Blister

Flash Review: 25/26 Rossignol Sender Free 100

Several of us have been testing Rossignol’s brand-new Sender Free 100 and comparing it to Rossignol’s other freeride / freestyle skis. Here’s what we’ve found so far.

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Luke Koppa reviews the 4FRNT MSP 107 for Blister

Flash Review: 24/25 4FRNT MSP 107

The latest version of 4FRNT’s all-conditions charger is a bit of an outlier in today’s market, but what actually sets it apart? Here are our initial impressions.

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David Golay reviews the Fox Speedframe Pro for Blister

Fox Speedframe Helmets

Safety is the whole point when it comes to helmets, and two of the updated models in Fox’s Speedframe lineup are now #1 and #2 in Virginia Tech’s safety rankings. But how does the new Speedframe Pro fit and feel compared to the prior generation? We’re ready to weigh in.

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Paul Forward reviews the Heritage Lab Swallowtail R120 for Blister

Flash Review: 24/25 Heritage Lab Swallowtail R120

Reviewer and heli-guide, Paul Forward, has been testing a new version of Heritage Lab’s big-mountain powder ski, the Swallowtail R120. Here are his initial impressions after his first days with it in Alaska.

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Blister reviews the Head Kaliber 130 MV BOA2 ski boots

Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kaliber 130 MV BOA2

We’ve been logging time in the Kaliber 130 BOA2 and have started to learn some things about this new boot and the dual-BOA system in general.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Blister reviews the Salomon QST 94

2025-2026 Salomon QST 94

The QST 94 is a brand-new model for Salomon, and it’s the narrowest offering in their overhauled QST collection. After spending lots of time on it this season, we’re excited to share why it stands out so much in the all-mountain category. Here’s our Full Review.

Blister reviews the Salomon QST 94

Deep Dive: Salomon QST 94

We compare the Salomon QST 94 to the Salomon QST 92, Salomon QST 100, Salomon QST 98, Salomon Stance 96, Black Crows Serpo, Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti, Stöckli Stormrider 95, Elan Ripstick 96, RMU Apostle 96 Ti, Line Optic 96, Black Crows Camox, Meier Wrangler, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, Renoun Endurance 98, Blizzard Rustler 9, ZAG Slap 98, J Skis Masterblaster, J Skis Fastforward, Folsom Completo 100, Icelantic Nomad 100, DPS Wailer 100, Rossignol Sender Soul 102, K2 Mindbender 96C, and K2 Mindbender 99Ti.

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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We’re all familiar with ‘Top Gun’ — a school that separates the best of the best. But what if we told you there is an elite certification program designed to test the best bartenders in the business? On our CRAFTED podcas, Eli is discussing that program — Bar 5 Day — with Steve Olson and Doug Frost.

Is This the ‘Top Gun’ for Bartenders? (Ep.66)

We’re all familiar with ‘Top Gun’ — a school that separates the best of the best. But what if we told you there is an elite certification program designed to test the best bartenders in the business? Today, we’re discussing that program — Bar 5 Day — with Steve Olson and Doug Frost.

Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Bullit

Flash Review: Santa Cruz Bullit 4

Santa Cruz has added the 170 mm travel Bullit to thier revamped lineup of Horst Link euipped eMTBs built around the latest Bosch CX drive system.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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Blister reviews the RMU Professor 111

Flash Review: 25/26 RMU Professor 111

This season, RMU expanded their freestyle-friendly Professor collection with the Professor 111. Here’s our take on the ski so far, including comparisons to RMU’s Apostle 114 and several other skis in the same class as the Professor 111.

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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On the Blister Podcast, Cody and Jonathan discuss tariff zaniness; the state of outdoor-sports comps; whether it’s good when big companies move into outdoor sports (Nike & snowboarding?); and more. They also rate your takes, talk about Cody’s trips to Norway & Utah, and share what they’ve been reading & watching.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, March / April 2025 (Ep.352)

Cody and Jonathan discuss tariff zaniness; the state of outdoor-sports comps; whether it’s good when big companies move into outdoor sports (Nike & snowboarding?); and more. They also rate your takes, talk about Cody’s trips to Norway & Utah, and share what they’ve been reading & watching.

David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox Float X2

Fox’s new Float X2 has dramatically different damper architecture from the prior version and some air spring tweaks to go with it. Check out our early thoughts after A-B testing the two generations of Float X2 for a few rides.

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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Sea Otter 2025 Recap

2025 Sea Otter Classic Recap

Check out a bunch of the most interesting, compelling, and just plain odd stuff we’ve seen at Sea Otter this year.

David Golay reviews the Lal Katana for Blister

Lal Bikes on the Supre Drive & Katana Trail Bike (Ep.269)

Rear derailleurs have been around in their current general form for many decades now, but Lal Bikes thinks there’s a better way, and the Supre Drive is their answer. Now, they’ve got their own bike to go with it: the Katana. So we sat down with Lal Founder, Cedric Eveleigh, to hear all about it.