BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2024-2025 Black Crows Octo
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Black Crows Octo.
‘Surviving Our Story’ w/ Connor Ryan, Ryan McClure, & Isaiah Branch-Boyle (Ep.30)
Jonathan talks with Connor Ryan, Ryan McClure, and Isaiah Branch-Boyle about their powerful new film, Surviving Our Story. It should be required viewing for anyone who backcountry skis, splitboards, snowmobiles — or does any form of backcountry travel on snow.
2024-2025 Armada Reliance 92 Ti
Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, and rocker profile pictures for the new Armada Reliance 92 Ti.
Flash Review — Vorsprung Telum
It’s always noteworthy whenever a brand ventures into a new product category, but that’s just the start of the story with Vorsprung’s first shock, the Telum. We’ve begun testing it, and you can now check out our early impressions.
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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.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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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
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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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
From World-Cup Race Skis to Recreational Skis & Everything In Between w/ Rossignol’s Jake Stevens (Ep.331)
Jonathan talks with Jake Stevens (Rossignol’s Winter Sports Equipment Director for North America) about world-cup race skis vs. recreational skis: what do they have in common; how do they incorporate technological advances; and what are all the options out there?
Delium Versatile and Rugged Tires
“Cheap, light, strong: pick two” is an old cliche when it comes to bike parts, but “cheap or good: pick one” is probably more apt for tires. Delium is trying to change that, with a lineup of relatively affordable tire options that they say still offer top-tier performance. We’ve spent the last several months putting those claims to the test.
Win an Adult & Kids’ Puffy From Town Hall
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get an Adult and a Kids’ Down Town Puffy jacket from Town Hall!
Flash Review: 24/25 Renoun Citadel 107
Renoun recently overhauled their “nimble powder ski,” the Citadel 107. So, how different is it, and does it still exhibit the unique traits of Renoun’s signature “VibeStop” construction? Here are 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 Renoun Citadel 107
Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, and rocker profile pictures for the Renoun Citadel 107.
Gear of the Year, 2024 (Ep.257)
We reviewed more mountain bike gear than ever in 2024, and we got the bike review team together to discuss the bikes and components that most impressed us from last year, and what made them stand out.
K2 Reveals New Dual-BOA Low-Volume Cortex Ski Boots
Dual-BOA boots are here, but there’s more to K2’s new Cortex boots than just their additional dial — the Cortex is the lowest-volume and stiffest boot they’ve produced. Here are the details.
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.
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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.