BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

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.

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David Golay reviews the Lal Katana for Blister

Lal Katana

Lal Bikes turned a lot of heads when they launched the Supre Drive a few years ago, and now they’re launching their own bike built around it. Meet the Katana.

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Blister reviews the Faction Dancer 79

Flash Review: 25/26 Faction Dancer 79

Faction is expanding their Dancer collection of directional, metal-laminate all-mountain skis, and we’ve started getting time on the newest and narrowest ski, the Dancer 79.

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 Faction Dancer 79

2025-2026 Faction Dancer 79

Faction is adding a narrower option to their metal-laminate Dancer collection. Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the brand-new Faction Dancer 79.

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David Golay reviews the DT Swiss 350 DEG Hubs and Pure Carbon Rims for Blister

DT Swiss 350 Ratchet DEG Hubs & Pure Carbon Rims

DT Swiss is bringing their faster-engaging Ratchet DEG freehub design to their more affordable 350 hubs, along with some flashier color options than their standard black. They’re also now offering their top-tier carbon MTB rims on their own. Check out what’s new from DT Swiss.

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BLISTER reviews the RAAW Yalla!! V2

RAAW Yalla!! V2

Revamped for 2025, the RAAW Yalla!! V2 gets a lot more than just an extra exclamation point in the name. The new frame doesn’t deviate too far from the original but gets mixed wheel compatibility, redesigned adjustable dropouts, updated tubing and protection details, and a bunch of other tweaks. Check out RAAW’s updated DH bike in our First Look.

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Blister reviews the FullSend Max K 106

Flash Review: 25/26 FullSend Max K 106

We’ve been testing two versions of FullSend’s do-everything all-mountain ski, including a fully rockered model and a cambered version with a swallowtail. 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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Blister reviews the FullSend Max K 106.

2025-2026 FullSend Max K 106

Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for two versions — fully rockered and cambered with a swallowtail — of the new FullSend Max K 106.

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BLISTER reviews the second generation Allied Cycle Works ABLE

Allied Cycle Works ABLE Gen 2

Allied Cycle Works has revamped the ABLE, their race-oriented Gravel bike. The original elevated chainstay design is no longer, but it gets even more clearance for big tires, a new in-frame storage design, and updated geometry. Check out the details in our First Look.

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Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Pro

Specialized Turbo Levo 4

The new Specialized Turbo Levo 4 has a more powerful motor and a bigger battery than the outgoing Turbo Levo 3, plus a host of other innovations that, combined with the new drive system, make us eager to spend time on it. Check out our First Look for the details.

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BLISTER reviews the Revel Ritual and ReRun

Revel Ritual and ReRun

Hot on the heels of the Rascal SL launch, Revel is dropping two more bikes on the other end of the spectrum — including their first eMTB. Check out the new Ritual and electrified ReRun.

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Blister reviews the RMU Zephyr 88

Flash Review: 25/26 RMU Zephyr 88

The Zephyr 88 is RMU’s most piste-oriented ski, and we’ve logged our first few days on it. Here are our initial takeaways.

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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

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

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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BLISTER reviews the Santa Cruz Bullit 4

Santa Cruz Bullit 4

The Santa Cruz Bullit 4 has landed, and it’s a lot different than the last one. Santa Cruz’s burliest eMTB draws some design cues from the Vala while bumping travel to 170 mm front and rear. Check it out in our First Look.

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.

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.)

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.