BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Win Any Pret Helmet & Goggle
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get their pick of any Pret Helmet, as well as their choice of any pair of Pret Goggles!
Blister Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Kids & Parents Edition
Rounding out our Holiday Gift Guide series this year is a collection of gift ideas that we think would be great for outdoor-oriented kids and parents — or those who are looking for new ways to spend more time outside with their little ones.
Fox DHX Live Valve Neo Electronic Shock
Fox took their time developing the new wireless version of their electronically-controlled Live Valve bike suspension. We’ve been testing the DHX Live Valve Neo since early summer, and it’s clear that Fox has come up with something pretty interesting.
Risk, Consequence, & an 8-Step Checklist
In this Open Mic piece, Hadley Hammer offers lots of food for thought, and an 8-Step checklist that each of us would do well to act on.
PeopleForBikes CEO, Jenn Dice, on Assessing, Advocating For, & Building Better Bike Infrastructure (Ep.249)
Getting more people on bikes more regularly is a laudable goal, and building better bike infrastructure is key to making it happen. PeopleForBikes does a whole lot to make that happen all over the US, and we sat down with their CEO, Jenn Dice, to hear all about it — and we dive into off-road bike access & advocacy, the specter of increased tariffs on bikes (and a lot of other stuff), and a whole bunch more.
Flash Review — EXT Vaia
EXT’s new Vaia is an inverted dual-crown fork with additional features and design details that set it apart from most of the DH fork market — at least on paper. But how does it stack up on the trail? Check out our early thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: Transition Sentinel V3
Update 1.13.2025: We’ve got a bunch more time on the new Transition Sentinel, and our impressions have evolved. Check out our latest thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 25/26 Fischer RC4 Noize
Jonathan Ellsworth has logged a couple of days on Fischer’s new World-Cup-inspired RC4 Noize — here are his initial thoughts on this 66mm-wide carver.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025-2026 Fischer RC4 Noize
Fischer has unveiled their latest collection of competition-race and race-inspired skis, and we’ve started testing them. Here are the details on the new RC4 Noize models, their unique construction, and more.
Athletes & Bootfitting w/ Freeride Skier Nat Segal x Pulse Boot Labs (Ep.330)
Freeride athlete Nat Segal has had a long and impressive journey as a professional skier, and a key part of it has been getting in a properly fitting ski boot. Our Blister Recommended Shop, Pulse Boot Labs and Ski Co., has helped her along the way, so we talk with Nat and Pulse to hear about bootfitting from an athlete’s perspective, and a whole lot more.
2024-2025 Armada Declivity X 102
The Armada Declivity 102 Ti was a favorite of some of our reviewers, but this season Armada updated it. So, does the new Declivity X 102 still provide the same, well, ‘x-factor’ of the original? Here’s our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Armada Declivity X 102
We compare the Declivity X 102 to the Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Armada Declivity X 108, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Salomon Stance 102, Rossignol Sender Soul 102, Dynastar M-Pro 100 Ti, Head Kore 99, Völkl Mantra 102, Nordica Enforcer 104, Stöckli Stormrider 102, Atomic Maverick 105 CTI, Fischer Ranger 102, Blizzard Rustler 10, and Line Optic 104.
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 Skis From Elan
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Elan Ripstick ski of their choosing!
Flash Review: 24/25 K2 Reckoner 110
The new Reckoner 110 has been spotted everywhere from the park to the top of FWT podiums, but what’s it like for us non-pro skiers? Here are Luke Koppa’s initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 K2 Reckoner 110
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new K2 Reckoner 110.
Vorsprung on the Telum, Rapid Revalve, Shock Tuning & More (Ep. 256)
There is no shortage of very good high-end coil sprung shocks on the market. So it’s noteworthy that Vorsprung’s first shock, the Telum, stands out in a number of its design details — first and foremost, the Rapid Revalve system, which Vorsprung says makes changing the base tune on the Telum a few-minute job, with no need to even open the shock up. So we sat back down with Vorsprung founder, Steve Mathews, to hear all about it.
2024-2025 ON3P Woodsman 108
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Woodsman 108.
Flash Review: Schwalbe Magic Mary Tires
Schwalbe’s new radial tires have many of us wondering what took so long. Find out why they may be on to something, and what our early impressions are.
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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