BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
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.
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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.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
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
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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.
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
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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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.
If you’re already an active member, please log in.
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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!