BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2025 Gnu Hyper, 160 cm
The Gnu Hyper has roots in freestyle while promising all mountain versatility in varied conditions. We’ve spent a good deal of time getting acquainted with the Hyper, and it seems quite appealing for a broad category of riders. Check out our Full Review for the details.
Deep Dive: Marin Alpine Trail XR
We compare the Marin Alpine Trail to the original Alpine Trail, Yeti SB165, Santa Cruz Nomad, Propain Tyee, Privateer 161 V2, RAAW Madonna V3, Chromag Lowdown, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Ibis HD6, Kavenz VHP 16, and Banshee Titan.
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Marin Alpine Trail XR
The refreshed Marin Alpine Trail XR still brings excellent value but feels like a much more modern and well-rounded take on a modern Enduro bike than the old one. Our Full Review explains why it’s a standout.
Our Reviewers’ 2024 Craft Obsessions & 2025 Curiosities (Ep.55)
Today, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025.
5 New Films: ‘Circle of Madness’; ‘Grown’; ‘White Gold’; ‘Blue Hour’; & ‘Variable’ w/ Mike Rogge & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.33)
Mike and Jonathan talk about the state of snowsports films today, and make the case for 5 new films from 2024 that deserve your attention. So check out these films, let us know what you think of them, and let us know what else you think were some of the standout films of 2024.
2025-2026 HEAD Supershape e-Titan
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated HEAD Supershape e-Titan.
Flash Review — EXT Arma V4
We’ve been quite impressed with the EXT Storia V4 shock — so what about its bigger sibling, the Arma? Check out our thoughts so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 24/25 Nordica Enforcer 94
Jonathan shares his initial thoughts on the latest version of the Enforcer 94, how it compares to prior iterations, and where it feels most at home vs. the wider Enforcers.
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 Nordica Enforcer 94
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Nordica Enforcer 94.
Our Reviewers’ 2024 Highlights & 2025 Resolutions (Ep.339)
For our final Blister Podcast of 2024, we are once again sharing some of the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned by our team this past year, and revealing some of our reviewers’ plans and resolutions for 2025.
2024-2025 Coalition Snow Lil’ Honey Yum Yum Baby Cakes Nasty Snack
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Coalition Snow Lil’ Honey Yum Yum Baby Cakes Nasty Snack (aka, the ‘Lil’ Nasty’).
2024-2025 RMU Professor 111
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the RMU Professor 111.
Reviewer Reports: Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.328)
Luke and Jonathan discuss some of the frontside skis they’ve been on; why choosing the right frontside ski requires as much consideration as any other type of ski; and they give an update on how they’ve been using the CARV system (so far) to enhance their ski reviews.
Win Skis & More From Scott
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the SEA 98 ski, SEA Poles, and Shield AMP Pro Goggles from Scott!
2024-2025 Armada Declivity X 108
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada Declivity X 108.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Flash Review: 25/26 Head Kore 100 Ti
The Kore 100 Ti occupies the middle of Head’s overhauled freeride collection, and we’ve already logged several days on it. Here’s what we’ve learned so far, including some interesting takeaways after A/B testing it against the Kore 99 Ti W.
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 Head Kore 100 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Head Kore 100 Ti.
Flash Review: 25/26 4FRNT MSP 99
Here are our initial thoughts on the second-generation version of 4FRNT’s metal-laminate all-mountain ski and how it compares to the narrower and wider MSP models.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 4FRNT MSP 99
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the 4FRNT MSP 99.
Armada Skier, Todd Ligare, on Big-Mountain Skiing, Ski Racing, & His New Films: On the Hunt Part 1 & 2 (Ep.349)
Jonathan talks with Todd Ligare about his career in big-mountain skiing; his background in ski racing; movies & marriage; his two new 5-minute ski films; Sammy Carlson; Mikaela Shiffrin; the current world cup alpine ski race season; & more.
Flash Review: Pivot Trailcat LT
Pivot’s new Trailcat LT has made its way into our test fleet — so does it deliver its promised all-rounder performance? Our Flash Review has our early 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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New Gear from Blister Summit 2025 (Ep. 337)
Blister reviewers Jonathan, Luke, Sascha, Kristin, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb discuss some of the new ski and snowboard gear they spent time on at last week’s Blister Summit, including several prototypes.
Win Skis From Majesty
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Havoc 100 Ti in their preferred length from Majesty!
Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
We racked up the miles on Rocky Mountain’s Instinct Powerplay SL to put their new house-made Dyname S4 Lite motor to the test, and to see how Rocky Mountain’s take on the hot light-assist category measures up to the competition.
Deep Dive: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
We compare the Instinct Powerplay SL to the Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Pivot Shuttle SL, Canyon Spectral:ONfly, Norco Fluid VLT 130, Cannondale Moterra SL, and Pivot Shuttle AM.
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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Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, February 2025 (Ep. 264)
Mike and Simon recap the incredible RedBull Hardline event in Tasmania, as well as some good and not so good bike industry news. Plus Mike tries to get out of his bet with Simon to eat his microphone, a fun conversation about some new cycling startups, and a whole lot more.
Industry Nine Hydra2 Hubs
Industry Nine’s Hydra hubs took high-engagement to a new level, and now they’ve released the Hydra2 based on the lessons they’ve learned. That means new bearings, burlier materials, and somehow even faster engagement. Read on to find out what they’ve changed.