BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Helping Everyone ‘Go’ Outside w/ Gnara (Ep.306)
Pants weren’t originally designed for female anatomy, and that creates problems for a lot of people in a lot of different scenarios – from climbing with a harness to peeing at a festival. Gnara, with their patented “GoFly Technology,” has been working to address this overlooked issue for the past several years, and we talk to their co-founder, Georgia Grace Edwards, about all the work that’s gone into solving this problem and the impact it has had.
Flash Review — Trek Slash+
The Trek Slash+ merges a lightweight TQ motor with the high pivot design used on the regular Slash. Those two elements alone imply a burly ride, but is there more to the story? Check out our impressions from a few initial rides.
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2024-2025 Salomon Stance 94 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Salomon Stance 94 W.
Kokopelli Trail FKT: Failure & Redemption w/ Hannah Otto (Ep.232)
Last time we checked in with Hannah Otto, she was fresh off setting the FKT on the Whole Enchilada in Moab, Utah. Her follow-up was to chase the FKT on the Kokopelli Trail, where she had an extremely harrowing first attempt last fall — but, undeterred, she returned in the spring and beat the prior time by well over an hour. So we sat down with Hannah to hear all about it.
Knolly Delirium
After a few years hiatus, the Knolly Delirium is back and burlier than ever. Now fully in the Freeride / Park realm, the new Delirium gets mixed wheels, 190 mm of rear travel, dual crown compatibility, and updated geometry. Check out our First Look for more.
‘Feel It All’ with Drew Petersen & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.18)
We talk with Drew Petersen about his new running film / ski movie / documentary about some topics that are far bigger than skiing, running, and outdoor sports in general.
Flash Review — Knolly Fugitive 140
It had been a long time since we’ve been on anything from Knolly, but we’ve started spending time on the Fugitive 140 — so how does their mid-travel, most versatile bike stack up? Check out 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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2024-2025 Folsom Rotor
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Folsom Rotor ski.
Cars vs. Bikes (Ep.317)
Cyclists injuries and deaths from auto collisions are on the rise, so what’s being done to address this? We talk to the lead engineer of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at General Motors, who works on bicycle detection technology to help keep cyclists safer on the roads.
Deep Dive: 2024 Norco Optic
We compare the Norco Optic to the Transition Smuggler, Deviate Highlander II, Norco Sight, Canyon Spectral 125, Chromag Darco, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Rocky Mountain Element, Yeti SB135, and Revel Rascal V2.
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 Norco Optic
Norco did a lot to spearhead the recent resurgence of high-pivot bikes, but it still caught a lot of people by surprise when they moved their 125mm-travel Optic to the layout. So how has it panned out? Check out our Full Review for our take.
Specialized Status 2
The Specialized Status 2 presents some big updates over the outgoing one, with new geometry, more adjustments, and new S0 sizing for shorter riders and young guns. Check out our First Look for all the details.
Flash Review: 24/25 Atomic Maverick 105 CTI & Maverick 115 CTI
Update 7.19.24: Luke Koppa adds some of his thoughts on Atomic’s new powder ski, the Maverick 115 CTI.
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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A Novel Twist on Wool w/ Nuyarn CEO, Andy Wynne (Ep.305)
It’s a bold goal to change something that’s remained largely the same for decades (if not centuries), and come up with something truly better. That’s what Nuyarn claims they’ve done with their unique method of spinning wool for technical fabrics, and we got all the details from their CEO, Andy Wynne.
Win Sandals From Tread Labs
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get any pair of Tread Labs sandals!
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Privateer 161 Gen 2
Privateer made a name for themselves making burly, focused go-fast Enduro race bikes at a remarkably good price with the original 161, and while the 161 V2 continues that lineage, it’s a big departure from the original in a lot of other ways. Check out our Full Review to find out how.
Deep Dive: Privateer 161 Gen 2
We compare the Privateer 161 Gen 2 to the original 161, RAAW Madonna, Chromag Lowdown, Contra MC, Trek Slash, Nicolai G1, Rocky Mountain Altitude, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Yeti SB165, and Ibis HD6.
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.)
Matthew Fairbrother on His Self-Supported NZ Rally Win, the North Shore Triple Triple Crown, & More (Ep.248)
Matthew Fairbrother has made a name for himself by reeling off one mind-bending feet of endurance after another on a mountain bike. We sat down with him to get the rundown on some of his recent exploits.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Under the Tree
Next up in our 2024 Gift Guide series, we’re sharing the items that our reviewers think will make for awesome additions beneath the tree this holiday season. Check it out for more gift ideas for any of the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.
2025 Transition Youth Bikes
Kids’ bikes have gotten awfully nice in recent years, and Transition is unveiling a full new lineup of sweet rides for young rippers. Check out the new Bandit, Ripcord, and Scout in our First Look.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters – Revelstoke
Valhalla Pure Outfitters – Revelstoke is a centerpiece of this heritage ski town. It is a shop dedicated to service and experience, year-round, with an emphasis on skiing. They seek to differentiate themselves with a high level of customer service and curated product selection focused on their adventure-filled backyard.
Ted Ligety on the 24/25 World Cup Ski Racing Season: Major Storylines, Massive Rumors, & More (Ep.332)
Jonathan talks with Ted Ligety about this World Cup season’s major storylines, massive rumors, biggest battles, and some behind-the-scenes secrets of the World Cup.
Blister’s Holiday Gift Guide 2024 — Stocking Stuffers
‘Tis the season for giving, and our reviewers are here to help. We are kicking off our annual Holiday Gift Guides with some top stocking stuffer ideas for the bikers, skiers, snowboarders, campers, hikers, travelers, and just about any other type of person on your list.
North Shore Billet Idler Pulley (Norco Range HP)
Idler pulleys on high-pivot bikes lead rough lives. They’ve generally got fairly low tooth counts, are heavily loaded, often with not much chain wrap, and bear the brunt of whatever cross-chaining is happening at any given moment. North Shore Billet has a range of aftermarket options to replace worn-out stock idlers, and we’ve spent a full year on their Norco Range version to see how it holds up.
Win Tickets to Blister Summit 2025
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get 2 passes to our upcoming Blister Summit 2025! The Blister Summit is a one-of-a-kind event in the snowsports world and we’re so excited to bring it back for its fifth year, from February 23–27, 2025.
Gear Quiz, Ski Recycling, & Circular Business w/ Powder7 (Ep.321)
It’s time to quiz our Blister Recommended Shop, Powder7, to see which gear has them most excited for the season and hear all their hot takes; we also dive into the backstory of their circular business model, from its garage-born roots to their expansive current setup.
Yeti ASR
It had been seven years since Yeti produced an ASR — but now their XC race bike is back. And while the new ASR is undoubtedly a competitive modern XC race bike, its appeal will extend beyond the race course for some folks. Check out our Full Review for all the details.