BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Manitou’s New R8 Fork & Updated Mara Shocks
Manitou has launched a new R8 XC fork, overhauled their whole shock lineup, and added some new remote lockout / dropper controls. Here are all the details.
Flash Review – Liv Intrigue X
Liv recently introduced the Intrigue X as the new mid-travel option to their Trail / Enduro lineup. Check out our early impressions, and see how it compares to its big sibling, the Intrigue LT.
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SRAM S-1000 Transmission & DB8 Stealth Brakes
SRAM’s AXS Transmission continues to trickle down to more affordable groups — meet the new S-1000 group and updated DB8 brakes.
2024-2025 Kästle Paragon 101
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Kastle Paragon 101.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, May & June 2024 (Ep.314)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the two new action-sports leagues; the inclusion of women at Red Bull Rampage; the latest controversies re: Nims Purja; Spring Energy’s questionably awesome sauce?; new rulings on liability waivers; what we’re reading & watching; & more.
Flash Review — Cannondale Moterra SL
Cannondale’s new Moterra SL looks pretty wild on paper — it’s a very light, full-power, long-travel eMTB — but how does it come together on the trail? Check out our early impressions.
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2024-2025 Majesty Havoc 90 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for Majesty’s newest and narrowest freeride ski, the Havoc 90 Ti.
Flash Review: 24/25 Black Crows Corvus
A couple of our reviewers started spending time on the latest (and very different) version of the original Black Crows ski — here are their initial impressions on the new Corvus.
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24/25 Black Crows lineup, new Corvus, & more w/ co-founder Camille Jaccoux (Ep.303)
Camille Jaccoux, co-founder of Black Crows Skis, is back on GEAR:30 to discuss recent developments at the brand; the legacy of the iconic Corvus; how they overhauled it for 24/25; other new products they’re rolling out this winter; and a whole lot more.
Starling Mini Murmur
Starling has shrunken its Murmur into a short travel version dubbed the Mini Murmur. With a handmade steel frame and 120 mm of travel, the Mini Murmur prioritizes a responsive, fun ride. Take a peek at our First Look for more.
Win Packs and Radios From BCA
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get two all-season packs and two BC Link Mini radios from BCA!
Reviewer Reports: Specialized Epic Evo to the RAAW Madonna, Lots of Tires, & More (Ep.228)
We check in on a whole bunch of the bikes, tires, and other gear we’re currently testing, from the razor-sharp Specialized Epic Evo to the ultra-composed RAAW Madonna, and a wide range in between.
La Marzocco Product Designer, Stefano Della Pietra (Ep.44)
La Marzocco is the most iconic espresso-machine maker in the world, and last month, Jonathan spoke with their lead product designer, Stefano Della Pietra, about the history and core principles of the company; the task of taking La Marzocco into the future while staying true to the brand’s storied past; and more.
Magura Gustav Pro Brakes
The original Magura Gustav was known for being exceptionally powerful in an era when most MTB brakes were pretty wimpy by modern standards — and after a very long hiatus, it’s back. Check out what the modern Gustav has to offer.
Flash Review — Mondraker Dune
We recently started spending time on Mondraker’s lightweight long-travel eMTB, the Dune XR — here’s what we’ve found so far.
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Dr. Gloria Beim on the Paris Olympics; Pre-Season Training Advice; the Most Common Ski & Snowboard Injuries; & More (Ep.329)
Dr. Gloria Beim, the head physician for the USA Olympic Team in Paris, is back to talk about her experience at the Paris games; pre-season training; the most common ski & snowboard injuries; and some of the things you can do to prevent them.
Deep Dive: 2025 Trek Top Fuel
We compare the Trek Top Fuel to the prior-generation Top Fuel, Specialized Epic Evo, Rocky Mountain Element, Transition Spur, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Revel Rascal V2, Pivot Trail 429, and Forbidden Druid V2
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2025 Trek Top Fuel
The last Trek Top Fuel was a big departure from the versions that preceded it — so has Trek given it another major overhaul with their latest update, or refined the recipe that made the outgoing model popular in the first place? We’ve got answers.
Blister Travel Guide: Chamonix
Considering a ski or snowboard trip to Chamonix? It’s one of the most famous locales in the wintersports world for a reason, and in this Blister Travel Guide, we provide all the insider info needed to make the most of your trip.
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5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Which 5 skis would you pick for all the skiing you do? We’re once again asking our reviewers to provide their answers, and in Part Two of our 5-ski quiver picks, we hear from Paul Forward, Mark Danielson, & Jonathan Ellsworth.
24/25 Ski Season & Big Moves w/ Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.318)
We catch up with Drew and Rachel Harding of our Blister Recommended Shop, Spokane Alpine Haus, to hear all about the exciting recent developments at the shop; how this news runs counter to a lot of what you see from local retailers these days; what ski / snowboard gear they’re excited about for the 24/25 season, and more.
Win Skis From 4FRNT
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the new NEVAR ski from 4FRNT!
High Above on US Manufacturing, Pack Design, Expanding Their Lineup, & More (Ep.244)
High Above has been making high-quality bike packs and accessories — in the US — for well over a decade. We sat down with them to get their thoughts on the value (and downsides) of US manufacturing; talk about their design and testing process; get some teasers of what they’re working on; and a whole lot more.
Cannondale Moterra SL vs. Mondraker Dune XR | Head-to-Head Video
The Cannondale Moterra SL and Mondraker Dune XR both offer lots of travel at fairly low weights for the eMTB category, but they accomplish that in very different ways. In this Head-to-Head video, Blister editors Simon Stewart and Dylan Wood compare and contrast these two eMTBs, discuss what sorts of riders will get along best with each one, and (try to) decide which one they’d each personally pick.
Cannondale Moterra SL
The groundbreaking Cannondale Moterra SL is claimed to be the lightest full-power eMTB on the market, but has it made too many compromises to get there, or does it deliver something truly unique? Check out our Full Review for our take.
Deep Dive: Cannondale Moterra SL
We compare the Cannondale Moterra SL to the Pivot Shuttle LT, Pivot Shuttle AM, Orbea Wild, Devinci E-Troy, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay, and Mondraker Dune XR.
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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Wayfarer Vans w/ Andy Mullins (Ep.50)
Camper vans are everywhere, and in today’s CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Wayfarer Van’s Andy Mullins to answer commonly asked questions about camping in — and building — vans.