BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Blister Summit 2024: A Brief Recap of an Epic Event
Blister Summit 2024 was an absolute blast, and here’s a recap of some of the highlights — including lots of photos — from our favorite week of the winter.
Win Skis & More From Folsom, Bag Balm, & Rab
The winner of this week’s Gear Giveaway will win custom skis from Folsom, a skincare package from Bag Balm, and a jacket from Rab!
Consignment, Gear Repair, & Sustainability w/ Lone Pine Gear Exchange (Ep.284)
We talk with co-founder & CEO of Lone Pine Gear Exchange, Katy Jackson, about the importance of used gear, how to shop consignment, sustainability in outdoor retail, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: 23/24 Dynafit Tigard 130 Boot
This season, Dynafit launched a new 130-flex AT boot that was pretty different for the brand — 2-piece overlap construction, GripWalk soles, and 4 buckles. Eric Freson has been spending a lot of time with it in the backcountry this season — check out his initial thoughts.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Reviewer Reports: Nicolai Nucleon Supre Drive, Ibis HD6, & More (Ep.208)
David Golay and Zack Henderson give their early impressions on a bunch of bikes they’ve been testing lately, including the wild Nicolai Nucleon Supre Drive, Ibis HD6, and Chromag Lowdown.
Flash Review — Chromag Lowdown
The Chromag Darco was one of our Bike Editor’s favorite bikes from last year, but how about its bigger sibling, the Lowdown? Check out his early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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EXT Era V2.1 Fork
The original EXT Era fork was hugely impressive in a number of respects but also had a few rough edges. Since then, EXT has been making iterative refinements to this high-end Trail / Enduro fork, and we’ve spent a ton of time on the latest V2.1 iteration. So has all that work paid off? Check out our full review for our take.
Ski Touring & Backcountry Gear: The Basics & What You Need to Know
Ski touring is great, but there’s a lot to know before you go. So whether you’re looking to go on your first ski tour, you want to sign up for an avalanche-safety course, or you want to skin uphill at your local resort, this video is for you.
Blister Labs Update: Ski (and Boot) Flex Test (Ep.283)
Dr. Sean Humbert is back to provide an update on our Blister Labs’ ski flex project, and to explain how and why ski boots are becoming an integral part of this project, too.
Flash Review: 24/25 Fischer Nightstick 97
We’ve been spending time on Fischer’s new Nightstick 97 — here are our initial thoughts on this all-mountain freestyle ski, including some comparisons to Fischer’s Ranger skis.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Fischer Announces 2025 Nightstick Freeski Collection
Fischer has officially announced their 24/25 Nightstick collection, which includes four brand-new freestyle skis — here are the details.
Win Apparel from Minus33 & Melin
The two winners of this week’s Gear Giveaway will get a head-to-toe merino wool kit from Minus33 and a thermal hat from Melin!
2023-2024 Volkl Blaze 114
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Volkl Blaze 114.
2024-2025 Majesty Havoc 100 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Majesty Havoc 100 Ti.
Dynafit & Hoji Release New Ridge AT Boots
Dynafit and master-gear-tinkerer, Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson, have been toiling away on another new ski-touring boot design, and the Dynafit Ridge series is the result. Here’s the rundown on these new lightweight AT boots.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
GEAR THERAPY: A Skier (Blister’s founder) Learns to Snowboard, Part 2 (Ep.297)
In part 2 of this GEAR THERAPY mini-saga, Justin Bobb lays out his specific recommendations for boots, bindings, boards, & more to get Jonathan started on his snowboarding journey.
Flash Review — Deviate Highlander II
The Deviate Highlander II combines “Trail bike” geometry numbers with a high-pivot suspension layout, and so far, that seems to make for a very interesting combination of ride characteristics. Check out our thoughts on the Highlander II after our first few rides.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Atomic Backland 109
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Atomic Backland 109.
Flash Review: 24/25 Line Pandora 106
Line is overhauling their longstanding Pandora collection for 24/25, with the new unisex skis being offered in a huge range of lengths and featuring an all-new design. Here are our initial thoughts on the Pandora 106.
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 Line Pandora 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Line Pandora 106.
‘Hot Dog… The Movie’ with Mike Rogge & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.11)
Jonathan and Mike discuss how well the cult favorite, Hot Dog…The Movie, holds up; its impact on subsequent ski films; what’s aged the best; what’s aged the worst; & more.
Freedom Coast TRP Brake Levers
The TRP DH-R Evo brakes are a (deservedly) popular option these days, but their levers can be a bit polarizing. For folks who like the brakes but are less high on their levers, Freedom Coast’s aftermarket lever blades are designed to be the solution. Check out our review to see how well they work, and how they change the feel of TRP’s flagship DH brake.
Flash Review: 24/25 Liberty Scope 104
Liberty is tweaking just about every ski in their lineup for 24/25, and we got on the brand-new Scope 104 this season. Here are our initial thoughts.
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 Salomon QST X
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new 116mm-wide Salomon QST X.
Reviewing the News w/ Dr. Len Necefer, April 2024 (Ep.307)
Jonathan and Len discuss cloud seeding; the passing of the EXPLORE Act; trigger warnings; skiing on mushroom moguls; what we’re reading & watching; and more.
Flash Review — Canyon Neuron:ONfly
We got a first ride on the new Canyon Neuron:ONfly a little while back. 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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GEAR THERAPY: A Skier (Blister’s founder) Learns to Snowboard, Part 1 (Ep.296)
How much does knowing how to ski help when learning how to snowboard? How do you slam as little as possible while learning to ride? Why don’t snowboards have releasable bindings? These are a few of our Blister founder’s questions as he learns to ‘think sideways.’