BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Atomic Announces 24/25 Maverick, Maven, Bent, & Backland Skis
Atomic recently made a big announcement about the updates they’re making to their all-mountain, freeride, and touring ski collections for the 2024-2025 season. Here are the details.
2023-2024 Salomon Stance 102
Salomon updated their Stance line of metal-laminate all-mountain skis this season, and the new Stance 102 is a very different ski than its predecessor — and for the majority of skiers out there, that is a good thing. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Salomon Stance 102
We compare the latest Stance 102 to the original Salomon Stance 102, Salomon Stance 96, Salomon QST 106, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, Rossignol Sender 106 Ti+, Fischer Ranger 102, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Parlor Cardinal Pro 102, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Nordica Enforcer 100, Nordica Enforcer 99, Folsom Blister Pro 104 (Primary 104), Blizzard Cochise 106, Volkl Mantra 102, Atomic Maverick 100 Ti, Black Crows Justis, Head Kore 99, DPS Kaizen 105, Peak 104 by Bode, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Elan Ripstick 106, J Skis Hotshot, Blizzard Rustler 10, Black Crows Atris, & Line Blade Optic 104.
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Raide: Building a Solutions-Based Backcountry Brand (Ep.281)
We talk with Kyle Siegel, the founder of Raide, about how — and why — he started the brand; their lightweight 40L backpack that immediately made a splash in the backcountry market when it was released; and more.
Win J Skis & Daymaker Touring Adapters
The winner of this week’s Gear Giveaway will get a pair of J Skis Slacker skis + Tekdapter ski touring adapters from Daymaker Touring!
Outbound Lighting on Night Riding, Light Design, & More (Ep.205)
Night riding is a lot of fun, and often the only way for many folks to find time to get out in the darker winter months. We sat down with Outbound Lighting’s Tom Place to chat about light design, how they go about it, how to choose the right lights for your needs, and much more.
2023-2024 Armada Locator 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada Locator 104.
Fischer Announces New 24/25 Curv Ski Collection
Fischer recently announced new changes to their piste-oriented Curv skis, including four new models — one of which features a construction that reportedly drops its carbon footprint by 36%. Here are the details.
Contra MC
The steel-framed, high-virtual-pivot Contra MC doesn’t look like much else out there, and its on-trail performance stands out, too. Check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Contra MC
We compare the Contra MC to the Trek Slash, Norco Range, Kavenz VHP 16, Cannondale Jekyll, Forbidden Dreadnought, Cotic RocketMAX, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, & Nicolai G1.
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Flash Review: 23/24 Kästle K130P LV
We’ve been testing the stiffest boot in Kästle’s line of “performance” ski boots — here are our initial impressions.
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Flash Review: 24/25 Nordica Enforcer 99
Nordica is updating all their Enforcer skis for 24/25, and we’ve been skiing the replacement for the Enforcer 100, the new Enforcer 99. Check out our initial on-snow impressions.
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 Santa Ana 92
Nordica is updating all their Santa Ana skis for 24/25, and we’ve been skiing the replacement for the Santa Ana 93, the new Santa Ana 92. Check out our initial on-snow impressions.
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WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, on the Benefits, Culture, & Craft of Saunas (Ep.40)
WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, aka, the ‘Sauna Shaman’ talks about how Hoji kicked off his obsession with saunas; their numerous benefits; and he lays out what it takes (and costs) to build your own sauna.
2023-2024 DPS Kaizen 105
The recently launched DPS Kaizen skis feature a new construction, new shapes, and are the latest in a long line of the brand’s do-it-all, carbon-construction skis. The Kaizen 105 sits in the middle of the new collection, and we’ve had two reviewers testing two different lengths of it — check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Deep Dive: Moment Commander 92
We compare the Moment Commander 92 to the Moment Commander 102, Blizzard Anomaly 94, 4FRNT MSP 91, Blizzard Anomaly 88, Nordica Enforcer 94, Folsom Spar 88, Wagner Summit 91, Salomon Stance 90, Renoun Endurance 88, K2 Mindbender 89Ti, Peak 88 by Bode, Armada Declivity 92 Ti, J Skis Fastforward, Folsom Cash 93, Stockli Stormrider 95, Black Crows Serpo, Head Kore 93, Parlor Cardinal 90, & Volkl M6 Mantra.
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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Alaska’s Epic El Niño Season, Ski Bindings, & More with Powder Hound (Ep.294)
We’re back with Eric Helmbrecht, co-owner of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK, to discuss Alaska’s banner El Niño season; the gear he enjoyed most; the gear Kara Williard brought to Girdwood; what’s changed at Alyeska Resort since joining the Ikon pass; the reliability of various AT & alpine bindings, and more.
2024 Sea Otter Classic Recap, Part 1
Simon Stewart is on site at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. Check out some of the stuff that caught his eye on day one.
Win a MTB Fork from Manitou
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the Mattoc 29 Pro mountain bike suspension fork from Manitou!
Flash Review: 24/25 Dynastar M-Pro 94 Ti
Dynastar updated many of their directional freeride skis for 24/25, and we logged several days on the new M-Pro 94 Ti — here are our 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: So Many New Bikes (Ep.218)
It’s been an insanely busy last few weeks for new bike launches, and we’ve been riding a whole lot of them. We sat down to chat about our early impressions of a *lot* of new bikes, from the Specialized Epic Evo to the Yeti SB165, and a whole bunch in between.
TIME’s Refreshed Pedal Lineup
TIME is refreshing its popular clipless pedal range to include new sizes and axle materials, with options to suit all disciplines from Downhill to Cross Country. Join us as we dig into the details of the new lineup.
Flash Review: 24/25 Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 130
Salomon overhauled their freeride-touring boots for 24/25, and the new Shift Alpha BOA 130 was reportedly inspired by Salomon’s iconic MTN Lab. Here are our initial thoughts on the new boot.
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 Maven 103 CTI
For 24/25, Atomic widened their women’s all-mountain lineup with the addition of the Maven 103 CTI, and the new ski achieves the rare feat of standing out both on piste and in powder — but that’s not the whole story. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive Comparisons for the full rundown on the Maven 103 CTI.
Deep Dive: Atomic Maven 103 CTI
We compare the Atomic Maven 103 CTI to the Fischer Ranger 102, Nordica Santa Ana 102, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Volkl Secret 102, Blizzard Sheeva 10, DPS Kaizen 105, Line Blade Optic 104, K2 Mindbender 106C W, Folsom Cash 106, Faction Dancer 3X, Salomon QST Stella 106, Nordica Unleashed 108, & Majesty Vadera Ti.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Industry Nine SOLiX M Hubs and Wheels
Industry Nine’s Hydra hubs have been ubiquitous in high-end wheels for years, but now they’ve got a new, lighter, faster-rolling option for XC and Trail use — and they’re offered both as standalone hubs and in a range of new wheelsets. Meet the SOLiX M lineup.
Blister Summit 2025: What, When, & How to Join
Join us at Blister Summit 2025 this February 23–27! We’re extremely excited to once again host our annual Blister Summit next winter in Mount Crested Butte — here are the details.