BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Stuff We Like: March 2024
This edition of our Stuff We Like series includes everything from a whole collection of bike tools to splitboard skins, children’s books, goggles with a heads-up display, portable radios, and more. Here are some of the latest products that our reviewers have been testing and enjoying.
Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra: Stories from the Field (Ep.304)
Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra share stories about their all-time favorite days in the mountains; their scariest experiences; times they were the most starstruck; what they wish they could tell their younger selves; and more.
New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry (Ep.292)
After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy. We talk with Jeff about how this app compares to and complements other backcountry tools; how it accounts for human factors; the general state of tech in the backcountry; and more.
RMU Launches New 2025 Ski Collection
RMU has launched their 2024-2025 ski collection, and it includes several brand-new models, updates to existing ones (including some favorites of our reviewers), and more. Here are the details.
Flash Review: 24/25 RMU Apostle 106
The Apostle 106 has been a favorite of a few of our reviewers, and we’ve been skiing the updated version. So, how similar or different is the new ski? Here are our initial thoughts.
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2024-2025 RMU Apostle 106 Wood
Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, and rocker profile pictures for the RMU Apostle 106 Wood.
Win MTB Gear from POC
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will both get mountain bike riding gear from POC!
Brook Macdonald on Fresh Starts, DH Race Bike Design, Moving to Forbidden, & More (Ep.216)
Brook Macdonald’s return to racing World Cup DH after breaking his back at Mont Sainte Anne in 2019 was nothing short of remarkable, but the last few race seasons have still been difficult ones for Brook. On this week’s episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, he opens up about a lot of those struggles, and the things he’s changed in order to come into the 2024 season feeling refreshed, reenergized, and with a renewed hunger to compete.
Propain Sresh CF
Propain calls the new Sresh CF a lighter, more Trail-oriented eMTB alongside their burlier Ekano, but it’s got a full-power drive system and options for more Enduro-oriented builds, too. So what have they come up with? Check out our First Look for all the info.
2024-2025 Black Crows Corvus
Black Crows is once again overhauling their original ski, the Corvus, and the new version looks very different from the previous one. Here are our measured specs, flex pattern numbers, rocker profile pictures, & some basic info about the latest Pink Crow.
Reynolds Blacklabel 307 and 309 Enduro and DH Wheels
Reynolds says that their Blacklabel 309 Enduro Pro wheels offer a massive increase in compliance over their predecessors while still being strong enough for DH use. We’ve logged a ton of vert on their flagship Enduro wheels over the past 6 months and are ready to weigh in.
Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra: Stories from the Field
In this video from Blister Summit 2024, Angel Collinson, Mallory Duncan, Elyse Saugstad, & Vasu Sojitra share stories about their all-time favorite days in the mountains; their scariest experiences; times they were the most starstruck; what they wish they could tell their younger selves; and more.
Flash Review: 24/25 K2 Mindbender 116C W
Kara Williard just wrapped up a pow-skiing trip to Alaska, and one of the skis she brought with her was the recently updated Mindbender 116C. Here are her 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 — Kavenz VHP 16 V7
The Kavenz VHP 16 V6 was a surprisingly versatile, playful high-pivot Enduro bike, but what about the new V7? 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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Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, March 2024 (Ep.303)
Cody and JE discuss the end of The Fifty; the Crankworx riders’ strike; JHMR’s parking lot controversy; the drugged-up Olympic Games; the ‘Road House’ remake; & more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Neko Mulally on the Upcoming Frameworks Enduro Bike, DH Bike Testing & More (Ep.231)
Neko Mulally is getting ready to offer his Frameworks Enduro bike for sale, so we sat down to hear about its development; discuss the various DH frame variants Neko has been testing; talk about the expanded Frameworks team and how Neko’s approach to his own racing has evolved; and a lot more.
Flash Review — Spot Mayhem 140
The Spot Mayhem 140’s suspension layout doesn’t look like anything else out there, but how does it ride? 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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How to Design (and Own) a Well-Crafted, Affordable Home, with Zack Giffin (Ep.47)
These days, owning a beautiful home is often prohibitively expensive, while “affordable” housing too often fails to include quality craftsmanship. But there is a solution, and Zack Giffin reminds us of this and discusses the craft of designing smaller structures that address our true needs.
‘Breaking Away’ with Jonathan Ellsworth & Simon Stewart (Ep.17)
Breaking Away features one of the biggest and coolest bike races ever (the Little 500) while also doubling as a fantastic coming-of-age film. So in honor of its 45th anniversary, Jonathan & Simon debate what’s aged the best; discuss its most rewatchable scenes; and Simon drops the hottest of Hot Takes.
Ibis Ripley and Ripmo
The Ibis Ripley and Ripmo have gotten an overhaul, with new lines, new geometry, and mixed wheel compatibility. Ibis left no stone unturned with its updates, so take a look at our First Look for the full rundown.
TRP Evo 12 Drivetrain
The big two S-brands have a stranglehold on the mountain bike drivetrain market, but that isn’t stopping TRP from trying to join them. So, is TRP’s Evo12 drivetrain a worthy contender? Check out our Full Review for our take.
2023-2024 Fischer The Curv
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for The Curv ski by Fischer.
Order Now: Our 24/25 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide
Order your print and/or digital copy of the biggest, most honest, accurate, and genuinely useful buyer’s guide in the ski industry. Includes 350+ skis, 65+ boots, & much more.
Skin & Ski 3 Million Feet in a Year?? Noah Dines’ Big Objective (Ep.316)
Is it possible to skin and ski 3 million vertical feet in a year? On Jan 1st, 2024, Noah Dines set out to find out. So what prompted Noah to attempt this? What does his typical day look like? What have been the biggest challenges so far, and what gear is he using to pull this off?
Flash Review — 2024 Marin Alpine Trail
The new Marin Alpine Trail looks extremely promising, with modern, adjustable geometry, good builds at impressive prices, and more bells and whistles than you might expect from such an affordable package. So, is there a catch? 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 4FRNT MSP CC
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the women’s 4FRNT MSP CC.
New Zealand Ski Season, Gear Trends, & How a Specialty Retailer Curates Their Products (Ep.304)
How has the ski / snowboard season in the southern hemisphere been this year? To find out, we caught up with Benji Knight and Darren Grimmett from Outside Sports in New Zealand, and they also fill us in on their local gear trends, how they go about curating the gear they offer, and more.