BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Reviewer Reports: Taos Ski Valley, Carving Skis, All-Mountain Skis, & Luke’s 3-Day-Old Cheeseburger (Ep.290)
Jonathan, Luke, Kara, & Kristin discuss a number of the carving-oriented and narrower all-mountain skis they were on this week; Luke’s food choices; and Taos’ Chair 2 (West Basin) vs Chair 12 (Kachina Peak).
2024-2025 Head Oblivion 102
Part of Head’s recent overhaul of their freestyle lineup, the Oblivion 102 may look like an oversized park ski, but that simple characterization would by no means accurately summarize its uncommon all-mountain ride. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Head Oblivion 102
We compare the Head Oblivion 102 to the Head Oblivion 94, Head Oblivion 116, Head Kore 105, Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, 4FRNT Switch, Majesty Dirty Bear XL, Line Chronic 101, Armada ARV 106, Dynastar M-Free 99, Moment Deathwish 104, Whitedot Altum 104, Atomic Bent 100, Season Kin, K2 Reckoner 102, Faction Mana 2, and Line Blade Optic 104.
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Flash Review: 24/25 DPS Wailer 100
DPS is reinstating and revising their Wailer series for the 24/25 season, and we’ve been spending time on the Wailer 100 – check out our initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Win Any Armada Ski
This week, the winner of our Gear Giveaway will get their choice of any Armada ski!
Pooping in Buckets? Skiers & Snowboarders on Climate Issues, Individual Behavior, & Collective Action
As skiers, snowboarders, and general users of the outdoors, the changing climate is an issue at the forefront of many of our minds. So, should we all be pooping in buckets? Or what should we do to most significantly and quickly improve the current situation? In this panel session from Blister Summit 2024, Jonathan Ellsworth hosts a conversation with Amie Engerbretson, Dr. Len Necefer, & Jake Black to address this and a whole lot more.
Dakotah Norton on Finding Consistency, Moving to Mondraker, the State of US DH Racing, & More (Ep.214)
Dakotah Norton is one of the most decorated American DH racers in recent years, and we sat down with him to chat about his 2023 season, including his rocky start and strong finish to it; moving to Mondraker Factory Racing for 2024 and beyond; the state of US DH racing and how to build a better series of stepping stones to World Cup Downhill; and much more.
Deep Dive: 2024 Orbea Rallon
We compare the Orbea Rallon to the prior-generation Rallon, Ibis HD6, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Norco Sight, Propain Tyee, Contra MC, Norco Range, Trek Slash, Santa Cruz Megatower, Santa Cruz Nomad, YT Capra, Nicolai Nucleon 16, Cannondale Jekyll, Chromag Lowdown, REEB Steezl, Cotic RocketMAX, Yeti SB160, Specialized Enduro, and Banshee Titan.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024 Orbea Rallon
Orbea updated the Rallon for 2024 with the goal of adding stability and composure to their flagship Enduro race bike. So how does the new version stack up to its notably nimble and versatile predecessor? Here are our thoughts after a few months on the updated Rallon.
Flash Review: 24/25 Fischer The Curv GT 85 Redefine
The Curv GT 85 Redefine is an “all-conditions” carving ski that’s meant to showcase how Fischer can reduce the environmental footprint of their skis. Here are our thoughts so far on its on-snow performance (and more info about its unique construction).
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Do Eric Freson Things
A lot can be learned from the life of our friend and fellow Blister reviewer, Eric Freson, and the example he set. In today’s Open Mic, you’ll hear from some of the people who knew him best and loved him most, about what it really means to ‘Do Eric Freson Things.’
Comp Life: 4 Freeride Athletes on the FWQ, FWT, & Beyond (Ep.301)
After they competed in last weekend’s FWT Challenger stop in Crested Butte, Britta Winans, Colton Shaff, Mia Winans, and Tyler Curle sat down with us to peel back the curtain on the current freeride competition scene and discuss how the skiing and riding have evolved; differences between the FWQ and FWT events; their personal favorite moments from this season + personal favorite riders, and much more.
Flash Review: 24/25 Icelantic Nomad 106
We’ve been spending a lot of time on Icelantic’s overhauled Nomad skis — check out our thoughts on the updates, and the new Nomad 106 in particular.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Icelantic Announces All-New 2025 Nomad & Maiden Skis | Blister Summit Video
The Icelantic Nomad and women’s Maiden lines of freeride skis have long been the brand’s best-selling models, and they’ve looked largely the same for a decade now. That changes for the 2024-2025 season, and we sat down with Icelantic to get all the details on the seven all-new models.
2024-2025 K2 Reckoner 124
The Reckoner 124 is the widest, most powder-oriented model in K2’s all-new Reckoner collection — here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Reckoner 124.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2024-2025 Liberty Radian 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Liberty Radian 100.
2024-2025 Ferreol Explo 86
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Ferreol Explo 86.
Win a Dropper Post From OneUp Components
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get OneUp’s new V3 Dropper Post and V3 Dropper Post Remote!
Deep Dive: Specialized Epic Evo 8
We compare the Specialized Epic Evo to the Trek Top Fuel, Banshee Phantom V3, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Revel Rascal V2, Transition Spur, Canyon Spectral 125, and Rocky Mountain Element.
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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Specialized Epic Evo 8
The new Specialized Epic Evo uses the same exact frame as the race-oriented Epic, but the Evo pairs it with a slightly more aggressive build to conquer rougher trails outside the tape. Read our Full Review for our take on how the Epic Evo blends its race-born DNA with more well-rounded Trail-bike intentions.
2024-2025 FullSend Max K 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the FullSend Max K 106.
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa on Pizza Making & Big-Mountain Skiing (Ep.45)
One of the greatest big-mountain skiers of all time is also passionate about making great pizza. So what’s the story here, and what do you need to know to start making great pizza yourself?
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, June 2024 (Ep.229)
Mike Ferrentino and Simon Stewart get into the polarizing topic of bicycle access in wilderness areas, the inclusion of women at Red Bull Rampage, a new tire valve standard, and much more in the latest episode of Reviewing the News.
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.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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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.