BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: 23/24 Stöckli Montero AR
The Montero AR is Stöckli’s 84mm-wide “All-Mountain Piste” model — here are our initial on-snow impressions.
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Ski & Snowboard Goggle Roundup — 2024
A good pair of goggles can end up being one of the most essential pieces of gear for a fun day on snow. We’ve been testing a *lot* of them lately, and in this roundup, we compare and contrast more than two dozen — from ultra-high-end flagship models to more budget-oriented (but still impressive) alternatives.
Norco on their New High-Pivot Optic and Sight (Ep.211)
Norco has a long history with high-pivot bikes, but the switch to that layout on their new Optic and Sight still came as a surprise. So we sat down with Norco engineer, Colin Ryan, to hear all about the thinking, testing, and development behind the new models.
Revel Rascal V2
Revel’s best-selling and most versatile bike, the Rascal, gets an update today with a new frame, expanded size options, and more. Check out our full review for all the info on the new bike, and our Deep Dive comparisons to learn how it stacks up against a whole lot of all-rounder Trail bikes.
Deep Dive: Revel Rascal V2
We compare the Revel Rascal V2 to the Santa Cruz Hightower, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Transition Smuggler, Trek Fuel EX, Yeti SB140, Orbea Occam LT, Yeti SB135, Canyon Spectral 125, Chromag Darco, and Rocky Mountain Element.
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Flash Review: 24/25 Blizzard Black Pearl 94
We’ve been spending time on Blizzard’s widest model in their recently updated Black Pearl lineup, the Black Pearl 94 – here are our initial thoughts.
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Flash Review — 2024 Norco Optic
The new Norco Optic is by far the shortest-travel high-pivot bike that we’ve been on to date, and our early impressions are pretty interesting.
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2024 Norco Optic & Norco Sight
Norco is updating their flagship Trail / All-Mountain bikes, and they’ve got some surprises in store — beginning, but not ending, with the fact that they’ve both got high-pivot suspension layouts. Here are the details on the new Norco Optic & Sight.
2023-2024 Heritage Lab HB122
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Heritage Lab HB 122.
Flash Review: 23/24 Heritage Lab HB122
The HB122 is one of Heritage Lab’s latest models, inspired by the iconic K2 HellBent — here are Paul Forward’s initial thoughts on this big, fully rockered pow ski.
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Crank Brothers Mallet Trail BOA Shoes
Crank Brothers’ new Mallet Trail BOA shoes combine many features from more gravity-oriented shoes into a lighter, more pedal-friendly package. We’ve been spending a lot of time in the new model, and what Crank Brothers have come up with is pretty interesting.
2024-2025 Stöckli Stormrider 95
This season we’ve been testing several Stöckli skis, and we’re kicking off our Full Reviews & Deep Dive comparisons with the all-mountain-oriented Stormrider 95.
Deep Dive: Stöckli Stormrider 95
We compare the Stormrider 95 to the Stöckli Stormrider 102, Volkl M6 Mantra, Salomon Stance 96, Blizzard Anomaly 94, Nordica Enforcer 99, Fischer Ranger 96, Salomon QST 98, Nordica Enforcer 94, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, J Skis Masterblaster, K2 Mindbender 96C, Peak 98 by Bode, K2 Mindbender 89Ti, Atomic Maverick 95 Ti, Head Kore 93, Blizzard Rustler 9, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 95, ZAG Harfang 96, Faction Dancer 2, Blizzard Bonafide 97, Black Crows Camox, Nordica Unleashed 98, RMU Apostle 96 Pro, Line Blade Optic 96, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Renoun Endurance 98, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Season Aero, Wagner Summit 97, & Shaggy’s Mohawk 98.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Red Gerard, T. Bird, & Carter Westfall on Natural Selection & the Future of Comps (Ep.298)
We talk with Olympic and X Games gold medalist, Red Gerard; the legendary T. Bird; and the CEO of Natural Selection about the future of comps. Snowboarders are going to love this one; skiers are going to want to pay close attention; and all of us have an opportunity here to think about the past and future of snowsports comps. Watch or listen to the conversation here.
2024-2025 Blizzard Anomaly 94
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Blizzard Anomaly 94.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2024-2025 Peak 110 by Bode
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Peak 110 by Bode.
Flash Review — Scott Solace Gravel eRide
We’ve been riding the Scott Solace Gravel eRide on two different continents. Check out our impressions so far.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE
The Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE puts the excellent TQ HPR50 drive system in a Gravel / All Road package. Throw in a few geometry tweaks, generous tire clearance, and options for Road and Gravel builds, and the Solace starts to look very interesting.
Here to Climb: Sasha DiGiulian on Fitting In, Standing Out, & Her New Documentary (Ep.312)
We talk to professional climber Sasha DiGiulian about her unconventional journey, major setbacks, and remarkable achievements in and beyond the climbing world. We also go behind the scenes of the new documentary about her life, Here to Climb.
Flash Review — COROS Dura Cycling Computer
We’ve been logging some hours on the new COROS Dura cycling computer. 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 MTB Gear From Giro
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a helmet, a pair of goggles, and a pair of gloves from Giro!
Travel Gear + Bringing Back the Snake Bite Black (Ep.301)
Jonathan and Kristin discuss their recent trips; the question of ‘why we travel?’; bringing back the endangered Snake Bite Black; and they dive into some of their favorite travel gear.
Kavenz VHP 16 V7
The Kavenz VHP 16 is now in its 7th iteration, and it still stands out as a unique combination of often disparate handling traits. Check out our Full Review and Deep Dive for our impressions after a few months of saddle time.
Deep Dive: Kavenz VHP 16 V7
We compare the Kavenz VHP 16 V7 to the Yeti SB165, Orbea Rallon, Ibis HD6, Deviate Highlander II, Raaw Madonna V3, Banshee Titan, and Specialized Enduro.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Dan Bacon of Wheelbased on the (Potential) Future of MTB Tech (Ep.226)
A lot of wild patent applications have been filed in the bike world of late, so we brought Dan Bacon from Wheelbased back on Bikes & Big Ideas to talk about a bunch of them, from Bilstein’s wild fork damper to Shimano’s electronic brakes, a carbon fiber cooler from Yeti (the BIKE company), and many more.
RockShox’s New 2025 Forks & Shocks
RockShox is giving their suspension lineup another big overhaul, with updated dampers, revised air springs, a new Vivid Coil shock and a bunch more. Check out what they’ve come up with.
2024-2025 Volkl Secret 96
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, flex pattern numbers, and some more info about the updated Secret 96.