The Transition Smuggler is back in their lineup after a lengthy hiatus, and it’s one of the most well-rounded, aggressive, short(ish)-travel Trail bikes we’ve ridden. Check out our full review for the whole story, including how it compares to several other bikes in its class.
Payson McElveen on “Crossing Tasmania” & Finding Joy Beyond Racing (Ep.168)
Payson McElveen is best known for his exploits as a racer, but his upcoming short film “Crossing Tasmania” documents a very different side of his on-bike persona, an absolutely bonkers physical effort, and the ways that old habits die hard. We sat down with Payson to get the whole story, which he tells in beautiful detail.
COROS Vertix 2
The updated Vertix 2 is the most feature-laden (and expensive) watch in COROS’ lineup. As the brand’s flagship model, it’s intended to support an exhaustive list of activities for an exhausting amount of time with one of the longest estimated battery lives we’ve tested. But at what point does taking the idea of “do-it-all” begin to subtract from a watch’s functionality? Check out our full review to learn more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Shaggy’s Mohawk 98
One of the new models Shaggy's released this past season, the Mohawk 98 mixes traits from a wide range of all-mountain skis — check out our initial impressions.
Athletes & Product Design | Blister Summit 2023 Video
When it comes to gear, how do you balance the specific needs of world-class athletes with those of average skiers and riders? McKenna Petersen (K2 athlete), Drew Peterson (Salomon athlete), Tyler Curle (Moment athlete & ski builder), and Jed Yeiser (K2 engineer) discuss that balancing act; the weirdest prototypes they’ve tried; what “evolutionary” and “revolutionary” changes we should expect in the future; which discontinued products they’d like to bring back, and more.
2022-2023 Peak 104SC
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Peak 104SC.
Sam Elias: Life, Death, & Flow
For our latest Open Mic, Sam Elias discusses finding purpose and ease in the swirling circumstances of home making, community building, hard climbing, tragedy, loss, grief, gun culture, and mass-shooting events.
Jason Hardrath on Preparing for the Pico de Orizaba Infinity Loop (Ep.170)
The King of FKT’s, Jason Hardrath, returns to our Off The Couch Podcast to discuss the buildup to his attempted “infinity loop” on Mexico’s Pico de Orizaba, the tallest volcano in North America.
Flash Review — EXT Aria
EXT has made a name for itself in the bike world with a range of very impressive coil shocks, but they’ve now got an air-sprung offering, the Aria, and we’ve been riding it. Check out our initial on-trail impressions.
Reviewing the News w/ Len Necefer (April 2023) (Ep.258)
While Cody is off trying to get on top of a peak somewhere, we brought in Dr. Len Necefer to discuss the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial, The Most Sonoran News, Luis Benitez & the creation of a new federal office of outdoor recreation, mountain town advice, & more.
Flash Review: 23/24 K2 Mindbender 106C
K2 updated their lighter "Mindbender C" skis for 23/24, and we've been skiing the new Mindbender 106C. Check out our initial impressions.
Blister Brand Guide: Altra Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
While all Altra shoes share their signature zero-drop platform and "FootShape" fit, there’s still a ton of variation within both their road and trail lineups, including several new models for 2023. Check out our Brand Guide for a full breakdown of what sets each shoe apart from the others, and which ones best match your running style.
Mindbenders, Waybacks, & More: 23/24 K2 Skis | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We sat down with K2’s head ski designer, Jed Yeiser, to discuss all the new products they’re rolling out for the 2023-2024 season, including their overhauled “Mindbender C” skis; implementing materials that are both higher-performing and more sustainable; K2’s updated Wayback touring collection and how those skis compare to their Dispatch series, and more.
Powder Ski Design w/ Folsom’s Mike McCabe (Ep.243)
Today Mike McCabe and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the design elements of skis built for the deepest of days, and their recent trip to Alaska.
Win Deuter Ski Touring Packs
This week the two winners of our Gear Giveaway will get the Freerider Pro 34+ or the Freerider Pro 32+ SL ski touring pack from Deuter!
23/24 Nordica Ski Collection | Blister Summit 2023 Video
We talked with Nordica to cover how their Enforcer and Santa Ana skis have evolved over the years; their touring-oriented Enforcer Unlimited and Santa Ana Unlimited series; the introduction and expansion of their playful Unleashed collection; where their Wild Belle and new Steadfast series slot into their lineup, and more.
Stuff We Like: April 2023
The April edition of Stuff We Like includes a variety of items that our reviewers have found useful lately, from pocket knives to ski poles, racks that carry kayaks via your bike, ski-touring apparel, gels, and more. Check it out to see the latest items our reviewers have been digging.
Sea Otter 2023 Recap (Ep.167)
Blister editors David Golay and Simon Stewart were on site at the Sea Otter Classic and sat down to chat about a bunch of the most exciting new gear and broader industry trends that they saw at the show.
Fox Proframe RS
Fox released the Proframe RS as an evolution of their long-standing Proframe helmet, adding a swath of new features and safety technologies. After a long winter season in the Proframe RS, we think it's a great option for folks looking for a lightweight, highly-ventilated full-face helmet.
Blister Brand Guide: Topo Athletic Running Shoe Lineup, 2023
Topo Athletic continues to expand their line of low-drop, wide-toebox running shoes — check out our Brand Guide for the full rundown on their 2023 lineup and which model might make the most sense for how and where you run.