BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
GEAR THERAPY: A Skier (Blister’s founder) Learns to Snowboard, Part 2 (Ep.297)
In part 2 of this GEAR THERAPY mini-saga, Justin Bobb lays out his specific recommendations for boots, bindings, boards, & more to get Jonathan started on his snowboarding journey.
Flash Review — Deviate Highlander II
The Deviate Highlander II combines “Trail bike” geometry numbers with a high-pivot suspension layout, and so far, that seems to make for a very interesting combination of ride characteristics. Check out our thoughts on the Highlander II after our first few rides.
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2024-2025 Atomic Backland 109
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Atomic Backland 109.
Flash Review: 24/25 Line Pandora 106
Line is overhauling their longstanding Pandora collection for 24/25, with the new unisex skis being offered in a huge range of lengths and featuring an all-new design. Here are our initial thoughts on the Pandora 106.
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 Line Pandora 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Line Pandora 106.
‘Hot Dog… The Movie’ with Mike Rogge & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.11)
Jonathan and Mike discuss how well the cult favorite, Hot Dog…The Movie, holds up; its impact on subsequent ski films; what’s aged the best; what’s aged the worst; & more.
Freedom Coast TRP Brake Levers
The TRP DH-R Evo brakes are a (deservedly) popular option these days, but their levers can be a bit polarizing. For folks who like the brakes but are less high on their levers, Freedom Coast’s aftermarket lever blades are designed to be the solution. Check out our review to see how well they work, and how they change the feel of TRP’s flagship DH brake.
Flash Review: 24/25 Liberty Scope 104
Liberty is tweaking just about every ski in their lineup for 24/25, and we got on the brand-new Scope 104 this season. Here are our initial thoughts.
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 Salomon QST X
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new 116mm-wide Salomon QST X.
Reviewing the News w/ Dr. Len Necefer, April 2024 (Ep.307)
Jonathan and Len discuss cloud seeding; the passing of the EXPLORE Act; trigger warnings; skiing on mushroom moguls; what we’re reading & watching; and more.
Flash Review — Canyon Neuron:ONfly
We got a first ride on the new Canyon Neuron:ONfly a little while back. 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.
If you’re already an active member, please log in.
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GEAR THERAPY: A Skier (Blister’s founder) Learns to Snowboard, Part 1 (Ep.296)
How much does knowing how to ski help when learning how to snowboard? How do you slam as little as possible while learning to ride? Why don’t snowboards have releasable bindings? These are a few of our Blister founder’s questions as he learns to ‘think sideways.’
Win a Bike Rack From 1UP USA
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the new Super Duty Double hitch bike rack from 1UP USA!
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, April 2024 (Ep.220)
Simon Stewart is joined by special guest host Mike Ferrentino to talk about Kona’s Sea Otter debacle and the state of the industry more broadly; the start of XC World Cup season; new XC race bikes being awesome; microphone eating; zombies; and more on the latest iteration of Reviewing the News.
Orbea Rise
One of the OGs of the lightweight eMTB segment, the Orbea Rise is getting a full redesign with updates throughout and two travel configurations. Crack open our First Look for all of the details on the reimagined Rise.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
OneUp V3 Dropper Post
OneUp’s longstanding V2 dropper post might be the most widely used one out there — so have they managed to improve things with the V3 iteration, or messed up a great product? We’ve been riding the V3 for the better part of a year and are ready to weigh in.
Flash Review — Ibis Ripmo
We’ve been spending time aboard Ibis’ Ripmo, which is proving to be an exceptionally versatile Trail/Enduro bike. Check out our initial 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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A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt.7: The Pedorthist’s Perspective (Ep.313)
A Pedorthist is someone who is trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy, biomechanics, and, of course – feet. Heather Van Gilder is both a Pedorthist and an experienced ski bootfitter who runs the women-owned and operated bootfitting operation, Boulder Orthotics, and we get her perspective on ski bootfitting, custom insoles, and much more.
Win MTB Rims From We Are One Composites
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get their choice of any pair of carbon fiber mountain bike rims from We Are One Composites!
Maxxis on the New High Roller, Tire R&D, & More (Ep.239)
We sat down with Maxxis’ Aaron Chamberlain to discuss their new High Roller tire; how Maxxis designs, develops, and tests mountain bike tires; why its lineup is so expansive, and a whole lot more.
2025 Fox 38 Grip X2
The most noticeable update to Fox’s latest fork lineup was its (optional) and un-subtle gold paint, but the showy exterior hides a new series of dampers, and we’ve been testing the Grip X2 version of the Fox 38 fork. Now we’re ready to offer our take on the results of the update, how the new 38 and Grip X2 damper fare against the competition, and whether they’d be a good fit for you.
20th Anniversary of ‘Yearbook’ w/ Murray Wais & Scott Gaffney (Ep.22)
20 years ago this week, ‘Yearbook,’ one of the most star-studded ski movies of all time, was released. So we talk with filmmakers Murray Wais and Scott Gaffney about the behind-the-scenes insanity; the in-front-of-the-camera surprises; the styles of Seth vs Hugo; and more.
2024-2025 Blister Digital Winter Buyer’s Guide
350+ skis, 65 boots, and 280+ pages of honest, accurate product reviews and comparisons. Order our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s Guide or become a BLISTER+ member to read the Digital Guide NOW.
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The Current State of Climate Science, Consensus, & Next Best Steps w/ Dr. Liz Burakowski (Ep.323)
So how are things actually going when it comes to climate change, carbon emissions, stuff like that? Are we making any real progress? For answers, we’re talking with Dr. Elizabeth Burakowski, who is on the Research Faculty at the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at the University of New Hampshire.
Frameworks Enduro
Frameworks is releasing a limited first run of their Enduro frame. Drawing plenty of inspiration from the Downhill frame released last year, the US-made Enduro frame stands out from the crowd with unique construction details and intriguing geometry. Our First Look has the details.
Flylow’s Dan Abrams on Burrito Grease & PFAS; Slide Gliding; Palisades Tahoe; & More (Ep.312)
Dan Abrams is back to talk about toxic positivity, slide gliding, burrito grease, give his review of Palisades Tahoe, and more.
Win Our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s Guide
The three winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a print and digital copy of our new 2024-2025 Winter Buyer’s Guide!