BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review: Trek Fuel LX
We’ve converted our Trek Fuel EX review bike to a Fuel LX — so how does the longest-travel member of the new Fuel family ride, and what’s the conversion process like? Here are our initial thoughts.
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The Incredible Cycling Talent Coming out of Durango Devo (Ep.291)
The Durango Devo junior cycling program has been churning out some of the best bike riders in the world for some time now, so Simon checks in with founder Chad Cheeney to find out what the secret sauce is.
The Business of Craft Beer (Ep.83)
With all the economic & cultural shifts swirling about these days, what does the current landscape of “craft” beer look like? What are the biggest challenges, and what are the most interesting opportunities? We discuss with New Image Brewing founder, Brandon Capps.
‘Wild’ with Amie Engerbretson & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.51)
Amie & Jonathan discuss Wild, Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling book that was turned into a hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern — both of whom were nominated for Oscars for their stellar performances.
Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide: Enduro Bikes
The second chapter of our Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide is live, comparing more than two dozen current Enduro bikes, from game-on race bikes to playful Freeride-oriented options, and everything in between.
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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Nick Goepper on X Games Gold, Olympic Pressure, & Skiing in Jeans (Ep.373)
Olympic medalist and X Games champion, Nick Goepper, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset, struggles, and triumphs of one of skiing’s most recognizable athletes.
Salsa Blackthorn 125 C & Blackthorn 145 C
Salsa’s Blackthorn 145 C offers class-leading efficiency, making it a very inspiring climber, but are there sacrifices made elsewhere to attain that level of climbing performance? We’ve had multiple editors in different locations spend time on the Blackthorn 145 and aim to answer that question and more in our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Salsa Blackthorn 145 C
We compare the Salsa Blackthorn to the Rocky Mountain Instinct, Transition Sentinel V3, Santa Cruz Bronson 5, Santa Cruz Hightower 4, Spot Mayhem 140, Esker Woodsy, Propain Tyee, Norco Sight, Transition Sentinel V3, and Kona Process 153.
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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Blister Summit Reveal, Winter Buyer’s Guide Update, & a Challenge to Outdoor Brands (Ep.360)
Today we’re spilling the beans on the new dates – and new location — of Blister Summit 2026. Then we give a quick update on our Winter Buyer’s Guide, and wrap up with an important challenge to all outdoor brands.
Blister Summit 2026: What, When, & How to Join
Join us at Blister Summit 2026 this April 13-17! We’re extremely excited to host our sixth Summit at Snowbird, Utah this season — here are the details.
Win PHANTOM Glide Ski / Snowboard Kits
The five winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a PHANTOM Glide Single Application Kit!
Revel Ritual
The Revel Ritual is a long-travel 29er built for Enduro racing, but after two months of testing, it proved to be far more versatile than expected. With efficient climbing and playful yet capable descending, the Ritual feels just as at home just about anywhere. Check out our Full Review for the whole story.
Deep Dive: Revel Ritual
We compare the Revel Ritual to the Revel Rail 19, Canfield Lithium, Canfield One.2 Super Enduro, Santa Cruz Megatower 2, Intense Tracer 279, Transition Spire, Ibis Ripmo v3, Santa Cruz Hightower 4, Santa Cruz Bronson 5, and Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Evo.
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/ Mike Ferrentino & Simon Stewart (Ep.290)
Mike and Simon discuss why many of us who have been riding bikes for years and are fit and healthy should still get a calcium test to look for heart disease; plus a recap of the wild World Cup in Les Gets, and more.
Stuff We Like: August 2025
From high-end coolers and rain jackets to ultralight trail pants, fishing sunglasses, and even youth outdoor gear, this month’s Stuff We Like roundup highlights the products our team has been testing and loving. Whether you’re traveling, biking, fishing, or just gearing up for everyday adventures, here are the standout picks for August 2025.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win a Travel Pack from The Brown Buffalo
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a Conceal Waistpack from The Brown Buffalo!
2025-2026 Blister Digital Winter Buyer’s Guide
350+ skis, 70+ boots, and 280+ pages of honest, accurate product reviews and comparisons. Check it all out here.
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Reviewer Reports: Yeti LTe, Chromag Reazon, Trek Fuel LX, & More (Ep.293)
Dylan Wood and David Golay give some updates on a whole bunch of bikes they’re testing, including how the Trek Fuel LX stacks up against the Slash, the surprising ride feel of the Yeti LTe, an ultra-efficient XC bike from a brand better known for gravity bikes, and a whole lot more.
“Get Thee To A Cheese Monger!” Cheesemaking w/ Jasper Hill Farm’s Zoe Brickley (Ep.85)
Eli and Jonathan talk with Zoe Brickley — Jasper Hill’s “Minister of Culture” — about how a struggling Vermont dairy farm made a very big gamble and grew into one of the most respected and award-winning names in American artisan cheese.
‘Life Cycles’ w/ Dylan Wood & Simon Stewart (Ep. 53)
15 years ago, ‘Life Cycles’ was released and changed the perception of what a mtn bike film could be. Today, Dylan and Simon talk about how it combines art, breathtaking cinematography, beautiful riding, with a message that’s more relevant today than when it first came out.
Race Face Turbine Flat Pedals
Big, concave + scary pins — the Race Face Turbine pedals check a lot of boxes for an aggressive flat pedal, at least on paper. Check out our review for our on-trail findings.
Free Speech & Thoreau’s ‘Walking’ w/ Mountain Gazette’s Mike Rogge, Blister Book Club (Ep.375)
Jonathan & Mike Rogge offer some thoughts on the current state of free speech, then discuss Thoreau’s great essay, “Walking,” and the new Mountain Gazette anthology, ‘Print Ain’t Dead.’
Canyon Spectral:ONfly
We racked up the miles on two different builds of the Canyon Spectral:ONfly to find out how Canyon’s affordable take on the hot light-assist eMTB category measures up to the competition.
Deep Dive: Canyon Spectral:ONfly
We compare the Spectral:ONfly to the Norco Fluid VLT 130, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Pivot Shuttle SL, and Pivot Shuttle SL/AM.
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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The Company that Created an Industry: Alpacka Raft (Ep.361)
We see new brands pop up all the time, but what happens when your idea is so novel that it essentially births an entire sport and industry? That was the case when Thor Tingey started Alpacka Raft, and he shares all the details in this fascinating origin story.
Win Skis & Bindings from Armada
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get a pair of Declivity 92 Ti or Reliance 92 Ti skis — plus a set of Strive 12 GW bindings — from Armada!
Deep Dive: Propain Tyee 6.1
We compare the Propain Tyee to the Kavenz VHP 16, Yeti SB165, Marin Alpine Trail, Santa Cruz Nomad 6, Pivot Firebird V5, Rocky Mountain Altitude, and Ibis HD6.
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.
(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)