BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Wolf Tooth Resolve Dropper Post and ReMote Pro Lever
There are a ton of good dropper posts on the market these days, but with their first effort at making a dropper, Wolftooth has managed to make an excellent premium option with some unique features.
Identity, Dreams, & Dislocations
In our latest Open Mic piece, Eric Booton shares a story that many of us probably need to hear.
Jason Hardrath & The Rocky Mountain Grand Slam (Ep.180)
The Rocky Mountain Grand Slam involves summiting 122 peaks and 318,000 feet of elevation gain, and Jason Hardrath recently set a new FKT by completing it in under 40 days. So we caught up with Jason to break down his most recent accomplishment, and to discuss the blurring of the lines between running, scrambling, and soloing.
Flash Review — REEB Steezl
We’ve started spending time on the REEB Steezl — check out our early impressions.
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Investing in the Planet: Kate Williams, CEO, 1% for the Planet (Ep.274)
What is 1% for the Planet, who started it, and what do they do? Furthermore, when a crisis breaks out (like the current fires in Hawaii), many of us wonder how best to contribute, which organizations to donate to, and how to go about determining that? Kate Wiliams offers some very helpful answers.
Forge+Bond 30 EM Wheels
CSS Composites has been making thermoplastic carbon fiber wheels for a number of other brands for a while now, but their own brand, Forge+Bond, claims to do some things differently. Having spent a ton of time on their 30 EM wheels, we’re ready to weigh in.
GEAR THERAPY: A Ski Patroller’s Most-Pressing Gear Questions (Ep.259)
When it comes to gear, we’ve all been there: loads of questions, crippling confusion, severe analysis paralysis. You need some help! Welcome to our 2nd episode of Gear Therapy, with Spokane-based ski patroller, Kam Smith.
Win Shoes from La Sportiva
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a pair of Jackal II shoes from La Sportiva!
Lone Pine Gear Exchange
Lone Pine Gear Exchange is far from your average ski shop – In addition to their extensive collection of new gear, they have a large consignment program, a gear repair program, a commitment to sustainability, plus a knowledgeable staff and full-service ski and snowboard shop.
Reviewer Reports: Chromag Darco, Pivot Shuttle AM, Commencal Supreme, & More (Ep.183)
The gang is back together to give a rundown on a bunch of the bikes we’ve been testing, from short-travel steel full-suspension ones to a bunch of mid-travel eMTBs and full-on DH race bikes.
2024 RockShox Vivid
The RockShox Vivid had taken a hiatus from the market but now it’s back as RockShox’s biggest, most gravity-oriented air shock — with a bunch of interesting new features.
Michele Graglia on the Tahoe 200, Walking Away from Racing, & Next Steps (Ep.179)
At the Tahoe 200, Michele Graglia found himself in first place with an hour lead. Then he decided to stop running. So today we discuss why the former winner of the Moab 240 and Badwater 135 decided to do that; why, shortly thereafter, he announced he would be walking away from racing; and what’s next.
Deep Dives with Angel, August 2023 (Ep.273)
Angel Collinson and Jonathan discuss jealousy; imposter syndrome; her Open Mic piece on “steeping”; and more of your ‘Ask Angel’ questions.
Flash Review — Chromag Darco
Update: after making some tweaks to Chromag’s aggressive short-travel Trail bike, the Darco, it’s shaping up to be one of the more interesting bikes we’ve spent time on this year. Check out what changes we’ve made and what makes the Darco stand out.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Outside Sports
Outside Sports is a premier ski, bike, and outdoor retailer with multiple locations in the Southern Lakes region in the South Island of New Zealand, and they have all your outdoor gear needs covered no matter the season.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
2023-2024 Salomon Stance 102
Salomon updated their Stance line of metal-laminate all-mountain skis this season, and the new Stance 102 is a very different ski than its predecessor — and for the majority of skiers out there, that is a good thing. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Salomon Stance 102
We compare the latest Stance 102 to the original Salomon Stance 102, Salomon Stance 96, Salomon QST 106, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Rossignol Sender 104 Ti, Rossignol Sender 106 Ti+, Fischer Ranger 102, Dynastar M-Pro 99, Armada Declivity 102 Ti, Parlor Cardinal Pro 102, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Nordica Enforcer 100, Nordica Enforcer 99, Folsom Blister Pro 104 (Primary 104), Blizzard Cochise 106, Volkl Mantra 102, Atomic Maverick 100 Ti, Black Crows Justis, Head Kore 99, DPS Kaizen 105, Peak 104 by Bode, Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Elan Ripstick 106, J Skis Hotshot, Blizzard Rustler 10, Black Crows Atris, & Line Blade Optic 104.
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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Raide: Building a Solutions-Based Backcountry Brand (Ep.281)
We talk with Kyle Siegel, the founder of Raide, about how — and why — he started the brand; their lightweight 40L backpack that immediately made a splash in the backcountry market when it was released; and more.
Win J Skis & Daymaker Touring Adapters
The winner of this week’s Gear Giveaway will get a pair of J Skis Slacker skis + Tekdapter ski touring adapters from Daymaker Touring!
Outbound Lighting on Night Riding, Light Design, & More (Ep.205)
Night riding is a lot of fun, and often the only way for many folks to find time to get out in the darker winter months. We sat down with Outbound Lighting’s Tom Place to chat about light design, how they go about it, how to choose the right lights for your needs, and much more.
2023-2024 Armada Locator 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada Locator 104.
Fischer Announces New 24/25 Curv Ski Collection
Fischer recently announced new changes to their piste-oriented Curv skis, including four new models — one of which features a construction that reportedly drops its carbon footprint by 36%. Here are the details.
Contra MC
The steel-framed, high-virtual-pivot Contra MC doesn’t look like much else out there, and its on-trail performance stands out, too. Check out our full review.
Deep Dive: Contra MC
We compare the Contra MC to the Trek Slash, Norco Range, Kavenz VHP 16, Cannondale Jekyll, Forbidden Dreadnought, Cotic RocketMAX, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, & Nicolai G1.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 23/24 Kästle K130P LV
We’ve been testing the stiffest boot in Kästle’s line of “performance” ski boots — here are 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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Flash Review: 24/25 Nordica Enforcer 99
Nordica is updating all their Enforcer skis for 24/25, and we’ve been skiing the replacement for the Enforcer 100, the new Enforcer 99. Check out our initial on-snow impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: 24/25 Nordica Santa Ana 92
Nordica is updating all their Santa Ana skis for 24/25, and we’ve been skiing the replacement for the Santa Ana 93, the new Santa Ana 92. Check out our initial on-snow impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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