BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win Any WNDR Alpine Ski or Snowboard
Enter for your chance to win any of WNDR Alpine’s algae-derived skis, snowboards, or splitboards!
Skier Ability Ratings Revisited; Monoskiing; & More with Powder7’s Jordan Jones (Ep.280)
Are you an “expert” skier or rider? Advanced skier? Intermediate? We’re revisiting these questions with Jordan Jones, co-founder and president of Powder7. See what you think, then let us know your thoughts.
2023-2024 Blizzard Rustler 11
The Rustler 11 is the widest, most soft-snow-oriented ski in the recently overhauled Rustler collection, but Blizzard has changed many aspects of its design, so we were eager to see how it would compare to past iterations — and the rest of the market. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Blizzard Rustler 11
We compare the Rustler 11 to the first-gen Rustler 11, Blizzard Hustle 11, Blizzard Rustler 10, Nordica Unleashed 114, DPS Koala 111, Line Bacon 115, Rossignol Sender Free 110, Rossignol Blackops 118, RMU North Shore 114, Meier Leeper, Nordica Enforcer 110 Free, Whitedot Altum 114, Black Crows Anima, Icelantic Nomad 105, Moment Countach 110, J Skis Friend, Moment Wildcat, 4FRNT Hoji, Atomic Bent 110, HEAD Kore 111, Head Oblivion 116, Parlor McFellon Pro, Line Blade Optic 114, Volkl Revolt 114, & Salomon QST Blank.
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2023-2024 Heritage Lab FR110
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Heritage Lab FR110.
Flash Review: 23/24 Heritage Lab FR110
The FR110 is one of the latest additions to Heritage Lab’s unique ski lineup — here are Paul Forward’s 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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RAAW Bikes Founder Ruben Torenbeek (Ep.204)
RAAW has built a reputation for offering burly, no-nonsense bikes, and we sat down with founder and engineer Ruben Torenbeek to chat about his vision for the company, the bikes he wanted to build, how their lineup has evolved over the years, and much more.
2023-2024 Jones Apollo Snowboard Binding
The Apollo is the stiffest binding in the Jones lineup, and we’ve been using it as a daily driver this season. Check out our Full Review to see how it’s performed, and how it compares to other flagship bindings like the NOW O-Drive.
Midlayer & Insulation Roundup – 2024
As the temperatures continue to drop in the northern hemisphere, many of us are thinking about and adapting our layering setups. Midlayers and insulators are a vital part of this, especially when it comes to balancing cold temperatures with high-output activities. In our new Midlayer & Insulation Roundup, several of our reviewers discuss some of their recent favorites.
2023-2024 Volkl Secret 102
Skis that stand out for their high-speed capabilities and precise edge hold are rarely also ones that stand out for being maneuverable or accessible. The new Volkl Secret 102 doesn’t totally break that trend, but it does offer a really impressive balance for the right skiers. Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Volkl Secret 102
We compare the Volkl Secret 102 to the Volkl Secret 96, Blizzard Black Pearl 97, K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, Nordica Santa Ana 98, 4FRNT MSP CC, Armada Reliance 102 Ti, Fischer Ranger 102, Rossignol Rallybird 104 Ti, Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, Line Blade Optic 104, Faction Dancer 3X, & Salomon QST Stella 106.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Contenders: Best Team Edits of 2023, Snowboard (Ep.8)
What were the best snowboard team edits of 2023? Justin Bobb and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the contenders, and why they made the cut. What do you think should be in the top 3?
2024 RockShox BoXXer
The new 38mm-stanchioned RockShox BoXXer was a long-awaited and poorly kept secret. We have now logged a whole lot of laps on one and are ready to weigh in on how it performs, and how it compares to its competition. Check out our full review for all the info.
Blizzard Announces Brand-New Anomaly Ski Collection
Blizzard just announced a brand-new line of all-mountain skis. Here are the details on the 2024-2025 Blizzard Anomaly skis.
Flash Review: 23/24 Folsom Giver
Paul Forward has been spending time on a custom version of Folsom’s Giver shape that’s designed for daily skiing at Alyeska — check out his initial impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Motion Instruments System 2 Suspension Data Acquisition
Pro racers have long used suspension telemetry to work on their bike setup, but those systems have traditionally been expensive, finicky, and tough to interpret. Motion Instruments’ new System 2 data acquisition package is meant to change that.
‘Better Off Dead’ & ‘Hot Dog’ with Amie Engerbretson & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.12)
Pro skier, Amie Engerbretson, joins us to coin new terms; offer scalding-hot takes; debate whether ‘Better Off Dead’ is responsible for rockered skis; and she definitely WANTS HER TWO DOLLARS!
Deep Dive: Yeti SB165
We compare the Yeti SB165 to the Yeti SB160, Santa Cruz Nomad, Rocky Mountain Altitude, Orbea Rallon, Norco Sight, Kavenz VHP 16, Ibis HD6, Contra MC, Trek Slash, Chromag Lowdown, Propain Tyee, SCOR 4060 LT, Cotic RocketMAX, Pivot Firebird, Specialized Enduro, and Banshee Titan.
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 Yeti SB165
The new Yeti SB165 is their first production mullet bike, and the longest travel one in their lineup as well. But is it a more easygoing alternative to their high-strung SB160 Enduro race bike or something else entirely? Check out our full review for our take.
2024-2025 Liberty Scope 104
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for Liberty’s new Scope 104.
Flash Review: 24/25 K2 Mindbender 89Ti W
This season we got on the narrowest metal-laminate ski in K2’s Mindbender series — here are our initial thoughts on the Mindbender 89Ti W, how it compares to the excellent Mindbender 99Ti W, and more.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review — 2024 Pivot Switchblade
The Pivot Switchblade has long been a super-popular do-it-all Trail bike, but how does the new one perform? We’ve got some 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.
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Flash Review: 24/25 Atomic Backland 109
Jonathan Ellsworth has now logged several days on the new Backland 109 — mounted with the new Shift2 binding — and here he chimes in with his most notable takeaways so far.
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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Neuhaus Metalworks on Metal Bikes’ Resurgence, Learning to Build Frames, Size-Specific Geometry & More (Ep.221)
High-end metal bikes are having a resurgence, and we sat down with Daniel Yang and Nick Neuhaus of Neuhaus Metalworks to talk about why; hear their takes on frame design and size-specific geometry; discuss the value of communal learning; and a whole lot more.
Win any Liberty Ski
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get the ski of their choice from Liberty’s 2024 lineup!
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.
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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