BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles

BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

What We’re Wearing, Skiing 23/24: Luke Koppa

Most of our reviews and conversations have the goal of helping you, our audience, figure out what gear might work best for you and your particular preferences, circumstances, etc. However, it can be fun (and sometimes, maybe, even illuminating) to occasionally shrug off the cloak of objectivity and just talk about what we personally use and enjoy. In our new “What We’re Wearing” series, we’re doing just that, having several of our reviewers run us through their head-to-toe kits for this winter. First up, our managing editor and self-diagnosed apparel obsessive, Luke Koppa.

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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Boulder Orthotics

Boulder Orthotics is a women-owned, and women-led bootfitting operation. They deliver the full range of bootfitting customization and modifications. With over 25 years of experience, a background in pedorthics, and a passion for getting it right, schedule an appointment to redefine the way your ski boots fit.

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David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Commencal Supreme V5 for Blister

Commencal Supreme DH V5

The Commencal Supreme V5 has been one of the most successful World Cup DH race bikes over the last two seasons, and it’s a great option for folks who want a go-fast DH bike — even if you don’t plan on sticking a number plate to it anytime soon.

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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Win Skis from 4FRNT

The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get their choice of 4FRNT’s Raven or Hoji skis, both of which are repeat winners of our “Best Of” award!

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Blister reviews the Raide LF 40L backpack

Raide LF 40L Backpack

Raide is the newest player in the ultralight snowsports category and their first product, the LF 40L backpack, is a very interesting initial offering. Check out our First Look for more on this UHMWPE (aka, Dyneema) pack and the brand behind it.

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Trevor Kennison is one of the most remarkable athletes in the world, and like Travis Rice, Candide Thovex, Courtney Dauwalter, and Alex Honnold, he forces us to see things differently and rethink what’s possible. And on our latest Blister Podcast, we talk to Trevor and Josh Berman, director of Level 1 Productions, about their new film, Full Circle, that premieres this week in New York, and that documents Trevor’s incredible story and exploits, and the challenges — and opportunities — of life after spinal cord injury.

Trevor Kennison & Josh Berman on Full Circle (Ep.282)

Like Travis Rice, Candide Thovex, Courtney Dauwalter, and Alex Honnold, Trevor Kennison forces us to rethink what’s possible. Josh Berman has created a film, Full Circle, that documents Trevor’s incredible story and exploits, and the challenges — and opportunities — of life after spinal cord injury.

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Zack Henderson reviews the Five Ten Trailcross XT for Blister

Five Ten Trailcross XT

Five Ten’s Trailcross line is meant to blend functionality from bike and trail running shoes into a lightweight, breathable package that works well both on and off the bike. The updated Trailcross XT now uses recycled materials extensively, in a design that’s pretty different from the original. So how does it all pan out on the trail?

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Gear West 23.24 Thumbnail

Gear West

Gear West is not only one of the largest shops in the midwest, it is also one of the best.

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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:

Kara Williard reviews the Atomic Maven 103 CTI for BLISTER.

Flash Review: 24/25 Atomic Maven 103 CTI

We’ve been spending time on an all-new women-specific ski from Atomic, and the widest in the collection, the Maven 103 CTI. Check out 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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BLISTER — Outdoor Gear Reviews, Podcasts, Buyer’s Guides, Giveaways

Win Skis from K2

The winner of this week’s Gear Giveaway will get the Mindbender 106C from K2!

Reviewing The News w/ Ryan Palmer, February 2024 (Ep.212)

Reviewing the News w/ Ryan Palmer, February 2024 (Ep.212)

Ryan Palmer and Simon Stewart are back for another episode of Reviewing The News and there’s plenty to talk about: Kyle and Rachael Strait’s possible new bike sponsor; Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania; brake lever lawsuits; the Dutch police crackdown on modified e-bikes; a groundbreaking new eMTB from Cannondale; and more.

Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Heckler SL for Blister

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

Santa Cruz has created something truly special in the Heckler SL. Check out our Full Review to learn more about what makes the Heckler SL stand out in the lightweight eMTB category, plus a bonus head-to-head comparison vs. full-power eMTBs.

Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Heckler SL for Blister

Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Heckler SL

We compare the Heckler SL to the Trek Fuel EXe, Pivot Shuttle AM, Specialized Turbo Levo, and Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay.

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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Luke Koppa & Dylan Wood review the Armada ARG II UL for Blister

2024-2025 Armada ARG II UL

The original Armada ARG was one of the earliest “superfat,” ultra-powder-specific models to hit the market in the mid-2000s. Today, the modern ARG II UL carries on its legacy, but these days, its specialist design is far, far less common. So, why is that, and why has Armada opted to keep it around? Check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons for the whole story.

Luke Koppa & Dylan Wood review the Armada ARG II UL for Blister

Deep Dive: Armada ARG II UL

We compare the ARG II UL to the previous ARG II, Armada ARV 116 JJ UL, Heritage Lab C132, K2 Crescendo, Folsom G-Wagon, Liberty Genome, Faction La Machine 5 Max, Moment Chipotle Banana, 4FRNT Renegade, Folsom Rapture, Atomic Bent Chetler 120, and some other, more conventional powder skis.

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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K2 announces 2024-2025 skis and ski boots | BLISTER discusses the details

K2 Announces 24/25 Reckoner & Omen Skis + New Ski Boots

K2 is overhauling nearly all of their freestyle skis for 24/25, from fat pow sticks to competition park & pipe models. They’re also launching several new boots, including two lightweight 140-flex models & a Karl Fostvedt 3-piece pro model. Here are all the details.

David Golay reviews the 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct

The new Rocky Mountain Instinct got much, much slacker than the outgoing model, and a lot of other details have changed, too. Check out our early impressions of how that all comes together on the trail.

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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David Golay reviews the 2024 Norco Sight for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Norco Sight

We’ve been spending time on both of Norco’s new high-pivot bikes. Check out our early impressions of the 150mm-travel Sight.

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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Luke Koppa reviews the Atomic Bent 100 for Blister

Flash Review: 24/25 Atomic Bent 100

Atomic has updated the popular Bent 100 for 24/25, and we just got our first few days on the new ski. Here are our initial thoughts on how it compares the previous version and the wider Bent models.

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.)