2022 Pivot Firebird
Pivot talks a big game about the Firebird being a hardcore Enduro race bike first and foremost, and having spent several months on the bike, they’re right to — it’s a good one.
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Blister Brand Guide: Scott Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Scott has quietly been making a wide range of performance footwear for both roads and trails since 2006, when they contracted a research and development lab in Portland, Oregon to help them design a lineup of shoes to meet the diverse demands of their athletes. Now over 15 years old, Scott’s trail and road running lines continue to offer innovative options for all sorts of runners. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more.
Blister Brand Guide: Craft Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Craft is perhaps better known for making moisture-wicking technical layers than shoes, but since breaking into the footwear space a few years ago, they’ve already turned out an impressive lineup of innovative shoes for roads, trails, and everything in between. Check out our 2022 Brand Guide to see what’s new from Craft this year and which of their models might make the most sense for you.
Trail Running Glossary of Terms: Trail Running Shoe Categories
While roads almost always guarantee a consistent running surface, the same cannot be said for the wide-ranging "trails" out there. Trail running shoes mirror this variability in the range of different forms they can take, with some types of shoes performing better in certain scenarios than others. In the third installment in our Trail Running Glossary of Terms series, we’ve outlined several of the most common categories of trail running shoes, including some of the advantages they offer and where each one might be limited.
Hope Tech 4 V4
Hope’s disc brakes got a major overhaul in the form of the new Tech 4 generation earlier this year, and that brought a very major increase in power to the range. But how does their burliest brake, the Tech 4 V4, compare to the competition? Check out our full review.
Stuff We Like: August 2022
The August edition of our "Stuff We Like" series is packed with items fit for summer and shoulder seasons, from board shorts to running belts, several t-shirts, bike tools, blankets, sandals, lightweight hoodies, and much more. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Altra Vanish Carbon
It was only a matter of time until Altra made the jump into the ever-competitive “super shoe” category. With the Vanish Carbon, their first road model to feature a performance plate, the brand attempts to marry new technology with their signature “FootShape Fit” and “ZeroDrop” geometry to produce a stable, race-ready shoe for the marathon. Check out our full review to see whether or not we think Altra succeeded.
Blister Brand Guide: Altra Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
While all Altra shoes share their signature zero-drop platform and "FootShape" fit, there’s still a ton of variation within both their road and trail lineups, including several new models for 2022. Check out our Brand Guide for a full breakdown of what sets each shoe apart from the others, and which ones best match your running style.
RockyMounts GuideRail
RockyMounts’ new GuideRail looks quite a bit like the venerable 1Up hitch rack, which has been a longtime favorite of many, but having now spent a lot of time with both, the Guiderail is significantly nicer to use in several key ways.
2023 RockShox ZEB
RockShox recently gave their longest-travel single-crown fork, the ZEB, a major overhaul, and the new fork is a big improvement in several key areas — without really compromising what the previous version already did very well. Check out our full review for the rundown, including how it compares to the Fox 38 and Öhlins RXF38.
Blister Brand Guide: Scarpa Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
Scarpa, often known for their mountaineering and skiing equipment, has turned out numerous trail running shoes over the past few years. In 2022, they’ve expanded their tidy lineup to include niche options for technical terrain, racing, road-to-trail, and more. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of the different models from Scarpa this year.
Win Running Vests from Naked Sports Innovations
This week TWO lucky winners will each get Naked Sports Innovations' High Capacity Running Vest + their Drink Tube Kit!
Trail Running 101: How to Run Uphill
Hills can pose a challenge to runners new to the trails. Steep and sometimes rocky inclines have a way of disrupting the rhythmic stride found on the roads, often leading to frustration, less efficient running, and the following fatigue. Confronting a climb doesn’t always have to feel like a tremendous obstacle though, and in part seven of our Trail Running 101 series, we cover a few techniques for how to navigate them with ease.
Blister Brand Guide: On Running Shoe Lineup, 2022
On's shoes are instantly recognizable due to their unique, bulbous midsoles / outsoles. But how do each of their road and trail shoes differ, and which one should you get? Check out our Brand Guide to find out.
Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280
Road-to-trail shoes are becoming an increasingly popular option for runners who might not have immediate access to trails from their front door. Asking a shoe to feel smooth on pavement and grip on dirt is a tall order, but after testing Inov-8’s Parkclaw G 280, we think it’s up to the task. Check out our full review for the whole story.
Rae Morrison on 8 Years on the EWS, Race Strategies, & Forging Her Own Path (Ep.129)
We sat down with EWS racer Rae Morrison to chat about her mental approach to racing and dialing in when to push and how hard; staying positive and returning from injuries; her unique team setup and having her husband as her mechanic; and much more.
Flash Review: 22/23 Fischer Ranger 102
Update 7.29.22: We spent more time on the new Ranger 102 this past spring, and have some updates on it, including how it performs at some different mount points.
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Crestline Bikes on Adaptability, Collaboration, & Founding a Bike Brand (Ep.128)
We sat down with Troydon and Jimmy from Crestline Bikes to talk about their upcoming high-pivot VPP DH bike & VPP e-bike; getting advice from Greg Minnaar and Neko Mulally; starting a bike company during the pandemic; and a whole lot more.
Stuff We Like: July 2022
In the July edition of our "Stuff We Like" series, we've got everything from tents to bike racks, backpacks to sandals, and several summer accessories. Check it out to see the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Vorsprung Smashpot Coil Spring Fork Conversion Kit
There aren’t many coil-sprung forks left on the market, but Vorsprung’s Smashpot conversion kit opens up a lot of options for riders who miss that option. And having now spent a lot of time testing the Smashpot, it makes a compelling case for why certain riders might want to ditch their air springs. But who is it going to work best for, and what are the downsides? Check out our full review for the rundown.