BLISTER Gear Review

Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, January 2025 (Ep.260)

February 6, 2025 by Simon Stewart

What impact are Trump’s tariffs going to have on the bike industry, and will they affect that new bike or component upgrade you have your eye on? Mike and Simon weigh in with their thoughts on the tariffs; as well as a Preview of Red Bull Hardline Tasmania; Mexico as a mountain bike destination; and a whole lot more.

Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Vala

Flash Review: Santa Cruz Vala

January 10, 2025January 3, 2025 by Simon Stewart

The Santa Cruz Vala has a new suspension design and Bosch's updated CX motor. Check out our initial impressions.

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Flash Review — Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 by Simon Stewart

Rocky Mountain’s first entry into the light-assist eMTB category features their new in-house designed and built Dyname S4 Lite motor and a new frame with mixed wheel size compatibility. The Instinct Powerplay SL seemingly has a lot going for it, and we’ve spent enough time on it now to share some initial 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.

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.)

Cannondale Habit

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 by Dylan Wood

In a market full of generalist Trail bikes that strive to do well at a little of everything, the Cannondale Habit occupies a clear niche that is bound to excite the right rider. Check out our Full Review for the whole story, and our Deep Dive comparisons to see how it stacks up to several other Trail bikes.

How to Think about Ski Length

January 16, 2024October 4, 2022 by Luke Koppa

One of the most common questions we get is, "Which length of this ski should I get?" So in this updated GEAR 101 article, we outline the factors that go into answering that question.

Dylan Wood and David Golay review the POC Kortal and Kortal Race MIPS for Blister

POC Kortal & Kortal Race MIPS Helmets

April 15, 2022April 14, 2022 by David Golay

We’ve been testing both versions of POC’s new Kortal helmet, and it’s an excellent option for riders looking for a notably burly, high-coverage Trail / Enduro helmet. Check out our full review for more details, and how they stack up against a bunch of their competitors.

La Sportiva Cyklon

October 21, 2021 by Gordon Gianniny

With a BOA fit system, aggressive outsole, and minimal midsole, the Cyklon is designed specifically for off-camber, mountainous terrain — and for that, it's excellent. But there's more to it, so check out our full review for the whole story.

Kieran Nay reviews the Hoka One One Mach 4 for Blister.

Hoka Mach 4

September 28, 2021 by Kieran Nay

The Hoka Mach 4 offers a rare combination of plush cushioning and springy efficiency that makes it great for a wide variety of road runs, but it's not quite a perfect do-everything shoe. Check out our review to see why, and if it'd make sense for you.

Hoka One One Speedgoat 4

September 20, 2021 by Kieran Nay

Hoka's Speedgoat shoe has garnered a very strong following over the years, but how does the latest iteration compare to the previous ones — and other high-cushion trail shoes on the market? Check out our review of the Speedgoat 4.

Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra

August 30, 2021August 28, 2021 by Gordon Gianniny

One of our reviewers is calling the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra "one of the best long-distance trail shoes on the market." Check out his review to see why.

Blister Would You Rather: Hardtail vs. Full Suspension

Would You Rather: Dream Hardtail or Mid-Price Full Suspension?

September 10, 2021August 14, 2021 by David Golay

Dream hardtail or more modest full suspension bike as an everyday ride? That’s the question we’re tackling in our new “Would You Rather” series. Check out our reviewers’ individual takes on the site, and let us know what you’d do in the comments.

Index: Base Layers

December 29, 2018December 29, 2018 by Luke Koppa

We just updated our Base Layer Index with several new options — from versatile year-round pieces to warm layers for the coldest winter days.

Blister Alpine Ski Bindings Guide

December 1, 2020October 24, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

What’s the best ski binding? Which ones are compatible with your ski boots? There's a lot of misinformation and confusion about the actual differences between bindings, so we’ve updated this guide to help clarify which ones will work best for you.

Cy Whitling reviews the Sego Big Horn 106 for Blister Gear Review

2019-2020 Sego Big Horn 106

February 9, 2020October 22, 2018 by Cy Whitling

We’ve now had two reviewers put over 30 days on the Sego Big Horn 106, and you can now check out our update on this playful all-mountain ski.

Matt Zia

November 13, 2018October 14, 2018 by Matt Zia

Age: 26 | Vitals: 5’11”, 165 lbs | Years climbing: 10 | Years skiing: 15 | Current Residence: Bozeman, MT

Background

I grew up playing in the mountains of Ne…

Suspension 101: Designs

September 14, 2019August 12, 2018 by Noah Bodman

Trying to figure out bike suspension designs - how they work and the pros & cons of each - can feel like you need an engineering degree. So we put together this article to clarify the differences between the various suspension designs on the market. Check it out.

Noah Bodman Mountain Biking 101 Tubeless Tire sealant.

Mountain Biking 101: DIY Tubeless Tire Sealant

August 4, 2018 by Noah Bodman

Tubeless tire sealant can get expensive, especially when you’re swapping out tires often, so our bike editor gives the rundown on mixing up your own sealant at home.

Luke Koppa reviews the Line Sick Day 114 for Blister

2019-2020 Line Sick Day 114

February 3, 2020July 19, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We spent more time this past season on both lengths of the Line Sick Day 114. Check out our updated review and our new Deep Dive comparisons (including the ON3P Wrenegade 114, Liberty Origin 112, and Faction Dictator 4.0).

2019-2020 Black Crows Daemon

February 8, 2020June 20, 2018 by Jonathan Ellsworth

After getting more reviewers and more days on it in even more conditions, you can now check out our full review of Black Crows’ reverse-camber, all-mountain ski, the Daemon.

Blister 27.5 Trailbike Guide Noah Bodman

27.5” Trail Bikes — A Guide + Comparisons

June 10, 2018 by Noah Bodman

“Trail Bikes” range from lightweight XC whips to burly enduro machines and it can be confusing to choose from all the options. So we’ve compared thirty-one 27.5” wheeled bikes and ordered them from most climbing-oriented to most downhill-oriented, with some new options for this year.

+ More