Matt Zia reviews the Edelrid Bulletproof Quickdraw for Blister

Edelrid Bulletproof Quickdraw

The Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw features a unique hybrid construction that’s designed to offer the best of both worlds: steel’s durability and aluminum’s low weight. So does it actually work?
Matt Zia Blister reviewer bio

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…

Matt Zia reviews the Petzl Sitta Harness for Blister

Petzl Sitta Harness

The Petzl Sitta harness is one of the lightest on the market, but Petzl says it's still fully featured, comfortable, and durable enough for technical rock and ice climbing. So what (if any) compromises did they make by going so light?
Matt Zia reviews the Black Diamond Shadow for Blister

Black Diamond Shadow

Black Diamond entered the climbing-shoe market only a year ago, and the Shadow is their most aggressive offering. So how does it compare to similar shoes like the Scarpa Instinct VS and La Sportiva Testarossa & Kataki? Check out our review.
Matt Zia and Dave Alie review the Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight cams for Blister

Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight Cams

Black Diamond’s Camalot Ultralights take their classic Camalot design and trim down the weight significantly, but what about durability and value? We weigh in on how the Ultralights compare to the original Camalots, as well as some other options on the market like the Metolius Ultralight Master Cams.
Matt Zia reviews the La Sportiva Kataki for Blister

La Sportiva Kataki

The La Sportiva Kataki looks a lot like one of our favorite climbing shoes, the Sportiva Katana Lace. So how similar or different are the two shoes, and where does the Kataki really excel? Check out our review.
Matt Zia reviews the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Summit Hooded Jacket for Blister

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Summit Hooded Jacket

Lots of our reviewers love the original Outdoor Research Ferrosi Jacket, and now there’s a new, burlier version called the Ferrosi Summit. So how much of the original Ferrosi’s versatility does the Summit version maintain, and just how much burlier is it?
Matt Zia reviews the Black Diamond VaporLock Magnetron for Blister

Black Diamond VaporLock Magnetron Carabiner

Black Diamond’s Magnetron carabiners are certainly unique, but are they better than traditional lockers? We spent the past season using the VaporLock Magnetron on everything from single-pitch climbs in Indian Creek to multi-pitch ice in Montana to see just how effective this innovation really is.
Matt Zia reviews the Edelrid Mega Jul for Blister Review

Edelrid Mega Jul Belay Device

The Edelrid Mega Jul offers an intriguing combination of assisted braking functionality and minimal weight, and though it’s not the best all-around belay device, it performs well in particular climbing situations.