BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Mammut Ultralight Removable Airbag 3.0
Avalanche airbags can provide significant safety benefits, but they can also be prohibitively expensive or discouragingly heavy. But the Mammut Ultralight Removable Airbag 3.0 is one of the lightest and one of the least expensive airbag packs on the market, so is the problem finally solved?
Trans BC Enduro Stage Race — Recap & Bike Build Review
Our bike editor recently completed the Trans BC Enduro Stage Race — 6 days, ~145 miles, ~31,000 feet of climbing, ~45,000 feet of descending. Check out his recap of the event; how and why he picked his bike and build; and how everything performed. (This writeup is awesome, BTW.)
2019-2020 Armada Invictus 89 Ti
The Armada Invictus 89 Ti is the narrowest metal-laminate ski in Armada’s revamped Invictus lineup, and while it has two layers of titanal, it isn’t heavy, and it has lots of tip rocker. So what sort of ski is it? Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions.
Altra Duo
The Altra Duo is a really uncommon shoe that aims to combine the greater efficiency of a racing flat with the greater comfort of a maximally cushioned trainer. So what’s the result? Check out our review.
Fox Float DPX2 Rear Shock
If you like the sound of a lighter, more pedal-friendly shock that will improve the downhill performance of your Trail bike, the Fox Float DPX2 warrants a very serious look.
Sample Deep Dive: Black Crows Daemon
Curious about our Deep Dive comparisons? Check out this sample Deep Dive of the Black Crows Daemon, including the new Volkl Mantra, the Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, J Skis Masterblaster, Liberty Origin 96, and more…
Sample Flash Review: 18/19 Rossignol Soul 7 HD
Interested in what our member-exclusive Flash Reviews look like? Check out this sample Flash Review of the Soul 7 HD.
Win a Blister Membership
Now’s your chance to win a year-long Blister Membership, which includes personalized gear recommendations from us; exclusive access to our Flash Reviews and Deep Dive Comparisons; a copy of our 18/19 Buyer’s Guide; and exclusive deals from brands like ON3P, Moment, J Skis, Folsom, Parlor Skis, and more…
Deep Dive: Blizzard Rustler 10
We compare the Rustler 10 to the Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Salomon QST 106, Line Sick Day 104, Faction Prodigy 3.0, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, and more…
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Outdoor Retailer Summer 2018 Highlights
We just wrapped up a few days at the Outdoor Retailer summer trade show where we took a look at a ton of brand-new 2019 products. Check out the highlights.
Hoka One One Hupana
The Hoka Hupana is billed as a bit of a do-everything shoe, so is it best thought of as a running shoe that can also work as a gym shoe and casual, everyday shoe? Or is it a casual shoe that can work at the gym or for the occasional run?
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.
18/19 Liberty V92
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the V92, including comparisons to the Renoun Z-Line 90, Blizzard Brahma, and Folsom Spar 88.
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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2018-2019 Liberty V92
With full-length carbon, vertically laminated metal struts, and straight-up steel plates underfoot, Liberty’s brand-new “V” line of skis sound serious. Though the story gets a bit more complicated (and more interesting) when you take a closer look. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, initial impressions, and Flash Review of the V92.
Best and Worst Product Names
In honor of Outdoor Retailer kicking off today — where we’ll be checking out a ton of new products with both very good, and very bad names — we figured it’d be a good time to go over some of the best, and worst product names we’ve ever seen. Check out what we’ve put together, then let us know your own nominations for Best or Worst. (And by the way, consider this post at least PG-13. Also, that pictured Kayak is called the Cocaine, FWIW.)
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
19/20 WNDR Alpine Intention 110
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the cambered version of the WNDR Alpine Intention 110.
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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2021-2022 Icelantic Nomad 105
We’ve been skiing Icelantic’s best-selling ski, the Nomad 105, and we now understand why it holds that title. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
Deep Dive: Icelantic Nomad 105
We compare the Nomad 105 to the Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105, Moment Deathwish, Moment Wildcat 108, Salomon Qst 106, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, 4FRNT MSP 107, Liberty Origin 106, Blizzard Rustler 10, ON3P Woodsman 108, Nordica Enforcer Free 104, Armada ARV 106Ti, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, & J Skis Metal.
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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Blister Brand Guide: Giant / Liv Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
Giant is the largest bike manufacturer in the world, so it makes sense that Giant and its sister brand, Liv, make a wide range of mountain bikes. Check out our Brand Guide to quickly figure out how each Giant & Liv bike differs, and which one might work best for you.
Loungewear Roundup
Sometimes, all you want is to be comfortable. It’s great to have soft, cozy clothing for those days when the main activity is doing no activity at all, and we’ve rounded up several of our favorite, comfy tops, bottoms, & slippers for men & women.
Norrona Tamok Gore-Tex Pro Jacket
According to Norrona, the Tamok Gore-Tex Pro Jacket is their “most durable jacket for the backcountry freeriders, blending a unique look with uncompromising freeride functionality.” It’s quickly become one of our favorite resort shells, and you can check out our full review to see how this high-end jacket compares to the competition.
Diets & Nutrition with Kylee Van Horn (Ep.32)
What’s the best way to eat to feel good and perform well? Nutrition and Diet are massive topics, as are all of the related issues surrounding them. So on our latest Off The Couch podcast, we talk with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Kylee Van Horn, about the various diets out there; whether certain diets are prone to help or hurt training recovery; athletes & eating disorders, and more.
19/20 Kastle MX99
Check out our initial on-snow impressions of the Kastle MX99.
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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La Sportiva Kaptiva
La Sportiva says their Kaptiva is designed for racing, and we think this lightweight, fairly minimal trail shoe definitely excels there. But we’ve also been surprised by how well it works outside of a race course — check out our review.
Our 2020 New Year’s Resolutions (Ep.114)
We’ve been thinking and talking about New Year’s resolutions, so in this episode, we ask a number of BLISTER reviewers what they’re pursuing in this new year and new decade.
Patagonia Women’s SnowDrifter Jacket
This season Patagonia launched a new outerwear line, the SnowDrifter, and we’ve come away very impressed by the comfort and versatility of the women’s SnowDrifter Jacket.