BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Duffel Bag Roundup — 2018
Used to be that a duffel was a duffel was a duffel. Not anymore. These days, almost every outdoor brand is making one (or several), so we’ve rounded up some of the best duffel bags out there and compared them side-by-side.
New DPS Skis & Products with Stephan Drake (Ep.22)
We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the new DPS Wailer 110; the DPS Spoon, Lotus 138, and 124; and some big news about DPS Phantom, their new ski and snowboard base treatment.
2020-2021 Scott Cosmos III
If you’re tired of low-volume ski boots with brick-wall flex patterns, then you should definitely take a look at the Scott Cosmos III. Check out our review.
Win a $150 Kuhl Gift Card + Sun Dagger Hat
Get $150 to spend on whatever you want from Kuhl. Plus, you’ll also get one of their new sun hats.
Deep Dive: Line Sick Day 114
Update: We compare the Line Sick Day 114 to the Moment Blister Pro, ON3P Wrenegade 114, Faction Dictator 4.0, Liberty Origin 112, Rossignol Super 7 HD & RD, Blizzard Rustler 11, Fischer Ranger 115 XTi, DPS Wailer 112 Alchemist, Line Mordecai, and more…
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2019-2020 Line Sick Day 114
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).
Deep Dive: Faction Prodigy 3.0
We compare the Prodigy 3.0 to the Faction Candide 3.0, Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Blizzard Rustler 10, ON3P Kartel 108, Moment Meridian 107, Line Sick Day 104, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, and more…
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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2019-2020 Faction Prodigy 3.0
Faction has overhauled their Prodigy 3.0, and we’re big fans of the new ski. And we think that both directional skiers and more freestyle-oriented skiers could be fans of it, too. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.
La Sportiva Genius
The La Sportiva Genius is one of the most aggressive climbing shoes on the market, but it lacks one noteworthy thing: an edge. So how does it compare to other aggressive shoes like the La Sportiva Solution & Futura, Evolv Shaman, and Five Ten Hiangle? Check out our review.
Running Shorts Roundup — 2018
There are too many running shorts in the world, so we’ve rounded up seven of our favorites (for everything from quick jogs to long trail runs) and laid out which ones might work best for you.
Skier Survey from LINE
(Update: SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.) Line conducted this skier survey, and we think you should check it out. Because (1) you can win some skis, and (2) you can let them know which review publications and buyer’s guides you trust most for info on ski gear.
Hoka One One Stinson ATR 4
Hoka One One built a name for themselves making highly cushioned running shoes, and the all-new Stinson ATR 4 is the most highly cushioned trail shoe in their lineup. But it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a shoe that has this much cushioning. Check out our review and comparisons to other shoes like the Altra Olympus 3.0 & Timp and Hoka Speedgoat 2.
Sweet Protection Hunter Shorts and Hunter Mid Gloves
While Sweet Protection is well-known for producing hiqh-quality helmets, they’ve also been making a name for themselves in MTB apparel. This year, they revamped their Trail-oriented apparel line, and some of the new products have quickly become some of our favorites. Check out our review.
Win a Men’s or Women’s Jacket from Arc’teryx
This new jacket from Arc’teryx hasn’t even come out yet, but this week you have a chance to win one.
2018-2019 Head Nexo LYT 130
The brand-new Head Nexo LYT 130 is the lightest alpine boot we’ve ever reviewed (and it’s lighter than a lot of touring boots we’ve reviewed). But that’s not the only thing that sets this boot apart from the competition. Check out our measured specs, fit notes, and initial impressions.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Custom Skis from Wagner
Enter for your chance to win a pair of fully custom Wagner skis!
New Skis, Ski Boots, & Bindings with Paul Forward (Ep.80)
We catch up with reviewer, Paul Forward, about some of the skis, AT boots, and an AT binding that Paul has been spending time on in Girdwood, Alaska. Paul and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the Volkl Mantra 102; the DPS Koala 119; the new Atomic Backland Carbon AT boot; the Fritschi Xenic lightweight touring binding; and more.
2021-2022 Kye Shapes Numinous
Last week we talked about the Metamorph, a new ski from Kye Petersen & Foon Skis’ new brand, Kye Shapes. Now it’s time to talk about the big gun in the Kye Shapes lineup, the Numinous. And for many people, we think there is a lot to like about this big-mountain ski. Check out our video First Look & writeup.
2021-2022 Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105
Shaggy’s is a small brand that builds their skis in Michigan, and we’ve been very impressed by the versatility of their Ahmeek 105. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons.
How to Design a Great Race (Ep.31)
New running events seem to be popping up all the time, which raises the question: Are there some specific policies, and practices that should be built into all or most running events? To help us think about this, we talked to Caleb Efta, the race director of the High Lonesome 100, about some of the specific policies and requirements of the event that are designed to mitigate its environmental impacts and increase gender equality.
Deep Dive: Shaggy’s Ahmeek 105
We compare the Ahmeek 105 to the Moment Deathwish, Moment Wildcat 108, Icelantic Nomad 105, Blizzard Rustler 10, ON3P Woodsman 108, J Skis Metal, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Liberty Origin 106, Line Sick Day 104, 4FRNT MSP 107, Armada ARV 106Ti, Sego Big Horn 106, Nordica Enforcer Free 104, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Salomon QST 106, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, and Faction Prodigy 3.0.
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 a 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.)
Blister Brand Guide: Ibis Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020
Ibis started back in 1981, and now makes a variety of bikes from hardtails to Enduro sleds. Check out our Brand Guide for our breakdown of their lineup, and see which bike might be the best fit for you.
New Year’s Resolutions with Brendan Leonard (Ep.113)
A recent conversation with Brendan Leonard (semi-rad.com) about his 2019 goal of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks (!!!) got us thinking that we should take a more creative approach to New Year’s Resolutions and goals. And then very soon, we’ll be posting a series of interviews with some Blister reviewers and other folks about their own take on new year’s resolutions, and some of their own creative goals.
Sustainable Products Roundup
Thankfully, “sustainability” is a word that more and more companies are thinking about when it comes to the products they make and sell. So from technical outerwear, to food storage, to everyday items you might not even think about, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite items that represent a step in this more sustainable / less environmentally harmful direction. Check them out here.
2021-2022 Nordica Enforcer 88
We’ve now had multiple reviewers on two lengths of Nordica’s narrowest Enforcer, the Enforcer 88. Check out our full review & Deep Dive comparisons for our thoughts on this all-mountain ski.
Deep Dive: Nordica Enforcer 88
We compare the Enforcer 88 to the Nordica Enforcer 93, Blizzard Brahma, Folsom Spar 88, Head Monster 88 Ti, Black Crows Orb, Parlor Cardinal 90, Armada Invictus 89 Ti, Atomic Vantage 90 Ti, Salomon XDR 88 Ti, Liberty Evolv 90, K2 Ikonic 84 Ti, & Renoun Z-Line 90.
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 a 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.)
SCARPA CEO, Kim Miller, Part 1 (Ep.79)
This week, Sam Shaheen visited SCARPA’s North American headquarters to talk with SCARPA’s CEO, Kim Miller. Here in Part 1 of the conversation, they discuss Kim’s impressive career in the outdoor industry; SCARPA’s philosophy of ski boot design; their position within the market; the specifics of the new Maestrale XT; Kim’s thoughts on boot/binding compatibility; and more.