Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast GEAR:30

Raide founder, Kyle Siegel, always has hot takes on backcountry gear, the problems it can create, and interesting ways to go about solving them. And with Raide recently launching their latest line of snowsports apparel and packs, it’s the perfect time to hear all about how and why they made things like the lightest backpanel-access backpack on the market; the warmest-for-weight down jacket; a new take on active insulation; a new way to use merino wool in baselayers; and more. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Register for Blister Summit 2027  BLISTER+ Members: Register for the Summit for $100 Become a BLISTER+ Member Raide’s Slack Community CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Recap of Raide’s Past Year (3:52) New Packs (7:20) New Apparel Overview (17:33) Waterproof Laminates (24:05) Down Insulation (29:06) Active Insulator (45:38) Baselayers (56:06) Beanies & Gloves (1:01:21) Kyle’s Take on the Backcountry Gear Market (1:08:52) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

Jonathan Ellsworth has a wide-ranging conversation about ski gear and product trends for the upcoming season with The Ski Monster owner, George Michaelsen. We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways The Ski Monster - Boston, MA  The Ski Monster - Twin Cities, MN TOPICS & TIMES Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:35) Big Updates at The Ski Monster:  Boston (3:10) Twin Cities, MN (9:15) Gear Trends for 26/27 Season (14:04) Boots and Boa (20:49) Narrow Skis (41:00) Needed Change in the Ski Industry? (44:07) Specific Products You’re Excited About (56:23) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

Today one of the best skiers on the planet is back on the podcast, 2025 Freeride World Tour champion, Marcus Goguen, to talk with Jonathan about skiing in Chile this summer and testing skis; training for the upcoming season; Freeride in the Olympics; and what Marcus is up to with Adrenaline Performance. We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Adrenaline Performance - use code: BLISTER20 livemomentous.com - use code: Blister Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios Blister Review TOPICS & TIMES: Skiing in Chile (1:05) Gear Testing (9:31) Adrenaline Performance 2.0 (15:22) How It Works (32:36) The Freeride World Tour (39:17) Freeride in the Olympics (45:47) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, is back to talk with Jonathan Ellsworth about their 26/27 lineup and a whole lot more. We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  factormeals.com - code: BLISTERGEAR50OFF Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios Blister Review TOPICS & TIMES: ON3P background (2:30) It All Starts w/ the Mount Point (5:50) Park Skis (15:18) Jeffrey 92,98,106,112,118 (19:21) Woodsman 92,100, & 108 (28:31) Billy Goat 114 & 118 (29:54) Cease & Desist (32:55) Touring Skis (35:30) Metal Constructions: Torsion Bar vs Leaf Spring (39:12) Women’s Skis (48:47) Youth Skis (50:03) The Upcoming ‘Change Log’ (50:45) Scott’s Latest Obsession (56:29) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

The first dusting of snow has covered mountains from Colorado to Alaska, and that’s all the excuse we need to chat about deep days and big powder skis with reviewer and heli-guide, Paul Forward. Luke Koppa has Paul run us through the standout skis he got on last season; his latest takes on the evolution of powder-ski design; a ski boot that blew him away; and more. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Contact Paul about 3rd Edge Heli Trip Openings Read our digital 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Paul’s Winter Plans (2:18) Dynastar M-Free 112 (8:24) Atomic Maverick 115 CTI (11:50) Salomon QST X (16:58) Heritage Lab HB122 V2 (25:32) Folsom S-Class (38:29) Ski Durability (44:11) Heritage Lab HB135 & Guide 135 (48:21) K2 Pon2oon (53:51) Lange Code 140 (59:26) Vintage Ski Gear (1:03:19) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

Sydney Sweeney? January 6th? Those files that were promised to be released? Luke Jacobson is back on GEAR:30 to stir the pot, light up the comment sections, offend the too-easily offended ... and talk about Moment's 26/27 lineup of skis. #catscratch We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  livemomentous.com - code: BLISTER factormeals.com - code: BLISTERGEAR50OFF Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Winter Buyer’s Guide Update (0:52) Shoutout to JBobb’s Sister! (1:47) Plug Boot Rage Baiting (3:30) Moment’s 26/27 Ski Lineup (7:31) * Wildcat vs Countach (15:17) Hot Take: Japan (23:11) January 6th, Sydney Sweeney, Tarrifs (31:31) * Deathwish Series (44:15) Luke’s Wedding Ban (48:43) Product Timelines & Development (50:29) * Sierra & Siren Skis (1:01:42) * Touring Skis (1:04:53) * Chipotle Banana (1:09:21) * Meridian 107 & 117 (1:11:47) Favorite Conspiracies & Wrap Up (1:18:10) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

At Blister Summit 2026, we had professional athletes & product developers talk with Jonathan about their own approaches and best tips for how to evaluate gear. You'll hear from Chris Rubens (Atomic); Lauren Samuels (Salomon); Shane Chappell (Burton); and Will Ritter (Spark R&D).  Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  DraftKings.com - code Blister Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Blister Summit 2027: Save the Date (1:41) Winter Buyer’s Guide Update (2:20) BLISTER+ News (3:02) Panelists’ Experience Testing Gear (5:07) Process of Testing (12:45) The Value of Breaking Things (17:13) Rubens’ Approach to Testing (19:45) Declaring it ‘Done’ & Releasing to the Public (22:31) Consensus on Testing Results / Lack Thereof (25:36) Best Tips for How to Test Gear (27:25) Audience Questions (40:08) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

Luke and Jonathan give some updates about our Winter Buyer’s Guide, then share some thoughts on ski boots, hiking boots, and other types of footwear. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  FactorMeals.com - code: BLISTERGEAR50OFF DraftKings.com - code Blister BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: News at BLISTER (1:01) Cam McCaul News (2:34) Buyer’s Guide Update #1 (5:32) Factor Hiking Boots & Ski Boots (10:02) Hiking Shoes, Running Shoes, & Ski Boots (19:55) DraftKings Buyer’s Guide Update #2 (26:21) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

G3 — aka, ‘Genuine Guide Gear’ — everyone who ventures into the backcountry knows them, but you’ve probably wondered what happened to them? Today, you'll get the full story — with all of its twists and turns — from the new head of G3, Cameron Shute. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  DraftKings.com - code Blister LiveMomentous.com - code: Blister BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: G3 origin story (3:05) success can hide failure (16:11) G3 2014 - 2020 (27:53) G3's Second Lap (35:07) New Ideas and Problem Solving (40:30) First Haiku on Gear 30 (50:42) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

Scott Gaffney is one of the most accomplished ski-movie directors of all-time, and in this highlight from The Blister Vault, we’re sharing this clip where Jonathan Ellsworth got Scott to (try to) narrow down the most mind-blowing sessions he’s witnessed, and the skiers that made even the other pros watch in awe. And listening to this clip from 2017 today, it’s amazing how accurately Scott predicted who would be the next big thing in skiing. Note: We Want to Hear From You! We’d love for you to share with us the stories or topics you’d like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. Email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS:  livemomentous.com – use code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER  Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways For the Full Episode: Scott Gaffney – Skier & Director, Matchstick Productions (Ep.60) Blister Cinematic: 20th Anniversary of ‘Yearbook’ w/ Murray Wais & Scott Gaffney (Ep.22) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Podcast Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30

After the book, ‘Born to Run’ came out, minimalist, low-profile shoes were all the rage. But now, maximalism is the big trend. So who’s right and who’s wrong? Blister’s running editor, Gordon Gianniny, talks with Jonathan about the various trends and pendulum swings in the world of footwear — shoes made for running, hiking, trail-running, and walking. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com use code: Blister BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: The Rise of Maximal Trail Shoes (2:44) Minimalists vs Maximalists: Who's Right? (6:16) ‘High Stack’ Vs ‘High Cushion’ (17:23) Upgrade Culture (22:02) Toe Boxes (27:44) Trickle-Down Tech (30:41) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

GPS sports watches are impressive little devices that are able to track and measure more and more things each year. But how do these devices actually work? How accurate are they? And what are the important differences among all the options? Today, Darian Allberry from COROS joins us and provides an outstanding overview of this entire product category. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com use code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES:  What Should We Call This Product Category?? (3:08) How Hardware Differs (4:31) COROS History (10:26) Accuracy (16:57) Over-the-Air Updates (10:20) Displays (25:24) OLED vs AMOLED Displays (29:19) Darian’s Background (32:20) Data: How Much is Too Much? (34:53) Prices / Price Ranges (41:03) Size (46:06) What Feature is Most Underutilized? (49:35) A.I. (53:53) Durability & Care (58:26) What's Next at COROS? (1:02:31) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nutrition apps? Body Composition Scales? Sleep Trackers? The category of home health & fitness tech is exploding, and Kristin Sinnott & Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the gear they've been using — or are currently avoiding — and why.  Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister  Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES:  Kristin’s Upcoming Trip (3:10) Nutrition Apps - Cronometer (5:28) Body Composition Scales - InBody Dial H40 (23:59) Sleep Trackers - Coros Pace Pro (38:22) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the process like for having a custom ski built for you? What do you need to know? How much do you need to know about ski design? And are you someone who should consider it? Today, we’re going to help you figure out all of these questions, with Folsom Custom Skis owner, Mike McCabe, Jonathan Ellsworth, and Steve Janisch. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:42) The Process of Designing a Custom Ski (5:15) Steve’s Experience Testing Skis at Blister Summit (21:04) Who are You Skiing With? (28:29) Adjusting Rocker Profiles (36:52) Materials (41:33) Mount Position & Stance (49:29) Graphics (51:00) Putting It All Together (54:47) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on The Vault, we’re sharing another momentous Blister moment: a section from the very first episode in a series that went on to become one of the biggest things — and arguably one of the best things — we’ve ever put together at Blister. Note: We Want to Hear From You! We’d love for you to share with us the stories or topics you’d like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. Email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com use code: Blister Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas GEAR:30 Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Footwear — running shoes, hiking shoes, walking shoes, etc — has never been more high-tech. Or confusing. Or expensive. It’s a wild world. So today, Jonathan talks with Blister’s running editor, Gordon Gianniny, about the current state of technical footwear; “super” shoes; AI; and more. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Gordon’s Background (6:19) The Confusing World of Footwear (9:35) Costs (20:41) The Super Shoe (23:20) Materials & Design (31:16) AI in Running Shoe Design (36:47) Predictions (45:20) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild Rye is about to turn 10 years old, so Jonathan caught up with Wild Rye founder, Cassie Abel, to ask her about starting this self-funded, women-focused, technical outdoor apparel company back in 2016, and what has & hasn’t changed in the industry over the past decade. They also discuss product development, fundraising strategies, and how Wild Rye has navigated massive trade challenges. Cassie is a very open book, and today, she shares lots of great stories and insights. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: What is Wild Rye? (3:23) Changes Over the Past Decade (8:02) Category Expansion (13:14) Product Development (15:51) Finding the Fit (18:21) Independent Funding (21:59) Lessons Learned from Fundraising (24:35) The Impact of Tariffs (29:51) Wild Rye Today (38:52) Favorite Wild Rye Products (42:21) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan and Kristin announce the latest new thing at Blister — ‘The Vault’ — then talk about some of their summer adventures, the new sports they’ve been getting into, and the new gear they’ve been using. Give it a listen, then share your favorite moments using the link below. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: oneskin.co/BLISTER Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:00) The Blister Vault (4:01) Reviewer Reports: Kristin’s New Sport (14:16) Apparel: (23:33) Curious Creatures Women’s Sun Dog pants Bitterroot Bloom Shorts (12.5” inseam) Eyewear: (26:02) Vallon Watchtowers  Vallon Heron  GPS Sports Watches / Smartwatches (28:26) Mtn Bike Pedals: Flats vs Clips (29:23) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From thru-hikers to ski mountaineers and backpack hunters, Outdoor Vitals’ products have gained a very diverse following. To understand why, Luke Koppa sat down with Brigham Crane, their Product Design Director, to discuss designing products for ‘experiences’ rather than sports, the current state of active insulation, gold-covered down, and more. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Outdoor Vitals CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Brigham’s Background (4:49) Outdoor Vitals Overview (9:36) Versatility vs Specificity (11:40) Collection: Mountain Pursuit (14:51) Prototyping Challenges (22:30) Active Insulations (24:56) ExpeDry Down (30:56) Hunting vs Other Apparel (38:26) Outdoor Vitals Hardgoods (41:43) Biggest Areas for Improvement (45:31) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth break news about our 26/27 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide, and some other big changes at BLISTER. They also talk about the changing media landscape in 2026, and how BLISTER has been able to remain independent for 16 years — and counting. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:46) The Big Buyer’s Guide News (3:57) New Sections: Frontside & On-Piste (9:51) Our ‘Best Of’ Section (13:13) Cover Photo of the Guide (19:36) Other Updates on the Site: (23:10) Blister Access Pass (23:10) More Content, Same Price (26:36) Head-to-Head Comparisons (30:53) Field Reviews (34:59) Media Landscape in 2026 (44:09) How We Operate / Our Principles (50:39) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Hoji weighs in on the great ‘hybrid binding’ debate; then he and Jonathan discuss the future of ski binding technology; 3D printing applications in ski gear; and Hoji's current attempts to push the boundaries of ski-gear performance; and the “fields of belief and disbelief.” Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway Check out our Bike Buyer’s Guide See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Blister Plus Members (3:01) Life since the Blister Summit? (4:42) Hoji on ‘Hybrid’ Ski Bindings (5:57) Reimagining of Ski Bindings (18:12) Hoji’s 3D Printing Escapades (27:12) Reimagining Ski Boots (37:48) The Fields of Belief & Disbelief (46:56) Why Did You Want BLISTER+? (50:49) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cody is back for some straight-up gear talk, and to share where his gear preferences & practices have shifted, and where they’ve remained the same. Also, if you would like to nominate any particular skiers or snowboarders for future episodes of The Pro’s Gear, email us at the address below and let us know. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Note on Buyer’s Guide / Last Week’s Episode (1:16) Shoutout: BLISTER+ Members (2:23) What gear category has been most on your mind? (4:13) What piece of gear did you tinker with the most? (19:46) Gear You’re Pickiest About? (26:43) Skis (29:36) Ski Bindings (39:40) Ski Boots (42:40) Liners (47:46) Packs (52:08) Eyewear: Goggles vs Sunglasses? (56:38) Wearable Tech (1:03:11) Apps - what did you use the most this past winter (1:10:56) Current Running Shoes (1:16:30) Coffee / Coffee Gear Updates (1:21:29) Please Rate GEAR:30 & Share w/ Your Crew (1:24:36) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For some years now, we’ve wrestled with some big ideas about how we could change our annual Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide. So today, Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa and Kristin Sinnott discuss those potential changes — as well as what definitely won’t be changing. Give it a listen, then please let us know what you think. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: How We Operate / What Won’t Change (3:55) Changes We’re Considering (21:25) A Third Way? (34:58) SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE TO OUR BUYER'S GUIDE POLL CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At our Blister Summit, we asked our Blister Summit attendees to pose their questions about ski design to Max Smith (vice president & ski designer at Moment Skis); Stu Gleason (senior designer at DPS Skis); and Mike McCabe (senior designer & owner at Folsom Custom Skis). Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Blister Plus Members (1:00) What Needs To Be Cleared Up With Customer Questions (5:24) What's A Problem You Wish You Could Solve (8:00) Trend To Ski Design:  Do it All or Specifics (10:35) Balancing Ski Design With Conditions and Geography (13:46) Torsional Stiffness (16:20) Prototype Fails (23:06) Taper Angles and Reverse Sidecut (27:06) What will define the next decade of ski design  Which Modern Day Material Has Had The Most Impact (35:51) Feedback Sources (37:30) No One Layer Skis (41:54) Exothermic Epoxy Accidents (45:03) What Hasn't Been Asked Yet? (46:30) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no shortage of skis on the market these days, yet we’re still seeing new brands pop up. So what does it take to start your own ski company, and why do it in the first place? In this episode, Luke Koppa gets the story behind one of the newest brands out there, Ellis Skis, from their founder and engineer, Kevin Schaefer. We discuss why he started Ellis; how he went about prototyping the skis he thought could fill gaps in the market; what he has planned for the future; some misconceptions about ski design, and more. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops Ellis Skis CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: From Longboards to Skis (6:27) Why Create Your Own Ski Company? (8:26) Origins of the “Ellis” Name (11:06) Prototyping Process (11:30) Feedback From Testers & Customers (12:30) Ellis Sabr 100 (26:27) Ellis Meraki 112 (34:10) Ellis Kanso 106 (40:52) What’s Next? (48:46) Clearing Up Ski Design Misconceptions (54:04) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan talks to our patron saint of GEAR:30, Hoji; Jeff Colt (ZipFit); Shane Chappell (Burton); and Will Ritter (Spark R&D) to get their sense of the most interesting trends and product developments across the ski and snowboard world. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops Blister Podcast (ep 404): Stories from the Field CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (2:33) Our Responses to the Previous Panel: Blister Podcast #404 (3:27) ZipFit’s Jeff Colt (15:51) Shane Chappell: Biggest Trends at Burton: Step On (20:06) Burton, Nitro, and Union: Joining Forces (23:31) Hoji on the Hoji Hole, etc. (29:57) Will Ritter: Emerging Trends (33:00) Emerging Trends from ZipFit (37:43) Hoji & 90-Flex Ski Boots (40:43) Snowboard Boot Design (46:21) Spark’s Tech Toe Collab with ATK (50:29) Audience Questions: Booster Straps, Insoles, & Aftermarket Liners (53:24) Boot Pivot Points (1:00:09) Ski Technology Trends (1:03:27) Burton’s ‘Family Tree’ Project (1:05:37) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often on GEAR:30, we zoom way in on the particular design details of a product. But today, we zoom way out, and take a look at how some of the biggest, global, ski and outdoor gear manufacturers actually operate, with Jake Stevens (Rossignol); Jesse Ambrogi-Yanson (Armada); Joe Johnson (Salomon); and Sean Kennedy (Atomic). Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel)Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com TOPICS & TIMES: Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:55) Introductions (3:34) From Europe to the USA & Beyond (6:44) Armada: from the USA  to Europe & Beyond (16:33) Marketing Products: Domestic vs Global (18:12) Global Campaigns (29:54) Importance of Athletes for Brands Today? (37:08) Audience Questions: Customer Retention: Best Practices? (48:48) Importance of User-Generated Content? (56:17) Is Total Consumer Domination The Goal? (59:20) The Importance of Top Sheets? (1:05:58) Is Carving Becoming Cool Again? (1:09:55) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke and Jonathan compare notes on a number of skis they got on at the Blister Summit; confess some crimes; and offer one public service announcement. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Parallel Mountain Sports, Palisades Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CRAFTED Trip Report: Blister Summit & SLC CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Parallel Mountain Sports, Palisades (1:05) Hoji & Marcus Goguen: New BLISTER+ Members (3:10) Nordica Unleashed 106 (6:00) Dynastar M-Free 100 (11:46) Ellis Kanso 106 & Meraki 112 (18:51) Kastle Sublime 93 & Transcend 104 (26:15) Armada AntiMatter 100 & 114 (35:39) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re still buzzing from Blister Summit 2026, which we held last week at Snowbird, Utah. And in this conversation, a number of our reviewers got together to recap their favorite moments, runs, and gear. We also cover what it’s like to ride with the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb (whether he’s on a board, skis, or blades); one of the aspects of ski reviewing that Sascha Anastas does better than Jonathan and Luke; CRAFTED podcast co-host Eli Brown’s perspective as a newcomer to the Summit; and more. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Jonathan’s Driving Advice (2:40) Sascha's Summit Record (6:40) Eli's First Summit (8:15) Conditions & Favorite Terrain (11:05) Sascha & Eli’s Standout Gear (24:39) Upcoming Summit CRAFTED Episode (42:14) JBobb’s Eventful Last Day (45:02) Hard Boot Snowboarding (1:00:29) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke’s a dad! Our patron saint of GEAR:30, Hoji, will be back at the Blister Summit! You can win custom skis at our Summit Dinner! Plus, you’ll hear lots of talk from Luke and Jonathan about the skis they tested to close out the year at CBMR! (So many exclamation points!!!) Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Join Us @ Blister Summit 2026 Win Custom Skis @ Summit Dinner Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops TOPICS & TIMES: Blister Summit Dinner — Win Skis Luke’s a Dad! (3:08) Closing Day (5:38) Blister Summit Snow & Forecast (9:45) Hoji (12:16) Win Folsom Custom Skis @ Summit Dinner (13:40) Panel Sessions & Athlete Guests (16:46) Armada ARV 106 Ti (22:57) Kastle Sublime 93 (25:51) Kastle at Summit (32:45) Doberman Multi Pista (33:17) Heritage Lab RC95 (36:48) Line Poisson (40:13) Moment Deathwish 112 (50:25) Moment Wildcat 108 (54:14) M-Free 108 (1st Gen) at Snowbird (56:26) Most Surprising Ski of the Season? (59:22) Skis We Want to Check Out @ the Summit (1:01:51) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do narrower skis actually make you carve better on piste? What about in moguls? And what sorts of skis are the best skiers actually using? For less-experienced folks, do certain skis make it easier to progress? Luke Koppa dives into these questions and more with the folks at Carv and Stomp It Tutorials. Carv’s Jamie Salter brings a bunch of fascinating data to the conversation, and Stomp It Tutorials’ Jens Nyström adds his perspective as an instructor who’s been helping skiers of all backgrounds for years.  Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Blister Recommended Shop: The Ledge Boardshop Ep. 386: The Ledge Boardshop w/ Suge Join Us @ Blister Summit 2026 Carv Digital Ski Coach Stomp It Tutorials & Stomp It Camps Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: The Ledge Boardshop (2:14) Blister Summit 2026 (3:10) Introducing Jamie & Jens (4:43) Scoring Differences w/ Different Skis (15:24) On-Piste Carving Data (17:21) Mogul-Skiing Data (26:42) Highest-Scoring Skis (36:03) “Training Skis” (and Boots) (44:35) Carv’s Freestyle Experience w/ Jens (54:56) Carv at Blister Summit 2026 (1:06:00) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monoskis! Snowblades! Price Drops! Jonathan talks with Luke Koppa and Kristin Sinnott about some big announcements about our upcoming Blister Summit, and Otto Solberg joins us to give an up-to-date conditions report from the Bird. We also talk about the great-looking forecast, and we go through some of the gear we’re most excited to get on — and get you on. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 BLISTER+ Members: Blister Summit Discount Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Current Conditions at Snowbird (4:58) The Forecast! (11:18) Important Info (16:05) New Discounted Price (21:51) Companies Attending (24:31) Another Dan Abrams Story (35:58) Salomon QST (41:03) Salomon and Kastle (42:20) Faction (46:34) HEAD and DPS (48:33) Nordica and Scarpa (54:18) ZipFit and Product Purchasing (55:35) Elan (56:57) Zirkel (57:31) Snowboard Brands (58:31) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode that we’re dedicating to JBobb, Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk frontside carvers; metal freestyle skis; and for the first time in Blister history, we’re reviewing a competition mogul ski. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Palisades Tahoe Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 BLISTER+ Members: Blister Summit Discount Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Palisades Tahoe (1:35) Blister Summit (2:46) Shoutout: BLISTER+ Members (3:50) Atomic Carving Skis: (7:36) Redster Q9.8 (9:07) Redster X9S (12:37) Redster S9 & G9 (14:42) Faction Le Mogul Pro (21:42) Fischer Carving Skis: (28:23) The Curv Noize GT 85 (29:05) The Curv Noize GTX (31:30) RC4 Noize (33:14) Armada ARV 106 Ti (36:05) Faction Prodigy 3 (39:17) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week at Palisades Tahoe, Jonathan Ellsworth & JBobb stopped by the The Ledge Boardshop to talk about snowboard culture & the current state of snowboard gear w/ a rather legendary figure in the snowboard world, Suge (aka, Brett Scott). We talk 90’s Hip-Hop; the history of snowboarding (and its influence on ski gear); and innovation in snowboard gear itself. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: The Ledge Boardshop Palisades Tahoe Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 BLISTER+ Members: Blister Summit Discount Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: ‘Know The Ledge’ (3:50) Hip-Hop & Snowboarding (7:29) BOA (17:42) Customization of Snowboard Boots? (18:22) ‘Convenience’ Bindings (23:12) Indemnified Gear (36:04) Snowboard Design Updates (43:34) Shop Culture (48:23) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JBobb, Luke, Koppa, Kristin Sinnott and Jonathan Ellsworth just wrapped up a week at Palisades Tahoe, and today, they’re sharing lots of stories and impressions, and talking about the gear they reviewed — but didn’t bring with them. Thanks to everyone who made this a truly unforgettable trip. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Palisades Tahoe Palisades Demo Center Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 BLISTER+ Members: Blister Summit Discount Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Getting There w/o Skis & Boards (1:34) How Jonathan Jinxed Us (6:06) What Luke’s Reading (10:22) Day 1: - Demo Center & People We Met Up With (14:23) - Favorite Runs of the Day (17:31) - Skis & Boards (19:23) - Palisades Patrol Shreds Harder Than You (23:10) - Slot Bar Sneak Attack (26:33) Day 2: - Armada Declivity 102 & Antimatter 100 - Day 2 Favorite Runs (37:00) - Day 2 Equipment Picks (41:12) Day 3: - Rakim & Alpine Meadows (48:55) - Connery Lundin (54:44) - Wildfour & Rocker (59:35) Day 4: (1:02:36) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you tell if you’re working with a good bootfitter? Are all ski boots getting bigger? Where are BOA dials most effective, or, are they actually just ruining the industry? Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth dive into these topics — and present some valuable tips and tricks — with the help of our longtime friend and boofitter, Hunter Dagnon. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Palisades Tahoe Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Boot-Fitters vs Boot-Sellers (5:43) Higher-Volume Boots (8:50 What is an “Average” Foot? (9:29) Bootfitting Red & Green Flags (12:25) Shell Fit (18:07) Concept of Comfort (20:45) BOA (29:41) “Pinner” Fit (36:00) Boot Geometry Changes (43:44) Volume Shifts & Performance (59:30) Plastic Types (1:06:38) JE's Case for Lower Volume (1:34:10) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AlpenFlow Design spent nearly six years developing their flagship AlpenFlow89 hybrid binding, and today, Jonathan talks with AlpenFlow co-founder, Steven Waal, about that development process. Then they compare / contrast the AlpenFlow 89 to all the major players in the hybrid binding space. You’re guaranteed to learn a lot about the “Do-It-All” category of ski bindings. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Lone Pine Gear Exchange Snowbird Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway See Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ GEAR:30 ep 357: AlpenFlow Founders’ Story GEAR:30 ep 345: What’s New in Binding Design CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Sale: Lone Pine Gear Exchange (2:46) Overview of AlpenFlow (5:32) The AlpenFlow 89 Binding (8:05) What’s Changed Since the Blister Summit? (13:38) Pin Toes vs Non-Pin Toes (23:44) Release Characteristics & ISO 13992 (33:20) Product Comparisons: Marker Kingpin (39:00) Marker Duke PT (42:35) Atomic / Salomon Shift 2.0 (45:00) ATK Freeraider 15 (46:26) Cast 2.0 Touring System (49:05) ATK Hy 13 (51:22) Tyrolia Attack Hybrid 14 (52:46) Best Question I Haven’t Asked You?(53:40) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to the question of ski width, there are some very strong opinions held by skiers, and lots of them aren’t true. Are lots of people on skis that are too wide? Will a skinnier ski always carve better than a wider ski? What’s the ideal width for mogul skiing? And is there any real difference in bottomless powder between a 120mm-wide and a 135mm-wide ski? Today, Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth walk through the entire range of skis from 65mm to 135mm wide, and hope to clear up a number of confusions and debunk some myths about ski width. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: CARV Palisades Tahoe Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Test Our Opinions Yourself w/ Carv (1:80) Blister to Palisades Tahoe (2:34) This Week’s Gear Giveaway (3:12) Blister Summit 2026 (3:45) The Question of Ski Width (4:53) Ski Width Ranges 65mm - 71mm (11:49) 72mm - 78mm (16:48) 79mm - 85mm (27:41) 86mm - 92mm (38:08) Q: Width / Getting a Ski On Edge (39:48) 93mm - 99mm (45:06) 100mm - 106mm (53:19) 107mm - 113mm (53:34) 114mm - 120mm (57:21) Coastal Snowpack (1:07:17) Significant Width Breaks (1:14:14) What's Optimal? (1:16:45) Ideal Width for Skiing Moguls? (1:20:38) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke, Koppa, Paul Forward, and Jonathan talk about some of the gear they've been reviewing; discuss topics related to that gear; and dive deep into the ideas behind a new pow ski design that Paul has been thinking about for years, and are now being incorporated into a brand new ski. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow Episode Sponsor: Snowbird Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us! Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Hallelujah! Check the Forecast! (2:58) Snowbird (4:03) Our Very Unique Gear Giveaway (5:24) Paul Back in AK (6:47) Paul’s Boot Surprise: Atomic Remedy 130 (13:08) Luke on the 1000 Skis Carve (22:57) Carving (28:12) Jonathan’s Mistake / PSA (38:02) Paul’s New Pow Ski Design (41:15) The Heritage Lab HB 135 (53:47) Flex Pattern vs Shape (1:04:50) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(1) Why is it that typically, only the stiffest ski boots have all the best features and get the best liners and all the bells and whistles? (2) What are boot manufacturers doing about the fact that many of the best skiers on the mountain also have the least amount of money in their bank accounts? And (3) did K2 just create the first ski boot that was truly designed for women, from the ground up? To address these questions, we’re talking with Tom Pietrowski, the global product line manager for K2 ski boots. Note: We Want to Hear From You! We’d love for you to share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Carv Episode Sponsor: Snowbird Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Blister Summit (2:30) This Week’s Gear Giveaway (3:49) Tom’s Super Hot Take (5:02) K2 Cortex 140 (12:49) Boa Cable Length (15:41) K2 Cortex Team 120 (18:23) Flex Rating vs Price of Ski Boots (21:30) New Recon (28:15) K2 Anthem: the 1st True Women's Ski Boot? (30:48) K2 Boot Collection Upgrades (47:06) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is reviewer and heli-skiing guide Paul Forward in Crested Butte testing skinny skis? How did Luke Koppa end up being the one in a helicopter? And why have Luke and Jonathan been able to test the same new ski boot? Today we discuss it all, as well as a bunch of new freeride skis from 4FRNT and Heritage Lab; Jonathan swapping skis with Daron Rahlves; Luke face-planting in front of some other pro skiers, and more. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Carv Episode Sponsor: Snowbird Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Carv (1:38) Snowbird & Giveaway (2:23) Luke’s Trip Report (5:39) Jonathan’s Trip Report (15:43) Salomon S/Pro Alpha C BOA (21:24) 4FRNT Sinister (32:28) Heritage Lab Skis (37:08) Part 2: Jonathan & Paul Forward (41:05) Testing Ski Boots, Skis, & Carv (45:35) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan shares his thoughts on the stated return of Bode Miller & Peak Skis, then Powder Hound Ski & Bike Shop owner, Eric Helmbrecht, joins us to discuss several big new product announcements; review some current ski & snowboard gear; and then Eric shares his top 10 list of the most important developments in snowboard gear of the 21st century. RELATED LINKS: Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways See Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us @ Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Why My Voice is Gone (0:04) Blister Summit 2026 (2:59) Peak Skis is Back?? (4:11) The ‘New New’ Gear (16:27) - Nordica Nordica Promachine 3 (16:59) - Salomon S/Pro Alpha C BOA (27:49) - Atomic / Salomon Shift² 16 (35:33) - Armada Snowboards (41:48) - Current Ski & Snowboard Gear Reviews (44:38) - 4FRNT MSP 99 (45:55) - Marker X binding (47:04) - Armada Ski Boot (49:13) - Atomic Remedy (51:22) - Rossignol XV Sashimi ( 52:48) JE's Snowboard Questions (54:07) Top 10 Snowboard Gear of the Century (58:00) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The North Face’s iconic Summit Series collection has not only been a part of some of the greatest athletic feats of the past 25 years, it’s also had a major influence on the technical apparel we all use today. In this 2-for-1 conversation, Luke Koppa dives into its backstory, major milestones, and standout pieces with The North Face’s Global Head of Innovation, Cory Olson. He also talks with the one and only Sage Cattabriga-Alosa to get his perspective as an athlete who’s been involved with this series for its entire run — including how he went from hitting backcountry booters in the baggiest clothes he could find, to summiting high-altitude peaks in the most technical gear on the market. RELATED LINKS: Episode Sponsor: Snowbird Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: OpenSnow (2:09) Snowbird (4:25) Weekly Gear Giveaway (6:03) Sage's History w/ The North Face (7:10) Sage’s Ah-Ha Moments w/ Apparel (23:00) Layering Evolution (36:30) Sage’s Standout Products (40:56) Cory Olson’s Role at The North Face (49:52) Historic and Throwback Pieces (54:14) Standouts Materials (56:36) Athlete Feedback & Design Impact (1:01:11) PFAS-Free Apparel: Present & Future (1:05:19) Care & Washing (1:10:20) Himalayan Suit (1:18:58) Summit Series x Streetwear (1:23:30) Future Projects (1:32:01) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological developments in skiing and snowboarding. And today, you’re going to get the real story of the first rockered ski. RELATED LINKS: Get CARV Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us @ Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Weekly Gear Giveaway (2:27) New Boot Testing & Carv (3:42) BLISTER+ (5:19) Greg’s Background in Skiing (6:32) Greg’s Top 10 #10: Removal of Fluoro Waxes (11:12) #9: GripWalk (14:31) #8: Tuning Robots (16:53) #7: Gore Tex Patents Expiration (20:56) #6: Step in / Step on Snowboard Bindings (25:51) #5: Hybrid AT Systems #4: Ski Boot Design (35:16) Rockered Skis Unsolved Mysteries (46:13) #3: Rockered Skis (44:17) #2: Twin Tip Skis (50:19) #1: K2 Four (53:46) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological developments in skiing and snowboarding. RELATED LINKS: OpenSnow CARV Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Ep.323 w/ Carv & Marcus Caston CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Weekly Gear Giveaway: J Skis (1:01) Jan 1, 2026: Changes to BLISTER+ (1:25) OpenSnow Forecast is Looking Good! (3:11) New Skis, Ski Boots, & Carv (4:05) Our Top 10 Gear Developments: #10: (6:48) #9: (15:36) #8: (27:11) #7: (38:47) #6: (46:17) #5: (51:15) #4: (56:41) #3: (1:04:07) #2: (1:15:36) #1: (1:19:54) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can you learn when you analyze hundreds of thousands of ski turns? What does it tell you about ski technique? And what can be learned about the gear you use to make those turns — and the gear we test and evaluate? Luke Koppa discusses all of the above with the team at Carv. RELATED LINKS: Carv Digital Ski Coach System Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ Ep.323 w/ Carv & Marcus Caston CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Weekly Gear Giveaway (2:01) What is Carv? (4:33) What’d They Learn Last Year? (6:41) What’s New This Year? (11:30) How Does Carv Turn Data into Scores? (14:46) Off-Piste vs. On-Piste Analysis (20:50) Using Carv in Our Reviews (23:28) Why Do Certain Skis Score Higher? (24:00) Skiing Switch With Carv (35:00) Who is Carv For? (49:55) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The skis, ski boots, and bindings made for human-powered ski-touring are very different from the ones built for the resort. But what about the clothes? Raide has been rethinking what apparel for the skintrack vs. the resort should look like, and their new collection is quite the ambitious debut. Luke Koppa discusses it all with Raide founder, Kyle Siegel. RELATED LINKS: Carv Digital Ski Coach System Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Carv & This Week’s Giveaway (3:03) Raide State of the Union (6:15) Raide’s First Apparel (12:22) New TourTech System (13:13) Hybrid Bibs (16:15) Raide’s New Waterproof/Breathable Fabrics (29:13) DWR Coatings (32:51) Testing & Impacts of Washing (36:36) Bib & Shell Featureset (39:26) Zip-Off Baselayer (44:52) Hybrid Hoody (51:36) Kyle’s Favorite Non-Raide Products (56:57) Future Raide Products? (1:01:02) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back on snow! And testing gear! And excited to talk about it! Jonathan and Luke cover several of the standout skis so far; Luke confesses to one of the dumbest things he’s ever done on skis; they discuss underappreciated upsides of early-season skiing; some interesting new outerwear and gloves; and more. RELATED LINKS: Our Recommended Shop: Round House Sports Center Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaways All of Our Blister Recommended Shops Join Us At Blister Summit 2026 For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit Registration Get Yourself Covered with BLISTER+ CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: We’re Back on Snow! (3:40) Luke’s First Skin (10:45) Rossignol Arcade 94 (17:53) Faction Dancer 79 (22:31) Volkl Peregrine 72 (29:33) Head Kore 88 Ti vs. Kastle Paragon 93 (33:41) Outerwear & Accessories (38:18) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we spill some tea, break some news, fire off a few rants, and we walk through Moment’s 25/26 lineup, including what Moment CEO, Luke Jacobson, believes to be the most significant changes to the line. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us at info@blisterreview.com RELATED LINKS: BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered Join Us! Blister Summit @ Snowbird CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: Vintage Moment Skis (4:05) Belafonte Revival? (9:26) Gear Gossip (12:32) Moment’s New Ski Press (13:40) Company Growth (28:30) Luke’s Current Ski Boot (36:22) Moment’s Factory Shop (40:58) Moment 25/26 Lineup (46:40) Women’s Skis (57:30) Communism vs Democracy (59:12) Ski Forums (1:03:38) Moment’s Bella Skis (1:16:54) Recap (1:23:57) Blister Summit Talk + Alta vs Snowbird (1:28:34) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve worn a puffy jacket in the past 30+ years, there’s a good chance it used PrimaLoft insulation. And they’ve just announced their warmest insulation to date. So today, we get all the details on PrimaLoft UltraPeak from Andrea Paulson, PrimaLoft’s Senior Vice President of Innovation & Technology — and learn a ton about insulation in general along the way. Whether you’re curious about the latest puffy tech or just want to learn more about how to stay warm in the outdoors, this one’s for you. RELATED LINKS: BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: PrimaLoft History (3:07) Ultra Peak (9:41) What’s Driven Innovation? (16:03) UltraPeak vs. Other Insulation (19:08) Warmth to Weight & CLO Values (21:20) UltraPeak Use Cases (27:15) Weights of Insulations (28:33) Breathable Insulation (36:03) Other New PrimaLoft Products (40:09) How To Care for Your Insulation (45:53) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.