GEAR:30

Today we’ve got another episode of our “Reviewing the Reviewer” series, where we ask our reviewers questions about their backgrounds and gear preferences to give you a more complete picture of the people behind our reviews. In the hot seat is bike reviewer, Zack Henderson, but in addition to mountain biking and gravel riding, Zack is also a snowboarder and a skier, so our conversation is almost equal parts bike, board, and ski talk. Jonathan also starts the episode by remembering our friend and fellow reviewer, Eric Freson.RELATED LINKS:Pre-Order: Our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s GuideBecome a Member: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMESZack’s background / sports did you play growing up? (7:40)Where’d You Go to School & Why? (11:12)How did you first get connected with Blister? (15:42)Zack’s bike, ski, & snowboard, gravel bike preferences (18:31)Who is your favorite reviewer at Blister? (40:12)Who is your favorite pro mtn biker, pro skier, pro snowboarder? (41:17)What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? (51:21)What gear are you most picky about? (54:35)What gear are you least picky about? (57:21)Best Crash or Close Call Story? (59:35)Top 3 favorite books, movies, and musicians (1:02:54)Give us a random review (1:06:39)What’s the best question I haven’t asked you? (1:12:35)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicBlister PodcastBikes & Big IdeasCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interested in ski design? Curious about where the next advancements in ski design might come from? Dr. Sean Humbert is back to provide an update on our Blister Labs’ ski flex project and to go over some of the results and takeaways from the on-snow ski testing and dynamic modeling from this past ski season.Blister Labs is a partnership between BLISTER and the Western Colorado University - CU Boulder Partnership Program.RELATED LINKS:The Published Paper on this ProjectBLISTER+: Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Project Overview (3:23)In-Field Testing & Results (6:08)Bindings & Ski Flex Patterns (24:45)What’s Next (35:54)Published Paper (44:13)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being in freezing temperatures on a glacier and having to remove your harness and several layers of clothing just to pee. What about scrambling around a desolate desert looking for a place to pull down your pants in private? Maybe you don’t have to imagine — maybe you’re part of half the population who have to wear pants that weren’t originally designed for your anatomy.Gnara is an apparel company that has spent the last several years working to solve this problem with the advent of their “GoFly Technology,” a patented zipper that allows you to ‘go’ anywhere while maintaining privacy. We talk to Gnara co-founder, Georgia Grace Edwards, about how this idea came to be; the brand’s growth in the last few years; the impact they’ve had on a variety of professions and applications (with more to come); how to approach a taboo topic with humor and grace; and more. RELATED LINKS:Pre-Order: Our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s GuideBecome a Member: BLISTER+Gnara’s GoFly TechnologyTOPICS & TIMES:Glacier Guiding & Origin Story (4:19)Why Pee Zippers Matter (7:32)“GoFly” Technology (15:53)Product Lineup (17:22)Using Humor to Address Taboo (24:16)The Rewarding Moments (28:08)Scaling (31:32)Leggings (35:16)Crowdfunding Strategy (39:55)Rebranding (45:50)Georgia Grace’s Background (54:21)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wool has seen quite the resurgence in technical apparel over the past couple decades, and for good reason — it’s breathable, odor-resistant, and manages moisture better than most natural fibers. However, the way that most wool is spun into yarns can hamper its natural performance traits — at least, that’s what Nuyarn CEO, Andy Wynne, claims, and it’s why Nuyarn set out to come up with an entirely new way to use wool in technical fabrics. On today’s episode, Luke Koppa sits down with Andy to get the details on the traditional methods of yarn spinning; why he believes they have been holding back the true potential of wool; how Nuyarn is different; the extremely impressive performance metrics of Nuyarn; how it’s being applied to a very wide range of end uses; an exciting new wool product they’re about to launch, and more.RELATED LINKS:Pre-Order: Our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s GuideBecome a Member: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Andy’s Backstory (5:07)Traditional Implemntations of Wool (7:44)How & Why Nuyarn is Different (14:31)Production (21:03)Nuyarn’s Different Applications (47:37)Future Product: Hurcelan (53:11)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How has the ski / snowboard season in the southern hemisphere been this year? To find out, we caught up with Benji Knight and Darren Grimmett from Outside Sports in New Zealand; we also cover the gear trends they’re noticing in their area, and then they peel back the curtain on how, exactly, a local shop curates the collection of gear they offer — often picked from thousands of options — for their specific location and customers.RELATED LINKS:Our Blister Recommended Shop: Outside SportsA Guide to Skiing in New Zealand, Ep.260Blister Recommended ShopsBLISTER+: Become a MemberTOPICS & TIMESSeason Update (6:14)How do you Pick Products?? (7:23)Supplier Relationships & Brand Loyalty (12:24)Athlete & Customer Relationships (15:04)Bringing on a New Brand (19:04)Sizing (20:42)Hardgoods vs. Softgoods (26:53)Evolution of the Industry (28:59)NZ Gear Trends (33:42)Season Outlook (41:45)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Camille Jaccoux, co-founder of Black Crows Skis, is back on GEAR:30 to catch up on what the brand has been up to since last we spoke four years ago; the legacy of the iconic Corvus; how they overhauled it for 24/25; other new products they’re rolling out this winter; and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:Bag Balm: use code BLISTER to get 20% offBLISTER+: Become a MemberCamille Jaccoux on Blister Podcast Ep.144Camille & Julien Regnier on GEAR:30 Ep.64TOPICS & TIMES:Black Crows Since the Pandemic (4:04)Touring Lineup (7:33)New Octo & Octo Birdie (9:59)Global Market Share (15:39)The Corvus Legacy (20:09)New 24/25 Corvus (25:42)24/25 Lineup Highlights (33:00)Other Products (42:30)Ghost Resorts (45:06)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Fearon is a ski development engineer at LINE & K2, and he’s been busy — between the two sister brands’ 24/25 collections, Sean helped design over a dozen of the new skis. So Luke Koppa sat down with Sean to get the details on LINE’s new Pandora, Vision, and Optic skis (and how they all relate to each other); the overhauled K2 Reckoner and Omen series; working with Karl Fostvedt to create his unique pro model, the Reckoner KF, and more. He also peels back the curtain on what it actually means to be a ski designer / engineer, why his job is often very similar to what we do at Blister, and how others might pursue a similar career.RELATED LINKS:Bag Balm: use code BLISTER to get 20% offBLISTER+: Become a MemberBlister Summit 2025: register before July 1st to save $150 Reviews: Line Pandoras, K2 Reckoners, K2 OmensTOPICS & TIMES:Sean’s Background (3:55)Being a Ski Engineer / Designer (7:25)24/25 LINE Skis Overview (13:20)LINE Pandora, Vision, & Optic Skis (17:02)K2 Omen Skis (41:47)K2 Reckoner Collection (51:05)Karl Fostvedt & The Reckoner KF (53:38)Advice For Future Ski Designers (1:09:43)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Jonathan missed our GEAR:30 ‘travel gear’ conversation a few weeks ago, he wanted to weigh in. So he and Kristin Sinnott open by discussing their recent trips; they discuss the question of ‘why we travel?’; and then, they dive into some of their favorite travel gear.RELATED LINKS:Bag Balm: 20% Off w/ Code: BLISTERGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Blister Summit 2025: Early-Bird RegistrationTOPICS & TIMES:Recap of our Recent Trips (6:28)Snake Bite Black story (12:46)Italy (18:01)Why Do We Travel? (28:40)Florence, Italy (32:25)Gear Talk: Headphones (37:10)Roller Bags (42:15)Backpack (47:40)Walking shoes (51:04)Mechanical Watches (56:27)Work Out Gear (59:02)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Launching your own outdoor apparel company is no small feat, especially if it’s a one-woman operation. But with Curious Creatures, that’s exactly what Tasha Woodworth has done, and Kara Williard sat down with Tasha to hear all about her unique path to where she is today, as well as the ups, downs, and key takeaways from the journey. We discuss how Tasha’s background in both the fashion industry and ski racing helped her along the way; what it means to be a “curious creature”; how the ski racing “beat down” prepared her for building a small business, and more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit 2025: Early-Bird RegistrationGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The CouchTOPICS & TIMESHigh Fashion (2:46)Working at Patagonia (5:27)NCAA / Middlebury & US Ski Team (9:12)Why start a new business? (11:27)First Steps (13:55)Products & Problem Solving (16:16)Curious Creatures (19:49)Men’s vs. Women’s vs. Unisex (29:17)Business Ethos (30:17)What’s Next? (33:35) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Ahearn has been photographing skiing, snowboarding, biking, and day-to-day life in the Gunnison / Crested Butte Valley for many years now, and in this conversation, Luke Koppa chats with him about how he turned that into a career; their favorite camera-related gear; tips to help *you* capture better photos next time you’re outside; the most rewarding, frustrating, and unusual parts of getting these shots; and more. If you’re curious about how people like Taylor create such inspiring photos, or are looking to better capture your own time outside, you’ll definitely want to stick around.RELATED LINKS:Our Blister Recommended ShopsGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastTOPICS & TIMES:Taylor’s Photo Background (3:57)Most Rewarding Aspects? (10:37)Challenges (16:04)Photo Myths (22:22)Shooting Biking vs Skiing (26:02)Current Setups (30:10)Camera Accessories (38:43)Photography Advice (47:20)Editing & Settings (1:01:08)Favorite Photos & Photographers (1:11:39) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Luke Koppa sat down with Kristin Sinnott to go over some of the products they’ve found useful, surprising, or otherwise noteworthy while on the road or hurtling through the sky. They also discuss extremely relevant things like camcorder storage solutions and dinosaur podcasts, the fact that Luke doesn’t actually like traveling, and more.RELATED LINKS:Bag Balm: 20% Off w/ Code: BLISTERBlister Summit 2025: Early-Bird RegistrationGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Kristin & Luke’s Recent Trips (6:29)Travel Essentials (9:14)Camcorder Gear (20:09)Headphones & Dino Podcasts (23:58)Apparel (29:26)Surprisingly Useful Gear (45:05)Products We Wished Existed (47:30)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part 2 of this GEAR THERAPY mini-saga, Justin Bobb lays out his specific recommendations for boots, bindings, boards, & more to get Jonathan started on his snowboarding journey. They also discuss how many days on a board JE will need before he’s ready to head up to the Headwall at Crested Butte.RELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Boone Mtn SportsGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Listen to Part OneCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The CouchTOPICS & TIMES:Next Blister Cinematic episodeSnowboard Boots (8:46)Snowboard Bindings (22:07)Snowboards (29:01)Camber Profiles (30:32)Length / Sizing (36:21)Protective Gear (39:36)Common Injuries (43:12)Summary (45:52)Headwall Challenge (47:03)Crashes & Close Calls (53:57) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much does knowing how to ski help when learning how to snowboard? How do you slam as little as possible while learning to ride? Why don’t snowboards have releasable bindings? These are a few of our Blister founder's questions as he learns to ‘think sideways.’RELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Powder HoundGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Hot Dog…The Movie (4:56)Snowboarding Status Update (8:33)Slam Reduction Program (12:08)Releasable Bindings? (14:32)JE’s Snowboarding Goals (19:38)Stance (21:21)Visualization / “Think Sideways” (23:54)Best Terrain to Begin On? (29:34)Types of Slams (33:25)Speed (35:51)Running Flat Bases? (36:30)Heel vs Toe, Part 1 (38:34)Tips on Crashing (41:36)Timeline (44:22)Heel vs Toe, Part 2 (45:00)Edges (51:31)How to Stop?? (53:05)Speed Scrubbing (1:01:30)JE’s Latest Crashes & Close Calls (1:05:21)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Blister Summit 2024, we got a state of the union on the present and future of ski boot design from 3 people with a wealth of experience in this world: Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson, Matt Manser, and Greg Klein. They cover everything from the reception and performance of BOA boots to Hoji’s new Dynafit Ridge Pro boot; cold feet (literal & metaphorical…), and much more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Blister YouTube ChannelBlister Recommended ShopsTOPICS:Intro 4:12BOA Ski Boots: How’s It Gone So Far? 5:36Weight: Still a Big Factor?13:27Hoji’s New Dynafit Ridge Pro Boot 25:20“Welcome Fit” 39:06Footbeds & Boot Shell Plastic 45:31Upper-Cuff BOAs? 54:09Selling Shells w/o Liners? 56:34Solutions for Cold Feet? 1:02:40“True” size-22 Shells 1:04:57Throat / Instep Fit 1:06:47Canting & Cuff Alignment 1:09:11“Custom” Boots 1:11:20CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back with Eric Helmbrecht, co-owner of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK, to discuss Alaska’s banner El Niño season; the gear he enjoyed most; the gear Kara Williard brought to Girdwood; what’s changed at Alyeska Resort since joining the Ikon pass; the reliability of various AT & alpine bindings, and more.RELATED LINKS:Shop Talk: Powder Hound, Girdwood, AK (Ep.133)Shop Talk: Celebrating 10 Years of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK (Ep.222)Trends, Favorite Gear, and Most / Least Durable Products, with Eric Helmbrecht of Powder Hound AK (Ep.41) Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Blister Recommended ShopsTOPICS & TIMESAlaska’s Epic El Niño (3:07)Eric’s Favorite Gear (4:55)Kara’s Gear for AK (7:05)BOA Boots (10:57)Ski Tuning Upgrade (13:17)Ski Racing in AK (17:03)Alyeska on the Ikon Pass (20:03)Eric’s Trip Recommendations (25:19)Alpine Bindings (28:01)Binding Reliability & Longevity (30:56)Eric’s Preferences (40:53)AT Bindings & Trends (44:40)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the new skis they’ve been testing this springRELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Powder HoundGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Intro & Updates (2:36)Blizzard Anomaly 88 (9:50)K2 Omen Team (20:00)Blizzard Anomaly 94 (23:32)Armada Declivity X 102 & Declivity X 108 (33:58)Moment Commander 102 (40:46)Line Pandora 99 & Pandora 106 (49:14)Black Crows Corvus (57:38)Rossignol Sender Free 118 (1:03:57)Crashes & Close Calls (1:10:07)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy. Kara Williard sat down with Jeff to discuss how this app compares to and complements other backcountry tools; key features such as Adaptive Slop Shading and “No Go Zones”; how it accounts for human factors; different types of risk; the general state of tech in the backcountry; and more.RELATED LINKS:Download Aspect Avy for FREEBlister Rec Shop: Boulder OrthoticsGet Covered: BLISTER+VIDEOS: BLISTER YouTube ChannelInvest in Aspect AvyTOPICS & TIMES:Jeff’s Background: IFMGA & Nordic (3:10)Jeff’s Near-Death Experience (6:15)Intro to Aspect Avy (9:18)Adaptive Slope Shading (10:31)No-Go Zones, Coaching Tool, & Runout Zones (13:21)Human Factors (19:17)Adaptive Tools (23:20)Who’s It For? (30:32)Tech & Backcountry Skiing (46:26)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s in and what’s out in ski design? And how have U.S. ski companies been doing over the past few years? At Blister Summit 2024, we discussed this and much more with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, and Icelantic Skis founder, Ben Anderson. We cover notable trends; why skis cost what they do; the challenges of manufacturing skis in the U.S.; whether a core-shot-proof ski is possible, and more.And, if you’d like to check out the video of this conversation, then head over to the BLISTER YouTube channel to watch this, plus other panel sessions from all of our Blister Summits, plus new brand lineup videos, etc.RELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Lone Pine Gear ExchangeGet Covered: BLISTER+VIDEOS: BLISTER YouTube ChannelTOPICS & TIMES:Introductions 3:21Manufacturing Challenges 8:08Ski Costs vs. Ski Prices 14:10Exciting New Ski Materials? 26:01Audience Questions 35:50CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jonathan, Luke, Kara, Kristin, and JBobb were testing a bunch of skis, boots, snowboards, and apparel in Taos Ski Valley. But it was more than just a review trip, since it was also the first time back at TSV for several of us who previously spent many seasons there — which meant there were a lot of feelings.So in this conversation, we discuss a number of the carving-oriented and narrower all-mountain skis we were on this week; Luke’s food choices; the heated debate between Taos’ Chair 2 (West Basin) vs Chair 12 (Kachina Peak); and more. RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Powder Hound AKBLISTER+ Membership: Learn More & Sign UpVIDEOS: Blister YouTube ChannelTOPICS & TIMES:We’re Back! (5:45)The Great Debate: Taos’ Chair 2 vs. Chair 12 (11:27)Luke’s Green-Chile Cheeseburger (25:00)Morning Groomers & Carving Skis (30:53)Afternoon Steeps & All-Mountain Skis (44:31)Crashes & Close Calls: Jonathan’s Latest (1:05:54)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa and Kara Williard talk with Trygve Sande, one of the founders of Vertical Playground (VPG), which is our Blister Recommended Shop in Oppdal, Norway, to get a read on the past, present, and future of backcountry gear. We discuss current trends; all-time pivotal pieces of gear; the most durable products; the easiest ones to use; gear that helps break down the barriers to entry; skiing in Norway; and last but not least, Trygve’s involvement and collaboration with Hoji and 4FRNT’s new concept ski. RELATED LINKS:Vertical Playground GEAR:30 Ep.169: Vertical Playground, Oppdal Norway Get Covered: BLISTER+VIDEOS: Blister YouTube Channel TOPICS & TIMESVPG background (2:19)Current Backcountry Trends (5:20)All-Time Pivotal Gear (11:01)Frame & Tech Bindings (13:09)Most Durable Products? (20:46)Top Products: Ease of Use (24:31)Hoji Lock (25:31)Dynafit Ridge Binding (31:11)Performance-to-Weight Ratio (28:06)Best Gear for Norway (31:26)Backcountry Accessories (33:38)Backpacks (35:20)Backcountry Gear Demos (36:54)Hoji & the Raven & 4FRNT Concept Ski (41:00)Summer at VPG (47:19)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re discussing current helmet technology, head injuries, and best practices for skiers & snowboarders with Blister reviewer (and physician assistant), Sascha Anastas; Sr. Director of R&D at Giro, Steven Kennedy; the CMO of MIPS, Frederik Kjellberg; and pro skier, Drew Petersen.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Boone Mtn SportsGet Covered: BLISTER+VIDEOS: Blister YouTube ChannelTOPICS & TIMES:MIPS Backstory & Purpose (4:28)Skull Fractures & Concussions (9:10)Helmet R&D & Various Testing Standards (14:50)Athlete Perspective on Helmet Testing (19:56)Advice for Buying Helmets (25:02)Different Versions of MIPS (28:06)Drew’s Take: Choosing Helmets (30:36)Replacing Helmets: When & Why? (32:00)Audience: Mental Side of Accidents (35:02)Audience: Concussions & Long-Term Effects (42:57)Audience: Helmet Replacement Cont. (44:28)Closing Thoughts (46:20)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Jones was in town last week, so in addition to getting out on snow together, Jonathan and he sat down in Blister HQ in Elevation Hotel to talk about gear reviews; the biggest gear mistakes riders make; full-camber vs. no-camber boards; soft vs. hard boots (including Shane McConkey’s tinkering on that front); and more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Willi’sGet Covered: BLISTER+Jeremy & Xavier Nidecker on Re-Up TechTOPICS & TIMES:Riding CBMR, CBMR Freeride Comp (3:35)Jonathan Boarding, Jeremy Getting on Skis (6:00)Gear Reviews / Gear Reviewing (11:56)Materials, Weight, & Stiffness (25:15)Full-Camber vs No-Camber Boards (33:17)Boards for Beginners (35:47)Soft vs Hard Boots (42:06)Product Design at Jones (53:34)ReUptech (55:38)Blister Cinematic (58:35)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should you think about ski boot flex patterns, and which one is “right” for you? For the latest installment of our “Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting” series, Kara Williard talks with bootfitter and Pulse Boot Lab’s Revelstoke store manager, Bryn Vickers, to cover the complex and often misunderstood aspects of ski boot flex. We discuss how the ankle joint and an individual’s biomechanics are the most important pieces of the puzzle; what exactly boot “flex” even means when it comes to on-snow performance; the many variables that determine what flex pattern might work best for you; and we also talk about Pulse’s latest tech, including their new foam-injected aftermarket liner.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Pulse Boot LabsBLISTER+ Membership: Sign Up  A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting Series3D Printing & Bootfitting w/ Pulse Boot Lab (Ep.234)Stance Balancing with Pulse Boot Labs (Ep.217)TOPICS & TIMESAnkle Joint = #1 Priority (3:33)How the Body Moves (6.17)Custom Insoles (12:49)What is Boot Flex? (17:50)Walk Mode Vs. Fixed Cuff (22:49)Flex Ratings (26:27)Forward Lean & Calf Size (33:39)Height, Weight, & Strength (39:17)Options for Stiffening (42:26)Options for Softening (45:59)Final Thoughts on Boot Flex (48:49)Pulse’s Foam Injected Liner & Other Tech (52:51)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa sits down with Kristin Sinnott, Jonathan Ellsworth, Kara Williard, and Justin Bobb to do a bit of a recap on our 2024 Blister Summit, which took place in Mt. Crested Butte last week. We go over a few of the MANY highlights of the event, and then dive into a bunch of the standout products they were each able to try at the Summit.RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: SturtevantsBlister Summit 2024: A Brief Recap of an Epic EventBLISTER+ Membership: Sign Up  TOPICS & TIMES:Catching Up (2:24)Blister Awards (13:58)Rossignol Revenant, Never Summer Cougar, & Weston Hatchet (15:35)Dynastar M-Pro 98 W (19:55)Rossignol Sender Soul 102 (22:42)Icelantic Maidens (27:23)Salomon S/Pro Race 110 (28:56)Bishop Telemark, Uphillers, & Raide Packs (30:38)Salomon Stance 96 (36:43)ON3P Woodsman 100 (38:30)Salomon QST X (39:28)ZAG Slap 92 & Slap 112 (42:09)CARV & Hoji (44:22)Moment Commander 92 (46:12)Blister Summit 2025 (53:49)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kara Williard sits down with Katy Jackson, co-founder and CEO of our Blister Recommended Shop, Lone Pine Gear Exchange, to understand the logistics of running a robust consignment program; how to shop for and sell used gear; the importance of consignment for both accessibility and sustainability in outdoor recreation; gear repair; planting trees; how living off-grid led her and her husband to where they are today; and a whole lot more. RELATED LINKS:Lone Pine Gear Exchange | 15% off your first order with code: BLISTER15 BLISTER+: Get Yourself CoveredBLISTER Recommended ShopsTOPICS & TIMESOff-Grid Living (2:30)Second Tracks (6:31)Starting Lone Pine (7:53) Consignment Program (11:32)Best Practices for Buying Used (16:32) Gear Repair Program (25:38)Sustainability & Community (35:59)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sean Humbert is back to provide an update on our Blister Labs’ ski flex project, and to explain how and why ski boots are becoming an integral part of this project, too.RELATED LINKS:Boone Mountain SportsOpenSnowLast Chance! Blister Summit 2024BLISTER+: Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Scope of the Project (6:26)Dynamic Modeling (7:05)Machine Learning (17:50)Creating a Profile? (23:28)The Holy Grail Project & Ski Boots (28:18)Blister Summit / Blister Labs (41:09)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa, Dylan Wood, and Eric Freson join Kara Williard to talk about the epic storm cycle we recently had in Crested Butte, and the powder-ski testing that followed. We also discuss several of the new all-mountain skis we’ve been on lately; Dylan’s new favorite ski poles; a standout touring boot; 3D-printed custom goggles; and a bunch of Crashes & Close Calls. RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Spokane Alpine HausJoin Us at Blister Summit 2024Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Pow Skis (4:19)All-Mountain Skis (20:39)Other Gear We’ve Been Testing (41:23)Crashes & Close Calls (55:37)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa sits down with Kyle Siegel, the founder of Raide, which is one of the newest players in the backcountry softgoods category. They launched with a lightweight 40-liter backpack that immediately made a splash when it was released, so we sat down with Kyle to learn about how — and why — he started Raide.We cover the problems he’s looking to solve; how he went about doing so with the Raide LF 40 pack; we do a deep dive on some of the latest high-end, ultralight pack materials; the challenges and benefits of running a new, small business in the category; what we should expect from Raide in the future, and more.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Pulse Boot Lab & Ski Co.Join Us at Blister Summit 2024Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Blister First Look: Raide LF 40L PackTOPICS & TIMES:Kyle’s Background (3:28)The Problems Raide is Attempting to Solve (6:19)Prototyping Process & Must-Have Features (12:15)Deep Dive: Materials (17:00)Raide LF 40L: Overview (28:07)Raide’s Future Products (35:57)Running Lean & Nimble as a Small Business (43:32)Raide’s Athlete Team (46:17)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you an “expert” skier or rider? Advanced skier? Intermediate? What’s the difference between “advanced” and “expert”? Today, we’re following up on our GEAR:30 conversation with Luke Koppa (episode 277) to revisit these questions — having received a lot of great responses from all of you. Joining Jonathan today to rethink these things is Jordan Jones, co-founder and president of Powder7, to provide a retailer’s perspective on these things. See what you think, and let us know whether you think we ought to change or tweak our 6 ability level categories for Community Reviews.RELATED LINKS:OpenSnow.com/BlisterTaos Ski Valley Ski WeekJoin Us! Blister Summit 2024Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Ep. 277: Jonathan & Luke on Skier Ability LevelsTOPICS & TIMES:Meeting Up in Girdwood, AK (8:15)Technique (12:37)Is Our Bar Too High for “Expert”?(16:46)Our “Advanced” Category (25:53)Advanced & Expert Descriptions (28:56)Assigning Ability Levels to Skis (32:04)Skier Weight vs Skier Power (39:13)Skier Personality / Style (44:29)Accounting for Different Conditions / Locations (48:10)Monoskiing (51:27)Final Thought: The Best Skiers on the Mtn (59:08)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re following up last week’s episode, where we looked back at 2023’s “Gear Of The Year,” and we’re now looking forward to 2024. Jonathan Ellsworth, Kara Williard, Justin Bobb, and Luke Koppa attempt to predict what’s “in” and what’s “out,” what trends will be revived, what categories will see the most change, and spin off into several other tangents.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow.com/BlisterGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Join Us! Blister Summit 2024Ep. 278: Gear of the Year, 2023TOPICS & TIMES:2023 Gear Trends (2:26)What’s “In” for 2024? (8:05)What’s “Out” for 2024? (15:27)What Trends are Coming Back? (25:55)Categories to See the Most Change? (31:11)Crashes & Close Calls (38:24)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Ellsworth sits down with Luke Koppa, Kara Williard, and Justin Bobb to reflect on some of the standout products and notable trends that defined the past year in ski and snowboard gear. So, what trend does Luke think is “the gear equivalent of superhero movies?” How many BOA dials has JBobb broken in a decade as a self-described BOA convert? What’s Kara’s pick for the “Not New But Still Amazing Award?” Take a listen and find out.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Taos Ski ValleyBlister Recommended Shop: Zimmermann’s Skis, Boards & More Become a BLISTER+ MemberTOPICS & TIMES:Biggest Developments & TrendsSki Boots (4:21)Snowboard Boots & Boards (17:56)Snowboard Bindings (22:03)Ski Bindings (26:06)Standout Products (31:54)Best Values (51:36)Not New But Still Amazing Award (1:00:33)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We just launched our new Blister Labs project, Blister Community Reviews, so Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss where it is today; how it will evolve; and some big questions like, how much info is too much or too little?; how to best define the difference between an intermediate, advanced, and expert skier; rating scale debates; and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Join Us! Blister Summit 2024Video: Blister Labs Summit Panel SessionGEAR:30 #257: Previous Labs Convo TOPICS & TIMES:Solstice & World Snowboard Day (1:54)Blister Community Reviews (7:47)Defining Skier Ability Levels (20:03)Rating Scales (32:31)Should Our Reviewers Contribute? (37:55)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane McConkey’s college roommate is back on GEAR:30, and Jonathan talks to Greg Klein (president of Willi’s Ski & Snowboard Shops) about all the stuff in the episode title, plus the $10,000 bet made at our Blister Summit that it looks like he’s won?RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Join Us! Blister Summit 2024TOPICS & TIMES:Shop Pizza (4:02)Greg @ the White House / Sustainability (8:17)Ski Boots, Walk Modes & Winning Bets (22:04)The Future: Cables, BOAs, or Buckles? (33:57)90-Flex Boots (41:46)Ski-Boot Pricing (46:32)Egg Beaters & Eyes-Closed Skiing (57:57)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan and Folsom Custom Ski’s Mike McCabe discuss the skinniest ski in the Folsom lineup, the Spar 78; Folsom’s new huge pow ski, the Rotor; and then they discuss a new custom touring-ski project for Jonathan, and dive deep into the various layup & core combinations one would use to hit certain weight targets. Our fellow gear dorks, you’re going to dig this one.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Powder7.comJoin Us! Blister Summit 2024Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:What’s going on at Folsom? (5:30)Folsom Spar 78 (8:08)New: Folsom Rotor (11:58)Backstory: Folsom ‘Giver’ & ‘Primary’ (14:02)Bag Balm x Blister x Folsom (20:55)JE’s Custom Touring Ski Project (34:30)Which Bindings? (38:36)Which Boots? (42:21)Ski Length (52:11)Weight (54:44)The Hammer (1:08:44)Folsom’s Configurations (1:14:53)Mount Point (1:16:44)Camber Profile (1:19:03)Mike’s ‘Crashes & Close Calls’ Story (1:30:26)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa, Kara Williard, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss getting back on snow, the best holiday of the year, ski boots, frontside skis, mountain biking in Nepal, engagement taco parties, and new apparel.RELATED LINKS:Join Us! Blister Summit 2024Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Blister Summit Update (0:00)Back on Snow (3:41)Ski Boots (12:16)Mtn Biking in Nepal (23:49)Frontside Skis (32:02)Apparel (50:01)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are some of the biggest mistakes skiers make when buying gear? And what do regular, recreational skiers & snowboarders need to know about ski tuning and waxing? Jonathan discusses these questions and more with Logan and Riley Boone of Boone Mountain Sports. They also talk about how they all met (it was in Austria), and Jonathan reveals the upcoming ‘Blister 90-Flex Challenge’.TOPICS & TIMES:Blister Summit Update (1:50)How / Where We All Met (8:09)Intros: Logan, Riley, & Boone Mountain Sports (13:44)Kombucha, Music Festivals, & Youth Programs (18:33)Biggest Ski Buying Mistakes? (28:42)The Blister ‘90-Flex Challenge’ (35:11)Ski Tuning (51:00)Waxing (1:08:35)Crashes & Close Calls (1:13:50)The Boone Mountain Sports Logo (1:23:30)RELATED LINKSJoin Us! Blister Summit 2024Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicBlister PodcastCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan talks with Ted Ligety (2x Olympic Gold Medalist & 5x World Cup champion) about his approach to gear; the specific gear he’s using today; how to best deal with flat light and low-vis conditions; his take on the current state of skiing and ski racing; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:How Do You Prepare & Train for Ski Season? (3:55)Ski Boots (11:25)CARV (18:59)Your Ski Quiver These Days? (35:07)Tuning & Waxing (37:32)Goggle Lenses for Flat Light (46:16)Current State of Skiing & Ski Racing? (57:34)Crashes & Close Calls (1:08:57)RELATED LINKSEpisode Sponsor: Boot MechanicsGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+Blister Podcast ep. 14: Ted LigetyCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:NEW: Blister CinematicBlister PodcastCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasOff The Couch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan was at the Parlor Custom Skis factory in East Boston to check out the factory and talk with Parlor owner & manager, Mark Wallace, about building custom skis in Boston; assessing skiers (and skiers assessing themselves); custom vs. semi-custom skis; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:What is Parlor? (4:46)Parlor’s Ski Building Classes (7:45)Assessing Skiers & Self Assessments (21:17)Fitting skiers into the right skis (23:27)Bringing Back Old Skis (30:15)Custom vs. Semi-Custom Skis (33:11)Ski Width Controversy (38:13)Best Question I Haven’t Asked You? (58:07)Crashes & Close Calls (1:01:12)Where to Learn More about Parlor (1:09:47)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Skiboot RxEpisode Sponsor: Taos Ski ValleyGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDComing soon: Blister Cinematic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Jones is back on GEAR:30, and this time, he brought along with him Xavier Nidecker, global brand director of Jones Snowboards, to talk about Jones’ new Re-Up Tech — what it is, how it works, why it matters, and what it could mean for the greater ski & snowboard industry. We also discuss FIS, POW, and climate change, and Jonathan solicits some advice about which board Jeremy and Xavier think he ought to get on as a never-ever.TOPICS & TIMES:Update: Blister Crash Course Video (2:00)Circularity (4:26)Re-Up Tech vs. Virgin Materials (7:28)Shipping & Collecting Dead Snowboards (15:24)Which Parts of the Dead Boards Get Used? (27:56)Small Steps & Big Solutions (38:56)Jones’ Fair Trade Certified Factory (48:22)FIS, POW, & Climate Change (49:50)Which Snowboard Should JE Start On? (1:10:09)Crashes and Close Calls (1:15:10)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow.com/BlisterGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDComing soon: Blister Cinematic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very intriguing — and extremely affordable — new piece of ski-touring gear has just been released, and you ought to know about it. So on our latest GEAR:30 episode, Jonathan talks with Giray Dadali, a pro skier, engineer, ski designer, and founder of Daymaker Touring, about their new product, TEKDAPTERS, that allow you to ski tour using a pin-tech toe on the way up, then click into your DIN-certified alpine binding of choice on the way down.Giray and I dive deep into the design, materials, weight, compatibility, and rationale for this new product, and we think you’ll agree that it represents an intriguing new offering in the world of ski-touring gear.TOPICS & TIMES:When was this idea born? (6:17)Giray’s Background (8:59)Who’s It For? (11:52)TEKDAPTERS vs Original Daymaker (17:48)“Field Goal” guide rails (26:52)Universal Compatibility (31:47)Materials & Design (35:18)User-Error-Avoidance Tips (43:48)Locked-Out Pins & Avalanche DangerUsing the Right Tool for the Job (54:42)Crashes & Close Calls (1:02:20)Where & When can you get TEKDAPTERS? (1:12:37)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Zimmermans Ski & SnowboardVideo: Ski Binding Designs with Giray, Hoji, & Lars Chickering-AyersGet Yourself Covered: Become a BLISTER+ MemberCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Ellsworth sat down with Kara Williard, Dylan Wood, Justin Bobb, and Luke Koppa to debrief about our 2023-2024 Winter Buyer’s Guide, discuss what changed this year (and more importantly, what has *not* changed), go over some trends, and more. Along the way, we dole out our unofficial “RIP,” “Good Riddance,” and new “Best Glow-Up” awards; talk about what we’re most excited to get on this season; and Jonathan debates whether Luke isn’t even invited to his funeral, or if he’ll be managing the whole thing…TOPICS & TIMES:What’s New, What’s Different, & What’s the Same (5:34)Most Notable Trends (14:13)RIP Awards (20:21) Good Riddance Awards (30:20)Our Blister ‘Best Of’ Section (36:12)How to get the Guide (56:25)Snowboarding Talk w/ Jbobb (59:55)Crashes & Close Calls (1:18:25)RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended shop: blacksheepsportsOrder our 23/24 Winter Buyer’s GuideBecome a BLISTER+ MemberCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kara Williard sat down with Jake “Fasa” Nelson from the Moment Factory Store to clear up some of the most common bootfitting myths and misconceptions, including the idea that ski boots have to be cold and uncomfortable; why adding forward lean to a boot might not help someone get more forward over their skis; why *everyone* (not just experts) will benefit from a well-fit ski boot and custom insoles; how picking the “right” boot can’t fix all your problems, and more. We also discuss why these myths are so prevalent in the first place; provide tips on how to shop for a ski boot this season; realistic expectations you should have for a ski boot, and much more.TOPICS & TIMES Where do these misconceptions come from? (3:10)Myth 1 - Boots = Uncomfortable (6:16)Myth 2 - Boots = Cold (10:04)Myth 3 - Body Position & Forward Lean (15:44)Myth 4 - Boot Stiffness Debunked (28:31)Myth 5 - Skier Type (34:49)Myth 6 - Custom Insoles (41:23)Expectations vs. Reality (59:32)The Boot, Binding, & Ski equation (1:07:50)How to Shop for Boots (1:16:21)Crashes & Close Calls (1:24:27)RELATED LINKS:Ep.221: A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt. 4: Big-Mountain Freeride Bootfitting with FasaBlister Recommended Shop: Moment Factory Store Blister Recommended Shops Become a BLISTER+ MemberBlister Summit 2024CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our latest edition of GEAR THERAPY, Luke and Jonathan talk with Blister Member, Giovanni Saccarola (an Italian living in Switzerland), about his ski quiver, ski boots, and ski boot liner options.TOPICS & TIMES:Giovanni: most interesting man in the world? (8:25)Blizzard Zero G 95 (17:03)Height / Weight (23:09)Bindings & Pairing Down His Quiver (26:09)ATK Free Raiders (28:50)Giovanni’s Current Quiver (32:27)Black Crows Atris (36:184th ski (38:10)Tecnica Cochise 130 & Liners (47:20)Crashes and Close Calls (1:00:28)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Bag BalmEpisode Sponsor: OpenSnowBecome a BLISTER+ MemberBlister Summit 2024CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Norrøna has been making gear since 1929, and this family-owned company aims to make the best outdoor recreation products on the market. But that’s easier said than done, so Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Jørgen Jørgensen — the 4th-generation owner & CEO of Norrøna — about the brand’s approach to product design & testing, and the origins, evolution, and future of the brand.TOPICS & TIMES:Origins & Evolution of Norrøna (4:32)Customer Satisfaction (31:39)Product Testing (34:03)Quality Assurance & Durability (41:14)Making the "Best Products" (47:46)Blister Labs & Current Standards (51:38)PFAS (56:20)Some of Jørgen’s Favorite Norrøna Products (1:01:35)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: OpenSnowBecome a BLISTER+ MemberBlister Summit 2024CDC Factsheet on PFASCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“PFAS” or “Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances” are a hot topic today, especially in the outdoor apparel world, where they’ve been used for decades, most notably in the “DWR” or Durable Water Repellant finishes that are applied to a lot of clothes these days. But that’s going to be coming to an end in the near future. So, to learn more about why this matters and what it means for manufacturers and consumers alike, Luke Koppa sat down with Alex Lauver, the Senior Director of Materials, Innovation, and Sustainability at Outdoor Research. They cover why PFAS have been so prevalent in technical apparel for so long; how their use in clothing is just the tip of the iceberg; their downsides and why we’re seeing this recent push to completely eliminate them; the challenges presented by coming up with PFAS-free alternatives; how this shift affects the entire apparel supply chain; how Outdoor Research has approached this transition and worked to stay ahead of the curve; and much more.TOPICS & TIMES:Alex’s background (3:41)PFAS vs PFC (8:38)How long these compounds have been in use (10:41)Prevalence in the outdoor industry (17:21)PFAS alternatives (25:28)Regulatory aspects and timeline (34:08)What’s next? (50:15)Crashes and Close Calls (55:42)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: OpenSnowBecome a BLISTER+ MemberBlister Summit 2024PFAS FAQs from Outdoor ResearchCDC Factsheet on PFASCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDHappy Hour (for Blister Members) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to gear, we’ve all been there: loads of questions, crippling confusion, severe analysis paralysis. Sometimes you don’t even know where to start. You need some help! In our 3rd session of GEAR THERAPY, Blister Member, Arika Poulin Weller, joins Blister reviewers Kara Williard and Kristin Sinnott. Arika is a longtime skier with roots in Nordic skiing (Fun Fact: she and Kristin raced together in college) and a mother who wants to spend more time skiing after moving back to CO, but she had no idea where to start. So in this episode, we break down some basics, define some ski-gear terms and what it all means on snow, and provide some recommendations for a 1-ski and 1-boot resort quiver.TOPICS & TIMESHow Arika & Kristin met (3:20)Arika’s background (7:26)Her Current Setup (9:25)Why Boots are #1 (16:29)Tech Terms (29:12)Ski Recommendations (42:34)Binding Recommendations (56:30)Boot Recommendations (1:00:38)Where to go from here? (1:03:20)Crashes & Close Calls (1:05:39)RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit RegistrationBecome a BLISTER+ MemberBlister Recommended Shops23/24 Blister Winter Buyer’s GuideCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDHappy Hour (for Blister Members) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together ski boot designers, Tom Pietrowski (K2), Christoph Lentz (Fischer), Riccardo Bonaiti (Dalbello), Ross Herr (Dynafit), and pro skier / designer / obsessive tinkerer, Hoji, to discuss ski boot design in general; the hype and skepticism around BOA (are boot buckles dying??); the role that weight plays in the development of boots of all types; the balancing act of designing a walk mechanism; the challenges presented by the boot-binding interface, and more.TOPICS & TIMES Intros & Latest Products (4:07)Weight & Downhill Performance (12:38)The Rise of BOA (24:28)Walk Mechanisms (33:13)Boot-Binding Interface Challenges (44:01)Evaluating Fit (54:16)Women-Specific Boots (59:29)Crashes & Close Calls (1:06:56)RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: Bag BalmBlister Summit 2024 Registration Blister YouTubeBecome a BLISTER+ Member23/24 Blister Winter Buyer’s GuideCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDHappy Hour (for Blister Members) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apparel testing, show pigs, & the underrated importance of ballpoint pens. Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss these things with our Blister Labs colleague, Melanie Peddle, who is a faculty member in the partnership program between Western Colorado University & the University of Colorado Boulder. We also discuss some takeaways from the compression, abrasion, and UV tests we’ve been running; steps toward developing new standards; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Mel’s Background (1:47)Apparel Testing: Quick Overview (10:55)What We’ve Been Doing & What’s Next (15:07)Notable Takeaways (24:35)Real-World Applicability (40:31)Crashes & Close Calls (43:11)RELATED LINKS:Blister Labs: Learn MoreVIDEO: Blister Labs Summit PanelBecome a BLISTER+ MemberCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDHappy Hour (for Blister Members) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever dreamt about skiing in New Zealand? Well, in this episode, Kara Williard talks with local Kiwi experts, John Knight and Darren Grimmett, from our Blister Recommended Shop, Outside Sports, to give us the rundown on what skiing in this Southern Hemisphere destination entails, and how to make the most of it.We discuss the best gear for the conditions and terrain in NZ; the difference between ski fields and club fields; backcountry skiing and heliskiing; plus all the other things you can enjoy while in New Zealand, including eating the best meat pies, biking, hiking, and being around some of the genuinely nicest people. TOPICS & TIMESJohn and Darren’s backgrounds (5:02)Outside Sports’ humble beginnings (11:15)Gear Trends in NZ (18:18)Skis for Variable Conditions (24:50)Getting to New Zealand & Ski Fields vs. Club Fields (27:04)Backcountry Skiing & Heliskiing (33:18)Getting Around (40:04)More than just skiing (42:51)Best Gear for NZ (47:22)Heavier BC Gear for a Reason (48:51)Ski Season Itch (54:26)Crashes & Close Calls (56:56)RELATED LINKS:Blister Recommended Shop: Outside SportsBlister Recommended ShopsBecome a BLISTER+ Member23/24 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide Pre-OrderCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDHappy Hour (for Blister Members) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to gear, we’ve all been there: loads of questions, crippling confusion, severe analysis paralysis. You need some help! So in our 2nd episode of GEAR THERAPY, Blister Member & Spokane-based ski patroller, Kam Smith, poses his most-pressing gear questions to Jonathan and Luke, and gets their best recommendations (and a bit of a tongue-lashing from Jonathan). Enjoy!TOPICS & TIMES:Meet Kam, Ski Patroller (4:10)Kam’s Ski Boot Situation (9:45)Our Suggestions (15:27)Spokane Alpine Haus (21:51)Kam’s Ski Quiver (27:12)Our Recommendations (34:03)Metal vs Non-Metal Skis (40:03)Folsom (47:04)Session Wrap Up (52:27)Kam’s Crashes & Close Calls Story (56:18)RELATED LINKS:See our Blister Recommended ShopsBecome a BLISTER+ Member23/24 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide Pre-OrderCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Off The CouchBikes & Big IdeasBlister PodcastCRAFTEDHappy Hour (for Blister Members) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.