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GEAR:30
BLISTER
368 episodes
2 days ago
GEAR:30 is the podcast from BLISTER that dives deep into the details of the most interesting and innovative outdoor gear. You'll hear BLISTER reviewers discuss the gear they're testing, as well as product designers, professional athletes, and some of the gear-obsessed folks from our recommended shops weigh in on gear trends and the equipment they’ve been most impressed with. If you love outdoor gear, you're going to love this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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All content for GEAR:30 is the property of BLISTER and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
GEAR:30 is the podcast from BLISTER that dives deep into the details of the most interesting and innovative outdoor gear. You'll hear BLISTER reviewers discuss the gear they're testing, as well as product designers, professional athletes, and some of the gear-obsessed folks from our recommended shops weigh in on gear trends and the equipment they’ve been most impressed with. If you love outdoor gear, you're going to love this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes (20/368)
GEAR:30
Blizzard-Tecnica: 10 Years of Designing Women-Specific Skis & Boots

Do “women-specific” skis need to exist? What about ski boots? In our conversation today, Leslie Baker-Brown shares her thoughts after leading Blizzard-Tecnica’s Women2Women program for the past 10 years.

Few people have been as deeply involved with women’s ski gear — and the community of women in skiing — as Leslie. Today, she discusses what the landscape looked like 10 years ago; the details of how and why the Women2Women program designs truly women-specific products; the cases where a unisex approach makes more sense; why it’s so hard to find a 130-flex boot if you have small feet; how the industry has changed for the better; and more.

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Women2Women Home Page

Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Special Edition

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

BLISTER+ Members (1:36)

Leslie’s History w/ Blizzard-Tecnica (3:15)

Formation of Women2Women Initiative (4:41)

Marketing to Women in the Early Years (8:45)

Current Trends (13:12)

Black Pearl Series (15:10)

Graphics (19:49)

Most Important Factors in Designing Women’s Gear (22:35)

Ski Boots (25:10)

Current Challenges (30:30)

Education (33:44)

Book and skis for kids, Hilaree, scholarship programs (39:21)

Community (42:30)

Unisex Gear (47:36)

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2 days ago
51 minutes 49 seconds

GEAR:30
Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 3: Listener & Industry Selections

In Part 3 of our series on the Best Skis of the Century, Luke and Jonathan discuss some of the great answers from our BLISTER+ members and Digital Access Pass subscribers, as well as the selections from various ski designers, pro skiers, and folks from some of our Blister Recommended Shops.

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

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

Non-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

New BLISTER+ Members (3:04)

Your Answers (BLISTER+ & DAP Subscribers) (4:27)

Industry Answers (26:29)

Request: Please Send Us Some BBRs (46:24)

Preview of Part 4: Best Skis of the Century (48:53)

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1 week ago
1 hour 4 minutes 25 seconds

GEAR:30
Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 2

In Part 2 of our series on the Best Skis of the Century, Luke Koppa and Sascha Anastas join Jonathan Ellsworth to dive into the best skis from 23 more brands, and we also discuss some of the best and most notable women-specific skis of the past 25 years.

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:

Our Digital Buyer’s Guide: Read Now

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

Non-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

New BLISTER+ Members (2:37)

Sascha on Women’s Skis from Part 1 (3:58)

SCOTT (16:38)

Armada (18:23)

4FRNT (24:40)

Zag (28:12)

Moment (29:49)

Liberty (33:26)

Prior (37:30)

DPS (38:54)

Icelantic (45:33)

Black Crows (47:58)

Faction (49:25)

Wagner (51:46)

Majesty (55:31)

ON3P (56:37)

Folsom (1:04:38)

RMU (1:07:14)

Shaggy’s (1:09:00)

Meier (1:10:15)

Whitedot (1:11:18)

J Skis (1:12:20)

Parlor (1:15:17)

Coalition Snow (1:16:13)

Renoun (1:18:39)

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2 weeks ago
1 hour 25 minutes 55 seconds

GEAR:30
Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 1

Today, we are kicking off a new series, where we will debate and try to identify the best skis of the 21st Century from over 30 ski brands. So over the next couple of weeks, you’re going to be hearing our choices, but we are also going to be sending out a survey to our BLISTER+ members, Digital Access Pass members, and a number of pro athletes and product designers around the ski industry. Then, in a few weeks, we’ll discuss how our selections match up with all of your answers. And finally, for the grand finale of this series, we’re going to offer our choices for the Very Best Skis of the Century — can we whittle things down to a top 10? A top 3? To a single ski? We’re going to find out, and it’s certainly going to be fun trying.

Today, Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, Paul Forward, and our great friend, Rob Dickinson, get the conversation going.

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:

Our Digital Buyer’s Guide: Read Now

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

Non-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

New BLISTER+ Members (2:44)

Rossignol (7:58)

Åsnes (17:33)

Volkl (20:47)

Kastle (30:22)

Fischer (33:30)

Stöckli (39:53)

Elan (43:02)

Head (46:51)

Blizzard (53:46)

Atomic (59:59)

Nordica (1:05:38)

K2 (1:10:45)

Dynastar (1:17:01)

Salomon (1:20:16)

Line (1:23:55)

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3 weeks ago
1 hour 35 minutes 36 seconds

GEAR:30
Stinius & Hoji on Developing the New 4FRNT Sinister

Today we’re talking with Hoji and Stinius Skjøtskift about the creation of Stinius’ new pro model, the 4FRNT Sinister. There are lots of great stories in this one, plus you’ll find out why a number of us at BLISTER are extremely intrigued by this ski.

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

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

RELATED LINKS:

Our Digital Buyer’s Guide: Read Now

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

Non-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:

New BLISTER+ Members (1:03)

When Stinius ‘Crashed’ the Blister Summit (3:13)

When Did Stinius & Hoji First Meet? (7:23)

Hoji on Stinius’ Skiing Style (11:40)

Skiing the 1st Prototype at Sentry Lodge (13:36)

Stinius Describes the Sinister (17:32)

Mount Point (21:01)

The Testing & Prototyping Process (30:20)

Skiing in Chile, Going Skiing in Austria (43:53)

Future Film Releases (46:34)

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1 month ago
50 minutes 5 seconds

GEAR:30
Our 25/26 Winter Buyer's Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke's Least Favorite Thing In It

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about our big new book, the Blister 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide, including the big takeaways, trends, and controversies. (Plus, stick around to hear Luke’s insane bear story at the end.)

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

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

RELATED LINKS:

Our Digital Buyer’s Guide: Read Now

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

Non-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:

Luke’s Facial Hair Situation (5:17)

How to Get the Guide (10:19)

How Our Guide Works (14:07)

Trends for 25/26: Boots (22:43)

Trends for 25/26: Skis (22:43)

Trend / Not a Trend: Weight (37:20)

Luke's Least Favorite Thing (42:36)

Apparel, Goggles, & Helmets (44:55)

Biggest Controversy (50:09)

More on our ‘Best Of’ (58:08)

Luke’s Insane Bear Story (1:10:00)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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1 month ago
1 hour 13 minutes 41 seconds

GEAR:30
The Company that Created an Industry: Alpacka Raft

We see new brands pop up all the time, but what happens when your idea is so novel that it essentially births an entire sport and industry? That was the case when Thor Tingey and his mom, Sheri, started Alpacka Raft.

So today, Thor and Luke Koppa discuss the unique challenges and advantages this scenario presented; how and why Thor and Sheri were able to craft these ultralight rafts themselves; the ways in which the packrafting industry has evolved and grown over the years; Alpacka’s manufacturing operation in the United States and how that’s changed with the recent shakeups to worldwide trade; and a whole lot more. This is an origin story unlike most in the outdoor gear world, and Thor does a great job telling it.

RELATED LINKS:

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Alpacka Raft

TOPICS & TIMES:

Thor’s Unique Upbringing (3:33)

When & Why Did Packrafts First Come About? (6:02)

Making a Better Packraft (13:39)

From Homemade to Commercial Products (17:34)

Who Are Pack Rafts For? (21:20)

Whitewater Demand & Evolution (33:39)

Notable Advancements Over the Years (35:43)

Making Gear for a New Sport: Pros & Cons (37:08)

Alpacka’s U.S. Manufacturing Today (41:03)

Predictions: Future of Packrafting (54:36)

Info for Packraft-Curious People (57:03)

Evolution of Packrafting Gear vs. Mtn Biking, Skiing, & Surfing (58:22)

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1 month ago
1 hour 3 minutes 48 seconds

GEAR:30
Blister Summit Reveal, Winter Buyer’s Guide Update, & a Challenge to Outdoor Brands

Today we’re spilling the beans on the new dates - and new location — of Blister Summit 2026. Then we give a quick update on our Winter Buyer’s Guide Update, and wrap up with an important challenge to all outdoor brands.

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:

Register: Blister Summit 2026

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:

Blister Summit 2026 Announcement (2:59)

Winter Buyer’s Guide Update (5:47)

Challenge to the Outdoor Industry (6:47)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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1 month ago
15 minutes 18 seconds

GEAR:30
Spark R&D + ATK Bindings: a New Collab Sparked at the Blister Summit

Today’s episode contains a number of “firsts”; like the fact that we are going to be talking about a product launch that we didn’t know was happening until we sat down to record this conversation, and that’s just the beginning. So tune in to hear about a new collab between the splitboard binding company, Spark R&D, and ATK bindings. Or tune in to hear Jonathan caught completely off guard multiple times.

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

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

TOPICS & TIMES:

A New Collab: Spark R&D + ATK Tech Toes (3:35)

Significance of the Blister Summit (5:54)

Mysterious Photos & JE's Avalanche Hazard (14:41)

Innovations in Tech Toe Bindings for Hardbooting (18:45)

Hard Boot vs Soft Boot Debate (22:55)

Collaboration with ATK: A New Era for Spark R&D (27:05)

Challenges in the Design & Manufacturing Process (29:08)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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2 months ago
35 minutes 34 seconds

GEAR:30
Reviewer Reports: Luke & Jonathan on Summer Gear + Red Bull Rampage vs. Hardline

Luke and Jonathan discuss some of our favorite gear we’ve been using this summer, and I make the argument for the single greatest piece of summer gear — so let us know if you agree. But we begin by discussing our Weekly Blister Survey question, and bottom line: we think half of you might be crazy??

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

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Blister Guide to Buying a Mtn Bike

TOPICS & TIMES:

Rampage vs Hardline (2:56)

Psycho Rocks (10:44)

Summer Gear We’ve Been Testing (11:52)

The #1 Piece of Summer Gear? (15:03)

La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike (21:54)

Flylow Trailworks Jacket (27:23)

Can Watches Help You Catch Fish? (31:24)

Our Winter Buyers Guide (33:52)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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2 months ago
35 minutes 25 seconds

GEAR:30
Big News & Updates: Our New Mtn Bike Buyer’s Guide; Our Winter Buyer’s Guide; the State of Buyer’s Guides in 2025

Today we’ve got some big news and announcements for you: we’re releasing our first-ever Blister Mountain Bike Guide, and we’re doing it in a way that we don’t think has ever been done in the bike (or ski) world. We’re also talking about the state of buyer’s guides in 2025, and you’ll get the latest updates on our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide — which you can pre-order now.

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

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Blister Guide to Buying a Mtn Bike

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

TOPICS & TIMES:

Update: Our Winter Buyer’s Guide (2:37)

Our New Mtn Bike Buyer’s Guide (5:20)

Digital Access Pass & New Benefits (10:38)

Relevance of Buyer’s Guides in 2025? (15:27)

Most Interesting Takeaways (27:56)

Interlude: JE’s Gear Therapy Session (34:37)

The Cover of our 25/26 Winter Guide (40:07)

Reminder: Paul Forward is Good at Everything (46:46)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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3 months ago
50 minutes 31 seconds

GEAR:30
What is NNormal? NNormal’s CEO on Kilian Jornet; NNormal’s Name & Origin Story; & Company Principles

Jonathan talks with Sito Luis Salas, the CEO of NNormal, about NNormal founder, Kilian Jornet, and his recent performance at Western States, and they also discuss the NNormal name, its origin story, and its well-defined principles. NNormal is a company we predict you’ll be hearing about more and more in the coming years, and in this conversation, you’ll see why. 

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

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:

Shoutout to BLISTER+ Members (1:17)

Mallorca (2:23)

What is NNormal? (3:23)

The Origin Story (4:40)

Kilian Jornet (10:50)

Kilian’s Recent Performance at Western States (15:01)

The Name ‘Nnormal’ (21:11)

NNormal’s Target Audience (22:52)

More on NNormal’s Principles (32:48)

Prototyping & Testing (43:56) 

The Future of Trail Running (49:04)

1% For The Planet (53:52)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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3 months ago
59 minutes 41 seconds

GEAR:30
The Pro's Gear: Marcus Goguen, 2025 Freeride World Tour Champion

Jonathan talks to the reigning FWT champion, Marcus Goguen, about the gear he skis on to film, rip around the resort, and yes, win the FWT. We also talk about his new YouTube series (it’s must-see-TV), and Marcus breaks news about his new project that comes out in October.

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

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Blister Podcast #341: Marcus Goguen

Marcus’ YouTube Channel

TOPICS & TIMES:

Shoutout to BLISTER+ Members (2:19)

Paintball! (3:55)

2025 FWT Championship Season (6:09)

Marcus’ New YouTube Series (10:29)

The gear Marcus used most this past season (18:02)

Mount Point: Thoughts & Preferences (26:00)

Rocker Profile vs Sidecut (30:05)

Are You More Particular about Skis or Boots? (34:14)

Ski Poles (38:31)

Product Testing / R&D (40:56)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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3 months ago
45 minutes 5 seconds

GEAR:30
Public Lands Update, More Peak Skis News, & New Gear We're Reviewing

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the latest with respect to public lands and the revisions to the reconciliation bill; share more news about Peak Skis; and preview some new gear they’re going to be talking about and testing in the very near future.

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Get Our Free Newsletter & Gear Giveaways

Luke Koppa on Public Lands Sale

GEAR:30 ep. 353: Our Thoughts on Peak Skis

Jason Blevins’ article on Peak Skis

TOPICS & TIMES:

Skratch Labs (1:30)

New BLISTER+ Program (2:04)

Public Lands Status & the Revised Bill (8:14)

More Peak Skis News (14:29)

New Gear We’re Reviewing (23:04)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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4 months ago
35 minutes 10 seconds

GEAR:30
Our Thoughts on Peak Skis & What Needs to Happen Next

Today, Jonathan lays out more fully his thoughts about the Peak Skis debacle; Luke Koppa offers his perspective too; and they discuss Jonathan’s initial comments made here on GEAR:30 back on May 23, what he’s been up to and learning since then, and what we think needs to happen going forward.

RELATED LINKS:

Skratch Labs

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Jason Blevins’ article on Peak Skis

GEAR:30 ep 191: Bode on Peak Skis

GEAR:30 ep 163: Bode on Crosson Skis

Peak's Crowdfunding Form C Doc

TOPICS & TIMES:

Be Like Rocco, Rosemary, & Shashi (1:10)

Some Background re: Peak (4:54)

Reckless Spending (8:01)

False Promises & Broken Contracts (11:57)

How to Operate in the Outdoor Community (16:00)

Lawsuits (23:17)

Peak’s Crowdfunding Initiative (26:55)

What Needs to Happen Next? (31:00)

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4 months ago
37 minutes 59 seconds

GEAR:30
Southern Hemisphere Skiing, Sustainability, & Shop Strategies w/ Outside Sports

Today, we head south to the snow, and back behind the counter at Outside Sports in New Zealand. We talk about the gear and innovations they're stoked on; what it takes to keep a mountain town business thriving; sustainability from a local shop’s perspective; business strategies for adapting to the unpredictability of climate change; and a whole lot more.

RELATED LINKS:

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Blister Recommended Shop: Outside Sports 

Ep.260: A Guide to Skiing in New Zealand with Outside Sports

TOPICS & TIMES 

Consumer-Driven Conversation (4:54)

Momentum: Local Distributor in NZ (7:57)

What’s Been Most Exciting? (12:42)

The Challenges (20:48)

Commitment to Values (25:44)

1% for the Planet (26:25)

Helping the Community (27:46)

Climate Change in NZ (32:44)

How to Adapt (34:54)

Exciting New Gear (40:24)

The Winter Ahead (46:12)

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4 months ago
50 minutes 7 seconds

GEAR:30
The New Rules of Apparel: PFAS, What’s Changed, & What It Means for You

In this panel conversation from Blister Summit 2025, we discuss why all of your outdoor apparel recently changed — and how that will impact your own experiences.

Specifically, we’re talking about the ban on PFAS chemicals; why they’d been so extensively used in outdoor apparel (and far beyond); the real-world performance differences between them and new PFAS-free alternatives; and what you need to know to make the most of your own apparel.

To cover all of this, we brought together an excellent panel of industry professionals, including Eric Wallis (Patagonia), Dan Abrams (Flylow), Tom Mason (Ortovox), and Ross Herr (Rab).

RELATED LINKS:

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

TOPICS & TIMES:

What Are PFAS? (3:31)

Why the Move Away from PFAS (8:09)

New vs. Old DWR & Waterproof Membranes (10:15)

New Discoveries (18:56)

Exciting Trends (25:35)

Audience Questions:

Down vs Synthetic (28:55)

Caring For PFAS-Free Layers (32:23)

3rd-Party Water Repellants (35:53)

Non-Porous Membranes (40:05)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast


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4 months ago
43 minutes 13 seconds

GEAR:30
Ski vs Bike Industry, Part 2: State of Shops; Gear Wins & Fails; & the Future of Each

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But this year, we’re zooming out a bit, and instead are putting up the whole ski industry vs the bike industry. In part 2 of this conversation, we take a look at the state of ski shops vs bike shops; what each industry is doing to grow participation and engagement in their sport; gear trend wins and fails; and we weigh in on which industry has the brighter future. You’ll hear from Blister reviewers Luke Koppa, Jonathan Ellsworth, David Golay, Simon Stewart, Kara Williard, and Xan Marshland.

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Ski vs Bike Industry, Part 1

Our ‘Bikes vs Skis’ Series:

Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3

Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 2

TOPICS & TIMES:

Ski Shops vs Bike Shops (3:13)

Growing Participation: Ski vs Bike Industry (12:52)

Lift Tickets (25:01)

BMX Bikes (26:30)

Gear Wins & Fails (29:43)

Brighter Future? Ski or Bike Industry? (38:41)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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4 months ago
47 minutes 34 seconds

GEAR:30
Ski vs Bike Industry, Part 1: Similarities, Differences, Trends, & the Health of Each

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But this year, we’re zooming out a bit, and instead are putting up the whole ski industry vs the bike industry, to identify the significant similarities or differences; assess the relative health of each; and see how the trends in one might align with trends in the other. Today, you’ll hear from Blister reviewers Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, David Golay, Simon Stewart, Kara Williard, and Xan Marshland.

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Our ‘Bikes vs Skis’ Series:

Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3

Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 2

Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1

Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 2

TOPICS & TIMES:

Health of the Bike Industry (4:52)

Volatility in the Ski Industry (12:11)

Supply Chain Complexity (16:35)

Which Categories are Growing or Shrinking? (18:45)

Enduro vs DH Bikes (33:44)

Pow Skis & DH Bikes (36:40)

Small Brands & Niche Products (39:02)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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5 months ago
44 minutes 26 seconds

GEAR:30
Your Questions: Our Favorite Skis This Season; Big vs Small Brands; Quiver Overlap; & More

Today, you — our prestigious GEAR:30 listeners — provided the questions, and Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa are offering their answers.

Topics include our go-to backpacks for ski-touring; how a given brand’s size, location, and ethos factor into our own purchasing decisions; what skis to get if you’re spending a lot of time cruising slow-speed groomers; when and how to replace ski boot liners when they wear out; and we answer one of the most frequent questions we get: what were our favorite skis this season?

RELATED LINKS:

Skratch Labs: Fuel Up, Hydrate, & Recover 

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

TOPICS & TIMES:

Go-To Ski Touring Backpacks (7:32)

Supporting Indie Brands vs. Big Brands (21:07)

Ideal Skis for Slower Groomer Laps? (30:56)

Ski Boot Liner Longevity: When / How to Replace? (39:11)

ON3P Woodsman vs. Moment Countach (49:16)

Scarpa 4-Quattro Pro (53:48)

Quiver Overlap (101:54)

Our Favorite Skis This Season (1:09:58)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast


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5 months ago
1 hour 21 minutes 27 seconds

GEAR:30
GEAR:30 is the podcast from BLISTER that dives deep into the details of the most interesting and innovative outdoor gear. You'll hear BLISTER reviewers discuss the gear they're testing, as well as product designers, professional athletes, and some of the gear-obsessed folks from our recommended shops weigh in on gear trends and the equipment they’ve been most impressed with. If you love outdoor gear, you're going to love this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.