GEAR:30

Luke Koppa and I answer the questions submitted by our BLISTER+ members and our newsletter subscribers. We discuss who should consider custom skis; what skis we’re most looking forward to getting back on; and how we do — and don’t do — things here at Blister.

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: 

Snowbird

BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered:

Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

TOPICS & TIMES:

Did You Know? The Snowbird Tram (1:31)

What We’re Watching (3:40)

Do Ski Companies Pay BLISTER to Get Reviewed? (5:49)

Reviews of Alpine Bindings? (20:08)

How Long Should a Pair of Skis Last? (27:48)

Who Should Get Custom Skis? (35:59)

Mammoth? (49:54)

Alaska? (52:22)

What Skis are You Most Excited to Get Back On? (54:31)

Adding More Ski Reviewers? (59:30)

ATK Hy 13 Free Binding? (1:07:24)

Pros & Cons of ‘All-Mountain’ vs ‘Race-Inspired’ Ski Boots (1:11:46)

Next Blister Podcast: ESPN Sportswriter & Skier, Seth Wickersham (1:25:33)

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The Blister Vault

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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Today we are discussing a new development in ski design and ski building that could allow for the most personalized, specific match of the skier to the ski that we’ve ever seen. Jonathan Ellsworth discusses the details with Mark Wallace (Parlor Skis) and Charlie Lindsay (CARV).

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

TOPICS & TIMES:

Shoutout to BLISTER+ members (0:49)

Parlor x Carv (2:32)

The History (5:1!)

More on Parlor (9:24)

More on Carv (14:18)

Skier Data & Ski Design (19:57)

The Wide Skis vs Narrow Skis Debate (25:17)

What’s New w/ Carv for 26/27? (34:15)

More on How Parlor is Integrating Carv Data (38:42)

Where to Learn More (42:04)

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The Blister Vault

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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)

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The Blister Vault

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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: 

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)

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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)

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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)

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The Blister Vault

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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)

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The Blister Vault

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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)

Hiking Boots & Ski Boots (10:02)

Hiking Shoes, Running Shoes, & Ski Boots (19:55)

Buyer’s Guide Update #2 (26:21)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

The Blister Vault

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast