GEAR:30

Today on The Vault, we’re sharing another momentous Blister moment: a section from the very first episode in a series that went on to become one of the biggest things — and arguably one of the best things — we’ve ever put together at Blister.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

We’d love for you to share with us the stories or topics you’d like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. Email us at: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS: 

Momentous: livemomentous.com use code: Blister

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways

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Bikes & Big Ideas

GEAR:30

Blister Podcast

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Footwear — running shoes, hiking shoes, walking shoes, etc — has never been more high-tech. Or confusing. Or expensive. It’s a wild world. So today, Jonathan talks with Blister’s running editor, Gordon Gianniny, about the current state of technical footwear; “super” shoes; AI; and more.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here.

RELATED LINKS: 

Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister

OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Gordon’s Background (6:19)

The Confusing World of Footwear (9:35)

Costs (20:41)

The Super Shoe (23:20)

Materials & Design (31:16)

AI in Running Shoe Design (36:47)

Predictions (45:20)

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The Blister Vault

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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Wild Rye is about to turn 10 years old, so Jonathan caught up with Wild Rye founder, Cassie Abel, to ask her about starting this self-funded, women-focused, technical outdoor apparel company back in 2016, and what has & hasn’t changed in the industry over the past decade. They also discuss product development, fundraising strategies, and how Wild Rye has navigated massive trade challenges. Cassie is a very open book, and today, she shares lots of great stories and insights.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here.

RELATED LINKS: 

Momentous: livemomentous.com code: Blister

OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

What is Wild Rye? (3:23)

Changes Over the Past Decade (8:02)

Category Expansion (13:14)

Product Development (15:51)

Finding the Fit (18:21)

Independent Funding (21:59)

Lessons Learned from Fundraising (24:35)

The Impact of Tariffs (29:51)

Wild Rye Today (38:52)

Favorite Wild Rye Products (42:21)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

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Jonathan and Kristin announce the latest new thing at Blister — ‘The Vault’ — then talk about some of their summer adventures, the new sports they’ve been getting into, and the new gear they’ve been using. Give it a listen, then share your favorite moments using the link below.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here.

RELATED LINKS:

Episode Sponsor: oneskin.co/BLISTER

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:00)

The Blister Vault (4:01)

Reviewer Reports: Kristin’s New Sport (14:16)

Apparel: (23:33)

Curious Creatures

Women’s Sun Dog pants

Bitterroot Bloom Shorts (12.5” inseam)

Eyewear: (26:02)

Vallon Watchtowers 

Vallon Heron 

GPS Sports Watches / Smartwatches (28:26)

Mtn Bike Pedals: Flats vs Clips (29:23)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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From thru-hikers to ski mountaineers and backpack hunters, Outdoor Vitals’ products have gained a very diverse following. To understand why, Luke Koppa sat down with Brigham Crane, their Product Design Director, to discuss designing products for ‘experiences’ rather than sports, the current state of active insulation, gold-covered down, and more.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here.

RELATED LINKS:

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Outdoor Vitals

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Brigham’s Background (4:49)

Outdoor Vitals Overview (9:36)

Versatility vs Specificity (11:40)

Collection: Mountain Pursuit (14:51)

Prototyping Challenges (22:30)

Active Insulations (24:56)

ExpeDry Down (30:56)

Hunting vs Other Apparel (38:26)

Outdoor Vitals Hardgoods (41:43)

Biggest Areas for Improvement (45:31)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth break news about our 26/27 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide, and some other big changes at BLISTER. They also talk about the changing media landscape in 2026, and how BLISTER has been able to remain independent for 16 years — and counting.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here.

RELATED LINKS:

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:46)

The Big Buyer’s Guide News (3:57)

New Sections: Frontside & On-Piste (9:51)

Our ‘Best Of’ Section (13:13)

Cover Photo of the Guide (19:36)

Other Updates on the Site: (23:10)

Blister Access Pass (23:10)

More Content, Same Price (26:36)

Head-to-Head Comparisons (30:53)

Field Reviews (34:59)

Media Landscape in 2026 (44:09)

How We Operate / Our Principles (50:39)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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Today, Hoji weighs in on the great ‘hybrid binding’ debate; then he and Jonathan discuss the future of ski binding technology; 3D printing applications in ski gear; and Hoji's current attempts to push the boundaries of ski-gear performance; and the “fields of belief and disbelief.”

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS:

Get Covered: BLISTER+

Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway

Check out our Bike Buyer’s Guide

See Our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Blister Plus Members (3:01)

Life since the Blister Summit? (4:42)

Hoji on ‘Hybrid’ Ski Bindings (5:57)

Reimagining of Ski Bindings (18:12)

Hoji’s 3D Printing Escapades (27:12)

Reimagining Ski Boots (37:48)

The Fields of Belief & Disbelief (46:56)

Why Did You Want BLISTER+? (50:49)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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Cody is back for some straight-up gear talk, and to share where his gear preferences & practices have shifted, and where they’ve remained the same. Also, if you would like to nominate any particular skiers or snowboarders for future episodes of The Pro’s Gear, email us at the address below and let us know.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS:

Get Covered: BLISTER+

Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway

See Our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Note on Buyer’s Guide / Last Week’s Episode (1:16)

Shoutout: BLISTER+ Members (2:23)

What gear category has been most on your mind? (4:13)

What piece of gear did you tinker with the most? (19:46)

Gear You’re Pickiest About? (26:43)

Skis (29:36)

Ski Bindings (39:40)

Ski Boots (42:40)

Liners (47:46)

Packs (52:08)

Eyewear: Goggles vs Sunglasses? (56:38)

Wearable Tech (1:03:11)

Apps - what did you use the most this past winter (1:10:56)

Current Running Shoes (1:16:30)

Coffee / Coffee Gear Updates (1:21:29)

Please Rate GEAR:30 & Share w/ Your Crew (1:24:36)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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For some years now, we’ve wrestled with some big ideas about how we could change our annual Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide. So today, Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa and Kristin Sinnott discuss those potential changes — as well as what definitely won’t be changing. Give it a listen, then please let us know what you think.

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS:

Get Covered: BLISTER+

Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway

See Our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

How We Operate / What Won’t Change (3:55)

Changes We’re Considering (21:25)

A Third Way? (34:58)

SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE TO OUR BUYER'S GUIDE POLL

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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At our Blister Summit, we asked our Blister Summit attendees to pose their questions about ski design to Max Smith (vice president & ski designer at Moment Skis); Stu Gleason (senior designer at DPS Skis); and Mike McCabe (senior designer & owner at Folsom Custom Skis).

Note: We Want to Hear From You!

Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email us at: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS:

Get Covered: BLISTER+

Enter Our Weekly Gear Giveaway

See Our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

Blister Studios (our new channel)

Blister Review (our original channel)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Blister Plus Members (1:00)

What Needs To Be Cleared Up With Customer Questions (5:24)

What's A Problem You Wish You Could Solve (8:00)

Trend To Ski Design:  Do it All or Specifics (10:35)

Balancing Ski Design With Conditions and Geography (13:46)

Torsional Stiffness (16:20)

Prototype Fails (23:06)

Taper Angles and Reverse Sidecut (27:06)

What will define the next decade of ski design 

Which Modern Day Material Has Had The Most Impact (35:51)

Feedback Sources (37:30)

No One Layer Skis (41:54)

Exothermic Epoxy Accidents (45:03)

What Hasn't Been Asked Yet? (46:30)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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