GEAR:30

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 [email protected]

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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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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 [email protected]

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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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