GEAR:30

Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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

A Very Deep Dive on Bootfitting, Pt. 5: Debunking Bootfitting Myths & Misconceptions Oct 13, 2023

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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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

GEAR THERAPY: An Italian Skier in Switzerland Oct 06, 2023

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 (36:18

4th ski (38:10)

Tecnica Cochise 130 & Liners (47:20)

Crashes and Close Calls (1:00:28)

RELATED LINKS:

Episode Sponsor: Bag Balm

Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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

Norrøna Owner & CEO, Jørgen Jørgensen, on Norrøna’s History & Design Philosophy Sep 29, 2023

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: OpenSnow

CDC Factsheet on PFAS

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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

Why All Your Jackets Are Going to Change: Ditching PFAS w/ Outdoor Research Sep 22, 2023

“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: OpenSnow

PFAS FAQs from Outdoor Research

CDC Factsheet on PFAS

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

GEAR THERAPY: A Mother Gets Back into Skiing — Where to Start?? Sep 15, 2023

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 & TIMES

How 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 Recommended Shops

Blister Summit 2024 Registration

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

BOA & Ski Boot Design with Hoji, K2’s Tom Pietrowski, Fischer’s Christoph Lentz, Dalbello’s Riccardo Bonaiti, and Dynafit’s Ross Herr Sep 08, 2023

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 Balm

Blister YouTube

VIDEO: Blister Labs Summit Panel

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Blister Labs: Technical Apparel Testing Update Sep 01, 2023

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 More

Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

A Guide to Skiing in New Zealand with Outside Sports Aug 25, 2023

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 & TIMES

John 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)

See our Blister Recommended Shops

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

GEAR THERAPY: A Ski Patroller's Most-Pressing Gear Questions Aug 18, 2023

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:

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

G3’s Recyclable R3 Skis & Boards with G3 Founder, Oliver Steffen Aug 11, 2023

Oliver Steffen founded Genuine Guide Gear (G3) many years ago because of his passion for innovation and problem-solving, and while this has largely been aimed at creating solutions related to gear and backcountry touring, most recently, he turned his focus to the environmental impacts and life cycles of G3’s skis and snowboards.

This year, G3 is launching their recyclable “R3” ski and snowboard program, guaranteeing that products manufactured going forward can be broken down, reused, and recycled. So Kara Williard talked to Oliver about this process, what it entails, and how it can be more widely applied to the outdoor industry. Plus, we get the details on the 23/24 R3 ski and snowboard lineup, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Founding G3 (3:43)

Innovation over the years (7:12)

“Right to Repair” and R3 Introduction (10:47)

The Life Cycle Problem (27:11)

Ride, Reuse, Recycle (32:51)

R3 lineup (45:06)

Scaling & Working Together (50:56)

Crashes and Close Calls (58:13)

What We’re Celebrating (1:00:20)

RELATED LINKS:

Exclusive Offer: Get 50% off OpenSnow w/ code blister23

VIDEO: Blister Labs Summit Panel

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Blister Labs: Blister Community Reviews Update Aug 04, 2023

Too often, the consumer reviews you find online are incomplete and unhelpful. But through our Blister Labs partnership with Western Colorado University & the University of Colorado Boulder, we’re working to change that. With Blister Community Reviews, we are creating a better method of gathering, synthesizing, and displaying user feedback from people of all shapes, sizes, ability levels, and locations, to produce even more helpful consumer product information for outdoor enthusiasts all around the world.

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the origins of our Blister Community Reviews initiative; the takeaways from our beta testing at Blister Summit 2023; our goals for the future; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Blister Community Reviews: Background & Origins (4:17)

Takeaways from Beta Testing (16:58)

Going Forward: Goals & Timeline (22:10)

Crashes & Close Calls (29:34)

What We’re Celebrating (40:20)

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Labs: Learn More

Become a Blister Member

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

GEAR THERAPY: A Guitarist's Ski Gear Questions Jul 28, 2023

When it comes to gear, we’ve all been there: loads of questions, crippling confusion, severe analysis paralysis. You need some help! So in this inaugural edition of GEAR THERAPY, Jason Verlinde — a self-described “average / normal / non-industry / non-pro Blister member” — poses some gear questions and conundrums to Jonathan Ellsworth & Luke Koppa, and “gets to confess my ignorance and state my real-world situation, with the experts weighing in, straightening me out, and steering me toward some products I might love.” Enjoy!

TOPICS & TIMES:

Gear Therapy Explained (3:36)

Why It’s Hard Out There for a GearHead (10:05)

Meet the Patient: Jason Verlinde (12:10)

Jason’s Ski Quiver (14:33)

Putting On Cold Ski Boots & Liners (20:35)

The Blister Approach to Reviews (33:00)

Line Blade & Steep Terrain (44:10)

"Loose and Surfy"? (52:55)

Crashes & Close Calls (1:00:08)

What We're Celebrating (1:07:28)

RELATED LINKS:

Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow.com

CRAFTED: Jason Verlinde on Guitar Making

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Magnus Granér & Peyben on 1000 Skis & Moving the Culture Forward Jul 21, 2023

Two years ago, a group of pro skiers, photographers, filmmakers, and friends launched 1000 Skis. They did this because they wanted to “move the culture forward,” make skis they weren’t seeing on the market, and because they just flat-out love skiing.

Magnus Graner and Pär “Peyben” Hägglund were two of those founding members, and Luke Koppa sat down with them for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from the origins of the brand to their prototyping process; how they’ve prioritized — and acted on — sustainability from the start; the challenges and rewards of the unique ways in which they’ve been filming The Bunch’s upcoming film; why they like what’s currently happening in freesking; what they hope to see from the industry in the future, and more. We also touch on why Peyben had to break into a French villa to record this conversation…

As is illustrated by their wide-ranging personal careers in the snowsports world, Magnus and Peyben are thinking a LOT about all sorts of this world’s different elements and aspects, so it was really fun to get their thoughts on a whole bunch of them.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Intros & 1000 Skis Background (2:35)

Design Philosophy & Brand Values (6:15)

Making Skis for Yourselves & for Consumers (10:23)

Prototyping Process (14:14)

Life Cycle Analysis & Sustainability Efforts (22:28)

Why the All-Red Graphics? (34:27)

The 1000 Skis Lineup (42:23)

Mount Points (47:50)

The Bunch & Media Recs (53:30)

Current State & Future of Freesking (1:05:26)

Crashes & Close Calls (1:12:18)

What We’re Celebrating (1:14:55)

RELATED LINKS:

GEAR:30 Ep. 84: SCARPA CEO Kim Miller on the F1 LT & More

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

SCARPA CEO, Kim Miller, on Their ‘Green Manifesto’ & B Corp Status Jul 14, 2023

For this week’s edition of GEAR:30, Scarpa North America’s CEO, Kim Miller, is back to talk about Scarpa’s Green Manifesto and their pathway to B Corp certification. Kim and Kara Williard discuss what measuring and accounting for progress looks like; the tricky balance of sustainably innovating without compromising performance; the process of recycling products and materials; assessing the life cycle of various products; and some of the gear that best exemplifies Scarpa’s commitment to these values (starting with a tele boot back in 2009!).

TOPICS & TIMES

Kim’s Career & Values (4:03)

Scarpa’s Business Culture (12:14)

Transparency & Accountability (13:18)

Measurements & Metrics (16:59)

Life Cycle Analysis of Gear (33:52)

Service vs. Profit (38:23)

Working Together as an Industry (44:21)

Gear & the Green Manifesto (45:33)

A Sense of Urgency (51:40)

All Pillars of Sustainability (55:49)

Scarpa as a B Corp (1:02:25)

Leading with Passion (1:13:16)

Kim’s Crashes & Close Calls Story (1:18:16)

What We’re Celebrating (1:21:33)

Scarpa’s Green Manifesto

Learn More about Blister Labs

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Blister Labs: Wheelset Testing — Updates & Initial Results Jul 07, 2023

Today we’re providing some updates and discussing the implications of the initial results of our Blister Labs wheelset testing with Greg Vanderbeek (assistant professor of mechanical engineering at CU Boulder & the Western Colorado University / CU Boulder partnership program here in Gunnison, CO) and Travis Hainsworth (associate director of the Western-CU Boulder Computer Science Program).

TOPICS & TIMES:

Project Overview (4:19)

Carbon vs Aluminum = Complicated (7:13)

Preliminary Data / Fancy Squishing Machines (8:42)

Lacing Patterns, Impact Loading, & Dynamic Loading (12:12)

Marketing Wheelsets (14:43)

Challenges (18:58)

Next Steps (24:23)

Variables (26:38)

Learn More (38:32)

RELATED LINKS:

Video: Blister Labs Wheelset Testing

OUR OTHER PODCASTS

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Athletes & Product Design Jun 30, 2023

When it comes to gear, how do you balance the specific needs of world-class athletes with those of average skiers and riders?

In this conversation from Blister Summit 2023, McKenna Petersen (K2 athlete), Drew Peterson (Salomon athlete), Tyler Curle (Moment athlete & ski builder), and Jed Yeiser (K2 engineer) discuss the product development process; the roles that athletes, designers, and product managers play; the weirdest prototypes they’ve tried; what “evolutionary” and “revolutionary” changes we should expect in the future; which discontinued products they’d like to bring back, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Intros & Backgrounds (2:48)

Balancing Needs of Pro Athletes vs the Public (7:31)

Are We in an Evolutionary or Revolutionary Stage of Ski Design? (25:15)

Weirdest Prototype You’ve Tried? (34:17)

How Have Your Responsibilities Evolved? (42:59)

Changing Popular Products (47:13)

What Product Would You Bring Back? (52:46)

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Summit 2024 Registration

Blister YouTube Channel

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Rethinking Apparel: WNDR Alpine & Beyond Surface Technologies Jun 23, 2023

Odds are that just about every piece of clothing you own has been applied with some sort of surface treatment, and those (typically petroleum-based) treatments contribute to a significant portion of the apparel industry’s already massive carbon footprint. With their recent collaboration, Beyond Surface Technologies and WNDR Alpine are changing that.

So Luke Koppa got the whole story from BST’s CEO, Matthias Foessel, and WNDR Alpine’s Matt Sterbenz, including the details of WNDR Alpine’s Phase Series apparel collection; how BST’s “miDori bioWick” treatment actually works; how it differs from existing plant-seed-based treatments; why it’s important to take a holistic approach when developing alternative processes and treatments, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Matthias’ Background (2:53)

Fabric Surface Treatments: Background (5:31)

Surface Treatments: Environmental Impact (11:15)

WNDR Alpine, Beyond Surface Technologies, & Checkerspot (14:42)

What does miDori bioWick do? (18:52)

WNDR Alpine Phase Series (25:15)

Algal Oils vs Plant Seed Oils (29:05)

What’s Next? (36:12)

Holistic Approach to Surface Treatments (40:59)

What We’re Celebrating & Crashes & Close Calls (46:26)

RELATED LINKS:

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

Kästle Ski Boots: Origins, Design, & 23/24 Lineup Jun 16, 2023

For decades,Kästle has been making high-end skis for everything from racing to Nordic and skimo. But what sparked their recent launch into the ski boot category? It’s far from a simple process, so Kara Williard talked with Alessandro Speranzoni, Kästle’s global ski boot product engineer, and Alex Pritzlaff, their U.S. product manager, to discuss the origins of the project; the design details of their boots, including their mysterious “Secret Mix” plastic composition; the 23/24 Kästle boot lineup; some new projects they have in the works, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Alessandro & Alex’s Background (3:22)

Kästle’s heritage (6:49)

The “Ski Boot Challenge” (10:02)

Prototyping & Design (13:41)

Key Blend / “Secret Mix” Plastics (21:04)

Fit & Liners (31:44)

Stance & Boot Boards (37:34)

“K Release” Buckles (40:08)

23/24 Lineup (41:53)

Women-Specific Boot & Ski Project (52:25)

Crashes & Close Calls (1:05:32)

What We’re Celebrating (1:07:15)

RELATED LINKS:

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)

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

New Binding Tech: Tyrolia Protector Bindings with Full Heel Release Jun 09, 2023

Tyrolia’s Protector bindings with “Full Heel Release” is something that every skier ought to know about. Tyrolia calls it “the safest binding we have ever made,” and exactly how it works and how it’s supposed to reduce knee injuries is the topic of this conversation with Andrew Couperthwait, VP of Winter Sports for HEAD / Tyrolia.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Overview of Protector Bindings (4:10)

How Traditional Alpine Bindings Release (5:51)

Protector Technology (8:19)

Backwards Twisting Falls (10:57)

Two Distinct Movements (16:12)

Why 7mm? (20:22)

Retention (25:24)

Knee Bindings vs. Protector Bindings (32:17)

ISO Norms & Boot Soles (36:07)

Look Pivot vs Protector Bindings (40:44)

Priorities: Release or Retention? (46:49)

Development of Protector Technology (49:22)

Product Evolution (52:24)

Where to Find Protector Bindings (58:56)

Crashes & Close Calls (1:00:59)

What We're Celebrating (1:12:37)

RELATED LINKS:

Video: Blister Summit Bindings Panel

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

Ferreol Skis: Reenvisioning Ski Construction Jun 02, 2023

Ferreol is a relatively new company that designs and builds skis in Quebec, and they are working hard to push beyond conventional ski materials and construction. They created their own “Innovation Lab” to not only test skis but also develop new materials — and they’re not keeping it to themselves. Instead, they’re collaborating with other brands in order to move things forward at a greater scale.

So Luke Koppa sat down with Ferreol co-founder, Jonathan Audet, to discuss all of that, including the development of their own alternative to titanal alloy; fully replacing fiberglass with natural flax fibers; their 23/24 ski lineup, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Origins of Ferreol (3:38)

Blindspots in the Market (7:00)

Replacing Fiberglass w/ Flax (8:45)

Life Cycle Analysis (11:24)

Ferreol’s 23/24 Lineup: (19:18)

Surfer 112 (19:18)

Pioneer 104 (23:19)

Explo 96 (28:26)

ZigZag 92 (30:43)

Ferreol Innovation Lab: Background (34:01)

Developing an Alternative to Titanal (36:49)

Ski Design App (50:13)

Ferreol Skis: Who Should Get Them? (51:45)

What We’re Celebrating / Crashes & Close Calls (59:37)

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Summit 2024 Registration

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

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3 May 26, 2023

Ok, you know the drill. Which ski company is most similar to which bike company? What’s the latest incendiary thing that will come out of Dylan Wood’s mouth? This final installment of our 4th edition of Bikes vs Skis is definitely another fun one.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Yeti (5:53)
Black Crows vs Revel (9:36)
Line Skis (12:10)
Propain Bikes vs. Line Skis (18:54)
Season Skis & Snowboards (20:08)
DPS (22:11)
Ibis (28:07)
Commencal (35:22)
Kids Gear (40:11)
Elan (41:51)
Icelantic (43:50)
Evil (49:45)
4FRNT (52:03)
RMU (54:00)
Rocky Mountain Bikes (59:10)
Norco (1:01:20)
Scott (1:04:49)
Orbea (1:06:51)
Heritage Lab Skis (1:07:33)
Crashes & Close Calls (1:15:15)
What We're Celebrating (1:19:41)

RELATED LINKS:

OUR OTHER PODCASTS

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

Ski Binding Design with Hoji, Lars Chickering-Ayers, & Giray Dadali May 19, 2023

At Blister Summit 2023, we brought together Hoji (Dynafit), Lars Chickering-Ayers (CAST Touring), and Giray Dadali (Daymaker Touring) for an extremely interesting and important discussion on the past, present, and future of ski bindings. We get their thoughts on “acceptable use” for certain bindings; the “Age of Confusion” surrounding different binding designs; being “handcuffed by standards” and thinking about the binding / boot / ski interface as a whole; what we should (or should hope to) expect from bindings in the future, and much, much more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Intros & Backgrounds (5:56)
“Acceptable Use” for Certain Bindings (12:49)
“Age of Confusion” re: Designs & Standards (21:58)
Boot / Binding Interface Challenges & Future (34:22)
Release & Retention: Alpine vs. Touring Bindings (43:40)
“Ideal Systems” for Bindings, Boots, & Skis? (1:00:25)
Advice re: Wear, Tear, & Icing (1:09:07)
What We’re Celebrating (1:17:22)

RELATED LINKS

Episode Sponsors:

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

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

Bikes vs. Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1 May 12, 2023

Which bike company and which ski company is currently holding the ‘Cool Kids Belt’? Which brand do other companies secretly wish they could trade places with? We debate these questions and more in our latest edition of Bikes vs. Skis. Check it out, and let us know your current answers to these questions.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Best Bang for The Buck: Bike (7:22)

Best Bang for The Buck: Skis (10:39)

Most Dialed & Complete Lineup? (14:51)

Who Holds the ‘Cool Kids’ Belt? (22:52)

Specific Bike the Cool Kids are On? (28:35)

Most Coveted Bikes & Skis (31:11)

Flying Under The Radar? (41:32)

Brand that Other Co’s Would Switch Places With (47:51)

Most Overhyped? (55:40)

Who Has the Most Brand Loyalty? (1:01:04)

Who Would You Buy Stock in Today? (1:05:04)

Crashes and Close Calls (1:19:15)

What We’re Celebrating (1:22:31)

RELATED LINKS

Episode Sponsor: Gear West