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GEAR:30 — Outdoor
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.

Latest Episodes:

The Process of Having a Custom Ski Made for You Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

What’s the process like for having a custom ski built for you? What do you need to know? How much do you need to know about ski design? And are you someone who should consider it? Today, we’re going to help you figure out all of these questions, with Folsom Custom Skis owner, Mike McCabe, Jonathan Ellsworth, and Steve Janisch.

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.comcode: 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:

Shoutout: New BLISTER+ Members (1:42)

The Process of Designing a Custom Ski (5:15)

Steve’s Experience Testing Skis at Blister Summit (21:04)

Who are You Skiing With? (28:29)

Adjusting Rocker Profiles (36:52)

Materials (41:33)

Mount Position & Stance (49:29)

Graphics (51:00)

Putting It All Together (54:47)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

The Blister Vault

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

Wonder Woman, Ski Boots, & Why the Color of Your Ski Boots Matters Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

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: info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

Momentous: livemomentous.comuse code: Blister

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

The Current State of High-Tech Footwear: Trends, Super Shoes, More Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

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.comcode: 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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

The Blister Vault

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

Wild Rye's 10-Year Journey w/ Founder, Cassie Abel Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

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.comcode: 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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

The Latest New Thing at Blister + Reviewer Reports Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

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

GPS Sports Watches / Smartwatches (28:26)

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

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

Gold Forcefields, Multi-Purpose Mountain Gear, & More w/ Outdoor Vitals Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

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

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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

Buyer’s Guide News + Other Changes at BLISTER Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

Hoji on the Future of Ski Gear; His Latest Projects; & More Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

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: info@blisterreview.com

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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

The Pro's Gear: Cody Townsend (round 3) Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

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: info@blisterreview.com

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 categoryhas 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)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

The Debate: Should We Change Our Winter Buyer’s Guide? Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

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: info@blisterreview.com

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:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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

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