PODCAST · sports
GEAR:30
by BLISTER
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.
Episodes
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ON3P Skis’ Scott Andrus on The Pit of Ski Design; Scratch & Sniff Skis; Their 26/27 Lineup; & His Latest Obsession
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…
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Standout Powder Skis w/ Paul Forward
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...
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Gear Gossip, Hot Takes, & Controversy: Moment Skis' CEO, Luke Jacobson
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...
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How to Evaluate Gear
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...
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Buyer’s Guide Updates + Reviewer Reports w/ Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth
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...
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The Rise & Fall & Return of G3
G3 — aka, ‘Genuine Guide Gear’ — everyone who ventures into the backcountry knows them, but you’ve probably wondered what happened to them? Today, you'll get the full story — with all of its twists and turns — from the new head of G3, Cameron Shute. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share…
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Scott Gaffney on the Most Mind-Blowing Skiers & Sessions He’s Filmed
Scott Gaffney is one of the most accomplished ski-movie directors of all-time, and in this highlight from The Blister Vault, we’re sharing this clip where Jonathan Ellsworth got Scott to (try to) narrow down the most mind-blowing sessions he’s witnessed, and the skiers that made even the other…
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Upgrade Culture; Minimalist vs Maximalist Shoe Design; & Other Topics
After the book, ‘Born to Run’ came out, minimalist, low-profile shoes were all the rage. But now, maximalism is the big trend. So who’s right and who’s wrong? Blister’s running editor, Gordon Gianniny, talks with Jonathan about the various trends and pendulum swings in the world of footwear —…
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The Current State of GPS Sports Watches: COROS
GPS sports watches are impressive little devices that are able to track and measure more and more things each year. But how do these devices actually work? How accurate are they? And what are the important differences among all the options? Today, Darian Allberry from COROS joins us and provides…
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Reviewer Reports: The Health & Fitness Gear We're Using — or Avoiding
Nutrition apps? Body Composition Scales? Sleep Trackers? The category of home health & fitness tech is exploding, and Kristin Sinnott & Jonathan Ellsworth talk about the gear they've been using — or are currently avoiding — and why. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the...
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The Process of Having a Custom Ski Made for You
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…
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Wonder Woman, Ski Boots, & Why the Color of Your Ski Boots Matters
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...
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The Current State of High-Tech Footwear: Trends, Super Shoes, More
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...
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Wild Rye's 10-Year Journey w/ Founder, Cassie Abel
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…
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The Latest New Thing at Blister + Reviewer Reports
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...
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Gold Forcefields, Multi-Purpose Mountain Gear, & More w/ Outdoor Vitals
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...
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Buyer’s Guide News + Other Changes at BLISTER
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...
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Hoji on the Future of Ski Gear; His Latest Projects; & More
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…
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The Pro's Gear: Cody Townsend (round 3)
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…
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The Debate: Should We Change Our Winter Buyer’s Guide?
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…
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Ski Design & Your Questions
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...
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Starting a Ski Company from Scratch w/ Ellis Skis
There’s no shortage of skis on the market these days, yet we’re still seeing new brands pop up. So what does it take to start your own ski company, and why do it in the first place? In this episode, Luke Koppa gets the story behind one of the newest brands out there, Ellis Skis, from their…
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The Cutting Edge: Emerging Trends & New Products in Snowsports Gear
Jonathan talks to our patron saint of GEAR:30, Hoji; Jeff Colt (ZipFit); Shane Chappell (Burton); and Will Ritter (Spark R&D) to get their sense of the most interesting trends and product developments across the ski and snowboard world. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the...
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Pulling Back the Curtain: How Things Actually Work at Global Ski / Outdoor Companies
Often on GEAR:30, we zoom way in on the particular design details of a product. But today, we zoom way out, and take a look at how some of the biggest, global, ski and outdoor gear manufacturers actually operate, with Jake Stevens (Rossignol); Jesse Ambrogi-Yanson (Armada); Joe Johnson (Salomon);...
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Luke & Jonathan: More Reviewer Reports from Blister Summit 2026
Luke and Jonathan compare notes on a number of skis they got on at the Blister Summit; confess some crimes; and offer one public service announcement. 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:...
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Reviewer Reports from Blister Summit 2026: Blades, Boards, Backslaps, & More
We’re still buzzing from Blister Summit 2026, which we held last week at Snowbird, Utah. And in this conversation, a number of our reviewers got together to recap their favorite moments, runs, and gear. We also cover what it’s like to ride with the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb (whether he’s on…
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Reviewer Reports: 'Closing Day + Luke's a Father!' Edition
Luke’s a dad! Our patron saint of GEAR:30, Hoji, will be back at the Blister Summit! You can win custom skis at our Summit Dinner! Plus, you’ll hear lots of talk from Luke and Jonathan about the skis they tested to close out the year at CBMR! (So many exclamation points!!!) Note: We Want to Hear...
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Which Skis are the Best Skiers Using? Ski Gear & Ski Technique w/ Carv & Stomp It Tutorials
Do narrower skis actually make you carve better on piste? What about in moguls? And what sorts of skis are the best skiers actually using? For less-experienced folks, do certain skis make it easier to progress? Luke Koppa dives into these questions and more with the folks at Carv and Stomp It...
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Blister Summit ‘26 Preview, Big Announcements, & Reviewer Reports
Monoskis! Snowblades! Price Drops! Jonathan talks with Luke Koppa and Kristin Sinnott about some big announcements about our upcoming Blister Summit, and Otto Solberg joins us to give an up-to-date conditions report from the Bird. We also talk about the great-looking forecast, and we go through...
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Reviewer Reports: Luke & Jonathan on Frontside Carvers, Comp Mogul Skis, & Metal Freestyle Skis
In this episode that we’re dedicating to JBobb, Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk frontside carvers; metal freestyle skis; and for the first time in Blister history, we’re reviewing a competition mogul ski. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or…
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The Ledge Boardshop: Suge (aka, Brett Scott) on Hip-Hop, Snowboard Culture, & the Current State of Snowboard Gear
Last week at Palisades Tahoe, Jonathan Ellsworth & JBobb stopped by the The Ledge Boardshop to talk about snowboard culture & the current state of snowboard gear w/ a rather legendary figure in the snowboard world, Suge (aka, Brett Scott). We talk 90’s Hip-Hop; the history of snowboarding (and…
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Reviewer Reports: Palisades Tahoe; New Skis & Snowboards; & the Hunt for Red October
JBobb, Luke, Koppa, Kristin Sinnott and Jonathan Ellsworth just wrapped up a week at Palisades Tahoe, and today, they’re sharing lots of stories and impressions, and talking about the gear they reviewed — but didn’t bring with them. Thanks to everyone who made this a truly unforgettable trip.…
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How to Tell if a Bootfitter is Any Good; Ski Boot Trends; & Strong Opinions w/ Luke, Jonathan, & Bootfitter, Hunter Dagnon
How do you tell if you’re working with a good bootfitter? Are all ski boots getting bigger? Where are BOA dials most effective, or, are they actually just ruining the industry? Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth dive into these topics — and present some valuable tips and tricks — with the help of...
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The AlpenFlow 89 Binding VS. the Rest of the 'Hybrid Bindings' Category
AlpenFlow Design spent nearly six years developing their flagship AlpenFlow89 hybrid binding, and today, Jonathan talks with AlpenFlow co-founder, Steven Waal, about that development process. Then they compare / contrast the AlpenFlow 89 to all the major players in the hybrid binding space.…
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What You're Probably Getting Wrong about Ski Width
When it comes to the question of ski width, there are some very strong opinions held by skiers, and lots of them aren’t true. Are lots of people on skis that are too wide? Will a skinnier ski always carve better than a wider ski? What’s the ideal width for mogul skiing? And is there any real...
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Reviewer Reports: Paul's New Pow Ski Design; Carving Skis; & More
Luke, Koppa, Paul Forward, and Jonathan talk about some of the gear they've been reviewing; discuss topics related to that gear; and dive deep into the ideas behind a new pow ski design that Paul has been thinking about for years, and are now being incorporated into a brand new ski. Note: We Want...
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Rewriting the Rules of Ski Boots? K2 Ski Boots’ Tom Pietrowski
(1) Why is it that typically, only the stiffest ski boots have all the best features and get the best liners and all the bells and whistles? (2) What are boot manufacturers doing about the fact that many of the best skiers on the mountain also have the least amount of money in their bank…
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Reviewer Reports: Luke’s in the Heli, Paul’s on Carving Skis, & Jonathan’s Trading Skis w/ Pros
Why is reviewer and heli-skiing guide Paul Forward in Crested Butte testing skinny skis? How did Luke Koppa end up being the one in a helicopter? And why have Luke and Jonathan been able to test the same new ski boot? Today we discuss it all, as well as a bunch of new freeride skis from 4FRNT and...
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Peak Skis is Back; New Gear Reveals; Current Product Reviews; & Best Snowboard Gear of the Century w/ Powder Hound AK's Eric Helmbrecht
Jonathan shares his thoughts on the stated return of Bode Miller & Peak Skis, then Powder Hound Ski & Bike Shop owner, Eric Helmbrecht, joins us to discuss several big new product announcements; review some current ski & snowboard gear; and then Eric shares his top 10 list of the most important...
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25 Years: The Evolution of The North Face Summit Series w/ Sage Cattabriga-Alosa & TNF’s Head of Innovation, Cory Olson
The North Face’s iconic Summit Series collection has not only been a part of some of the greatest athletic feats of the past 25 years, it’s also had a major influence on the technical apparel we all use today. In this 2-for-1 conversation, Luke Koppa dives into its backstory, major milestones…
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Gear of the Century, Part 2
What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological developments in skiing and snowboarding. And today, you’re going to get the…
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Gear of the Century, Part 1
What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological developments in skiing and snowboarding. RELATED LINKS: OpenSnow CARV Get...
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Ski Testing, Ski Technique, & Data Analytics with Carv
What can you learn when you analyze hundreds of thousands of ski turns? What does it tell you about ski technique? And what can be learned about the gear you use to make those turns — and the gear we test and evaluate? Luke Koppa discusses all of the above with the team at Carv. RELATED LINKS…
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A New Approach to Apparel: Raide Founder on Unconventional Shells, Zip-Off Baselayers, & ‘Staying Slippery’
The skis, ski boots, and bindings made for human-powered ski-touring are very different from the ones built for the resort. But what about the clothes? Raide has been rethinking what apparel for the skintrack vs. the resort should look like, and their new collection is quite the ambitious debut....
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Reviewer Reports: Early-Season Testing & Luke’s Dumbest Moment on Skis
We’re back on snow! And testing gear! And excited to talk about it! Jonathan and Luke cover several of the standout skis so far; Luke confesses to one of the dumbest things he’s ever done on skis; they discuss underappreciated upsides of early-season skiing; some interesting new outerwear and...
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Gear Gossip w/ Moment Skis’ Luke Jacobson
Today we spill some tea, break some news, fire off a few rants, and we walk through Moment’s 25/26 lineup, including what Moment CEO, Luke Jacobson, believes to be the most significant changes to the line. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to…
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The Science of Staying Warm: Innovations in Insulation w/ PrimaLoft
If you’ve worn a puffy jacket in the past 30+ years, there’s a good chance it used PrimaLoft insulation. And they’ve just announced their warmest insulation to date. So today, we get all the details on PrimaLoft UltraPeak from Andrea Paulson, PrimaLoft’s Senior Vice President of Innovation &...
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Best Skis of the Century, Part 5
What are the Top 10 skis of the century? Top 3? #1 Ski? Today, Blister reviewers Dylan Wood, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth reveal their selections, and we also share some of the picks and insights from a number of pro skiers and ski industry professionals. Note: We Want to Hear From You!...
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Best Skis of the Century, Part 4
What are the Top 10 skis of the century? Top 3? #1 Ski? Today, Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, reveals his very personal picks, plus we share a story from the Blister archives that involves New Zealand farmers and helicopters. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please let us know if there’s a topic...
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Blizzard-Tecnica: 10 Years of Designing Women-Specific Skis & Boots
Do “women-specific” skis need to exist? What about ski boots? In our conversation today, Leslie Baker-Brown shares her thoughts after leading Blizzard-Tecnica’s Women2Women program for the past 10 years. Few people have been as deeply involved with women’s ski gear — and the community of women in...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
BLISTER
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does GEAR:30 have?
GEAR:30 currently has 399 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is GEAR:30 about?
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...
How often does GEAR:30 release new episodes?
GEAR:30 publishes regularly with 399 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to GEAR:30?
You can listen to GEAR:30 on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts GEAR:30?
GEAR:30 is created and hosted by BLISTER.
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