Gear:30

The North Face is attempting to do something that many have tried, but few have succeeded: compete head-to-head with Gore-Tex in the waterproof / breathable fabric category. So we talked with Scott Mellin, the Global General Manager of Mountain Sports at The North Face, about their new fabric technology, Futurelight; the ideas behind it; what sets it apart in the crowded waterproof / breathable fabric market; sustainability practices related to Futurelight; some stories from athlete testing, and much more. TOPICS & TIMES:Scott’s background in product innovation (5:55)Why was Futurelight designed? (9:20)Futurelight vs. Polartec Neoshell (19:45)“Tuning” Futurelight for different designs (21:22)Durability? (29:55)Athlete testing at The North Face (36:40)Competing with GORE (55:32)Sustainability & Futurelight (59:30)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our “Reviewing the Reviewer” series, we ask various BLISTER reviewers questions about their backgrounds and gear preferences to give you a more complete picture of the people behind our reviews. And since we like to rank & review things around here, we also give a score to each of our reviewers’ answers, then come up with a cumulative review grade for each of them. In the hot seat today is mountain bike reviewer, David Golay, who shares how he went from playing sports in upstate New York, to researching metal alloys in Australia, to reviewing for BLISTER, and he shares a phenomenal story starring Jed Yeiser (of previous Blister podcast episodes fame).Watch the video of our conversation on our YouTube Channel.TOPICS & TIMES:David’s background (1:26)How did you first get connected with Blister? (7:45)Bike preferences (9:35)Who is your favorite reviewer at Blister? (18:35)Who is your favorite biker and skier? (20:11)What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? (22:20)What are you better at than S

Today, Marker unveiled their brand-new Duke PT binding, so Luke Koppa, Sam Shaheen, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the new binding and where it fits with respect to the Shift MNC and CAST Touring binding.We also discuss some big new changes at GORE; the new GORE-TEX Pro vs. The North Face Futurelight; the appalling behavior of backcountry.com; several new skis from Moment, Blizzard, and Prior; and Jonathan Ellsworth’s New Favorite Thing.TOPICS & TIMES:Jonathan’s New Favorite Thing (3:55)New Marker Duke PT (5:26)Duke PT vs. Shift vs. CAST Freetour System (10:17)New GORE Pro / Big Changes at GORE (12:18)GORE-TEX Pro vs. The North Face Futurelight (18:25)Picture Organic Harvest Jacket (23:55)Backcountry.com’s despicable behavior (25:30)(Jason Blevins’ article on backcountry.com) Moment Deathwish (30:20)Moment Wildcat 108 (31:15)Blizzard Rustler 10 (32:11)Prior Northwest 100 (33:01) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gore-Tex has been the leader in waterproof fabrics for decades, and today, they’re announcing a complete overhaul of their flagship fabric, Gore-Tex Pro. So this week we went to Banff, Alberta, and sat down with the category manager of Gore’s “Pro” line, Mark McKinnie, for an in-depth discussion about the new fabrics. We talk about what makes the new Gore Pro unique; the 3 different versions of Gore Pro; Gore’s intensive validation and field-testing processes; how the new ‘Pro’ fits into Gore’s sustainability goals; and much more.TOPICS & TIMES:The 3 new versions of Gore-Tex Pro (4:35)Fabric performance (5:30)New (and old) membrane structures (11:15)Stretch! (15:40)   Lab validation & real-world tests (19:19) Solution-dyed vs jet-dyed fibers, & why they matter (34:08)Sustainability & the new Gore-Tex Pro (36:23) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do the world’s elite ski racers and their technicians squeeze every drop of performance out of their skis? We sat down with Cameron Smith who runs the race department for Head USA to learn about all the major aspects of ski tuning including base vs edge angles, base prep, and waxing. We also discuss why World Cup racers have 50 skis per discipline; the elusive “speed wagon”; and the delicate balance of science and superstition in ski racing.TOPICS & TIMES:How Cam got started at HEAD (1:00)The art of edge tuning (3:03)Why athletes have 50 skis per discipline (8:09)Superstitions & cinnamon rolls (9:08)The elusive “speedwagon” (10:25)Base angles vs. Edge angles (13:20)What is a second edge?? (20:00)How quickly do skis dull? (22:45)Athlete’s relationships to their tuners (24:50)Polishing stones & the toilet paper test (28:30)De-tuning to avoid hooking (31:57)Base materials & grind patterns (35:07)How to select your wax (45:16)Just how sensitive are pro athletes? (58:12) See acast.com/privacy f

In this episode, we answer a bunch of the questions you submitted, then assess some of the product reviews from several of the other ski review publications — and one gear recommendation website.And fair warning here, we get pretty fired up. Because there are still a lot of fake reviews and extremely misleading product reviews and product recommendation services out there, and this needs to stop.There is a little bit of strong language in this episode, so please don’t listen if that offends you. But we here at BLISTER are far more offended by the fake and / or misleading reviews and product recommendations in the outdoor sports world that are posing as legitimate consumer product information. Anyway, judge for yourself.TOPICS & TIMES:Listener questions (4:21)Why curated.com is the worst (46:30)Product reviews from other buyer’s guides (53:05) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We just released our new 19/20 BLISTER Winter Buyer’s Guide, and given that it’s over 200 pages long, there’s a lot to talk about.So we’re going to have a 2-part conversation about the Guide, and here in part 1, we’re going to discuss some of our Blister “Best Of” selections; and some of the products that just missed the cut; some general trends and takeaways from putting this big book together, and we find out the real reason why Luke prefers mittens to gloves.Then, next week in Part 2, we’re inviting you to submit questions about the guide or related to the guide, and we’ll be answering those and covering a few other topics of our own.Click to Send Us Your Questions about the new Buyer’s GuideTOPICS & TIMES:Our BLISTER “Best Of” Awards (5:17)The Best of “Best Of” (23:05)Luke’s Jazz Hands (33:44) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode is the 2nd installment of our “Reviewing the Reviewer” series, where we ask various Blister reviewers questions about their backgrounds and gear preferences to give you a more complete picture of the people behind our reviews.Today, it’s the founder of Blister’s turn. So you’re going to be hearing about Jonathan Ellsworth’s life, including being charged by a bear; nearly burning his house down; teaching philosophy; his favorite gear in the world; and of course, the things he’s better at than Sam Shaheen.And we are also putting up a video of this conversation here and on our YouTube channel, so if you want to watch Sam Shaheen in full payback mode, or watch Luke Koppa putting up his dukes, go check it out.TOPICS & TIMES:Random Review: Babybel Cheese (3:38)Jonathan’s Background (6:15)Why did you start BLISTER? (18:15)Who’s your favorite reviewer? (25.48)What’s the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to you? (28:03)Who’s your favorite skier? (32:17)What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever

We’ve been working on a special project with Folsom Custom Skis, and it’s finally time to discuss the details about the new Blister Pro 104 with Folsom’s Mike McCabe.We also talk about Folsom’s (insane?) new plan to build and deliver custom skis in 2-3 days; go over some highlights from the 19/20 Folsom lineup; and we ask Mike how much of a nightmare it was to work with us on this project.TOPICS & TIMES:Folsom’s new pop-up store in Aspen (2:05)2-3 Days: custom skis built & delivered?? (5:20)19/20 Folsom lineup highlights (10:52)Backstory of the BLISTER Pro 104 (13:05)The prototypes: good & bad surprises (18:25)Final product design details (29:00)BLISTER Pro 104 vs other Folsom skis? (35:46)D.E.V. Tech ! ! ! (42:16)Was working with us a nightmare? (43:34) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For centuries, hemp has been cultivated around the world and used to make just about everything: rope, clothing, paper, currency, sails — even the earliest American flags. But in 1937, the United States effectively banned the cultivation of hemp, and since then, hemp has faced an uphill battle of public perception and viable production in the US.Just last year, however, Congress passed the Farm Bill, which re-legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp. So we spoke to Rob Jungmann, one of the pioneers of hemp apparel in the United States and the owner of Jungmaven apparel, to discuss Rob’s history in the hemp textile industry; the many uses for hemp (including eating it and building houses with it); how hemp differs from cotton in textiles; and shooting hemp T-shirts with a shotgun (seriously).Check out the rest of our “What You’re Wearing” series here.TOPICS & TIMES:Anti-hemp propaganda (5:40)The battle for hemp legalization (9:15)The future of the U.S. hemp industry (13:31)Is there an ongoing hemp

Misconceptions about down are everywhere — fill power, proper care, and animal welfare are all often wildly misunderstood. So today, in part 3 of our “What You’re Wearing” miniseries, we talk to Matthew Betcher of Allied Feather & Down, a company that works with and supplies down for some of the biggest names in the outdoor industry. (There’s a good chance your down jacket is stuffed with Allied down.) Matthew and I discuss down’s fascinating entrance into the outdoor industry; the physical characteristics that make down such a high-performance fiber; the myths about “fill power” caused by marketing strategies; why and how you should DEFINITELY wash your down apparel; animal welfare & the Responsible Down Standard; and much more. Have a garment containing Allied down? Check out trackmydown.com to learn about where it came from.TOPICS & TIMES:Klaus Obermeyer ‘inventing’ the down jacket (2:40)What does a “fill-power” rating actually mean? (8:03)Duck Down vs. Goose Down (24:15)How Down is d

4FRNT Skis founder, Matt Sterbenz, recently launched WNDR Alpine, a company that’s incorporating biotech into skis. So we sat down with Sterbenz and WNDR’s brand manager, Xan Marshland, to discuss the creation of and the future plans for WNDR Alpine; its relation to the biotech company, Checkerspot; and we dive deep into the details of their new ski, the Intention 110, which is available now for pre-order.To learn more about WNDR Alpine and its relation to the Berkely-based biotech company Checkerspot, check out our latest BLISTER Podcast with Sterbenz and Checkerspot’s co-founder & CEO, Charlie Dimmler.TOPICS & TIMES:Matt’s background & founding 4FRNT (3:08)Xan’s background (8:36)What is WNDR Alpine? (16:20)The first ski: the Intention 110 (22:00)Why start with a backcountry ski? (22:32)Comparable skis to the Intention 110? (29:22)Materials (41:08)Weight (49:34)Mount point (56:54)Price (1:00:06)Bindings (1:04:50)Where to see the skis & ship dates (1:07:07)Future plans for WNDR? (1:08:54) See

Why are more and more companies making products out of wool? In part two of our “What You’re Wearing” miniseries, we’re taking a closer look at the fabric that was once most associated with itchy old sweaters and fancy suits, but that’s now being used in some of the most comfortable and highest-performing apparel on the market. But how exactly does wool naturally suppress odor? How does the species of sheep affect the finished product? And is wool actually more environmentally friendly than other fibers?To answer these questions and more, we’re talking with Josh Vaughan, head of Wholesale Sales at Icebreaker. We walk through every step of making wool garments (from sheep to shirt); discuss some exciting new uses for wool in apparel, and Josh provides some incredibly in-depth answers about the secrets behind wool’s unique natural properties.Topics & TimesHow climate affects wool quality (2:55)The process: from herding sheep to the final fabric (9:03)How & Why is wool blended with other fibers? (18

Crosson Skis is a small, new company building skis outside of Seattle — and they are making some very big claims.So we talk to their founder, Chase Englehart, about the origins of Crosson; what makes their skis different — and better — than what’s out there; manufacturing skis in Tukwila, WA; working with athletes like Bobby Brown and Banks Gilberti; and their 19/20 lineup.Topics & TimesThe Crosson Backstory (2:03)What makes your skis different / better? (12:44)Park Ski: Rogue (22:14)All-Mountain Skis: Imperium & Raider (28:11)Powder Ski: Marauder (30:21)Weight (31:23)Crosson bases & custom base structures (35:19)Price, Warranty, & Added Value (39:22)Materials & what they’re doing in-house (44:34)Their press (46:04)Why manufacture in Tukwila? (48:55)Their athletes: Banks Gilberti & Bobby Brown (51:17)Where to check out or buy Crosson Skis (54:59) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do elite ski racers like Marcel Hirsher, Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller, and Daron Rahlves “feel” their gear, and their ski boots in particular? Matt Manser and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss how some of the all-time greats are superhumanly attuned to the slightest changes of a binding or ski boot.They also discuss Forward Lean (how to measure it, whether lots or less of it is better, etc.); ‘static’ power straps vs. ‘elastic’ Booster Straps; whether WC skiers or WC DH mtn bikers are pickier about their equipment; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Marcel Hirscher & Bode Miller’s insane attunement (4:11)How many boots does Marcel bring to a race? (18:46)WC ski racers vs. WC DH bike racers (22:40)Mikaela Shriffin’s boot preferences (33:20)Which racers wear the stiffest boots? (36:40)Forward Lean / measuring forward lean (44:27)‘Static’ power straps vs ‘elastic’ Booster Straps (59:24)Why it’s so hard to name ski boots (1:12:03) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, & Sam Shaheen argue about the new Volkl Mantra 102 and how it compares to the M5 Mantra; discuss with more civility the Line Vision 98; Dalbello Lupo Pro HD ski boot; Camp Nano 22 vs. Orbit Wire carabiners; and close with several extremely random reviews.This episode is presented by Tribe Alpha & GEAR:30 listeners get a special discount!Tribe Alpha is great ecommerce for the great outdoors, and can help you improve the performance of your ecommerce site. With more than 25 years of web experience, Tribe Alpha has a long and successful history working with retailers in the outdoor industry, and will help you grow your ecommerce business.GEAR:30 listeners: visit tribealpha.com/gear to receive a 10% discount off their standard pricing. TOPICS & TIMES:Volkl Mantra 102 (3:13)Volkl Mantra 102 vs. Volkl M5 (13:40)Line Vision 98 (22:29)Carabiners: CAMP Nano 22 vs. Orbit Wire (24:57)Dalbello Lupo Pro HD (28:30)Sam’s review of Luke Koppa (31:13)Review: buying furniture (3

Today we are launching a new series called, “Reviewing the Reviewer,” and the idea is pretty simple: we’ll be asking various Blister reviewers questions about their backgrounds and gear preferences, to give you a more complete picture of the people behind our reviews. And since we like to rank & review things around here, we will be scoring each of our reviewers’ answers to come up with a review grade for each of them.I sat down with Luke in Blister HQ and asked him about where he grew up and what he was into as a kid; his gear preferences and what gear he is most picky about and least picky about and why; then ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, wrote in with a number of questions for Luke; and I also asked Luke things like: who his favorite BLISTER reviewer is, and I got him to rank his siblings from most favorite to least favorite, before wrapping up with some questions about Luke’s favorite books, music, and movies.This episode is presented by Tribe Alpha — tribealpha.com/gearTribe Alpha is great ecommer

How much do you actually know about the clothes in your closet, and the stuff you wear to go play in the mountains? Today we’re introducing our “What You’re Wearing” miniseries, where we’ll be shining a light on the most foundational part of apparel: the fibers.In part one, we dive into the world synthetic fibers with Sara Ellis from Gore (the makers of GORE-TEX) to discuss everything from the performance and environmental impact of synthetics compared to natural fibers; the crazy new material that Gore developed with Underarmour; what’s on the horizon in terms of waterproof / breathables; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Synthetic vs. Natural fibers (2:15)Where do synthetic fibers come from? (8:08)Which synthetics are the most durable? (9:17)Polyester vs. Nylon (12:18)What are the environmental issues associated with synthetics? (14:38)The story behind Gore’s new ePTFE baselayer with Underarmour (24:05)Gore’s current (and upcoming) waterproof / breathable lineup (36:54)What’s the biggest misconception about synth

We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the new DPS 19/20 product lineup, and about two new skis — that incorporate a brand-new construction — they are introducing for their DPS “Dreamtime” event, which officially runs from July 15th to August 1st.Stephan also breaks news about their “Koala” skis, gives an update on the DPS ski boots that he and I spoke about back on Ep. 38 of the Blister Podcast, and shares some new developments with DPS Phantom base glide treatment.TOPICS & TIMES:Building skis in Salt Lake City, Utah (2:45)What is “DPS Dreamtime”? (7:17)Foam & DPS’ new construction (11:01)DPS Wailer 100 RP vs 112 RP (25:10)DPS’s “C2“ vs “RP” (29:30)The redesigned DPS Wailer 106 (35:12)DPS freestyle skis / DPS Koala 119 (36:25)Update on the DPS Ski boot (41:10)Update on DPS Phantom (44:27)Other Conversations We’ve Had with Stephan:Blister Podcast, Ep. #38: DPS Skis Founder, Stephan Drake (4.17.17)Blister Podcast, Ep. #59: DPS Phantom & the End of Ski Wax (11.1.17)GEAR:30, Ep. #22: New D

Last week on GEAR:30, we talked plastics with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser. Here in part 2, we talk with Matt about the messy world of flex ratings; progressive vs. linear flex patterns; the actual differences between some brands’ 120 and 130 rated boot; how Atomic arrives at their own flex ratings; the next areas of innovation that Atomic is focused on, and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Flex Patterns & All the Feels (4:13)“Progressive” vs. “Linear” flex patterns (5:10)The mess that is Flex Ratings (13:13)How Atomic arrives at their own flex ratings (17:24)How brands make a “110” vs. “120” vs. “130” etc. (27:34)Colorways & Geopolitics (34:20)Why a standardized flex rating probably won’t happen (35:55)The damping / “suspension” of a boot (42:32)Weight & Damping (47:04)Next areas of innovation for Atomic boots? (55:08) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.