GEAR:30

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 GuideOutdoor VitalsCHECK 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 CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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 GuideCHECK 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 CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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.comRELATED LINKS:Get Covered: BLISTER+Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawayCheck out our Bike Buyer’s GuideSee Our Blister Recommended ShopsCHECK 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 CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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.comRELATED LINKS:Get Covered: BLISTER+Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaySee Our Blister Recommended ShopsCHECK 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 category has 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 CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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.comRELATED LINKS:Get Covered: BLISTER+Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaySee Our Blister Recommended ShopsCHECK 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 POLLCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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 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.comRELATED LINKS:Get Covered: BLISTER+Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaySee Our Blister Recommended ShopsCHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Blister Plus Members (1:00)What Needs To Be Cleared Up With Customer Questions (5:24)What's A Problem You Wish You Could Solve (8:00)Trend To Ski Design:  Do it All or Specifics (10:35)Balancing Ski Design With Conditions and Geography (13:46)Torsional Stiffness (16:20)Prototype Fails (23:06)Taper Angles and Reverse Sidecut (27:06)What will define the next decade of ski design Which Modern Day Material Has Had The Most Impact (35:51)Feedback Sources (37:30)No One Layer Skis (41:54)Exothermic Epoxy Accidents (45:03)What Hasn't Been Asked Yet? (46:30)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast