GEAR:30

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 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: OpenSnowEpisode Sponsor: SnowbirdEnter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us! Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Hallelujah! Check the Forecast! (2:58)Snowbird (4:03)Our Very Unique Gear Giveaway (5:24)Paul Back in AK (6:47)Paul’s Boot Surprise: Atomic Remedy 130 (13:08)Luke on the 1000 Skis Carve (22:57)Carving (28:12)Jonathan’s Mistake / PSA (38:02)Paul’s New Pow Ski Design (41:15)The Heritage Lab HB 135 (53:47)Flex Pattern vs Shape (1:04:50)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

(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 accounts? And (3) did K2 just create the first ski boot that was truly designed for women, from the ground up? To address these questions, we’re talking with Tom Pietrowski, the global product line manager for K2 ski boots.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We’d love for you to 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: CarvEpisode Sponsor: SnowbirdEpisode Sponsor: OpenSnowEnter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us At Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Blister Summit (2:30)This Week’s Gear Giveaway (3:49)Tom’s Super Hot Take (5:02)K2 Cortex 140 (12:49)Boa Cable Length (15:41)K2 Cortex Team 120 (18:23)Flex Rating vs Price of Ski Boots (21:30)New Recon (28:15)K2 Anthem: the 1st True Women's Ski Boot? (30:48)K2 Boot Collection Upgrades (47:06)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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 Heritage Lab; Jonathan swapping skis with Daron Rahlves; Luke face-planting in front of some other pro skiers, and more.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: CarvEpisode Sponsor: SnowbirdEpisode Sponsor: OpenSnowEnter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us At Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Carv (1:38)Snowbird & Giveaway (2:23)Luke’s Trip Report (5:39)Jonathan’s Trip Report (15:43)Salomon S/Pro Alpha C BOA (21:24)4FRNT Sinister (32:28)Heritage Lab Skis (37:08)Part 2: Jonathan & Paul Forward (41:05)Testing Ski Boots, Skis, & Carv (45:35)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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 developments in snowboard gear of the 21st century.RELATED LINKS:Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysSee Our Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us @ Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Why My Voice is Gone (0:04)Blister Summit 2026 (2:59)Peak Skis is Back?? (4:11)The ‘New New’ Gear (16:27)- Nordica Nordica Promachine 3 (16:59)- Salomon S/Pro Alpha C BOA (27:49)- Atomic / Salomon Shift² 16 (35:33)- Armada Snowboards (41:48)- Current Ski & Snowboard Gear Reviews (44:38)- 4FRNT MSP 99 (45:55)- Marker X binding (47:04)- Armada Ski Boot (49:13)- Atomic Remedy (51:22)- Rossignol XV Sashimi ( 52:48)JE's Snowboard Questions (54:07)Top 10 Snowboard Gear of the Century (58:00)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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, and standout pieces with The North Face’s Global Head of Innovation, Cory Olson. He also talks with the one and only Sage Cattabriga-Alosa to get his perspective as an athlete who’s been involved with this series for its entire run — including how he went from hitting backcountry booters in the baggiest clothes he could find, to summiting high-altitude peaks in the most technical gear on the market.RELATED LINKS:Episode Sponsor: SnowbirdEpisode Sponsor: OpenSnowEnter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us At Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:OpenSnow (2:09)Snowbird (4:25)Weekly Gear Giveaway (6:03)Sage's History w/ The North Face (7:10)Sage’s Ah-Ha Moments w/ Apparel (23:00)Layering Evolution (36:30)Sage’s Standout Products (40:56)Cory Olson’s Role at The North Face (49:52)Historic and Throwback Pieces (54:14)Standouts Materials (56:36)Athlete Feedback & Design Impact (1:01:11)PFAS-Free Apparel: Present & Future (1:05:19)Care & Washing (1:10:20)Himalayan Suit (1:18:58)Summit Series x Streetwear (1:23:30)Future Projects (1:32:01)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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 real story of the first rockered ski.RELATED LINKS:Get CARVGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawayOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us @ Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationCHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Weekly Gear Giveaway (2:27)New Boot Testing & Carv (3:42)BLISTER+ (5:19)Greg’s Background in Skiing (6:32)Greg’s Top 10#10: Removal of Fluoro Waxes (11:12)#9: GripWalk (14:31)#8: Tuning Robots (16:53)#7: Gore Tex Patents Expiration (20:56)#6: Step in / Step on Snowboard Bindings (25:51)#5: Hybrid AT Systems#4: Ski Boot Design (35:16)Rockered Skis Unsolved Mysteries (46:13)#3: Rockered Skis (44:17)#2: Twin Tip Skis (50:19)#1: K2 Four (53:46)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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:OpenSnowCARVGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+Enter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us At Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationEp.323 w/ Carv & Marcus CastonCHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Weekly Gear Giveaway: J Skis (1:01)Jan 1, 2026: Changes to BLISTER+ (1:25)OpenSnow Forecast is Looking Good! (3:11)New Skis, Ski Boots, & Carv (4:05)Our Top 10 Gear Developments:#10: (6:48)#9: (15:36)#8: (27:11)#7: (38:47)#6: (46:17)#5: (51:15)#4: (56:41)#3: (1:04:07)#2: (1:15:36)#1: (1:19:54)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big Ideas

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:Carv Digital Ski Coach SystemEnter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us At Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+Ep.323 w/ Carv & Marcus CastonCHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Weekly Gear Giveaway (2:01)What is Carv? (4:33)What’d They Learn Last Year? (6:41)What’s New This Year? (11:30)How Does Carv Turn Data into Scores? (14:46)Off-Piste vs. On-Piste Analysis (20:50)Using Carv in Our Reviews (23:28)Why Do Certain Skis Score Higher? (24:00)Skiing Switch With Carv (35:00)Who is Carv For? (49:55)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

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. Luke Koppa discusses it all with Raide founder, Kyle Siegel.RELATED LINKS:Carv Digital Ski Coach SystemEnter Our Weekly Gear GiveawaysOur Blister Recommended ShopsJoin Us At Blister Summit 2026For BLISTER+ Members: Discounted Blister Summit RegistrationGet Yourself Covered with BLISTER+CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Carv & This Week’s Giveaway (3:03)Raide State of the Union (6:15)Raide’s First Apparel (12:22)New TourTech System (13:13)Hybrid Bibs (16:15)Raide’s New Waterproof/Breathable Fabrics (29:13)DWR Coatings (32:51)Testing & Impacts of Washing (36:36)Bib & Shell Featureset (39:26)Zip-Off Baselayer (44:52)Hybrid Hoody (51:36)Kyle’s Favorite Non-Raide Products (56:57)Future Raide Products? (1:01:02)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast