GEAR:30

In this panel conversation from Blister Summit 2025, we discuss why all of your outdoor apparel recently changed — and how that will impact your own experiences.Specifically, we’re talking about the ban on PFAS chemicals; why they’d been so extensively used in outdoor apparel (and far beyond); the real-world performance differences between them and new PFAS-free alternatives; and what you need to know to make the most of your own apparel.To cover all of this, we brought together an excellent panel of industry professionals, including Eric Wallis (Patagonia), Dan Abrams (Flylow), Tom Mason (Ortovox), and Ross Herr (Rab). RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:What Are PFAS? (3:31)Why the Move Away from PFAS (8:09)New vs. Old DWR & Waterproof Membranes (10:15)New Discoveries (18:56)Exciting Trends (25:35)Audience Questions:Down vs Synthetic (28:55)Caring For PFAS-Free Layers (32:23)3rd-Party Water Repellants (35:53)Non-Porous Membranes (40:05)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But this year, we’re zooming out a bit, and instead are putting up the whole ski industry vs the bike industry. In part 2 of this conversation, we take a look at the state of ski shops vs bike shops; what each industry is doing to grow participation and engagement in their sport; gear trend wins and fails; and we weigh in on which industry has the brighter future. You’ll hear from Blister reviewers Luke Koppa, Jonathan Ellsworth, David Golay, Simon Stewart, Kara Williard, and Xan Marshland.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredSki vs Bike Industry, Part 1Our ‘Bikes vs Skis’ Series:Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 2Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 2Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 2TOPICS & TIMES:Ski Shops vs Bike Shops (3:13)Growing Participation: Ski vs Bike Industry (12:52)Lift Tickets (25:01)BMX Bikes (26:30)Gear Wins & Fails (29:43)Brighter Future? Ski or Bike Industry? (38:41)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

In past years, we’ve done a series called ‘Bikes vs Skis’ where we’ve posed the question: Which bike company is most like which ski company? But this year, we’re zooming out a bit, and instead are putting up the whole ski industry vs the bike industry, to identify the significant similarities or differences; assess the relative health of each; and see how the trends in one might align with trends in the other. Today, you’ll hear from Blister reviewers Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, David Golay, Simon Stewart, Kara Williard, and Xan Marshland.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredOur ‘Bikes vs Skis’ Series:Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 2Bikes vs Skis, 4th Edition (2023): Part 3Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 3rd Edition (2021): Part 2Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 2nd Edition (2020): Part 2Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 1Bikes vs Skis, 1st Edition (2018): Part 2TOPICS & TIMES:Health of the Bike Industry (4:52)Volatility in the Ski Industry (12:11)Supply Chain Complexity (16:35)Which Categories are Growing or Shrinking? (18:45)Enduro vs DH Bikes (33:44)Pow Skis & DH Bikes (36:40)Small Brands & Niche Products (39:02)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

Jonathan talks to BLISTER members, Bobak Farzin and Lukas Friedli, who recently teamed up to take on the famous Haute Route. We talk about their trip; the gear they used; what gear worked well; what worked less well; and they offer some great advice for anyone thinking about doing any multi-day ski touring trip, or anyone interested in the Haute Route itself.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Introductions (2:33)Background on the Haute Route (10:40)Ski Selection (19:11)Ski Boot Selection (23:06)Bindings Selection (26:21)Gear Regrets? (29:00)Packs — and Pack Weight (32:18)Trickiest Gear Selections? (41:14)Gear You Were Happiest With (49:54)The Skiing! (52:20)Coffee & Coffee Gear (1:00:44)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

Luke Koppa, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss what they’ve been getting up to lately, and the gear they’ve been using to do so. Luke recaps his first trip to Palisades Tahoe, being there during Level 1’s mind-blowing SuperUnknown event, finally experiencing the iconic Wildflour Bakery, and some of the skis that stood out throughout the week. Kristin covers her recent trip down to the tropics, and Jonathan goes over some of the touring skis, boots, and bindings he’s been liking. We also dive into ski socks, the particular socks each of us used most this season, some new midlayers we’ve all been testing, and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Luke’s Trip Report (3:57)Kristin’s Trip Report (11:22)Jonathan’s Trip Report (12:58)Volkl Revolt 101 vs. Fischer Ranger 102 FR (14:52)Salomon QST Echo 106 (18:11)Salomon MTN 96 & MTN Pure Binding (23:01)ON3P Jeffrey & Mango Skis (28:49)Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA (33:09)Our Favorite Ski Socks This Year (36:19)Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight & Freeride (47:28)Kristin’s Promise to Jonathan (1:04:36)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

What new thoughts and ideas emerge when you bring together in conversation makers of hybrid ski bindings and AT bindings and snowboard bindings and splitboard bindings? Well you’re about to find out, because at Blister Summit 2025, Jonathan Ellsworth led a conversation along these lines with Will Ritter of Spark R&D; Royal White, from Burton; Andy Merriman, from ATK Bindings; and Steven Waal, from the very new company, AlpenFlow Design. Enjoy, this is a great one.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Exploring the Evolution of Bindings (3:11)Customer Feedback in Product Development (5:47)Design Principles of New Companies (08:50)The Importance of User Experience (12:13)Evolution of ATK Bindings (15:00)The Future of Snowboard Bindings (18:02)Challenges in Binding Production (21:02)User Errors / Misuse of Bindings (23:58)Understanding Binding Mechanics & Maintenance (34:03)The Importance of Familiarity with Gear (37:10)The Shift towards Lightweight Ski Gear (41:18)Ethical Considerations in Product Development (46:54)Bindings Compatibility (50:00)The Cost of Backcountry Bindings Explained (54:03)The Future of Binding Standards in Skiing (57:15)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

If you think all goggles are the same, well, think again. At our Blister Summit 2025, Jonathan Ellsworth spoke with Steven Kennedy (Giro), Ted Ligety (Shred Optics), Stefan Stahl (Glade Optics), and Gabriel Lobbi (Provuu) about some different approaches — and solutions — to the problem of seeing well on snow.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Introductions (4:15)Different Approaches to the Problem (7:00)Photochromic & VLT (11:34)High-Contrast Lenses (17:08)Lens Shapes (19:53)Goggles & Helmet Fit (24:11)Flat-Light Optimization (28:48)What's the Best Question I Haven’t Asked? (32:05)Audience Questions (33:45)Goggle Care (40:58)Materials (42:11)Shield Helmets & Corrective Lenses (50:27)Fogging (53:23)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast

In this episode, Luke Koppa sits down with Kara Williard, Jonathan Ellsworth, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb to talk about the many skis Jonathan and I opted to take out during closing weekend at CBMR; Kara’s powder-filled winter trips, and the two skis and single boot she used throughout; and Justin’s latest, crazy biking / skinning / snowboarding adventure + some of the boards and boots he’s been testing. Finally, we dive into some ski-touring boots discussions, and Jonathan tells us about his surprise visit from Cody Townsend.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ MembershipTOPICS & TIMES:Jonathan & Cody’s Surprise Coffee Date (2:49)Colby MunicipalBoundaryLine (6:07)Kara’s Trip Report (8:45)Justin’s Trip Report (14:43)Salomon QST X (16:23)Luke’s Closing-Day Skis (24:02)New Snowboards & Boots (26:32)Jonathan’s Closing-Day Skis (35:46)Black Crows Anima Birdie (47:06)Atomic Hawx Ultra 115 XTD (49:25)La Sportiva Sender (53:26)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast