Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 1

In our new GEAR:30 mini-series, we’re talking to key designers in the world of snowsport and bike helmets to stitch together a current state of helmet tech and helmet R&D.To get things started, we are talking with Ståle Møller, the co-founder of Sweet Protection, about the pros and cons of the two different safety certifications out there; advances in materials & our understanding of head injuries; ventilation; the unique challenges of designing helmets for various activities; and how to know when you ought to replace your helmet.TOPICS & TIMES:History of Sweet Protection (4:11)Safety Certifications: European vs North American standards (10:00)Rotational forces (16:12)Weight & Volume (26:35)Sweet’s New System: 2VI (32:10) Snow vs Bike helmets (32:55)Kayaking helmets: different challenges (36:31)Road bike vs. Mtn Bike Helmets (43:52)Sweet’s Trailblazer & Trailblazer MIPS mtb helmets (46:51)Sweet’s Falconer road bike helmet (49:23)When should you replace a helmet? (51:39)Sustainability (57:37)RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideCurrent State of Helmet Tech, pt. 2Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 3Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 4Blister Podcast Ep.18: Ståle Møller on How to Protect Your Head Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Jun 20211h 3min

Matt Manser is back to talk about bike crashes and ski boot suspension.TOPICS & TIMES:Bike crash stories (2:17)Ski-boot suspension (11:43)Damp vs. Plush (14:25)How to achieve good suspension (21:18)Ski bindings (28:08)“Playful” ski boots (30:51)Cuff Test: compression & rebound (36:01)What We're Celebrating (48:52)RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideA Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 1: Plastics (Ep.54)A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 2: Flex Patterns (Ep.55)A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 3: Racers & Race Boots (Ep.60)A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 4: Liners, Ramp Angle, & Forward Lean (Ep.88)A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 5: Heel Pockets, Tongue Volume, & Atomic’s new Hawx Ultra & “Professional” Liners & Dual Strap (Ep.132) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Mai 202156min

Carl Moriarty was the Design Director at Arc’teryx, and is currently the Design Director at Rapha. We discuss his background and career in the outdoor industry, then dive into several principles of technical apparel design; the pros and cons of various technologies; the challenge of balancing high performance with sustainability; and how being clear on these things can help us evaluate advertising claims about new pieces.TOPICS & TIMES:From New Zealand to Australia to Vancouver to London (2:28)Waterproof / Breathable Apparel (10:32)Breathable vs. Air Permeable Apparel (15:34)DWRs & fluorocarbons: truth in advertising (24:07)What We’re Celebrating (39:52) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Mai 202142min

Which tech bindings feel the most like alpine bindings? What “very light” skis offer the best suspension and damping? Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about a bunch of ski touring gear they’ve been reviewing and answer a number of your touring-related questions.TOPICS & TIMES:Blister Membership details (0:37)Fischer TransAlp Pro (3:46)DPS Pagoda Tour 100 RP (10:26)Ronin 108 (13:21)Weston Summit (16:48)WNDR Alpine Vital 100 (18:26)Alpine touring bindings (26:24)Downsides of the Hoji Hole? (35:54)“Very light” AT skis (37:25)AT vs Touring vs SkiMo (40:41)Pin bindings & the Hoji Pro Tour (42:36)Heel lift & AT boots (46:12)Inexpensive AT setups? (50:54)Backpacks for touring (55:23)What We’re Celebrating (59:26)RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit VideosBecome a Blister Member Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Mai 20211h 3min

We talk with Sebastian Steinbach, the owner of Blacksheep Sports Freeride Shop in Munich, Germany, about a bunch of ski touring gear, including the new Tecnica Cochise 130, Lange XT3 Tour Pro, Dalbello Quantum Free 130, Plum Summit 12 binding, Moment Wildcat Tour 108, and more.TOPICS & TIMESTecnica Cochise 130 (3:30)Dalbello Krypton with tech toes (25:50)Dalbello Quantum Free 130 (36:13)Lange XT3 Tour Pro (48:19)Plum Summit 12 binding (58:13)Moment Wildcat 108 vs Wildcat Tour 108 (1:02:59)Augment Skis & the Augment AM98 (1:08:43)What We’re Celebrating (1:12:51)RELATED LINKS:Sebastian on the 20/21 Ski Season in EuropeBlister Summit Videos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Apr 20211h 17min

Paul Forward and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about a bunch of the powder skis Paul’s been reviewing this season in Girdwood, Alaska.TOPICS:This heli season in AK (3:34)Moment Chipotle Banana (5:32)Folsom Rapture (19:48)Faction La Machine (28:02)4FRNT Renegade 184 & 191 (35:01)More on La Machine (39:21)Blizzard Spur (40:05)Kye Shapes Numinous (49:16)Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM (52:59)What we’re celebrating (56:10)RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit VideosBecome a Blister Member Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Apr 20211h 1min

Today we’re talking about one of the most important concepts in ski design: suspension. So what do we mean by “suspension”? Are terms like “plush” or “damp” synonyms, or are there important differences? And what are some of the best skis of all-time when it comes to suspension? Let the debate begin.TOPICS & TIMES:Updates & fake IG accounts (0:00)Suspension: concepts, terms, & questions (6:29)Our Mt. Rushmore selections (20:26)What We’re Celebrating (53:18)RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit VideosRossignol Black Ops Sender Squad Flash ReviewThe real BLISTER instagram accountThe real BLISTER facebook account Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Apr 202158min

Luke Koppa & Jonathan Ellsworth report on the new skis they’ve been reviewing from Black Crows, Salomon, Dynastar, Wagner, RMU, Moment, & more.TOPICS & TIMES:CB's closing day, Luke's diet, & more (0:00)Black Crows Mirus COR (8:35)Salomon Stance 96 (13:14)Dynastar M-Free 108 (19:31)Wagner Blister Summit 97 (22:40)RMU Apostle 3.0 106 (25:46)Moment Commander 98 (26:55)Pit Viper jeans (32:55)What We’re Celebrating (35:15)RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit Videos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Apr 202140min