GEAR:30

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)Do we need reviewers of every size? (37:51)curated.com (46:30)Product reviews from other buyer’s guides (53:05) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Okt 20191h 10min

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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Okt 201938min

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 done? (37:52)What are you better at than Sam Shaheen? (42:03)What gear are you most & least picky about? (44:55)How many times have you almost died? (52:05)What are your ski preferences? (54:27)Dream podcast guest? (57:41)Top 3 favorite books, movies, and musicians (1:01:25)What’s the best question we haven’t asked you? (1:04:40) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Sep 20191h 8min

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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Sep 201947min

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 stigma? (15:30)The many uses & history of hemp (16:40)“Hempcrete” for building houses?? (18:13)What are hemp’s textile qualities? (21:04))Why blend hemp & cotton? (24:08)Shooting t-shirts with guns (26:10)Environmental benefits of growing hemp (31:26)Eat hemp every day (*Dr. Dre voice*) (35:44)Future of hemp apparel (40:08) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Sep 201946min

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 different than feathers (30:21)Tips for washing your down!! (36:55)Animal Welfare (49:40)The Responsible Down Standard (56:27)Down-proof fabrics (59:20)Trackmydown.com (1:06:04)The future of down (1:07:10) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Sep 20191h 12min

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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Aug 20191h 17min

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? (18:40)Environmental benefits & drawbacks of wool (24:02)Wool from other animals? (32:04)Can wool be recycled? (36:13)Why is wool odor resistant? (38:12)Thermoregulation vs. Insulation (40:15)Why is wool more commonly knit than woven? (43:53)Icebreaker’s transparency report (45:03)Two biggest misconceptions about wool (49:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Aug 201952min