A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 1: Plastics

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 1: Plastics

Author: BLISTER June 28, 2019 Duration: 1:08:13

Ski boots are made of plastic, and different plastics feel and perform very differently from one another. So we get deep into the details with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, to help you figure out which plastics are used in your ski boots, and the pros & cons & general performance characteristics of different plastics — which will help you understand why you might like or dislike your current boots, and what you ought to be looking for in your next pair.

TOPICS & TIMES:

  • What has been the focus of your recent work in ski boots? (2:10)
  • The 3 main families of plastics: PP, PU, and PA (6:57)
  • “PP” — Polypropylene (11:15)
  • How recycled plastics are used in the production process (19:18)
  • “PU” — Polyurethane (23:06)
  • Low-grade PU: Recycled PU (26:53)
  • Mid-grade PU: PU-Ester (27:53)
  • High-grade PU: PU-Ether (31:33)
  • Colors: how they affect plastics’ performance (33:44)
  • What is Desmopan? (38:32)
  • “True Flex” PU — Atomic’s proprietary PU (44:26)
  • How to make a lightweight boot out of heavy materials (49:40)
  • “PA” — Polyamide (53:58)
  • How to verify which plastics your boot is made of (1:00:24)

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


For anyone who has ever stood in a shop debating the merits of a new jacket or stared at a trail map while thinking about their skis, GEAR:30 is that conversation. This BLISTER podcast goes far beyond basic specs and marketing claims, offering a nuanced, often technical look at the equipment that defines our time outside. The discussion is driven by the people who live with these products: our own reviewers who are putting gear through its paces in real conditions, the designers who obsess over materials and intent, and the athletes whose livelihoods depend on performance. We also check in with the seasoned folks from our network of recommended shops, who see what works and what doesn’t after a season of hard use. Episodes dig into specific items, broader trends in innovation, and the sometimes-surprising realities of long-term testing. It’s a deep, authentic resource for anyone who appreciates the intersection of sports, design, and technology, and who believes the right tool can transform an experience. Tune in for honest, detailed talk that treats outdoor gear with the seriousness and curiosity it deserves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 391

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
The Science of Staying Warm: Innovations in Insulation w/ PrimaLoft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:26
If you’ve worn a puffy jacket in the past 30+ years, there’s a good chance it used PrimaLoft insulation. And they’ve just announced their warmest insulation to date. So today, we get all the details on PrimaLoft UltraPea…
Best Skis of the Century, Part 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:10
What are the Top 10 skis of the century? Top 3? #1 Ski? Today, Blister reviewers Dylan Wood, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth reveal their selections, and we also share some of the picks and insights from a number of p…
Best Skis of the Century, Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:02
What are the Top 10 skis of the century? Top 3? #1 Ski? Today, Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, reveals his very personal picks, plus we share a story from the Blister archives that involves New Zealand farmers and helico…
Blizzard-Tecnica: 10 Years of Designing Women-Specific Skis & Boots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:49
Do “women-specific” skis need to exist? What about ski boots? In our conversation today, Leslie Baker-Brown shares her thoughts after leading Blizzard-Tecnica’s Women2Women program for the past 10 years.Few people have b…
Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:55
In Part 2 of our series on the Best Skis of the Century, Luke Koppa and Sascha Anastas join Jonathan Ellsworth to dive into the best skis from 23 more brands, and we also discuss some of the best and most notable women-s…
Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:36
Today, we are kicking off a new series, where we will debate and try to identify the best skis of the 21st Century from over 30 ski brands. So over the next couple of weeks, you’re going to be hearing our choices, but we…
Stinius & Hoji on Developing the New 4FRNT Sinister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:05
Today we’re talking with Hoji and Stinius Skjøtskift about the creation of Stinius’ new pro model, the 4FRNT Sinister. There are lots of great stories in this one, plus you’ll find out why a number of us at BLISTER are e…
The Company that Created an Industry: Alpacka Raft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:48
We see new brands pop up all the time, but what happens when your idea is so novel that it essentially births an entire sport and industry? That was the case when Thor Tingey and his mom, Sheri, started Alpacka Raft.So t…