Athletes & Product Design

Athletes & Product Design

Author: BLISTER June 30, 2023 Duration: 1:00:56

When it comes to gear, how do you balance the specific needs of world-class athletes with those of average skiers and riders?

In this conversation from Blister Summit 2023, McKenna Petersen (K2 athlete), Drew Peterson (Salomon athlete), Tyler Curle (Moment athlete & ski builder), and Jed Yeiser (K2 engineer) discuss the product development process; the roles that athletes, designers, and product managers play; the weirdest prototypes they’ve tried; what “evolutionary” and “revolutionary” changes we should expect in the future; which discontinued products they’d like to bring back, and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

Intros & Backgrounds (2:48)

Balancing Needs of Pro Athletes vs the Public (7:31)

Are We in an Evolutionary or Revolutionary Stage of Ski Design? (25:15)

Weirdest Prototype You’ve Tried? (34:17)

How Have Your Responsibilities Evolved? (42:59)

Changing Popular Products (47:13)

What Product Would You Bring Back? (52:46)

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Blister Summit 2024 Registration

Blister YouTube Channel

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Off The Couch

Bikes & Big Ideas

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CRAFTED

Happy Hour (for Blister Members)


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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
Current State of Helmet Tech, pt. 1: Sweet Protection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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…
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Old Principles & New Challenges of Apparel Design [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 desi…
Ski Touring Gear & Listener Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 an…
AT Boots, Bindings, & Skis w/ Sebastian Steinbach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:28
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,…
Reviewer Reports: Powder Skis w/ Paul Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:03
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)Facti…
The Mt. Rushmore of Ski Suspension [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:21
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…
Reviewer Reports: Fun Carvers & All-Mountain Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
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…
Hoji on the Dynafit Radical Pro; the Hoji Hole; & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:38
Our patron saint of GEAR:30 is back on the show today, and we talked to Hoji about the new Dynafit Radical Pro; how it compares to the Hoji Free boot; the evolution of the “Hoji Hole” testing prototypes; and more.TOPICS…
Ski Boot Liners: Zipfit & Atomic Mimic Professional [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:42
Sascha Anastas and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss a couple of new liners they’re reviewing: the Zipfit World Cup liner, and the Atomic Mimic Professional liner that Matt Manser and Jonathan talked about on episode #132 of GE…