Gear Testing Tips & Tricks w/ Hoji, Ted Ligety, Anne Wangler, & Jess Tennyson

Gear Testing Tips & Tricks w/ Hoji, Ted Ligety, Anne Wangler, & Jess Tennyson

Author: BLISTER April 11, 2025 Duration: 1:05:19

Today we are sharing the first of our Blister Summit 2025 panel sessions, and we’ve got a great one to kick things off. We’re asking the pros — Hoji, Ted, Anne, and Jess — how they go about assessing and testing ski and snowboard gear, and what advice they have for the rest of us? Plus you’ll hear Ted share one of his favorite (but questionable??) ways of testing skis.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

BLISTER+ Updates (00:00)

Intros (5:34)

Evaluating Prototypes (8:21)

Assessing Gear for Yourself (11:35)

Going in Blind vs Getting Info First (18:05)

Gear You Liked but Didn’t Expect to? (23:29)

Advice on How to Evaluate (28:41)

Trickiest Variables when Testing? (34:10)

Ted’s Favorite Testing Method (38:55)

Audience Q&A:

Evaluating Pow Skis Outside of Pow? (46:26)

Intuitive Products vs. Adapting to Them (49:27)

Personal Preference vs. Objective Performance (54:00)

How to Rule Out a Bad Tune? (55:29)

How Many Runs Should You Take? (56:48)

What Notes Do You Take? (1:00:16)

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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: 100

GEAR:30
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