New Ski & Climbing Gear + Random Reviews

New Ski & Climbing Gear + Random Reviews

Author: BLISTER August 2, 2019 Duration: 41:42

Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, & Sam Shaheen argue about the new Volkl Mantra 102 and how it compares to the M5 Mantra; discuss with more civility the Line Vision 98; Dalbello Lupo Pro HD ski boot; Camp Nano 22 vs. Orbit Wire carabiners; and close with several extremely random reviews.

This episode is presented by Tribe Alpha & GEAR:30 listeners get a special discount!

Tribe Alpha is great ecommerce for the great outdoors, and can help you improve the performance of your ecommerce site. With more than 25 years of web experience, Tribe Alpha has a long and successful history working with retailers in the outdoor industry, and will help you grow your ecommerce business.

GEAR:30 listeners: visit tribealpha.com/gear to receive a 10% discount off their standard pricing. 

TOPICS & TIMES:

  • Volkl Mantra 102 (3:13)
  • Volkl Mantra 102 vs. Volkl M5 (13:40)
  • Line Vision 98 (22:29)
  • Carabiners: CAMP Nano 22 vs. Orbit Wire (24:57)
  • Dalbello Lupo Pro HD (28:30)
  • Sam’s review of Luke Koppa (31:13)
  • Review: buying furniture (33:41)
  • Review: new Lion King movie (35:48)

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 Pro's Gear: Nikolai Schirmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:46
Nikolai Schirmer has made quite a name for himself by sometimes sailing to — and then, almost always climbing up — very technical lines, then often flashing those lines at ridiculous speeds on relatively lightweight gear…
Reviewing the Reviewer: Zack Henderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:26
Today we’ve got another episode of our “Reviewing the Reviewer” series, where we ask our reviewers questions about their backgrounds and gear preferences to give you a more complete picture of the people behind our revie…
Blister Labs: Results from our On-Snow Ski Testing & Dynamic Modeling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
Interested in ski design? Curious about where the next advancements in ski design might come from? Dr. Sean Humbert is back to provide an update on our Blister Labs’ ski flex project and to go over some of the results an…
Helping Everyone ‘Go’ Outside w/ Gnara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:07
Imagine being in freezing temperatures on a glacier and having to remove your harness and several layers of clothing just to pee. What about scrambling around a desolate desert looking for a place to pull down your pants…
A Novel Twist on Wool w/ Nuyarn CEO, Andy Wynne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:05
Wool has seen quite the resurgence in technical apparel over the past couple decades, and for good reason — it’s breathable, odor-resistant, and manages moisture better than most natural fibers. However, the way that mos…
The Life of a Ski Engineer + 24/25 LINE & K2 Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:19
Sean Fearon is a ski development engineer at LINE & K2, and he’s been busy — between the two sister brands’ 24/25 collections, Sean helped design over a dozen of the new skis. So Luke Koppa sat down with Sean to get the…
Travel Gear + Bringing Back the Snake Bite Black [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:27
Since Jonathan missed our GEAR:30 ‘travel gear’ conversation a few weeks ago, he wanted to weigh in. So he and Kristin Sinnott open by discussing their recent trips; they discuss the question of ‘why we travel?’; and the…