Raide: Building a Solutions-Based Backcountry Brand

Raide: Building a Solutions-Based Backcountry Brand

Author: BLISTER January 19, 2024 Duration: 50:38

Luke Koppa sits down with Kyle Siegel, the founder of Raide, which is one of the newest players in the backcountry softgoods category. They launched with a lightweight 40-liter backpack that immediately made a splash when it was released, so we sat down with Kyle to learn about how — and why — he started Raide.

We cover the problems he’s looking to solve; how he went about doing so with the Raide LF 40 pack; we do a deep dive on some of the latest high-end, ultralight pack materials; the challenges and benefits of running a new, small business in the category; what we should expect from Raide in the future, and more.

RELATED LINKS:

Episode Sponsor: Pulse Boot Lab & Ski Co.

Join Us at Blister Summit 2024

Become a Member & Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

Blister First Look: Raide LF 40L Pack

TOPICS & TIMES:

Kyle’s Background (3:28)

The Problems Raide is Attempting to Solve (6:19)

Prototyping Process & Must-Have Features (12:15)

Deep Dive: Materials (17:00)

Raide LF 40L: Overview (28:07)

Raide’s Future Products (35:57)

Running Lean & Nimble as a Small Business (43:32)

Raide’s Athlete Team (46:17)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

Off The Couch


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
ATK Bindings, Part 1: Brand Origins & the Evolution of Tech Bindings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:54
The Italian company, ATK Bindings, has been taking the tech-binding world by storm. And in this first podcast that the brand has ever done, we talk with ATK CEO (and son of ATK’s founder), Davide Indulti, about the surpr…
Blister Labs: Ski Testing & Dynamic Modeling with Sean Humbert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
In this Blister Labs update, Sean Humbert joins us to talk about the movie Real Genius; flies; ski testing and dynamic modeling; math and slarving; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Growing up in Tahoe (4:46)Sean’s engineering bac…
Reviewer Reports: Touring Setups, Resort Skis, & Jelly Bean Bribery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:44
Today, in another edition of our Reviewer Reports series, we’ve got a wide-ranging conversation with Kristin Sinnott, Dylan Wood, Kara Williard, Drew Kelly, and Luke Koppa, where we cover everything from the setups Drew…
Spark R&D founder, Will Ritter, on the Current State of Splitboarding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
We talk with Spark R&D founder, Will Ritter, about the current happenings at Spark; compare the splitboarding and backcountry skiing communities and gear trends; go over design highlights from their current lineup; and m…
DPS Skis: State of the Union + 22/23 Product Lineup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:10
We talk with DPS’s VP of product and operations about the recent history of DPS; discuss some of the specific skis in their lineup; hear a defense of carbon fiber; define a new rule for product design; clarify DPS Phanto…
Shop Talk: Recap of the Season; Skiing with Kids; & Heated Socks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
We talk with Rachel and Drew Harding from The Spokane Alpine Haus about the highlights and challenges of this past season; skiing with kids; heated socks; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Recap of the season (2:59)Family ski dyna…
A Few GEAR:30 & BLISTER Updates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:41
Jonathan talks about our most recent Blister Summit panel sessions; our upcoming Blister ‘Brand Lineup’ videos; an event this weekend; what we’re celebrating; & more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Summit Panel SessionsSubscribe t…
New Skis, Ski Boots, & Gas-Station Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:53
Luke and Jonathan discuss new skis, ski boots, liners, and apparel from Faction, Salomon, ZipFit, Dynastar, Renoun, Majesty, Strafe, Lange, and more. Plus gas-station food and owls.TOPICS & TIMES:New Ski / Prototype (5:4…
Bode Miller on his new Peak Skis; the Winter Olympics; & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:37
We talk with Bode Miller about his new company, Peak Skis and their new “Keyhole Technology”; revolutionizing ski manufacturing; his vision for Scarpa ski boots; his take on the Winter Olympics; and a whole lot more.TOPI…
Gear West on Current Trends + New Ski & Snowboard Gear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:28
We’re talking new gear and gear trends with Lucas Evans and Jeff Perry of Gear West, our Blister Recommended Shop in Long Lake, Minnesota.TOPICS & TIMES:Shop overview & Lucas & Jeff’s backgrounds (2:30)Consumer interest…