Reviewer Reports: Testing at Palisades, Ski Touring Gear, Favorite Ski Socks & Midlayers

Reviewer Reports: Testing at Palisades, Ski Touring Gear, Favorite Ski Socks & Midlayers

Author: BLISTER May 9, 2025 Duration: 1:09:48

Luke Koppa, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss what they’ve been getting up to lately, and the gear they’ve been using to do so. Luke recaps his first trip to Palisades Tahoe, being there during Level 1’s mind-blowing SuperUnknown event, finally experiencing the iconic Wildflour Bakery, and some of the skis that stood out throughout the week. Kristin covers her recent trip down to the tropics, and Jonathan goes over some of the touring skis, boots, and bindings he’s been liking. We also dive into ski socks, the particular socks each of us used most this season, some new midlayers we’ve all been testing, and more.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Luke’s Trip Report (3:57)

Kristin’s Trip Report (11:22)

Jonathan’s Trip Report (12:58)

Volkl Revolt 101 vs. Fischer Ranger 102 FR (14:52)

Salomon QST Echo 106 (18:11)

Salomon MTN 96 & MTN Pure Binding (23:01)

ON3P Jeffrey & Mango Skis (28:49)

Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA (33:09)

Our Favorite Ski Socks This Year (36:19)

Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight & Freeride (47:28)

Kristin’s Promise to Jonathan (1:04:36)

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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
Podcast Episodes
New Gear from Blister Summit 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:19
Blister reviewers Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, Sascha Anastas, Kristin Sinnott, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb discuss a bunch of new ski and snowboard gear they spent time on at last week’s Blister Summit. T…
Reviewer Reports: Pow Skis, New Bindings, & Our 40” Storm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
Crested Butte Mountain Resort recently got 40+ inches of new snow in just a few days, so it was time to break out the big skis. Jonathan and Luke discuss the very new (and very different) Head Kore 118Ti and Kore 112Ti;…
Matt Manser on Atomic's New Redster Ski Boots, New Remedy 130, & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:31
What’s the difference between a true race boot; a race-inspired ski boot; and a high-performance freeride or freestyle boot? Matt Manser is back to talk about all of these things and more, and to walk us through Atomic’s…
Reviewer Reports: New Head Kores, Ski Boots, & One Age-Old Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:41
In today’s episode, Luke Koppa sits down with Jonathan Ellsworth and Kara Williard to discuss just a small portion of all the gear we’ve been testing lately. We cover Head’s overhauled collection of Kore skis; Jonathan m…
New Salomon Dual BOA Ski Boot & New Salomon QST Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:40
Today we’ve got 2 episodes in 1 for you. We first talk about the biggest development in the world of snowsports gear: dual BOA ski boots. Joining Jonathan for that conversation are Salomon’s Lauren Samuels and Cesar Brou…
Athletes & Bootfitting w/ Freeride Skier Nat Segal x Pulse Boot Labs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:20
Freeride athlete Nat Segal has had a long and impressive journey as a professional skier, and part of this journey has been getting in a properly fitting ski boot. Our Blister Recommended Shop, Pulse Boot Labs and Ski Co…