Upgrade Culture; Minimalist vs Maximalist Shoe Design; & Other Topics

Upgrade Culture; Minimalist vs Maximalist Shoe Design; & Other Topics

Author: BLISTER August 28, 2026 Duration: 34:09
After the book, ‘Born to Run’ came out, minimalist, low-profile shoes were all the rage. But now, maximalism is the big trend. So who’s right and who’s wrong? Blister’s running editor, Gordon Gianniny, talks with Jonathan about the various trends and pendulum swings in the world of footwear — shoes made for running, hiking, trail-running, and walking. Note: We Want to Hear From You! Please share with us the questions, topics, or stories you’d like us to cover on GEAR:30. You can email those to us here. RELATED LINKS:  Momentous: livemomentous.com use code: Blister BLISTER+: Get Yourself Covered: Order our 26/27 Winter Buyer’s Guide Enter Our Free Weekly Gear Giveaways CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Blister Studios (our new channel) Blister Review (our original channel) TOPICS & TIMES: The Rise of Maximal Trail Shoes (2:44) Minimalists vs Maximalists: Who's Right? (6:16) ‘High Stack’ Vs ‘High Cushion’ (17:23) Upgrade Culture (22:02) Toe Boxes (27:44) Trickle-Down Tech (30:41) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: The Blister Vault Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast

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: 50

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
Wild Rye's 10-Year Journey w/ Founder, Cassie Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:46
Wild Rye is about to turn 10 years old, so Jonathan caught up with Wild Rye founder, Cassie Abel, to ask her about starting this self-funded, women-focused, technical outdoor apparel company back in 2016, and what has &…
The Latest New Thing at Blister + Reviewer Reports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:29
Jonathan and Kristin announce the latest new thing at Blister — ‘The Vault’ — then talk about some of their summer adventures, the new sports they’ve been getting into, and the new gear they’ve been using. Give it a list…
Buyer’s Guide News + Other Changes at BLISTER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:29
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth break news about our 26/27 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide, and some other big changes at BLISTER. They also talk about the changing media landscape in 2026, and how BLISTER has been able t…
Hoji on the Future of Ski Gear; His Latest Projects; & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:28
Today, Hoji weighs in on the great ‘hybrid binding’ debate; then he and Jonathan discuss the future of ski binding technology; 3D printing applications in ski gear; and Hoji's current attempts to push the boundaries of s…
The Pro's Gear: Cody Townsend (round 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:06
Cody is back for some straight-up gear talk, and to share where his gear preferences & practices have shifted, and where they’ve remained the same. Also, if you would like to nominate any particular skiers or snowboarder…
The Debate: Should We Change Our Winter Buyer’s Guide? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
For some years now, we’ve wrestled with some big ideas about how we could change our annual Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide. So today, Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa and Kristin Sinnott discuss those potential changes — as…
Ski Design & Your Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:20
At our Blister Summit, we asked our Blister Summit attendees to pose their questions about ski design to Max Smith (vice president & ski designer at Moment Skis); Stu Gleason (senior designer at DPS Skis); and Mike McCab…
Starting a Ski Company from Scratch w/ Ellis Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:38
There’s no shortage of skis on the market these days, yet we’re still seeing new brands pop up. So what does it take to start your own ski company, and why do it in the first place? In this episode, Luke Koppa gets the s…
The Cutting Edge: Emerging Trends & New Products in Snowsports Gear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:40
Jonathan talks to our patron saint of GEAR:30, Hoji; Jeff Colt (ZipFit); Shane Chappell (Burton); and Will Ritter (Spark R&D) to get their sense of the most interesting trends and product developments across the ski and…