Wild Rye's 10-Year Journey w/ Founder, Cassie Abel

Wild Rye's 10-Year Journey w/ Founder, Cassie Abel

Author: BLISTER July 24, 2026 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 & hasn’t changed in the industry over the past decade. They also discuss product development, fundraising strategies, and how Wild Rye has navigated massive trade challenges. Cassie is a very open book, and today, she shares lots of great stories and insights. 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 code: Blister OneSkin: oneskin.co/BLISTER Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+ 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: What is Wild Rye? (3:23) Changes Over the Past Decade (8:02) Category Expansion (13:14) Product Development (15:51) Finding the Fit (18:21) Independent Funding (21:59) Lessons Learned from Fundraising (24:35) The Impact of Tariffs (29:51) Wild Rye Today (38:52) Favorite Wild Rye Products (42:21) CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Blister Cinematic CRAFTED Bikes & Big Ideas Blister Podcast 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: 50

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
What You're Probably Getting Wrong about Ski Width [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:18
When it comes to the question of ski width, there are some very strong opinions held by skiers, and lots of them aren’t true. Are lots of people on skis that are too wide? Will a skinnier ski always carve better than a w…
Reviewer Reports: Paul's New Pow Ski Design; Carving Skis; & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:34
Luke, Koppa, Paul Forward, and Jonathan talk about some of the gear they've been reviewing; discuss topics related to that gear; and dive deep into the ideas behind a new pow ski design that Paul has been thinking about…
Rewriting the Rules of Ski Boots? K2 Ski Boots’ Tom Pietrowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:59
(1) Why is it that typically, only the stiffest ski boots have all the best features and get the best liners and all the bells and whistles? (2) What are boot manufacturers doing about the fact that many of the best skie…
Gear of the Century, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:04
What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological de…
Gear of the Century, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:18
What are the most significant developments in snowsports gear of the 21st century? We’ve already covered the ‘Best Skis of the Century’ on GEAR:30, and now, we’re ranking the most important gear and / or technological de…
Ski Testing, Ski Technique, & Data Analytics with Carv [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:54
What can you learn when you analyze hundreds of thousands of ski turns? What does it tell you about ski technique? And what can be learned about the gear you use to make those turns — and the gear we test and evaluate? L…