Your Questions: Our Favorite Skis This Season; Big vs Small Brands; Quiver Overlap; & More

Your Questions: Our Favorite Skis This Season; Big vs Small Brands; Quiver Overlap; & More

Author: BLISTER May 23, 2025 Duration: 1:21:27

Today, you — our prestigious GEAR:30 listeners — provided the questions, and Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa are offering their answers.

Topics include our go-to backpacks for ski-touring; how a given brand’s size, location, and ethos factor into our own purchasing decisions; what skis to get if you’re spending a lot of time cruising slow-speed groomers; when and how to replace ski boot liners when they wear out; and we answer one of the most frequent questions we get: what were our favorite skis this season?

RELATED LINKS:

Skratch Labs: Fuel Up, Hydrate, & Recover 

Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+

TOPICS & TIMES:

Go-To Ski Touring Backpacks (7:32)

Supporting Indie Brands vs. Big Brands (21:07)

Ideal Skis for Slower Groomer Laps? (30:56)

Ski Boot Liner Longevity: When / How to Replace? (39:11)

ON3P Woodsman vs. Moment Countach (49:16)

Scarpa 4-Quattro Pro (53:48)

Quiver Overlap (101:54)

Our Favorite Skis This Season (1:09:58)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

CRAFTED

Bikes & Big Ideas

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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
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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…
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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…