Blister Reviewer BadgeJonathan Ellsworth

David Roche talks with Jonathan Ellsworth about his SWAP coaching program on Blister's Off The Couch podcast.

David Roche on the Philosophy Behind His Coaching (Ep.14)

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David Roche is one of the most successful running coaches out there, but he is definitely not the most conventional running coach out there. So we explore with David the philosophy and principles that undergird his coaching; how he went from being a 200 lb. football & baseball player to two-time national champion in the 10k; what new training ideas seem most promising to him; and more.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Checkerspot's Charlie Dimmler and Matt Sterbenz about the brand's background, goals, and its new ski brand, WNDR Alpine on the Blister Podcast.

Biotech hits the Backcountry: Checkerspot & WNDR Alpine (Ep.98)

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What does biotech have to do with backcountry skiing? And what does microalgae have to do with skis? And why did the founder of 4FRNT Skis, Matt Sterbenz, agree to get involved with a new startup ski brand, WNDR Alpine? We sat down in Blister HQ with Checkerspot co-founder and CEO, Charlie Dimmler, and WNDR Alpine founder, Matt Sterbenz, to talk about the creation of WNDR Alpine; its relation to and the mission of Checkerspot; and more.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Mad Moose Events Director, Justin Ricks, on Blister's Off The Couch podcast

Runner, Cat Herder, Garbage Man, & Mad Moose Events Director, Justin Ricks (Ep.13)

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We talk to Mad Moose race director, Justin Ricks, about walking away from running; returning to running — and leaving a secure corporate job and moving his family into a camper to do so; putting on 20+ race events a year with his family; scoring impressive results when he himself decides to race; and how running is very much a whole family affair for the Ricks’.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with World Bicycle Relief CEO, Dave Neiswander on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas Podcast

How to Change the World with Bikes: World Bicycle Relief (Ep.97)

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For many of us, bikes are primarily fun. But for many others, bikes are major drivers of economic development, educational opportunity, health care, and equality. World Bicycle Relief was started by the founder of SRAM to provide bikes to developing countries, and we talk with WBR’s CEO, Dave Neiswander, about the origins of World Bicycle Relief; its trajectory and challenges; all the product design that goes into their bikes; and what each of us can do to support the WBR mission.
On Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Crosson Skis founder, Chase Englehart about the brand and how it does things differently.

Crosson Skis founder, Chase Englehart (Ep.61)

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Crosson Skis is a small, new company that’s making some very big claims. So we talk to their founder, Chase Englehart, about the origins of Crosson; what makes their skis different — and better; building skis outside of Seattle; working with athletes like Bobby Brown and Banks Gilberti; and their 19/20 lineup.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with World Bicycle Relief CEO, Dave Neiswander on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas Podcast

World Bicycle Relief: Making a Better World with Bikes (Ep.7)

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For many of us, bikes are primarily fun. But for many others, bikes are major drivers of economic development, educational opportunity, health care, and equality. World Bicycle Relief was started by the founder of SRAM to provide bikes to developing countries, and we talk with WBR’s CEO, Dave Neiswander, about the origins of World Bicycle Relief; its trajectory and challenges; all the product design that goes into their bikes; and what each of us can do to support the WBR mission.

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 3: Racers & Race Boots (Ep.60)

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How do elite ski racers like Marcel Hirsher, Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller, and Daron Rahlves “feel” their gear, and their ski boots in particular? We talk to Matt Manser about this; forward lean; ‘static’ power straps vs. ‘elastic’ Booster Straps; whether WC skiers or WC DH mtn bikers are pickier about their equipment; and more.

Meghan Hicks, managing editor, iRunFar (Ep.11)

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Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Meghan Hicks — who is one hell of a trail runner in her own right — about her background; covering the “puke fests and the transcendental moments” of trail running; how iRunFar.com came to be; what motivates her to run; what she thinks is the most misunderstood thing about ultra races; and more.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Fernie skier and biker, Dylan Siggers, about growing up in Fernie, winning the Intersection video contest, biking, skiing with Burrrlapz, and more on the Blister Podcast

Up & Coming: Skier AND Mtn Biker, Dylan Siggers (Ep.96)

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Today we’re launching our new Up & Coming series, where we’ll be highlighting some athletes who, if they aren’t already on your radar, they should be. And first up is Dylan Siggers, because few people out there are this good on skis and on a bike. Plus, Dylan is also involved in filmmaking and music, so we talk to him about skiing, biking, filming, music, and more.
Sam Shaheen, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the Volkl Mantra 102, Dalbello Lupo Pro HD, Line Vision 98, The Lion King, CAMP carabiners, and more on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast

New Ski & Climbing Gear + Random Reviews (Ep.59)

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Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, & Sam Shaheen argue about the new Volkl Mantra 102 and how it compares to the M5 Mantra; discuss with more civility the Line Vision 98; Dalbello Lupo Pro HD ski boot; Camp Nano 22 vs. Orbit Wire carabiners; and close with several extremely random reviews.
Anthill Films' Darcy Wittenberg and Ian Dun discuss their latest mountain-bike film, Return To Earth, on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas podcast.

Anthill Films’ Latest: Return to Earth (Ep.5)

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Anthill Films’ latest movie, Return to Earth, displays the sick cinematography and sick bike riding that Anthill is known for. But in Return to Earth, they’re going after some bigger stakes. So we talk to Anthill’s Darcy Wittenberg and Ian Dunn about those stakes; the origins & early days of Anthill; some of the locations, riders, and cinematography in Return to Earth; and more.
Jonathan Ellsworth talks with neurologist, Dr. Michael Merzenick, about brain plasticity, how we can improve the health of our brains, and more on the Blister Podcast.

Training Your Body — and Your Brain (Ep.95)

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You’re probably already convinced of the importance of physical exertion, going outside, and staying physically fit and healthy. But what about the fitness of your brain? We talk to the neuroscientist, Michael Merzenich, about the significant neurological benefits of going fast, going outside, and undertaking new activities; the more effective and less effective ways to exercise our brains; the changes to our brains caused by the time so many of us — and our kids — are spending in front of phone, computer, and TV screens; and more.
Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa review the ON3P Woodsman 108 for Blister

2019-2020 ON3P Woodsman 108

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We’ve now had three reviewers on ON3P’s new Woodsman 108, and it’s time to weigh in on how their newest all-mountain ski performs, and how it compares to their Wrenegade 108, their Jeffrey 108 (and in our Deep Dive Comparisons, pretty much every other relevant ski on the market). Check it out.
Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the ON3P Woodsman 108 for Blister

Deep Dive: ON3P Woodsman 108

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We compare the Woodsman 108 to the ON3P Jeffrey 108, ON3P Wrenegade 108, K2 Mindbender 108Ti, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Salomon QST 106, Armada ARV 106Ti LTD, Liberty Origin 106, Rossignol Soul 7 HD, Line Sick Day 104, Elan Ripstick 106, 4FRNT MSP 107, Black Crows Corvus, Moment Commander 108, J Skis Metal, Prior Husume, and Blizzard Cochise.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

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Sam Shaheen, Luke Koppa, and Jonathan Ellsworth review the Volkl Mantra 102 for Blister.

Deep Dive: Volkl Mantra 102

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We compare the Mantra 102 to the Mantra M5, K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Head Monster 98, Nordica Enforcer 104 Free, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Nordica Enforcer 100, Blizzard Bonafide, Blizzard Cochise, Fischer Ranger 99 Ti, Black Crows Corvus, J Skis Masterblaster, J Skis Metal, Salomon QST 99, 4FRNT MSP 99, Salomon QST 106, ON3P Wrenegade 96, ON3P Wrenegade 108, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, and Moment Commander 98.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

Jonathan Ellsworth talks with Blister managing editor, Luke Koppa, about his background, skiing, biking, running, and fishing preferences, and more on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast.

Reviewing the Reviewer: Luke Koppa (Ep.58)

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Today we’re launching a new series on GEAR:30 called, “Reviewing the Reviewer,” where we’ll ask Blister reviewers questions, then score their answers to determine a cumulative grade for each reviewer. First up, BLISTER managing editor, Luke Koppa. (And ON3P Skis founder, Scott Andrus, wrote in with some bonus questions for Luke, too.)
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