Jonathan Ellsworth, Author at BLISTER

LJ Strenio talks about competing and filming as a pro skier, working for NASA, being a stuntman for Vin Diesel, and more on the Blister Podcast.

From Skiing Park to Working for NASA: LJ Strenio (Ep.94)

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Last week, LJ Strenio, posted a photo of a letter from NASA congratulating him on being accepted as an intern to the Armstrong Flight Research Facility. But how does a park skier from Vermont, this star of the LINE Traveling Circus, this guy who once served as Vin Diesel’s stunt double, and this guy who has a 29-minute crash reel that is shot after shot of him destroying himself, get accepted to work for NASA? We talked to LJ to get the whole story — and it’s a great one.

Jonathan Ellsworth talks Leadville 100 winner, Duncan Callahan, about running, "burning out" on running, and how to cope with it.

Duncan Callahan on Reaching the Top, Burning Out, & What Comes Next (Ep.9)

January 28, 2020July 18, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

There’s a common narrative in the running world about people who are struggling in life, then they are saved by running. But what happens when you’ve been an endurance athlete for over twenty years, and you then find yourself in search of some answers? We talk to Duncan Callahan — 2-time winner of the Leadville 100 and a number of other ultras — about his story, things he’d do different, and what he’s still hoping to learn.

Blister reviews the Salomon S/Force Bold.

2020-2021 Salomon S/Force Bold

December 14, 2020July 14, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Salomon is launching a whole new line of frontside skis for 19/20, and you can check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the S/Force Bold to see how its design compares to the competition.

IMBA director, Dave Wiens, talks with Jonathan Ellsworth on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas podcast

Six-Time Leadville 100 Champ & IMBA Executive Director, Dave Wiens (Ep.4)

July 14, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to Dave Wiens about skiing with Doug Coombs; participating in the early days of mountain biking; winning the Leadville 100 six times in a row — while beating Floyd Landis and Lance Armstrong along the way; and we get a fresh update from Dave on the current agenda and plans of the International Mountain Bike Association.

Clare Gallagher talks with Jonathan Ellsworth about winning the Western States 100 Endurance Race and more on Blister's Off The Couch Podcast.

Western States 100 Champion, Clare Gallagher (Ep.8)

July 12, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Clare Gallagher just won the Western States 100, and she did so in spectacular fashion. But there is a whole lot more to this story. So we talk to Clare about the details of her epic win, why on earth she agreed to go on an expedition to Alaska with Tommy Caldwell right before her biggest race of the year, and more.

Jonathan Ellsworth talks to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about DPS's Dreamtime sale, their new touring ski construction, foam cores, DPS ski boots, and more on Blister's GEAR:30 Podcast

19/20 DPS Skis Lineup with Stephan Drake (Ep.56)

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk to DPS Skis founder, Stephan Drake, about the new DPS 19/20 product lineup, and two new skis — that incorporate a brand-new DPS construction — they’re introducing for their “Dreamtime” event. Stephan also breaks news about their “Koala” skis, gives an update on the DPS ski boot they’re working on, and shares some new developments with DPS Phantom.

Western States 100 Champion, Clare Gallagher (Ep.93)

July 15, 2019July 10, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Blister Member, Mark, shares his creation with Moment Skis — the Extra Crunch PB&J — on BLISTER.

Moment Extra Crunchy PB&J

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Lots of us are currently dreaming of skiing and / or our next skis. But one of our Blister members schemed up a new custom ski, then gave it a great name: the ‘Extra Crunchy’ PB&J. Check out the backstory & specs for this ECPB&J, and let us know about any dream builds you’ve thought up.

Jonathan Ellsworth talks to Taiga Motors CEO & co-founder, Sam Bruneau, about the world's first electric snowmobile on the Blister Podcast.

Making the 1st Electric Snowmobile: Taiga Motors (Ep.92)

July 9, 2019July 9, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

While more and more electric cars are hitting the streets, Taiga Motors is about to bring the world’s first commercial electric snowmobiles to the backcountry and ski areas. So we talked with Taiga Motors CEO & co-founder, Sam Bruneau, about taking the electric snowmobile from a college project to an actual business; and we get into the specifics of charging a Taiga, and how these electric sleds measure up against gas-powered ones in terms of power, torque, weight, range, and performance in harsh temperatures.

Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, and Sam Shaheen review the Salomon QST 99 for Blister

Deep Dive: Salomon QST 99

July 25, 2019July 7, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We compare the new QST 99 to the K2 Mindbender 99Ti, Volkl Mantra M5, Volkl Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide, 4FRNT MSP 99, Fischer Ranger 102 FR, Fischer Ranger 99Ti, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, Blizzard Rustler 9, Renoun Endurance 98, Moment Commander 98, ON3P Wrenegade 96, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Dynastar Legend X96, and Liberty Origin 96.

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.)

Kristin Carpenter interviews Jonathan Ellsworth about the history of BLISTER on the Channel Mastery podcast.

How & Why We Do What We Do

July 6, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

If you're curious about Blister's history, how the review world generally works, and how and why we do things differently, check out the recent Channel Mastery podcast, where Jonathan Ellsworth was asked to discuss Blister's background and mission.

Atomic's global product manager for ski boots, Matthew Manser, discusses ski boot flex ratings and more on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast.

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 2: Flex Patterns (Ep.55)

March 31, 2020July 5, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We’re talking again with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, about the messy world of ski boot flex ratings; the actual differences between some brands’ 120 and 130 rated boot; how Atomic arrives at their own flex ratings; the next areas of innovation that Atomic is focused on, and more.

Guerrilla Gravity’s New Bikes & Big Ideas (Ep.3)

July 5, 2019July 4, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

When a small indie bike company with a heavy-metal vibe makes extremely big claims about the cutting-edge materials they are using to manufacture bikes right here in the USA, and doing all of this at a pretty modest price point … are they full of crap, or are they truly onto something here? And if so, how big of a deal is this? Jonathan Ellsworth headed to Guerrilla Gravity HQ in Denver to sit down with their co-founders and their director of composites to find out.

Jennifer Pharr Davis talks about the differences between hiking and trail running, lessons from her book, "Pursuit of Endurance," and more on Blister's Off The Couch podcast

Jennifer Pharr Davis on ‘Hiking’ vs ‘Trail Running’ Culture (Ep.7)

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Scott Jurek called his attempt to break Jennifer Pharr Davis’ FKT record for hiking the Appalachian Trail the hardest thing he’d ever done. And yet, hiking and thru-hiking often isn’t given proper credit either as a monumental test of endurance, or as a more accessible / less intimidating activity to get more people outdoors. So we talk to Jennifer about the divides between hiking culture & trail running culture; lessons from her book, The Pursuit of Endurance, and more.

Jonathan Ellsworth and Luke Koppa review the K2 Mindbender 116C for Blister

Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 116C

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We compare the Mindbender 116C to the Moment Wildcat / Blister Pro, Rossignol Super 7 RD, Rossignol Super 7 HD, Line Sick Day 114, Blizzard Rustler 11, Head Kore 117, Folsom Trophy Carbon, Faction Dictator 4.0, Blizzard Spur, Dynastar PR-OTO Factory, 4FRNT Inthayne, Icelantic Nomad 115, Nordica Enforcer Pro, and Faction Candide 4.0.

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.)

Atomic's global product manager for ski boots, Matt Manser, discusses how ski boots and different ski-boot plastics differ on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots — Part 1: Plastics (Ep.54)

March 31, 2020June 28, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Ski boots are made of plastic, and different plastics feel and perform very differently from one another. So we get deep into the details with Atomic Ski Boots product manager, Matt Manser, to help you figure out which plastics are used in your ski boots, and the pros & cons & general performance characteristics of different plastics — which will help you understand why you might like or dislike your current boots, and what you ought to be looking for in your next pair.

Maddie Hart and Gordon Gianniny talk to Jonathan Ellsworth about the future of trail running on Blister's Off The Couch podcast

Fresh Takes on Trail Running & its Future (Ep.6)

June 25, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

While participation in trail running and ultra trail races is increasing, it has tended to draw an older crowd. But younger runners are getting into the sport, and they aren’t following all the old conventions. So we discuss the current and future state of trail running and ultra running with two young and rising trail runners, Maddie Hart and Gordon Gianniny.

Sam Shaheen, Jonathan Ellsworth, and Luke Koppa review the K2 Mindbender 99Ti for Blister

Deep Dive: K2 Mindbender 99Ti

June 23, 2019June 21, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We compare the Mindbender 99Ti to the Volkl Mantra M5, Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer 100, J Skis Masterblaster, 4FRNT MSP 99, Moment Commander 98, ON3P Wrenegade 96, Blizzard Rustler 9, Rossignol Experience 94 Ti, Atomic Vantage 97 Ti, Liberty Origin 96, Renoun Endurance 98, and Dynastar Legend X96.

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.)

Win a Men’s or Women’s MTB Kit from Mons Royale

June 21, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Win a jersey, bike short, and chamois from Mons Royale!

Noah Bodman and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss Guerrilla Gravity's unique single-frame concept; Mullet bikes; Downcountry Bikes; and more on Blister's Bikes & Big Ideas podcast

New Products, New Trends, & Old Marketing Tactics (Ep.2)

June 20, 2019 by Jonathan Ellsworth

We talk with BLISTER senior bike editor, Noah Bodman, about Guerrilla Gravity’s modular designs; the emerging category of ‘Downcountry’ Bikes; whether ‘mullet bikes’ are just a fad; and whether the lingo used to market and sell bikes is in need of a refresh.