Sam Shaheen

Sustainable Products Roundup

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Thankfully, “sustainability” is a word that more and more companies are thinking about when it comes to the products they make and sell. So from technical outerwear, to food storage, to everyday items you might not even think about, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite items that represent a step in this more sustainable / less environmentally harmful direction. Check them out here.
Kim Miller talks on the Gear:30 podcast about his role as CEO at SCARPA and the SCARPA Alien RS

SCARPA CEO, Kim Miller, Part 1 (Ep.79)

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This week, Sam Shaheen visited SCARPA’s North American headquarters to talk with SCARPA’s CEO, Kim Miller. Here in Part 1 of the conversation, they discuss Kim’s impressive career in the outdoor industry; SCARPA’s philosophy of ski boot design; their position within the market; the specifics of the new Maestrale XT; Kim’s thoughts on boot/binding compatibility; and more.
Nikwax VP of marketing, Heidi Allen, goes on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast to discuss DWR (durable water repellent coatings), the dangers of PFCs, and more

Nikwax & the Future of DWRs (Ep.76)

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DWRs — or “Durable Water Repellent” coatings — play an enormous role in the performance of your outdoor gear, and are used on nearly every waterproof garment on the market. But most DWRs are made with chemicals called PFCs, which can be harmful to you and the environment. Nikwax, however, has never made any of their specialized cleaning, conditioning, or waterproofing products with PFCs. So we talked with Heidi Allen from Nikwax about how DWRs work; the dangers of PFCs; how the industry is attempting to shift away from PFCs; garment care; and more.
On Blister's GEAR:30 podcast, Sam Shaheen talks with The North Face's Scott Mellin about the brand's new fabric technology, Futurelight

What is The North Face Futurelight? (Ep.74)

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The North Face is attempting to do something that many have tried, but few have succeeded: compete head-to-head with Gore-Tex in the waterproof / breathable fabric category. So we talked with Scott Mellin, the Global General Manager of Mountain Sports at The North Face, about their new fabric technology, Futurelight, the ideas behind it; what sets it apart in the waterproof / breathable fabric market; sustainability practices related to Futurelight; some stories from athlete testing, and much more.
Gore's Mark McKinnie goes on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast to discuss Gore's brand-new Gore-Tex Pro fabrics.

Gore’s 3 New Gore-Tex Pro Fabrics (Ep.71)

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Gore-Tex has been the leader in waterproof fabrics for decades, and today, they’re announcing a complete overhaul of their flagship fabric, Gore-Tex Pro. So this week we went to Banff, Alberta, and sat down with the category manager of Gore’s “Pro” line, Mark McKinnie, for an in-depth discussion about the new fabrics. We talk about what makes the new Gore Pro unique; the 3 different versions of Gore Pro; Gore’s intensive validation and field-testing processes; how the new ‘Pro’ fits into Gore’s sustainability goals; and much more.
HEAD USA's Cameron Smith goes on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast to discuss how World Cup ski racers have their skis tuned, and how that translates to tuning your own skis

The Science & Witchcraft of World Cup Ski Tuning (Ep.70)

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How do the world’s elite ski racers and their technicians squeeze every drop of performance out of their skis? We sat down with Cameron Smith who runs the race department for Head USA to learn about all the major aspects of ski tuning including base vs edge angles, base prep, and waxing. We also discuss why World Cup racers have 50 skis per discipline; the elusive “speed wagon”; and the delicate balance of science and superstition in ski racing.
Sam Shaheen talks to Icebreaker's Josh Vaughan about wool, its performance attributes, its environmental impact, and more on Blister's GEAR:30 podcast.

What You’re Wearing Part 2: Wool (Ep.62)

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Why are more and more companies making products out of wool? What makes it unique from other fibers? And how is merino wool different from regular wool? We talk to Icebreaker’s Josh Vaughan about these questions; wool’s environmental impact; the variety of wool types and how they differ; and he provides some amazingly in-depth insight about wool’s unique properties.
Sam Shaheen reviews the La Sportiva TX3 for Blister

La Sportiva TX3 Shoe

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Approach shoes vary a lot, from casual sneaker styles to others that are basically toned-down mountaineering boots. So where does La Sportiva's TX3 fall, and how does it compare to the competition? Check out our full review.
Sam Shaheen reviews the La Sportiva Cobra Eco for Blister

La Sportiva Cobra Eco

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La Sportiva recently released a new, more environmentally friendly version of their classic Cobra shoe, and we've now spent a year in the new Cobra Eco to see how it compares.
Sam Shaheen reviews the Arc'teryx Alpha SK 32 Backpack for Blister

Arc’teryx Alpha SK 32 Backpack

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This year Arc'teryx released a very minimalist backcountry ski / snowboard pack. So, how does the new Alpha SK 32 compare to more traditional options, and what do you gain and lose by going with this fast-and-light pack?
Sam Shaheen reviews the G3 FINDr 102 for BLISTER

19/20 G3 FINDr 102

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Check out our initial on-snow impressions of G3's new magnet-equipped touring ski.

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Sam Shaheen reviews the G3 FINDr 102 for BLISTER

2020-2021 G3 FINDr 102

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G3’s lightweight 19/20 FINDr series features something that we have never seen before in skis — magnets. Check out our measured specs, rocker pics, and initial impressions of the new FINDr 102.
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