Podcasts | BLISTER Outdoor Media & Gear Reviews

Madrone Cycles on the Jab Derailleur & Going Head to Head w/ SRAM and Shimano (Ep.297)

October 24, 2025October 23, 2025 by David Golay

Developing a high-end MTB derailleur is hard, and SRAM and Shimano have vast resources (not to mention decades of experience) to draw on. So why is a small Oregon-based brand throwing its hat into the ring?

‘LISTERS: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching’ w/ Luke Koppa, Jonathan Ellsworth, & Eli Brown (Ep.55)

October 21, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

‘LISTERS: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching’ is the hilarious — and surprisingly heartfelt — documentary you didn’t know you needed in your life. But you do. And today, Luke, Eli, and I make an impassioned case for why you do.

Hashing Things Out: Lincoln Knowles, Cody Townsend & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.379)

October 21, 2025October 20, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan have been talking about Lincoln Knowles, the climber, free soloist, and content creator who has been making waves in the climbing world. And today, Lincoln joins them to hash things out and discuss some big topics that have implications for the entire outdoor industry.

Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 2 (Ep.365)

October 17, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

In Part 2 of our series on the Best Skis of the Century, Luke Koppa and Sascha Anastas join Jonathan Ellsworth to dive into the best skis from 23 more brands, and we also discuss some of the best and most notable women-specific skis of the past 25 years.

Rocket Ramps at the Picuris Pueblo bike park

Rocket Ramps on Building Trails, Ramps, and Action Sports Infrastructure (Ep. 296)

October 16, 2025 by Simon Stewart

Simon catches up with Henry Lanman of Rocket Ramps about the crazy big lines they built for the bike park in Picuris Pueblo, the sustainability of their ramps, their passion for building action sports infrastructure, and more.

‘Pressure Drop’ + 30 Years of TGR w/ Todd Jones & Nick McNutt (Ep.54)

October 14, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan talks with TGR co-founder, Todd Jones, then pro skier, Nick McNutt, about the past, present, & future of Teton Gravity Research, and their excellent new 30th-anniversary film, Pressure Drop.

Inside the Minds of Pro Skiers: Competition, Careers, & Close Calls w/ Dane Tudor, Todd Ligare, Amy Jane David, & Stinius Skjøtskift (Ep.378)

October 13, 2025 by Dylan Wood

Dane Tudor, Todd Ligare, Amy Jane David, and Stinius Skjøtskift joined us for a wide-ranging conversation on skiing, competition, and career-defining moments — recorded live at the Blister Summit 2025.

Best Skis of the Century from Each Brand, Part 1 (Ep.364)

October 21, 2025October 10, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today, we are kicking off a new series, where we will debate and try to identify the best skis of the 21st Century from over 30 ski brands. Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, Paul Forward, and our great friend, Rob Dickinson, kick off the conversation.

Paladin Bikes on the Wild-Looking AM1, Machining Frames & More (Ep.295)

October 9, 2025 by David Golay

There aren’t many companies making machined bike frames, and even compared to other machined options, the Paladin AM1 stands out for its novel construction approach. So we sat down with co-founder Stefan Klein to hear all about the AM1, why they decided to build it, and a whole lot more.

Nib Making, Engine Turning, & Hand Chasing: the Art of Pen & Pencil Making with Giles English of Yard-O-Led (Ep.86)

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Since 1822, Yard-O-Led has made some of the finest pens and pencils in the world. So we discuss the 200-year history of the company, and the artistry behind engine-turning and hand-chasing; Yard-O-Led’s story of wartime survival; and what it means to carry Victorian tradition into the 21st century.

Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, September 2025 (Ep.377)

October 6, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Cody and Jonathan discuss Andrzej Bargiel’s ski descent of Everest; the return of the FIFTY+ project; the life of Jane Goodall; Outside Inc.’s firing of Wes Siler; and Lincoln Knowles’ response to our last RTN conversation. Plus, they rate your takes and share what they’ve been reading & watching.

Stinius & Hoji on Developing the New 4FRNT Sinister (Ep.363)

October 3, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Today we’re talking with Hoji and Stinius Skjøtskift about the creation of Stinius’ new pro model, the 4FRNT Sinister. There are lots of great stories in this one, plus you’ll find out why a number of us at BLISTER are extremely intrigued by this ski.

Jackson Goldstone wins the 2025 DH World Championships

Reviewing the News w/ Dylan Wood & Simon Stewart (Ep.294)

October 7, 2025October 2, 2025 by Simon Stewart

Dylan and Simon break down all the amazing bike racing from September, some industry news, the looming new mountain bike wheel size, a few cool new products they’re testing, and a whole lot more.

20 Years of Flylow w/ Dan Abrams, Flylow President & Co-Founder (Ep.376)

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Flylow turns 20 this year, so we talk with Flylow co-founder, Dan Abrams, about the big victories, scary setbacks, and endless challenges he’s seen. Then, have you ever wondered why some jackets cost $700 and others only $200? They walk through the Flylow lineup as an exercise to lay out exactly what you get and what you don’t at all these different price points.

On this week’s GEAR:30, Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth talk about our big new book, the Blister 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide, including the big takeaways, trends, and controversies. (Plus, stick around to hear Luke’s insane bear story at the end.)

Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide: Trends, Controversies, & Luke’s Least Favorite Thing In It (Ep.362)

September 26, 2025September 26, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Luke and Jonathan talk about our big new book, the Blister 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide, including the big takeaways, trends, and controversies. (Plus, stick around to hear Luke’s insane bear story at the end.)

Reviewer Reports: Yeti LTe, Chromag Reazon, Trek Fuel LX, & More (Ep.293)

September 25, 2025 by David Golay

Dylan Wood and David Golay give some updates on a whole bunch of bikes they’re testing, including how the Trek Fuel LX stacks up against the Slash, the surprising ride feel of the Yeti LTe, an ultra-efficient XC bike from a brand better known for gravity bikes, and a whole lot more.

“Get Thee To A Cheese Monger!” Cheesemaking w/ Jasper Hill Farm’s Zoe Brickley (Ep.85)

September 24, 2025 by Eli Brown

Eli and Jonathan talk with Zoe Brickley — Jasper Hill’s “Minister of Culture” — about how a struggling Vermont dairy farm made a very big gamble and grew into one of the most respected and award-winning names in American artisan cheese.

‘Life Cycles’ w/ Dylan Wood & Simon Stewart (Ep. 53)

September 23, 2025 by Simon Stewart

15 years ago, ‘Life Cycles’ was released and changed the perception of what a mtn bike film could be. Today, Dylan and Simon talk about how it combines art, breathtaking cinematography, beautiful riding, with a message that’s more relevant today than when it first came out.

Free Speech & Thoreau’s ‘Walking’ w/ Mountain Gazette’s Mike Rogge, Blister Book Club (Ep.375)

September 22, 2025 by Jonathan Ellsworth

Jonathan & Mike Rogge offer some thoughts on the current state of free speech, then discuss Thoreau’s great essay, “Walking,” and the new Mountain Gazette anthology, 'Print Ain’t Dead.'

The Company that Created an Industry: Alpacka Raft (Ep.361)

September 19, 2025 by Luke Koppa

We see new brands pop up all the time, but what happens when your idea is so novel that it essentially births an entire sport and industry? That was the case when Thor Tingey started Alpacka Raft, and he shares all the details in this fascinating origin story.