Spark R&D + ATK Bindings: a New Collab Sparked at the Blister Summit

Today’s episode contains a number of “firsts”; like the fact that we are going to be talking about a product launch that we didn’t know was happening until we sat down to record this conversation, and that’s just the beginning. So tune in to hear about a new collab between the splitboard binding company, Spark R&D, and ATK bindings. Or tune in to hear Jonathan caught completely off guard multiple times.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us at [email protected] LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysOrder Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s GuideTOPICS & TIMES:A New Collab: Spark R&D + ATK Tech Toes (3:35)Significance of the Blister Summit (5:54)Mysterious Photos & JE's Avalanche Hazard (14:41)Innovations in Tech Toe Bindings for Hardbooting (18:45)Hard Boot vs Soft Boot Debate (22:55)Collaboration with ATK: A New Era for Spark R&D (27:05)Challenges in the Design & Manufacturing Process (29:08)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke and Jonathan discuss some of our favorite gear we’ve been using this summer, and I make the argument for the single greatest piece of summer gear — so let us know if you agree. But we begin by discussing our Weekly Blister Survey question, and bottom line: we think half of you might be crazy??Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us at [email protected] LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysOrder Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s GuideBlister Guide to Buying a Mtn BikeTOPICS & TIMES:Rampage vs Hardline (2:56)Psycho Rocks (10:44)Summer Gear We’ve Been Testing (11:52)The #1 Piece of Summer Gear? (15:03)La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike (21:54)Flylow Trailworks Jacket (27:23)Can Watches Help You Catch Fish? (31:24)Our Winter Buyers Guide (33:52)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’ve got some big news and announcements for you: we’re releasing our first-ever Blister Mountain Bike Guide, and we’re doing it in a way that we don’t think has ever been done in the bike (or ski) world. We’re also talking about the state of buyer’s guides in 2025, and you’ll get the latest updates on our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide — which you can pre-order now.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us at [email protected] LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysBlister Guide to Buying a Mtn BikeOrder Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s GuideTOPICS & TIMES:Update: Our Winter Buyer’s Guide (2:37)Our New Mtn Bike Buyer’s Guide (5:20)Digital Access Pass & New Benefits (10:38)Relevance of Buyer’s Guides in 2025? (15:27)Most Interesting Takeaways (27:56)Interlude: JE’s Gear Therapy Session (34:37)The Cover of our 25/26 Winter Guide (40:07)Reminder: Paul Forward is Good at Everything (46:46)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan talks with Sito Luis Salas, the CEO of NNormal, about NNormal founder, Kilian Jornet, and his recent performance at Western States, and they also discuss the NNormal name, its origin story, and its well-defined principles. NNormal is a company we predict you’ll be hearing about more and more in the coming years, and in this conversation, you’ll see why. Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us at [email protected] LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysTOPICS & TIMES:Shoutout to BLISTER+ Members (1:17)Mallorca (2:23)What is NNormal? (3:23)The Origin Story (4:40)Kilian Jornet (10:50)Kilian’s Recent Performance at Western States (15:01)The Name ‘Nnormal’ (21:11)NNormal’s Target Audience (22:52)More on NNormal’s Principles (32:48)Prototyping & Testing (43:56) The Future of Trail Running (49:04)1% For The Planet (53:52)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan talks to the reigning FWT champion, Marcus Goguen, about the gear he skis on to film, rip around the resort, and yes, win the FWT. We also talk about his new YouTube series (it’s must-see-TV), and Marcus breaks news about his new project that comes out in October.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on GEAR:30. Or if you’d like to nominate yourself for a ‘Gear Therapy’ episode, let us know that, too! You can email us at [email protected] LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysBlister Podcast #341: Marcus GoguenMarcus’ YouTube ChannelTOPICS & TIMES:Shoutout to BLISTER+ Members (2:19)Paintball! (3:55)2025 FWT Championship Season (6:09)Marcus’ New YouTube Series (10:29)The gear Marcus used most this past season (18:02)Mount Point: Thoughts & Preferences (26:00)Rocker Profile vs Sidecut (30:05)Are You More Particular about Skis or Boots? (34:14)Ski Poles (38:31)Product Testing / R&D (40:56)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss the latest with respect to public lands and the revisions to the reconciliation bill; share more news about Peak Skis; and preview some new gear they’re going to be talking about and testing in the very near future.RELATED LINKS:BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysLuke Koppa on Public Lands SaleGEAR:30 ep. 353: Our Thoughts on Peak SkisJason Blevins’ article on Peak SkisTOPICS & TIMES:Skratch Labs (1:30)New BLISTER+ Program (2:04)Public Lands Status & the Revised Bill (8:14)More Peak Skis News (14:29)New Gear We’re Reviewing (23:04)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan talks to BLISTER members, Bobak Farzin and Lukas Friedli, who recently teamed up to take on the famous Haute Route. We talk about their trip; the gear they used; what gear worked well; what worked less well; and they offer some great advice for anyone thinking about doing any multi-day ski touring trip, or anyone interested in the Haute Route itself.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Introductions (2:33)Background on the Haute Route (10:40)Ski Selection (19:11)Ski Boot Selection (23:06)Bindings Selection (26:21)Gear Regrets? (29:00)Packs — and Pack Weight (32:18)Trickiest Gear Selections? (41:14)Gear You Were Happiest With (49:54)The Skiing! (52:20)Coffee & Coffee Gear (1:00:44)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Koppa, Kristin Sinnott, and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss what they’ve been getting up to lately, and the gear they’ve been using to do so. Luke recaps his first trip to Palisades Tahoe, being there during Level 1’s mind-blowing SuperUnknown event, finally experiencing the iconic Wildflour Bakery, and some of the skis that stood out throughout the week. Kristin covers her recent trip down to the tropics, and Jonathan goes over some of the touring skis, boots, and bindings he’s been liking. We also dive into ski socks, the particular socks each of us used most this season, some new midlayers we’ve all been testing, and more.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Luke’s Trip Report (3:57)Kristin’s Trip Report (11:22)Jonathan’s Trip Report (12:58)Volkl Revolt 101 vs. Fischer Ranger 102 FR (14:52)Salomon QST Echo 106 (18:11)Salomon MTN 96 & MTN Pure Binding (23:01)ON3P Jeffrey & Mango Skis (28:49)Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA (33:09)Our Favorite Ski Socks This Year (36:19)Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight & Freeride (47:28)Kristin’s Promise to Jonathan (1:04:36)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What new thoughts and ideas emerge when you bring together in conversation makers of hybrid ski bindings and AT bindings and snowboard bindings and splitboard bindings? Well you’re about to find out, because at Blister Summit 2025, Jonathan Ellsworth led a conversation along these lines with Will Ritter of Spark R&D; Royal White, from Burton; Andy Merriman, from ATK Bindings; and Steven Waal, from the very new company, AlpenFlow Design. Enjoy, this is a great one.RELATED LINKS:Get Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Exploring the Evolution of Bindings (3:11)Customer Feedback in Product Development (5:47)Design Principles of New Companies (08:50)The Importance of User Experience (12:13)Evolution of ATK Bindings (15:00)The Future of Snowboard Bindings (18:02)Challenges in Binding Production (21:02)User Errors / Misuse of Bindings (23:58)Understanding Binding Mechanics & Maintenance (34:03)The Importance of Familiarity with Gear (37:10)The Shift towards Lightweight Ski Gear (41:18)Ethical Considerations in Product Development (46:54)Bindings Compatibility (50:00)The Cost of Backcountry Bindings Explained (54:03)The Future of Binding Standards in Skiing (57:15)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasBlister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.