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 and his mom, Sheri, started Alpacka Raft.

So today, Thor and Luke Koppa discuss the unique challenges and advantages this scenario presented; how and why Thor and Sheri were able to craft these ultralight rafts themselves; the ways in which the packrafting industry has evolved and grown over the years; Alpacka’s manufacturing operation in the United States and how that’s changed with the recent shakeups to worldwide trade; and a whole lot more. This is an origin story unlike most in the outdoor gear world, and Thor does a great job telling it.

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Alpacka Raft

TOPICS & TIMES:

Thor’s Unique Upbringing (3:33)

When & Why Did Packrafts First Come About? (6:02)

Making a Better Packraft (13:39)

From Homemade to Commercial Products (17:34)

Who Are Pack Rafts For? (21:20)

Whitewater Demand & Evolution (33:39)

Notable Advancements Over the Years (35:43)

Making Gear for a New Sport: Pros & Cons (37:08)

Alpacka’s U.S. Manufacturing Today (41:03)

Predictions: Future of Packrafting (54:36)

Info for Packraft-Curious People (57:03)

Evolution of Packrafting Gear vs. Mtn Biking, Skiing, & Surfing (58:22)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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Today we’re spilling the beans on the new dates - and new location — of Blister Summit 2026. Then we give a quick update on our Winter Buyer’s Guide Update, and wrap up with an important challenge to all outdoor brands.

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 info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

Register: Blister Summit 2026

Discounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ Members

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:

Blister Summit 2026 Announcement (2:59)

Winter Buyer’s Guide Update (5:47)

Challenge to the Outdoor Industry (6:47)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

TOPICS & 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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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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 info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

Blister Guide to Buying a Mtn Bike

TOPICS & 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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister 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 info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Blister Guide to Buying a Mtn Bike

Order Our 25/26 Winter Buyer’s Guide

TOPICS & 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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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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 info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & 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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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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 info@blisterreview.com

RELATED LINKS:

BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered

Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear Giveaways

Blister Podcast #341: Marcus Goguen

Marcus’ YouTube Channel

TOPICS & 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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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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 Covered

Get Our Free Newsletter & Gear Giveaways

Luke Koppa on Public Lands Sale

GEAR:30 ep. 353: Our Thoughts on Peak Skis

Jason Blevins’ article on Peak Skis

TOPICS & 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)

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Bikes & Big Ideas

Blister Podcast

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