Annually
ispo awards the most innovative and functional products of the outdoor
sector with the ispo Outdoor Award.
The winners of the ispo Outdoor Awards 2011
As
excited as the jury was about the quality of the products submitted to
this year’s ispo Outdoor Award, it made the jurors’
decisions so much harder. Therefore it was decided to award two winners
in each of the three categories, Hardgoods, Softgoods and Accessories.
Category Hardgoods
Company: Edelrid
Product: Cable Comfort Via Ferrata Set
Hall/Booth: B5.234
The Cable
Comfort Via Ferrata Set by Edelrid presents an excellent innovation in safety
and comfort for fixed rope route climbers. Convincing detail solutions and high
quality craftsmanship convinced the jury to praise the Cable Comfort as a
“well-made product in every respect”. Featuring the patented Edelrid OneTouch karabiner,
the via ferrata climbing set offers never before seen comfort. The patented
release mechanism with automatic safety gate can quickly be opened by simply
applying pressure on the palm latch. The laser-formed, extremely flat shape
provides maximum safety and flexibility, and prevents the karabiner from
breaking in a side-load situation.
Category Hardgoods
Company: Beal S.A
Product: Diablo 10.2mm Unicore
Hall/Booth: B5.126
The Diablo 10,2 Unicore is the
first outdoor rope by Beal manufactured with the Unicore System. This
manufacturing process makes it possible to join rope core and sheath without
impacting the characteristic rope flexibility. This eliminates sheath slippage
even under the worst conditions. If the sheath is cut or ripped, the core and
sheath will remain conjoined. The small rope diameter improves flexibility,
while the thick, wear-resistant, finely woven rope sheath minimizes wear. “Beal
has launched a ground-breaking manufacturing process for mountaineering ropes
with its Diablo 10,2 Unicore. The new technology offers increased safety and
optimized handling, as well as maximum comfort for many indoor and outdoor
applications,” praised the jury.
Category Softgoods
Company: Mammut
Product: Eiger Extreme Felsturm Jacket - Half-Zip Jacket Men
Hall/Booth: B5.201
When
selecting the appropriate gear for a long and challenging climbing tour, weight
and breathability are the most important criteria. The Mammut Felsturm Jacket was
developed accordingly. The brand-new Active Shell material by Gore-Tex and the
exclusive spiral zipper by YKK show that the design clearly focuses on
minimizing weight and packing volume, while maximizing breathability and
performance. “The extraordinary feature of the Mammut Felsturm Jacket is the
impeccable tailoring of GoreÒ
Active-ShellÒ combined
with innovative zippers and a well-though-out design. Thanks to a minimum of
packing volume and low weight the Felsturm jacket becomes the indispensable companion
for active outdoor athletes,” critiqued the jury.
Category Softgoods
Company: 66° NORTH Iceland
Product: Snaefell Jacket
Hall/Booth: A6.112
The Snæfell Jacket by 66° North made
of bi-elastic, lightweight PolartecÒ Neo ShellÒ is a jacket for even the most demanding customers. The
extremely ergonomic cut of the ladies’ as well as men’s version impressed the
jury. Additional highlights include preformed elbows as well as seamless
shoulders, ensuring optimum range of motion. Thanks to the PolartecÒ Neo
ShellÒ the jacket is waterproof and breathable. The jury
expressed its appreciation: “Due to the high-tech PolartecÒ Neo
ShellÒ material the Snaefall Jacket offers extraordinary
function for many different applications. Perfect finish and clever detail
solutions round out the high-quality overall concept, suitable for a broad
target group of outdoor athletes.”
Category Accessories
Company: Pieps
Product: Vector
Hall/Booth: B5.134
“Unconditional practical
function” was the motto of the designers at PIEPS during the development of the
new avalanche beacon Pieps Vector. The result of their work is nothing but
extraordinary. “The Vector by Pieps represents a quantum leap in avalanche
detection equipment,” said the jury. And continues: “A number of perfectly implemented
technical innovations combine a considerably increase in safety features with
intuitive operation and well-thought-out product design, targeting the ever
growing group of off-piste snow sports enthusiasts.” The Pieps Vector is the
first ever maintenance-free, battery-powered, 4-antenna avalanche beacon with
GPS support. The unit is extremely easy to use and offers the highest level of
technological support in emergencies. The circular range triangulation process
simplifies location of the victim and always shows the fastest way to the
burial site. An accurate GPS map shows all searched areas to ensure that
previously located transmitters are never lost.
Category Accessories
Company: Jetboil
Product: Sol Titanium Advanced Cooking System
Hall/Booth: A6.200
Jetboil
expanded its product
selection with another all-in-one cooking system, the Sol Titanium.
Compared to
the latest model, Jetboil Flash, the Jetboil Sol Titanium is even
lighter
and weighs as little as 255g. The Sol Titanium is powered by
Jetboil’s new Thermo-Regulate Technology, ensuring constant
and dependable heat in temperatures down to -10°C. “The
Jetboil Sol Titanium Advanced Cooking System offers ambitious
outdoor athletes a maximum level of function even in extreme situations
and
cold temperatures at a minimum of weight. A high quality of finish and
compelling performance data perfectly complete the overall
concept,” commented
the jury.
The winners of the ispo Outdoor Awards 2010
As multi-faceted as the entire industry are the winners of the ispo Outdoor Awards 2010. The international jury was very pleased with the high quality of the entered products and decisions were not easy. In the end, it was decided to present not one but two awards in the Textile category.
Even Arc’teryx was unable to completely reinvent
the glove. But that did not stop the company to make gloves even more
comfortable thanks to new production technologies. The jury agreed, and the
finger glove “Alpha SV Glove” won the ispo Outdoor Award 2010. The glove is
made of Gore-Tex Pro Shell laminate and Lezanova leather, and is waterproof and
breathable. The truly new features of this glove are its cut and seams: each
finger has its own pattern, to replicate its unique shape and articulation. In
addition the seams on the fingertip have been eliminated. Jury
Statement: Once again Arc’Teryx proves its pioneering
spirit when it comes to the development of innovative products with the help of
new production technologies. The combination of high-tech materials with a
perfect finish and impressive detail solutions offers users great advantages
for many Outdoor sports.
A new level of ice skating – promises Swedish
manufacturer Lundhags with its model EXA. The Nordic skating blades are made of
one piece of stainless steel rendering them safer than blades of conventional
construction. The S-profile with rounded edges ensures softer and quieter
running and increases push-off strength on the ice. Jury
Statement: Lundhags’ EXA skates are a revolutionary
product for a large target group. The simple concept impresses with its high
degree of functionality, perfect finish and a clean design, likely setting a
new standard for the entire Nordic Ice Skating product group.
Outdoor sports can become a true challenge if
the weather does not cooperate. Ice rain, snow storms, wind gusts not only
batter the athletes but also his or her sports apparel. The North Face promises
the perfect combination of ventilation and protection against the weather with
its “Kishtwar Jacket” – thanks to the new Polartec Power Shield Pro. The
materials is 99% wind-proof, the remaining percent circulates in the membrane
and supports active moisture wicking. In addition the jacket’s outer material
is extremely wear- and water-resistant. Jury
Statement: The most prominent feature of the men’s
Kishtwar jacket is the use of the new Polartec Power Shield Pro material. This
new technology ensures the highest degree of breathability with optimum wind
protection for outdoor sports enthusiasts. The product is perfected with a
well-though-out design and extremely well finished.
The intelligent combination of sustainable
production and high functionality of the “Bilskimer” jacket convinced the jury
to honor it with the Outdoor Award in the category Textile. The jacket is made
of pesticide-free grown cotton and recycled polyester materials and is wind-
and water-proof despite foregoing the use of conventional membranes. Jury
Statement: Klättermusen’s Bilskiner Jacket is a skillful
synthesis of sustainable materials and a high degree if function with a
successful design. Despite foregoing membranes conventionally used in outerwear
construction, the Bilskirner Jacket exhibits all technical characteristics of
an Outdoor jacket and is the perfect alternative for more than just
eco-conscious Outdoor sports enthusiasts.
The footwear specialists of Calzaturificio Dal
Bello announced the results of their mission to solve a current problem in the
ski touring and Freeride segment: during the last few years the powder skis
have become increasingly wider, yet boots were not modified to accommodate
these new energy transfer conditions. Dal Bello’s new “V.i.r.u.s. LITE” is a
ski touring boot promising comfort during ascent as well as stability on
downhill runs thanks to patented technology. The innovative “Quadrablock
Stability Pylons” ensure optimum connection of boot and binding, the two-part
tongue can either increase mobility or stability, depending on adjustment. Add
to this a low weight and, according to the jury, a “fresh” design. Jury
Statement: The V.i.r.u.s. LITE by Dal Bello is a ski
touring boot with an innovative overall concept, offering users increased
function at a lower weight. Packaged into a fresh design and thanks to its
detail-oriented finish the V.i.r.u.s. LITE is destined to find plenty of fans
among ski touring enthusiasts and Freeriders.
Outdoor athletes such as trail runners and
mountain bikers, who may still be active when it gets dark, should always carry
a headlamp, especially on rocky or curvy mountain trails. To satisfy just these
requirements the Swedish company Silva developed the “X-Trail headlamp”. “Silva
Intelligent Light” technology combines a strong, focused distance light – with
a range of 75 meters – with a wide-angle floodlight for close-up viewing. The
LED lamp can be worn on a headband, as well as attached to a helmet or bike handlebars.
Jury
Statement: As a result of the company’s extensive
experience in developing and manufacturing headlamps, Silva impressed us with
the extraordinary X-Trail Headlamp. Thanks to a number of innovative detail
solutions the X-Trail Headlamp offers users a high degree of additional
function and safety, without compromising on weight or ease of use.
The ski touring binding “Marker Tour” improved
comfort during ascent as well as performance on downhill runs, combined with a
perfect finish and a highly intuitive operation. The binding’s frame is made of
hollow aluminum braces and fiberglass-reinforced materials, rendering it
extremely light as well as very stable. If the “Back Country Comfort” mechanism
is set to “Lauf” (“Walk”) the entire binding shifts about 40 mm towards the
tail of the ski. Thus Marker promises a more comfortable walking position and
easier control of the ski during ascents in steep terrain. The climbing aids
feature integrated shock absorbers which make climbing more comfortable and are
said to eliminate the annoying clicking sound created during the ascent. Jury
Statement: The Marker Tour F10 & F12 fully satisfy the
requirements for a modern touring binding. A number of innovative detail
solutions further improved the comfort during ascent as well as the downhill
performance. The very well-though-out overall concept is complemented by a
perfect finish and highly intuitive operation.
The winners of the ispo Outdoor Awards 2009
Once again, ispo presented the ispo Outdoor Awards for the most innovative products from the Outdoor segments. The entered products were examined by an international jury consisting of representatives of the media, retail, and independent industry experts, who focused on safety, user-friendliness, design and the technical aspect of the product.
Gym System by Mammut
was the winner in the Category Others. While developing the unique
climbing hall collection Mammut focused on ease of operation, durability, and
the application of additional safety features. In the indoor climbing
environment ropes, karabiners, and belay devices have to withstand a very high
frequency, rough climbing walls, and the effects of the top rope. The “Gym
System” was honored with the award due to its technical solutions in
combination with simple, intuitive operation.
The
winner of the Category Hardware is the SUM’TEC by Petzl. The versatile and
very light (485 g) hybrid ice axe features the adjustable TRIGREST grip
that slides down the shaft to change from a technical axe to a normal ice pick.
Innovative detail features provide the
user with increased comfort and safety even under extreme conditions. Thanks to
its practical function the axe is perfect for tough leaps and difficult
passages.
Mammut won the Category
Textiles with its Lobuche Jacket. The exceptional feature
is the use of a newly developed material, designed to fulfill the requirements
of Outdoor athletes. The innovative “Elektrospinning” technology promises the
highest level of breathability and moisture wicking. The process uses an electrical
field to apply a weave of nano fibers to the outer material. It is not a
classic membrane, but a spray-applied technical layer. The inside features a
technical inner liner bonded like a 3-layer laminate.
Dynafit
presents the winner of the Category Footwear, the ski touring boot
Dy.N.A., a model with consistently improved weight reduction and
performance. The new shaft buckle system ULTRA-LOCK makes it possible
to open
and close as well as change from ski to walk mode with just one buckle.
Thanks
to its short and flexible sole the boot provides considerably more
flexibility
in the toe area, thus improving walking comfort as well as energy
transfer.
Several additional, elaborate details complete a harmonious piece of
technology
suitable for more than just professional skiers.
Long-term
case studies show that about ten percent of ABS users do not trigger their
airbag while caught in an avalanche due to shock or false assessment of their
situation. ABS Wireless Activation,
a new radio-controlled trigger system, removes this factor of insecurity and
won the award in the Category Technics/Electronics. The Aschauer Company offers a convincingly
designed, highly technical trigger system for its Avalanche Balloon System. The
new, fully compatible trigger unit can activate all avalanche bags of a group
of mountaineers – an indispensable advantage in extreme situations for guided
and self-guided Freeride groups.
Diamir
Eagle by Fritschi embodies the perfect synthesis
of alpine skiing and touring bindings. The newly developed
“Diamir Gliding
Technology” combines simplified handling, consistent walking
comfort, the
highest level of surefootedness and stability in extreme situations.
This
binding is the perfect companion for all situations, and won the
Category Backcountry. Thanks to additional innovations the company was
able
to further improve ease of ascent and descent. The very well-designed
concept
is complemented by a perfect finish and highly intuitive operation.
