The ispo Outdoor Award 2010 goes to…

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.

Winner Hardware–Lundhags EXA

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A new level of iceskating–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 S­profile with rounded edges ensures softer and quieter running and increases push­off 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.

Winner Footwear–Dalbello V.i.r.u.s.LITE

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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 thisalow weight and, according to the jury, a “fresh” design. Jury Statement: The V.i.r.u.s.LITE by DalBello is a ski touring boot with an innovative overall concept, offering users increased functionatal ower 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.

Winner Textile(1)–The North Face Men’s Kishtwar Jacket

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Outdoor sports can become a true challenge if the weather does not cooperate. Icerain, snowstorms, 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% wind­proof, 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 ­thought-­out design and extremely well finished.

WinnerTextile(2) Klattermusen Bilskirner Jacket

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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 water­proof despite foregoing the use of conventional membranes. Jury Statement: Klattermusen’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.

Winner Technics/Electronics– Silva X­Trail headlamp

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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“XTrail headlamp”. “Silva Intelligent Light” technology combines a strong, focused distance light–with a range of 75 meters –with a wide­ angle floodlight for close­up 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 X­Trail Headlamp. Thanks to a number of innovative detail solutions the X­Trail Headlamp offers users a high degree of additional function and safety, without compromising on weight or ease of use.

WinnerBackcountry–MarkerTour

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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 fiber glass­ reinforced materials, rendering it extremely light as well as very stable. If the “BackCountry Comfort” mechanism is set to “Lauf” (“Walk”) the entire binding shifts about 40mm 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. JuryStatement: 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 ­though­out overall concept is complemented by a perfect fin is hand highly intuitive operation.

Winner Others– Arc’teryx Alpha SV Glove

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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 SVGlove” won the ispo Outdoor Award 2010. The glove is made of Gore­Tex Pro Shell laminate and Lezanovaleather, 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 Outdoorsports.

More information on the ispo Outdoor Awards and all other ispo Awards 2010 is available at www.ispo.com. Photos are available for download in the image archive (Press) at www.ispo.com