Did you hear?…ispo show award winners for outdoor, ski, eco responsibility and 'Sports & Style'

At the ispo trade show in Munich, Germany, the awards seem to never stop. This year, in addition to ski, outdoor and boardsports, the show added awards for “eco responsibility.”

Plus, in the annual “Sports & Style” awards, normally dominated by high-fashion companies, Prana slipped in as the winner of the Newcomer of the Year category with an outfit that combined a Prana sweater with pants and a jacket that stemmed from the Scapegoat technical outerwear brand the company acquired in 2007 — click here to read an Aug. 6, 2007, SNEWS story about the acquisition. SNEWS® has been told that Prana, at the advice of its retailers, has, as of late 2008, dropped the Scapegoat brand name so all apparel is now branded Prana. Naturally, Prana is very excited to win an award that normally goes to non-outdoor brands.

“This award means, ‘Hey, you have to watch this guy,” Prana’s European brand manager Bruno De Muynck told SNEWS. “This is an exciting transition for us.”

The winning outfit included the Riddles 650-fill down jacket, the Genevieve Gore-Tex performance insulated ski pant, and the Fiona pullover sweater in merino wool with milk yarn. It was selected from more than 50 entries in four categories. For the fall/winter 2010 collection, De Muynck said the design flair will be seen across the collection as the transition to one brand is finalized.

In other awards, the categories and the winners:

Outdoor

Hardware — Petzl’s Sum’Tec hybrid ice axe with the adjustable TrigRest grip that slides down the shaft to change from a technical axe to a normal ice pick.



Textiles — Mammut’s Lobuche jacket using the new Electrospinning technology.



Footwear — Dynafit’s Dy.N.A. ski touring boot with a new shaft buckle system called Ultra-Lock that allows users to open and close as well as change from ski to walk mode with just one buckle.



Technology/Electronics — New ABS system by Aschauer Company incorporating a radio-controlled trigger system that can activate all avalanche bags of a group of mountaineers.

Backcountry — Diamir Eagle binding by Fritschi that has a new Diamir Gliding Technology that combines simplified handling, consistent walking comfort, 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 good finish and highly intuitive operation.

Other — Gym System by Mammut.

Ski

Active Kids — Magnestic Vest by Rossignol with its electro-magnetic system for children in chairlifts. The vest is for 4- to 12-year-olds and includes a magnet integrated into the center of the back panel. The magnet keeps the child securely contained while seated in the chairlift; as soon as the unloading area is reached the magnet disengages.



Hardware — Watea 101 Ski by Fischer with the “Powder Hull” technology developed for Freeride enthusiasts.



Skiwear — Ortovox’s Merino Competition seamless underwear.

Ski boots — SPK Pro Model by Salomon for Park and Pipe.



Other — Scott’s Compression Regulator-X protective gear with flexible ribs in the back area.



Binding — Marker’s model Jester Schizo fulfills with a fore and aft adjustment of 3 cm in each direction.

Eco Responsibility

The jury consisted of experts from various industries, among them scientists from Technical University Munich, business consultants, journalists, as well as Peter Waeber of bluesign technologies. Four winners were selected from 25 international entries.

Accessories — Klättermusen’s 35-liter backpack GNA made from old fishing nets and carpets.



Hardware — Völkl’s Nanuq touring ski, which reduced the use of resins and other toxic materials.

Textile — DLX series by Zimstern, with water-resistant jacket and pants using PTFE-free Sympatex membrane.



Footwear — Renu ski boot by Atomic that is made from 80-percent renewable raw materials, which are also recyclable.

Boardsports

Hardware — Ride’s Contraband Nitrane snowboard binding with a new single V-strap entry system.

Outerwear — The Ignition Fatty Stripe jacket by Sessions that had an elaborate design and integrated gloves made of water-resistant soft shell. The Breakaway pants are water-resistant snowboard pants.

Safety Gear — The Prime helmet by Burton’s R.E.D. Helm has an Air Band Fit System, a pump mechanism so the helmet can be adjusted to any head shape.



Travel — The Travel Sleeper hoodie by Burton has an inflatable neck pillow integrated into the hoodie, as well as a visor and earplugs hidden in the hood.

Kids’ — K2’s Grom Pack, which is a kid-friendly snowboard set with three components: board, binding and boots.