ISPO Munich 2012 announces 22 product awards

Twenty-two outdoor brands, including K2, Arc’teryx and Petzl, will be presented ISPO Awards for innovative, performance and eco-friendly products at the annual European outdoor trade show in Munich, Germany, Jan. 30.

A jury of journalists, designers, retailers and athletes from around the world selected the winners from 260 entries in the ski, outdoor, action, performance and eco responsibility segments. The overall segment winners will be announced at the show. ISPO Munich 2012 (Jan. 29-Feb. 1) will host 2,344 exhibitors from 51 countries.

The 22 award winners are listed below. Click on the links for photos and more information on each product from ISPO.

Ski

• Free-ski:Dupraz D2 Ski — noted for its wide shape in front for performance on groomed runs or in powder.
• On-piste:Volkl V-Werks RTM ski — noted for its full rocker construction in a lightweight (2.2 pounds) design.
• On-piste:K2 A.M.P. Bolt ski — noted for its strength in coping with high-speed runs on hard surfaces.
• Footwear and bindings:Salomon Guardian 16 binding — noted for its ease of use for ski touring and downhill runs.
• Protection: POC Fornix helmet — noted for its lightweight and protective attributes along with a comfortable and functional fit.
• Accessories Hardware:Komperdell Slopestyle Disco ski pole — noted for its freedom-of-motion grip for jumps and tricks in the park and pipe.

Outdoor

• Accessories Hardware:Petzl NAO headlamp — noted for its ability to automatically adjust light intensity based on available light.
• Hardware:Edelrid Adjustable Cable Vario via ferrata set — noted for its adjustable braking resistance that can be set according to the climber’s weight. 
• Apparel:Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket — noted for its low weight and highly durable finish featuring the new N80p-X Gore-Tex Face material.
• Style:Sympatex 3F women’s jacket — noted for its function, fashion and femininity.

Action

• Hardware:NOW Snowboarding Rotating bindings — noted for its new binding system based on the rotating axles of skateboards for more effective energy transfer.
• Apparel:Haglöfs Vassi jacket — noted for its range of mobility and effective ventilation system.
• Accessories:Salewa Taos 28 Pro freeride pack — noted for its form, function and intelligent design that harmonizes wit the freerider’s movement.

Performance

• Hardware:Hudora Twin-Skate — noted for its unlimited number of maneuvers on two separate boards featuring two rollers each, able to rotate 360 degrees.
• Apparel:Mountain Hardwear and Montrail Hooded Effusion running jacket — noted for its comfort of wear, freedom of motion and breathability in a three-layer jacket.
• Footwear:Freeheel Running Pad — noted as an ultimate minimal shoe designed for forefoot runners.
• Accessories Hardware:Free2Move HIOD One — noted for its straightforward Bluetooth communication system between cyclists who might be hundreds of meters apart on a ride.

Eco Responsibility

• Hardware:Amplid Green Light program — noted for replacing all negative-environmental-impact materials with ecological materials, which still promise optimal boot performance.
• Hardware:Rossignol/Look Xelium Bindings — noted for conserving resources and minimizing impacts on the environment during the production of the product.
• Hardware:Niche Snowboards Story Snowboard — noted for substituting traditional material with eco-friendly alternatives or recycled materials, making the board lighter and more agile.
• Apparel:Puya Backyard 3-in-1 jacket — noted for conserving 84 percent of energy to produce the Bluesign-certified jacket.
• Accessories:Mammut 9.8 Transformer climbing rope — noted for its construction from 100 percent transfer yarns, remnants discarded due to their color variations.

–David Clucas