ISPO presents first-ever 'Outstanding Outdoor' awards

A boom in gear technology innovation prompted ISPO, Europe’s largest outdoor industry trade show, to create an all-new category for the June show. Four brands received “Outstanding Outdoor” crowns, out of 203 nominations in 28 categories, for setting new standards in functionality, design, safety, and sustainability. Here are the winners:

Sustainability

Vaude Redmont 1L Jacket: This organic cotton—grown without pesticides and herbicides—jacket with natural dyes fends off moisture, while locking in warmth. The trims and logos are made of certified cork.

Comfort Performance

The North Face Tente Futurelight Jacket: The hyped-up proprietary waterproof-breathable membrane captivated European judges with its nano-spun fibers and PFC-free and recycled fabrics. Nowadays, high performance doesn’t sacrifice comfort—the Tente combines the two.

Lightweight

Petzl Fly Harness: Plain and simple, metal is heavier than plastic and fabric. Petzl designed this harness for ski mountaineers without buckles and comfort foam, minimizing the weight from 120 grams (4.2) to only 90 grams (3.1 ounces).

Urban Outdoor

adidas Terrex MYSHELTER Parley Jacket: This outerwear is “For the Ocean.” Non-dyed fabric highlights the inner seam tape detail with the message, plus hands-free carry straps and three-layer waterproof construction are essential for a city to trail journey.

‘Gold Winners’ in other categories

Best Baselayer

Palgero SeaCell Zip long sleeve: An all-season baselayer spun from a fiber made of algae and mixed with merino wool. Judges thought it was cool to the touch, soft, and didn’t itch.

Best Midlayer

Devold of Norway Cover Zip Neck: A tightly woven, stretchy Merino wool blend on the upper sleeves blocks wind. A soft single jersey, 100-percent merino wool back panel and lower sleeves promotes breathability.

Best Trail Running Apparel

Norrøna Bitihorn Driflex1 Anorak: Fully waterproof with a 2.5 layer construction of high-gauged knitted fabric, this layer weighs only about 4 ounces. It features an adjustable hood, chest pocket, and 2-way front zip.

Best Insulated Apparel

adidas Terrex Fast Hiking Windweave Light Insulation Windbreaker: Breathability and protection are optimized through the Windweave technology’s bodymapping concept, plus a dense and diverse denier of yarns creates air permeability.

Best Hiking Jacket

adidas Terrex Hiking 3L Waterproof Zupahike Jacket: The 3L increases protection and abrasion resistance, while the 2.5L stretch enhances breathability, comfort, and movement. A wider, longer, and scooped front hem targets style-conscious hikers.

Best Hiking Pants

 Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Trousers: Lightweight pants are made from the newly developed G-1000 Air Stretch that is unwaxed and has a looser weave to let heat and moisture pass through the fabric.

Best Lifestyle Apparel

Toread Light Change Skin Jacket: Using TIEF Chameleon fabrics with brightness change technology, this jacket’s color and pattern shifts with intensity of UV light. It’s a signal for the user to avoid sunburns.

Best Trail Running Shoe

Tecnica Origin: A continuation of the in-store customization program, thermoformable materials inside the upper and footbed can be customized within 20 minutes.

Best Trekking Poles

Komperdell FXP Carbon Series: Lightweight, small, and foldable, the solid connection between the pieces deploys completely on its own when released. 

Best Lighting and Power System

NITECORE HC65 Headlamp + F4 Charger & Power Bank: This gadget is a triple-output, full-metal rechargeable headlamp with up to 1000 lumens and beam distance up to 360 feet. Its companion powerbank can charge phones, tablets, and cameras.

Best Bike Gear

Endura MT500 Full Face Helmet: This is the most lightweight full-face protection on the market, at 22.5 ounces, and uses advanced energy absorption.

Best Bike Accessories

ORTLIEB Up-Town: Click on this cycling basket to any bike, with zippered inner pocket, a waterproof and dustproof lid, and feet on its base for stability.

Best Duffel/Travelbag

Peak Design Travel Duffelpack 65L: Expansion zips and padded backpack-style shoulder and waist straps make this duffel ready for 45L to 65L of stuff. 

Best Trekking Backpack

Lowe Alpine AirZone Trek 35: FormKnit, a variable kit pattern, helps this pack breathe in extra hot conditions. Features also include zipped front entry, internal divider, wear-resistant fabric, and an axe attachment.

Best Hammock

Ticket to the Moon Lightest Hammock: Judges deemed this parachute-nylon hammock comfortable, ultra lightweight, and easy to stow away into a banana shape.

Best Two-Person Sleeping Bag

Pajak 4TWO: A two-person recycled bag that can return to the closed cycle at end of life. The down can be sucked out for upcycling, and the zipper chains and rubber cords can be made into other products.

Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag

Rab Mythic Ultra 180: Hand-filled and treated with heat reflective fabric, this bag save 32 percent more warmth without adding weight.

Best Synthetic Sleeping Bag

VAUDE Meglis Eco 700 SYN Sleepingbag: Spiral patterns reduce seams and drastically reduce waste in the production process. It’s also 30 percent stretchy all around.

Best All-Around Tent

MSR Hubba Hubba NX: This upgrade solves two challenges: broken poles and tent coatings that break down in humid conditions. Easton Syclone Poles and Xtreme Shield Waterproof Coating make it the most durable yet.

Best Ultralight Tent

Vango Project Hydrogen: The AirBeam construction easily inflates with a Schrader Valve and won’t deform like tent poles can. It clocks in at just 21 ounces.

Best Backpacking Tent

VAUDE Lizard 1-2 P Tent: Silicone bonding ensures waterproofness and durability, and eliminates unnecessary seams in this double-wall, waterproof shelter.

The entire list of ISPO winners can be found here.