From February 1 to 5, 2021, the international sports trade fair ISPO will once again present the latest trends and technologies in the industry. Even though ISPO will not be held as a large international trade fair in Munich this year due to the pandemic, but as an online event, the best products will once again be honored with the ISPO Award in 2021. The coveted award is a renowned seal of quality in the sporting goods industry for innovation, quality and functionality. We present this year's winners to you.
The 250 products submitted were evaluated by an international jury consisting of athletes, journalists, retailers, designers and consumers. The 2021 Awards were presented in various categories within the four segments Snowsports, Outdoor, Running & Fitness and Urban Life. The best product within a category receives the Gold Winner award.
In addition, there are special awards for particularly sustainable ideas. The overall best product in each segment from the group of Gold Winners is chosen as "Product of the Year". Which new products were able to secure this award will only be announced later this week at the official awards ceremony.
Here are the Gold Winners 2021 of the Snowsports segment:
Touring Jackets: MyONE by Advenate
Functional and individual: this is the Gold Winner in the Touring Jackets category. MyONE from the German brand Advenate is an online product configurator. Customers can use it to select numerous properties of their new jacket or pants themselves, from pockets, length, color and features to the cut. Should it be the athletic cut for touring skiers, or rather the loose fit for freeriders?
After the order is placed, the product is made to measure in Germany from bluesign-certified Schoeller fabric according to the customer's wishes within two weeks. Advenate uses only environmentally friendly and sustainable materials sourced in Europe in the production process.
MyONE is expected to be available from October 2021. The price for a customized winter jacket will be around 580 euros, with trousers expected to cost around 490 euros.
Helmets: Versatile by Cébé
The new Versatile from Cébé is particularly versatile. The winter sports helmet is one of the Gold Winners in the Snowsports Equipment category. Its Double In-Mold construction makes it pleasantly light.
Practical for ski tourers is the Ultra Venting System. It allows the front part of the helmet to be raised (see video). This can significantly improve ventilation during the ascent, among other things. For the descent, the helmet is closed again and thus offers maximum safety.
The Versatile lives up to its name. Because the clever helmet is not only suitable for skiing and touring, but also certified for climbing and mountaineering.
The Versatile by Cébé will be available in stores from September 2021 for an estimated price of 160 euros.
Backpacks: Freescape Pro by Deuter
The next Gold Winner in the Snowsports Equipment category comes from Deuter. The well-known backpack manufacturer from Germany presents the Freescape Pro, a lightweight touring backpack for ski tourers who are sometimes on the mountain for several days. The backpack has a well thought-out equipment with an interior volume of 40+ liters and is still particularly light. The model is also available as a women's specific version Freescape Pro 38 SL.
Deuter's proven Alpine Back System ensures high carrying comfort, a secure fit and good ventilation. With variable, external attachment straps, material and skis can be individually attached to the backpack. In order to easily access the luggage, even when skis or board are attached, the back can be opened completely. The main material is PFC-free, recycled and water-repellent.
The Freescape Pro will be launched in the fall of 2021 and will then cost around 210 euros.
>> Here you will find a large selection of ski touring backpacks
Skis: Chickadee by Earlybird
Earlybird's Chickadee picks up two awards: Gold Winner in the Ski category and the Sustainability Achievement. The touring ski convinced the jury not only with its performance on the mountain, but also with its sustainable material. The Chickadee is manufactured 100 percent climate-neutrally and with sustainable raw materials, and can also be completely recycled once it has reached the end of its service life.
With 90 millimeters underfoot and a combination of classic camber and light tip and tail rocker, the touring ski promises reliable performance and control even in technical terrain.
The Earlybird Chickadee is already on sale and available for about 1,095 euros.
Ski boots: Speedmachine 3 130 S (GW) by Nordica
With the Gold Winner in the Ski Boots category, the name says it all. The Speedmachine 3 130 S (GW) from Nordica is mercilessly trimmed for speed and at the same time comfortably adjustable. The new 3Force inner boot as well as the 3Force shell made of a Honeycomb structure and softer material can be individually adjusted via infrared. The GripWalk sole from Michelin ensures comfort and safety when walking.
The jury was enthusiastic about the flex adjustment of the ski boot. Skiers can adjust the flex daily to suit their technique, snow conditions or fitness level. "In our opinion, this is an amazing element of customization for the consumer, an innovation never seen before in the industry," praised jury member and alpine ski coach Stefano Bagnasco.
The Speedmachine 3 130 S (GW) ski boot is already available in stores for a price of around 569 euros.
Gloves: 3 Finger Glove Pro from Ortovox
With good grip, warm fingers and sustainable materials, the 3 Finger Glove Pro from Ortovox takes the Gold Winner award in the Gloves & Mittens category. The two-layer outer material of the robust backcountry glove is windproof and waterproof.
High-quality goatskin on the palms and special inserts between the fingers provide the right grip. The glove is filled with recycled merino wool. The 3 Finger Glove Pro comes with two different inner gloves, which can be used to adjust the glove to any temperature.
The 3 Finger Glove Pro is expected to be available in October 2021 for 170 euros.
>> You can find finger gloves, mittens and heated models here
Snowsports Apparel: 3L Deep Shell Bib Pants by Ortovox
Ortovox also took the win in the Snow Jackets, Pants & Suits category. The sophisticated 3L Deep Shell Bib Pants are ideal for freeride and backcountry. The functional bib pants are equipped with a Merino Shield on the back, integrated gaiters to keep the snow out, four pockets and waterproof 2-way zippers. The straps are adjustable for the perfect fit.
The robust Cordura material on the lower legs protects the pants against sharp edges, but at the same time the ski pants are made of a lightweight, soft material with a small pack size. Of course, they are also waterproof and windproof. The 3L Deep Shell Bib Pants impress with their fit and freedom of movement, the sustainably sourced merino wool and their successful combination of protection and comfort.
The 3L Deep Shell Bib Pants from Ortovox is expected to be available from October 2021 and will cost 580 euros.
Avalanche safety: Diract Voice by Ortovox
Product of the Year
The victory in the Avalanche Safety category goes to the Diract Voice avalanche transceiver from Ortovox. The German mountaineering brand thus wins three Gold Winner awards in the Snowsports segment. With Diract Voice, Ortovox brings an innovation to the market that can save lives. It is the first avalanche transceiver that uses spoken instructions to guide you to the victim. With voice control for rescuers, buried victims are found easier and also faster.
Built into a sleek and compact device, Diract Voice is extremely easy and intuitive to use. The device's continuous self-test and rechargeable low-temperature battery are designed to prevent malfunctions. "An innovative device with high utility value for the rapidly growing touring scene," is the conclusion of jury member Wolfgang Greiner, publisher of Roadtrip Magazine.
With a large display that is easy to read even in poor lighting conditions, the patented Smart Antenna technology and nine different language settings, Ortovox also wins the Product of the Year award with the Diract Voice.
Diract Voice will be available in stores from September 2021 for 330 euros.
Ski goggles: Electra by Out Of
The Electra from the Italian manufacturer Out Of provides the right view. The Gold Winner in the category Snowsports Equipment - Goggles promises a high-tech solution to an old problem. In changing light conditions, the electronic lens of the ski goggles adjusts its tint to the ambient brightness in a fraction of a second (see video).
The electronic light adjustment works through the interaction of an LCD screen and a built-in sensor chip. The technology is powered by a small solar panel, so batteries are not necessary. The frame, specially designed for the goggles, ensures an optimal field of vision and sufficient ventilation.
The Electra by Out Of is already on the market and costs around 429 euros.
>> Here you will find a large selection of high-quality ski goggles
Skis: Voyager by Elan
Functional and compact is the Voyager from Elan, Gold Winner in the Ski category. The all-mountain ski can be folded by a four-axis mechanism (see video). This means it can also be transported easily on buses and trains, as airline luggage or in a small car. When unfolded, the Voyager impresses as a torsionally stable and precise high-performance ski.
A custom bag and telescopic ski poles are available to match. The Voyager from Elan has 78 millimeters underfoot and is around 90 centimeters long when folded - depending on the ski length. The new all-mountain ski is available in green, black and pink.
Elan's Voyager folding ski went on sale on February 1, 2021, and is priced at 1,500 euros for the ski, poles, binding, cleaning tool and bag.
Review: That was ISPO 2020
- Sustainable jackets, ski poles made of flax and a touring binding that's lighter than a bar of chocolate: The ISPO Award Winners 2020 >> Read the article
- Vibrant colours or black and white: The winter sports trends in 2020 >> To the photo gallery
- The ski models of the 2020/2021 season >> To the photo gallery
