New products, trends and technologies: Every year numerous well-known sports and outdoor brands present their latest products at the International Sports Trade Fair, or ISPO for short. Particularly innovative products are honoured with the ISPO Award. We were able to see this year's winners for ourselves at ISPO in Munich and present a few of the highlights from the "Snowsports" segment.
Therm-ic: Thin Ultra Heat Liner
Heated gloves are no longer a novelty. However, with the Thin Ultra Heat Liner, the French brand Therm-ic has taken a big step towards harmonising heating performance and wearing comfort. Until now, heated gloves were often somewhat bulky and their mobility was at times restricted by rigid heating surfaces. This is where Therm-ic's new, patented heating system S.E.T.® - Smart Elastic Technology - comes into play, in which an elasticated heating cord is sewn into the glove along the fingers. It is in direct contact with the skin over the entire glove area and therefore warms more evenly and efficiently. The flatlock structure makes the heating seam elastic and therefore more flexible than conventional heating systems.
The heating function can be switched on and off in three stages using a button in the cuff. The battery is said to provide heating for up to seven and a half hours. The model is also touchscreen compatible thanks to the silicone print on the thumb and index finger. As the Thin Ultra Heat Liner is made of lightweight, thin material, it can also be used as a liner for mittens.
The ISPO Award jury says: "A lot has happened in the field of heating technology for clothing in recent years. Not only are the batteries getting smaller and smaller, but the heating elements are also becoming increasingly invisible. With this thin, elasticated glove, you can't even feel them. It's a glove that can be used for everything from hiking and skiing to shovelling snow."
>> You can find more heated gloves in our online shop SportFits
Millet: Trilogy Jorasses Dyneema Down Hoodie
An ISPO Award winner for alpine adventures in icy temperatures is the Trilogy Dyneema Down Hoodie from Millet. The functional down jacket with Dyneema® Ultralight reinforcement not only provides reliable warmth, but can also be compressed to a small pack size.
The hexagonal baffle structure helps to ensure that the very warm 1000 FP goose down insulation is evenly distributed throughout the jacket and there are no cold spots. The down is treated with ExpeDRY, which makes it water-repellent and quick-drying. The robust Dyneema outer material is also water-repellent.
The Down Hoodie is part of the new Millet Trilogy Alpine Kit. It can be worn as an outer layer over the Trilogy Jorasses GTX Pro 3L suit, keeping you warm even in extreme conditions on alpine expeditions. The hood is compatible with a climbing helmet.
What the jury says: "This down really keeps you warm - with its strong filling, the sophisticated honeycomb structure or the hydrophobic treatment of the down. We were also impressed by the hard-wearing Dyneema outer material with DWR treatment, as it contributes to the durability of the jacket."
Available from October 2024 RRP: €1,000.00
Helly Hansen: Escape Down H2Flow Parka
With the Escape Down H2FlowTM Parka, Helly Hansen brings its arctic expertise to the city. Not only does it have a striking orange-coloured design, but its functionality is also inspired by the award-winning Arctic Patrol collection. The parka is designed to offer optimum protection, warmth and comfort in winter, even in cold, wet conditions.
The H2FlowTM construction ensures optimised air circulation and heat distribution. The insulation is strategically placed, zip openings allow ventilation and the hood is detachable. This makes the parka comfortable to wear - regardless of activity level.
The Escape Down H2FlowTM Parka is lined with a hybrid insulation that combines the thermal properties of Allied Feather & Down with the quick-drying, breathable and warm PrimaLoft® Black Eco. The outer material with HELLY TECH® Protection ensures that the parka is waterproof, windproof and breathable.
What the jury says: "The Escape Down H2Flow™ Parka is an excellent example of how technical features from a high-end collection can be transferred to a consumer product for specialists. Helly Hansen has succeeded in finding a reasonable price-performance ratio."
RRP: 600,00 €
Jack Wolfskin: EXPDN 3L jacket & pants
The EXPDN 3L outfit from Jack Wolfskin is an innovative set consisting of a jacket and dungarees that is designed down to the smallest detail for extreme weather conditions and expeditions. During development, in which extreme adventurer Eric Larsen was also involved, the focus was therefore on high breathability, optimum temperature regulation, waterproofness and low weight.
The outer material is made from recycled 3L Pertex Shield Air, which is waterproof and windproof, but is also characterised by high breathability. Sensitive areas such as the thighs are kept warm by the special OCTA® lining insulation. This is a unique fibre construction that is around 50 percent lighter than conventional material.
In addition, both the jacket and trousers are equipped with sophisticated expedition functions. The zips are easily accessible even when wearing gloves and are designed in different colours for better visibility. Extra-long underarm zips allow good ventilation. The adjustable straps, elasticated waistband at the back and Velcro fasteners at the sides allow the trousers to be individually adjusted for a perfect fit. Full-length side zips on the legs not only make the trousers easier to put on and take off, even when wearing shoes, they also offer individual ventilation options. Necessary tools can be stowed in the four pockets. Standard knee pads can be inserted in the knee pockets. The trouser legs have snow gaiters and Velcro fasteners to prevent snow from getting in.
The EXPDN 3L set is made predominantly from sustainable materials. 84 per cent of the fabrics and almost 40 per cent of the ingredients are bluesign approved. The main fabric is also made from 88 per cent recycled polyamide. The outfit is PFAS-free.
What the jury says: "Every detail counts, especially in extreme situations. With Eric Larsen, Jack Wolfskin has developed a well-thought-out clothing set that offers new, innovative solutions in many areas and does not forget the issue of sustainability."
Gordini: Winhall skiing socks
Should ski socks be soft and comfortable or robust and efficient? The American brand Gordini thinks: both! That's why it has transferred the layering system of outdoor clothing to the feet and developed the first two-layer ski sock.
The Winhall ski socks consist of two layers knitted with different yarns. For the soft inner layer, merino wool is processed with Coolmax, which wicks away moisture. For the strong outer layer, the merino wool is made more durable with nylon and polypropylene.
The two layers are connected with SoleKNIT® dual layer technology. Special twin-layer machines bring the layers together at connection points and create a quilted effect. This creates air pockets between the two layers, which improve breathability, thermal performance and moisture transport.
Strategically placed padding provides additional comfort. The OrbitKNIT® stretch fit reduces pressure at the cuff and prevents the sock from wearing out. The ski socks have been available since October 2023 and come in two colours for men and women and in different weight classes (ultra-light, light, medium and heavy).
What the jury says: "This high-tech sock clearly demonstrates how advanced knitting technology is today. A two-layer sock that combines thermal performance, comfort and high durability and mimics the warmth of quilted jackets is impressive."
Dynafit: Ridge Pro touring ski boot
The Ridge Pro from Dynafit is a premium boot for the ambitious speed ski touring segment. It combines lightness with a particularly good fit and features for efficient ascents and strong downhill performance.
The special feature of this touring ski boot is the tongue construction. Dynafit works with a multidirectional solution to optimally harmonise the tongue, inner boot and shell. The "floating tongue" consists of two parts. The outer tongue provides stability when skiing. The soft tongue, which sits inside the shell, moves horizontally with the ascent, making the movement smoother and more comfortable. The generous shaft rotation of 70 degrees also ensures greater freedom of movement on the ascent. With its light weight of just 1,250 grams (men's model), the Ridge Pro is easy on your energy reserves. The inner boot is also thermo-mouldable and can be individually adjusted. The grippy Vibram outsole gives the shoe reliable grip.
The Ridge Pro makes no compromises on the descent, either. It is equipped with the Hoji Lock System, which firmly connects the shaft and shell on the inside. This allows you to switch between ascent and descent with just one hand movement. With a flex of 120 or 110 for the women's model and its construction made of Grilamid with carbon fibre, the touring boot offers ideal rigidity and precision.
What the jury says: "The Dynafit Ridge Pro is a great, lightweight boot that does what it should. The tongue construction makes a positive impact when walking and in combination with the closure system, this boot is a great companion on the ascent and descent."
Available from September 2024, RRP: 890.00 euros
Oakley: Flex Scape
The Flex Scape from Oakley gives you a choice. The hybrid goggles can be worn with temples or with a strap like ski goggles. The "slide and snap" function allows you to swap temples and strap quickly and easily. When developing this innovation, the focus was on robustness, durability and simple, intuitive handling.
The specially designed lens adapts to the contours of the face and enlarges the field of vision. The winter-proof sealing foam absorbs moisture and can be added or removed as required. The goggles can also be individually adjusted with three different nose pieces.
Depending on the area of use, the Flex Scape is available with Prizm Snow Sapphire lens (blue) or Prizm 24k lens (yellow, photo). A special coating ensures that the goggles do not fog up. They also protect against impacts and UV rays.
Available from October 2024, RRP: 345.00 euros
What the jury says: "The Flex Scape is not for everyone, but certainly for those who appreciate a progressive style with individual design options. Oakley skilfully combines extravagant design with comprehensive functionality to create a trendsetting piece that is sure to stand out."
