Ross Worthington reports from the ISPO trade show with some of the highlights from Day 3…
Gregory have won a ISPO award fortheir latest ski mountaineering pack, the Targhee 32, which has a quick-access back system that allows you entry whilst leaving skis or snowboard attached. The hydration sleeve is fully insulated to prevent freezing and there are hideaway straps to attach snow shoes, boards etc as well as a great little helmet mesh and zip snack pockets on the hip belt. The pack has very clean lines and is in striking colours.
Black Diamond also won a number of awards for their new product range. The biggest news was with the ski mountaineering Factor MX 130 boot. This is groundbreaking in terms of being designed for use across multiple ski disciplines as well as having a 45% back and forward movement in walking mode. The boot comes with interchangeable blocks, thus allowing it to be used for downhill and telemarking as well as ski mountaineering. Also within the ski mountaineering range they have introduced the Anthem Avalung pack with sleek lines and easy pack access via a zip-away back panel. Also catching our eye was the men’s and women’s Legend full-leather, Gore-Tex lined and Primaloft insulated glove.
Patagonia will be 40 years old this year and to mark the occasion they are launching their ‘40 Years Of Firsts’ campaign, which celebrates their longevity at the leading edge of outdoor apparel and conservation. This is evident even today with the regrowth of key grassland prairie areas in Patagonia where they now farm their very own Merino sheep. So now your Patagonia Merino really is from Patagonia! From the rest of the range there are a number of finer updates on style as a result of feedback from various athletes. The Nanopuff hybrid now has a slightly longer insulation section on the front. There are colour updates across all products and a great new Torrentshell insulation jacket for those gnarly Scottish winter belays. Patagonia have also launched their first fully Blue Sign product, in the guise of the Performance Base Layers of Merino and Capeline.
Mountain Hardwear have always been a forward-thinking brand and their latest range is no exception. With three ISPO awards to hang in the head office toilets they will launch there Perfect Storm campaign which will see the Gold Award-winning Seraction jacket lead the way. Having been developed in close association with long term athlete Tim Emmett, this jacket really looks the part with outstanding features to match. Using their very own Dry Q Elite fabric which is highly breathable, it fits in with the active design of the piece. Clever hidden pocket drains for wet kit and handy stash pockets for spare dry gloves, it also sports a helmet-compatible hood with stretch panel for the perfect fit. The matching trousers are again very well-thought out, with high ankle crampon protection, reinforced hems and venting. The ladies version has no pit zips, soft wrist cuffs and insulation on the trousers.
Elsewhere we liked the look of a ‘new to the UK product’ called Klenz, which was developed by NASA for use on the international space station. This micropore antibacterial towel measures a huge 60x120cm, and there is also a 12-pack of smaller towels (25x30cm). These are absolutely ideal for multi-day trekking and expedition length trips where access to regular washing facilities are limited or non existent.
Icebreaker have big news with the introduction of a hybrid softshell range which includes using a nanotech-treated, tight-woven wool on the body with a soft 150-weight fleeced lining, with an ample hood. This product is available in men’s (Cascade) and women’s (Sierra) versions. For spring/summer Icebreaker have also improved the fit across the range which now means the garments fit 30% more people. The Quantum hoody has been uprated with nano technology to give it more durability and water resistance.
The Keen stand was as fun, funky and friendly as it always is, and there were two ranges that took centreplace in their display. The first is the CNX range, which will be available this spring and the second is the Marshall range which we’ll see later in the year. CNX is a lightweight, low-profile concept that will be available across 20 different styles for men and women. The last is slightly narrower than the usual Keen fit and the sole unit incorporate a mixture of padding at the heel and under the forefoot while offering support at the foot arch. The Clearwater hybrid sandal caugfht our eye, offering an extremely lightweight and comfortable shoe that is ideal to take trekking for wearing around camp and in warmer weather. For next autumn/winter, the Marshall range of lightweight shoes and mid boots looks like a winner. With lightweight mesh upper, a high traction sole unit and a durable PU midsole, we found these attractive-looking boots super-comfortable when we tried them on, and they are ideally-suited to long walking days and fast and light adventures.
It is exciting times ahead for the family run, Italian-based Zamberlan boot company. There’s a new alpine boot for the winter season called the Pamir, which sports a stiff and crampon-compatible sole, full Gore-Tex lining as well as an ankle cuff and double tongue for accurate fit. The Fitzroy is a more technical scrambling boot, again with a crampon- compatible sole unit but more aggressive rocker at the toe and stickier compound rubber to allow more precise foot work.
And that’s it for our live updates from ISPO Munich 2013! You can read more in the March 2013 issue of Trek & Mountain magazine, which will be in the shops from 28th Feb, and don’t forget to check the previous show updates via the links below. But for now, it’s auf wiedersehen!
RELATED LINKS
ISPO Day 1 report
ISPO Day 2 report