ISPO MUNICH 2019 Report #1: Introducing the Noteworthy Gear Found at Europe's Largest Outdoor and Sports Equipment Exhibition [Winter Sports]

Friday, February 22, 2019

K2 , G3 , Allied Feather & Down , POC , 10 PEAKS , Smith , Craft , SPLIT SKI , MAMMUT , ODLO , BLACK DIAMOND , snowcookie , Scott , ORIGINAL+ , ISPO , Bluebird Mountain , Peak Performance

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

I mentioned it briefly on social media, but this year I went to ISPO MUNICH, Europe's largest general sports goods exhibition!

"ISPO MUNICH" is a monster event that brings together thousands of brands from around the world, focusing on winter sports, to unveil their new items for the future. It's the perfect opportunity to learn about the cutting edge of the sports business. This will be my second time participating, following my participation in 2018

After running this website for so long, it's true that it's become possible to check out new products from major brands at various exhibitions even while in Japan. However, if I had to pick just one reason why I still feel compelled to cover exhibitions overseas every year, sometimes even at my own expense, it would be because I get to meet so many new brands and product makers that have just been born

There is, of course, the joy of discovering new products from new brands. But for me, there's something else that's important: the great inspiration and positive energy I receive from these people, their eyes burning with hope and passion. When I talk to these friendly and cheerful people, the doubts and negative thoughts that have piled up during my time in Japan suddenly disappear, and for some reason, I find the courage to move forward. I've come back this year to reset myself in a way

Over the next few posts, Outdoor Gearzine will be introducing as many of the interesting brands and items we saw while walking around this incredibly large venue over the course of four days

As always, just to be clear, the products we are introducing below are only product announcements aimed at the European market, and are posted based on local reporting permission. Please note that they have absolutely no bearing on the release here in Japan.

table of contents

Notable winter sports gear spotted at ISPO
Summary: Next time: Outdoor Lifestyle Edition

Notable winter sports gear spotted at ISPO

MAMMUT SOTA HS Hooded Jacket

Looking at the recent evolution of materials, heavy, bulky hard shells are becoming a thing of the past. Mammut's latest 3-layer waterproof and breathable ski jacket features 4-way stretch and a three-dimensional, comfortable knit fabric that feels indistinguishable from a soft shell. Primaloft insulation in key areas provides excellent warmth, breathability, and mobility, making it a truly next-generation jacket

SCOTT Sports Patrol E1 22 Backpack

Among the many groundbreaking electronically controlled avalanche airbags that have appeared in recent years, SCOTT's Alpride E1 System is superior in many ways, including light weight, long life, and low temperature resistance. Following its debut this season, the affordable 22L version will be released next season. I'm seriously thinking about getting one

Smith 4D MAG

At first glance, they may look like goggles with almost flat lenses, but look carefully at the bottom edge of the lens. It's gently curved and protrudes slightly forward. This makes them revolutionary goggles, as they maintain the wide field of view that is said to be a disadvantage of flat lenses, while also eliminating distortion of the field of view. I want these immediately, too

Black Diamond JetForce PRO BT

The latest model from this brand, which was one of the first to introduce an electric avalanche airbag system, is even smaller and lighter, and now allows for software updates via Bluetooth. The day is fast approaching when avalanche airbags will become standard equipment for backcountry skiing!

Craft CTM Baselayer Hood Long Sleeve

The forefront of base layer development is the optimal combination of material type, volume, sewing method, and every other process based on meticulous calculations for each body part, depending on the purpose and use. Craft's latest snow sports base layer is an all-knit, seamlessly knitted, hooded, long-sleeved jacket that offers unprecedented freedom of movement, fit, and comfort. The fine mesh elements throughout add a touch of style

SPLIT SKI

How much easier and safer it would be if you could store your skis without them falling out of your backpack? Most people just accept that this is unavoidable, but there are some people out there who come up with unusual ideas. A Polish manufacturer has invented a pair of mountain skis that, as the name suggests, can be disassembled into two halves, front and back. You might wonder if they're structurally sound, but after actually bending them, the developer says there's no problem with the flex

POC POCito VPD air vest + TRAX POC edition

Next season, POC will be rolling out a range of snow gear that utilizes digital technology to enhance safety. One of these, the POCito VPD air vest, is a children's back protection vest with a built-in TRAX POC edition smart GPS tracker in the chest pocket. This not only keeps track of a child's location, but also provides SOS, activity tracking, and ski maps, helping parents keep an eye on their children safely at the ski resort

ODLO I-Thermic

ODLO, a technical apparel brand originating from Norway, has collaborated with Clime8 to develop what may seem like an ordinary knit mid-layer. It features an ultra-thin thermoregulator around the abdomen, and by configuring detailed settings via a smartphone app, the built-in sensor automatically adjusts body temperature according to the activity. While designs and functions have been getting more sophisticated every year, this year it feels like they've finally reached a practical level

Peak Performance Argon

This latest mid-layer from Peak Performance uses Thermore's latest high-performance recycled synthetic fiber "Eco Down," which has a soft texture and warmth comparable to natural down. As always, we're impressed by the excellent taste that has been put into the familiar stylish design while embracing the European trend of sustainability

snowcookie

This is interesting. By attaching the three sensors to the left and right sides of the ski and to the chest, detailed skiing information, including body position, can be viewed on a smartphone app, which was previously impossible. It's hard to know what's wrong with your own skiing. This is great news for anyone who's worried that they're not getting any better even when skiing alone! It's only available on iOS at the moment, but if an Android version is released, I'll definitely buy it. Turns out it's already available in Japan !

ORIGINAL+

"Customization" products, which allow you to create original items optimized for your body type and preferences, are becoming more common in all areas of sports and fashion, and now they're finally making their way into the world of skis. ORIGINAL+ is a fully custom-made ski developed by an Austrian venture. By inputting your physical information and adding your preferred skiing style and terrain, a unique AI algorithm will create a unique pair of skis that are just right for you in a personalized world. Welcome to the future

Bluebird Mountain Powder

We've finally come this far. Drones, developed to quickly locate victims lost in avalanches, are a welcome development in a world where safety awareness is rapidly increasing during dangerous backcountry skiing. Carry this small, lightweight drone and, in the event of an emergency, press a button to be ready in just a few seconds. It flies at 10 times the speed of a human, searches for the victim using their avalanche transceiver signal, and lands near them to provide a rough location. It's easy to imagine how this high-tech device will be a great help in searches compared to manual searches

K2 MINDBENDER 116C

A new lineup of all-mountain skis from K2, my personal favorite, has been released. They feature Carbon Spectral Braid technology, which allows for optimal flex and lightness in certain areas, and are said to offer performance that allows you to enjoy powder at a higher level

G3 FINDr

G3, a Canadian brand of serious backcountry gear, has released a new pair of skis designed for touring. These lightweight, carbon-fiber skis also feature built-in magnets around the edges, allowing the skis to stick together perfectly! This eliminates the need for straps when carrying skis or attaching them to a backpack, and there are only good things about it

10 PEAKS

This is a ski glove series that allows you to expose your fingertips while wearing the gloves, something you've never seen before. There are many gloves that are smartphone compatible, but the reality is that the fingers are too thick or there is too much fingertips, so it's quicker to just take them off. Considering this, I think this is a good idea

Allied Feather & Down TrackMyDown.com

As demand for down products has increased in recent years, inhumane collection methods such as force-feeding waterfowl and live-plucking, where the feathers are plucked while the birds are still alive, have become a problem. To address this issue, Allied Feather & Down, the world's largest down supplier, is launching this service this fall in collaboration with over 100 brands and retailers. This service will enable traceability, including access to performance parameters and additional information, from tags attached to down products

Summary: Next time: Outdoor Lifestyle Edition

We have carefully selected the best items from the range we are able to share with you. Next time, we will introduce the mountain, camping, and lifestyle outdoor gear you have been waiting for!