ISPO NEWS 2019 | Partnernews

Now also with electronics - Advenate Alpride E1

From this season, Advenate backpacks have been available that combine the breathing system with a cartridge-based airbag. This is intended to provide a further margin of safety so that you can survive longer in an avalanche in the event of a complete burial. A detailed introduction and first impressions of the 32 liter backpack can be found here. For the coming season, the newcomer to the avalanche backpack market is now also introducing an airbag with an electronic base. The E1 system from Alpride was fitted exclusively by Scott last season and works with supercapacitors that inflate the airbag. Slightly heavier than the cartridge system, its main advantage is repeated (test) deployment. As usual, we try to get an early test product to tell you about our experiences.

Durable with a robust shell - Arc'teryx Proton LT

With the Proton LT, one of Arc'teryx's best-selling insulation jackets has been redesigned. The developers at Arc'teryx simply didn't think the conventional industry standard was good enough and put years of development work into a completely new fabric. The challenge was to develop a fabric that was light and vapor-permeable, but more robust. The result is 60 times greater abrasion resistance compared to the industry standard. With the familiar Coreloft Compact 80 insulation, the Proton LT is warm as usual, but with the new Fortius Air 20 material it also shows improvements in vapor permeability and is predestined for all sweat-inducing outdoor sports. The only condition: It should be cold. We are looking forward to cold days in the warm Proton LT so that we can report back to you promptly with a test.

Small but mighty - Arva Evo5

The French avalanche safety experts present what is probably the smallest avalanche transceiver. Despite its low weight (170 g) and compact format (7x11 cm), it does not compromise on functionality. A search strip width of 50 m is offered as well as the marking function and the option of a group check. At the same time, the display remains quite large and is equipped with a backlight. High-quality loudspeakers are installed for precise acoustics. We will endeavor to publish a test report as soon as possible!

Nothing for trolls - Devold Trollkyrkja Insulated Jacket

The Tinden merino jacket with the Spacer system (heat storage) and the Trollkyrkja jacket (ISPO Award Winner 2018) are already available this season. For the next season, Devold has combined the features and benefits of the second layer and the jacket to create the Trollkyrkja Insulated Jacket. This is a stylish companion for the cold days, which includes all the advantages of merino wool.

More freedom - Dynafit Hoji Free

In collaboration with Eric Hjorleafson, the Hoji Pro touring boot was developed last season - a downhill-performing ascent wool milk sow, so to speak. Now they've gone one better and introduced the Hoji Free. The main differences are the modified support at the front and rear, which makes it possible to combine the boot with any alpine binding. In addition, the new combination of Grilamid and fiberglass has a stiffening effect and ensures a progressive 130 flex. Another new feature is the thermoformable Hoji Free Liner from boot-fitting specialist Sidas, which is used exclusively, while the POMOCA Free sole ensures sufficient grip and optimum adhesion. Fully automatic crampons can now also be used with the support at the front. Anyone who thinks that the descent-performing ascent milk sow cannot be improved will be proven wrong here. We will endeavor to report on the first test descents as soon as possible! Maybe we'll even go up one day.

Lightweight and functional - Fritschi Xenic 10

The Swiss tinkerers at Fritschi are fully committed to ski touring. In the meantime, they have successfully established themselves in the pin binding market and now it's all about weight. With the Xenic 10, a strong 280 grams (without stoppers) of safety and functionality made in Switzerland (99%!) are coming to sports stores. The goal - to integrate the comfort and power transmission of an alpine binding into a lightweight touring binding - seems to have been achieved with an innovative front unit, length compensation (10 mm!) and the broadly supported heel unit. We are looking forward to the first test impressions, which we hope to be able to present soon!

Eco-Onion System - Icebreaker's Natural Ecosystem

For 23 years, Icebreaker's conviction that the best solutions lie in nature has led to a constant stream of new, natural and functional outdoor sports products as an alternative to synthetic clothing. In recent years, the function of the layering system - also known as the onion principle - has repeatedly been considered in order to get the best performance out of the various layers and to combine them in a practical way. The main component of all products is and remains merino wool, which is produced with the highest standards for people, animals and the environment. However, the natural fiber is now also combined with newly developed elements to increase the longevity of the products. Today, more robust and elastic merino products, windbreaker jackets and outer layers made from recycled polyester with a PFC-free DWR coating are also available. The result is sustainability in the original sense: the products retain their essential properties in the long term and ensure that future generations are not worse off.

Classic and modern - Julbo Cyrius

Julbo has added the Cyrius to its goggle line for the coming season. These are goggles with a classic design. The look is "classic" but with all the features of a high-end goggle, for example the "Reactive Photochromic Goggle", which adapts perfectly to the light conditions thanks to its self-tinting. They also have permanent protection against UVA, UVB and UVC radiation. The goggles will be available with different colored lenses and frames.

So light and still everything you need - Ortovox Trace 25

With the Trace 25, Ortovox is launching a ski touring backpack on the market that is one of the lightweights at 445 grams. Nevertheless, it has many features of a fully-fledged touring backpack (probe and shovel pole holder, ice axe holder, ski holder...). The comfortable back section can also be removed to further reduce the weight. They have also upgraded their avalanche backpacks, for example in the Ascent line, adding new, fresh colors.

Back protection - Scott Airflex Protection

The all-rounders from Scott present a new type of back protector. And as we have come to expect from their developers, this is not just any back protector and of course it won an Ispo Award. When developing the Airflex material, the main focus was on the need for a highly breathable and flexible protector. The result was a completely new material that takes things to a new level in terms of weight, softness/flexibility during slow deformation and energy absorption during peak loads. Thanks to this material, it is possible to make the back protector so airy that the well-known problems of wet backs are a thing of the past, although it adapts much better to the back and fits more snugly. Compared to conventional back protectors, it is said to be able to wick moisture away from the back more than 50% better. In combination with the PolarTec vest, it keeps you nice and warm on every ride. We'll be dropping onto our backs for you shortly and testing the Airflex!

Only 90 in the middle - Völkl BMT 90

The all-rounder from Völkl is the new BMT 90. Slightly narrower (by 4 mm) than the previous model under the binding, but also a little lighter (1410 g at 177 cm). As before, with tip & tail rocker, which is now standard in the BMT series and ensures high agility. Both long tours and off-piste descents with piste use are very easy with the BMT 90. It masters all types of snow and allows for stable yet smooth skiing. The BMT 90 is available in four sizes (163, 170, 177 and 184 cm) with different radii (15.6, 17.6, 19.6 and 21.8 m). We hope to be able to report on the first ascents and descents soon!

No illusions - Zanier Illusion

The traditional Austrian brand has stood for top quality and innovation for over 45 years. They included heated gloves in their range back in 1999. For the next season, they have continued to work on the "Heat" and "Hot" heated model series, refreshing it and making it more efficient. But not only in the heated area, with the "Illusion" model they offer a stylish, functional glove for all ski days. The cotton cuff fits snugly, is comfortable to wear and slips easily under the cuff. The glove is made from high-quality leather, but is very soft to wear and almost feels like a fabric glove.