amazing stuff and awards

The following article comes from SPORTS INSIGHT online magazine from the UK

Safety and comfort on the ground and on the mountain ISPO Trend Report: Mountaineering

Mountaineering is a sport of extremes: retro and modern, exercise and relaxation. This is what makes leisure time out in the fresh air so enjoyable.

Whether you are an ambitious mountaineer or simply a fan of leisurely hikes, the equipment and safety functions for all these types of sport are getting better all the time. Mountaineering is now safer and more comfortable than ever before. ISPO will present the latest mountaineering products for professional and amateur mountaineers which received the ISPO Award in February.

Over the years that I have been in the outdoor business more people have either died or been injured and it is because it is not safer or more comfortable.

This year, the manufacturers will offer climbers, mountaineers and hikers new products focusing on safety, lightweight design and comfort. The way in which consumers go mountaineering nowadays explains why these areas are setting the trends. Outdoor enthusiasts would like to experience sport and relaxation in nature—a “back to the roots experience”—after work or at the weekend between other leisure activities. Mountaineering is also the perfect outdoor fitness program. To ensure that sport and relaxation go hand in hand, it is important to have equipment that is comfortable, light, easy to handle and yet safe.

Safety comes first

The problem I believe is basically going light weight with products. Like so much of the industry companies make an effort to make anything and everything they can lighter in weight so as not to burden the consumer. These companies extoll how light they make products and I do not believe they actually test products beyond giving a highly qualified climber the opportunity to use the product. Highly qualified climbers brutalize themselves as I have discovered communicating with them every now and then. It is easy to say “safety comes first” but I do not believe it.

Lightness and comfort

Lightweight products are very popular with consumers nowadays.

Modern mountaineers like to pick up the pace as trail runners or speed hikers. Heavy kit or uncomfortable clothing will only slow you down.

If the products that are made available are lightweight the consumer does not have a choice; do they. Hence their popularity! But do these light weight products perform, I do not believe so. I have never heard of “speed hikers” and why would you want to speed up the hiking so long as the weather is pleasant.

Clothing, rucksack and shoe manufacturers are therefore using lightweight materials which do not restrict running movements and are easy to store.

Yes the companies that make these products like to make new products each year because the lightweight materials do not last but one season. Planned obsolescence.

Low weight was a key factor when choosing the “Product of the Year” in the Outdoor segment at the ISPO Award 2017 too. Materials offering a complete range of properties—from breathability and waterproofing to comfort—are therefore needed in mountaineering and outdoor sport.

Those choosing the “products of the year” I am willing to bet never bothered to use the products. They just went to the exhibitor’s exhibit and were told how great their new product is and whoever had the best story received the award.

Outdoor fashion must be compatible with consumers’ social conscience. Customers are keen to know where wool for example comes from, are checking that environmental standards such as bluesign and the Responsible Standard Down (RDS) are met and are looking for products with a small CO2 footprint.

I think consumers know that wool comes from sheep! I have no idea who bluesign is but I do know it is irresponsible to kill the ducks and geese for their down.

“Tinden Spacer Jacket” hybrid mid layer.

I looked up this garment, all it is, is a wool quilted jacket, big deal. But it received a gold award, wow.

Optimum breathability for all activities

The various filling and outer materials combine the properties which sportsmen and women need in different situations. For example, breathability is very important for highly active mountaineers. Because they sweat more, they can become chilled or overheat without proper ventilation. New technologies which keep consumers warm even if they sweat are appearing all the time.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES?How about the old fishnet technology that if worn will eliminate the chill. As I have written all of the new stuff successfully retains the sweat so you are guaranteed to get a chill.

Ventrix technology from The North Face is one such system—it features lasered ventilation holes. If the person wearing a garment is standing still, the holes remain closed and trap the warmth.

If the person is moving, they open dynamically, providing ventilation and regulating torso temperature.

Flexible items of clothing like these are taking into account a further trend: sports clothing has become everyday clothing and can adapt to temperatures even on a leisurely walk through a city.

The following information came directly from the North Face web site.

The ultimate layer for active vertical pursuits, our Ventrix Jacket delivers enhanced insulation, coverage and ventilation - and then some. It’s made possible by a new The North Face® innovation: Slit Insulation Technology. Small perforations in the fabric open when you move and close when you’re stationary. The result is dynamic breathability and warmth from the camp to the crag. For added support, the jacket is loaded with 80 grams of synthetic insulation and comes with a DWR finish to repel light moisture. Includes other must-have mountain features such as a VISLON® chest pocket, underarm vents, and elastic cuffs for comfort.

If you happen to believe what the North Face company is regurgitating about this material you deserve to own one.

I never cease to be amazed when I read about some new product or material that has miraculously materialized. This NF garment is I believe nothing less than a joke.