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ISPO 2020 | PartnerNews Part I

What's new with the PowderGuide partners?

by Steffen Kruse 02/11/2020
Our partners have worked hard again this year to launch new products, innovations and real hits for the 2020/2021 season. They have been working on designs, colors, functions and materials. One very clear trend is to keep the ecological footprint as small as possible. We find this very pleasing and hope that it is not just a short-term trend, but will remain firmly anchored in the production chain in the future.

Zanier

Sustainability is at the top of the to-do list at Zanier and is not just an empty promise. The Tyrolean glove manufacturer uses recycled or recyclable material wherever possible, for example Sympatex or Primaloft Bio. Zanier is the only glove manufacturer to be CO2 neutral for the second season, is also a Climate Partner and participates in CIPRA. The company has stood for innovative and creative ideas as well as high-quality and functional implementation for over 50 years. The latest result of these many years of expertise is an everyday glove that can be 100% recycled. The glove is vegan and was developed in cooperation with Bleed Clothing. Zanier has incorporated over 20 years of experience in heated gloves into its latest models for more strenuous activities (e.g. touring).

Julbo

Goggles specialist Julbo is launching the Quickshift, a further development of aerospace technology, on the market next season. With this, Julbo is taking another step towards the dream of a goggle that is suitable for both the ascent and the descent and should work just as well in winter as it does in summer. The biggest problem here is ventilation. The two lower ventilation sections of the new goggle can be easily removed with the aid of a magnetic catch, so nothing stands in the way of a powerful supply of fresh air. Julbo calls this the Switch Air system. We are looking forward to putting it through its paces! The photochromic REACTIV lens guarantees a clear view in all weather conditions.

Ski fans with a narrow to medium face shape will be happy with the Moonlight. The frameless goggle with spherical lens is also very light at 110 g. The Moonlight and its big sister Shadow are available with a Glare Control lens for optimized relief recognition, or with the Spectron lens in various categories and colors.

Julbo has also made some changes on the helmet front. The new "The Peak" model is aimed at those who are mainly out and about off-piste. Good ventilation and a low weight (360 grams without ear pads) are just as important as the "adjustable fit" and headlamp attachment. The helmet will be available in black/red, blue/green and white/grey.

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Devold

Our long-standing partner Devold has focused on revamping the existing range for the coming season. This means that the colors have been refreshed and some model variants have been added. For example, the Devold classic, the Nibba series. In addition to new colors, there is now also a version with a cozy, high collar. This range can be worn as a baby with the Nibba Playsuit, which will soon be the subject of a Gear of the Week!

Founded in 1853, this traditional company has long been committed to minimizing its ecological footprint, paying close attention to the welfare of sheep and setting high animal welfare standards. They have not only been working with us for many years, but also remain loyal to their dedicated farmers. This trust and good cooperation is reflected in the top quality. If you want to find out more about Devold's farmers, I recommend this page.

Blizzard/Tecnica

The popular Rustler series skis have been given a refreshed design and the "Spur" series skis a symmetrical version. However, the greatest commitment of the development department went into the "All Conditions" series, where the harmonious flex is designed to support a safe skiing style in all conditions. A loyal companion that promises safety and reliability and an all-rounder for everyone. We are already looking forward to the test!

Tecnica will be relying on the tried and tested Cochise line next season: 99 mm last width, anatomical foot shape, thermoformable inner boot, adjustable tongue length of the inner boot, quick instep system for easier entry, Vibram sole (130 mm). Interchangeable alpine soles are available for the Cochise series. The top model (130 mm) also has a sportier and narrower fit and a wide strap that can be flexibly adjusted in walk mode. The new Chochise Light (approx. 1,600 grams) is primarily aimed at ascent-oriented mountain enthusiasts.

Mons Royale

"First On. Last Off." - that's the motto of the New Zealand brand Mons Royale. For the coming season, they have completely overhauled the graphics and given the entire range a refresh with a cool new design. The different looks that run through the entire product range are called, for example, 80s VHS videocassette style, Alpine retro, etc. But that doesn't mean that Mons is resting on its laurels when it comes to material development! New technologies and features are already being worked on for the 21/22 season.

The Stormtec Balaklava balaclava and the matching Balaklava neckwarmer are new additions to the accessories family. The thin gloves have also been further developed and touch technology has been added. There will also be a matching outer shell. With the Nevis Wool Fleece, Mons brings a companion for the whole year. The fabric blend of merino and polyester fleece makes it soft, warm and durable. The products from the "The Go To" line are also intended to be companions for every day and every activity.

ATK

The small (but rapidly growing) Italian binding manufacturer from near Modena has been working on new models for the next season, as well as revising existing ones. The bindings are milled entirely from aluminum. The stopper on the rear jaws of the freetouring/freeride models R12 and FR14 has proven its worth, only the locking button has been slightly modified so that it can now also be operated better with gloves.

The biggest highlights are the new additions to the Raider and Release series, as well as the completely new Front 12 binding. The highlight of the Front 12 is certainly the new front jaw. It features a new design that automatically activates the stoppers when the locking lever is set to ascent mode. The rear jaw has most of the features of the Raider collection (Z-value 5-12). The binding weighs 390 grams, stopper widths 86, 91, 97, 102, 108,120. RRP 555,-€ (560,-€ from stopper width 102).

The C-Raider 12 closes the gap between the R12 and the Crest 10. The low weight of just 305g including stoppers is a highlight here, as is the completely new toe piece made from a carbon mix.

At ATK, ambitious speed tourers looking for a binding without stoppers will also find what they are looking for. The Release 10 is robustly manufactured and, at a weight of just 240g, offers important safety features such as an adjustable Z-value and length compensation - unique in this class!

The beautifully designed freeride/tour bindings R12 and FR14 have already been launched this year and will be continued in the coming season. They impress with sophisticated features such as the Snow Pack Proof design, thanks to which neither snow nor stones can penetrate under the side arms. The toe piece is completely closed. The magnetic climbing aids offer five different positions and are manufactured to a very high standard. The Freeride Spacer is optional for the R12 and included with the FR14, an additional element that increases the contact surface of the boot and therefore the power transmission.

La Sportiva

La Sportiva's new Vega shoe is a top model in the upper freetouring segment with a focus on downhill performance. The boot is the successor to the legendary Spectre. The shaft of the typical four-buckle boot is made of carbon-reinforced plastic. Although it is a very downhill-oriented boot, it is quite light with a weight of only 1,400g per boot (Mondo 27.5). The shaft rotation is 60 degrees. The shoe will be available in men's (24-31.5) and women's (23-27.5) models.

La Sportiva is trying to reduce its ecological footprint through its Green Line, which uses sustainable resources (e.g. Castor Plant). They are a member of 1% for the Planet, bluesign, the european outdoor conservation association (eoca) and various other programs.

K2

With the Mindbender series, K2 already has some really hot irons in the fire and is therefore an established perennial favorite on the market. This is also confirmed by the test we have already published K2 Mindbender 99 Test PowderGuide.com, as well as the test that is already in the pipeline. Let us surprise you! With the next Mindbender generation, the main focus has been on a fresh design, which literally links the ski family together.

The "Reckoner series" has been completely redesigned. The playful backcountry Twintip will be available in 102, 112 and 122 underfoot. The designs for the series are fancy and hand-drawn. A real novelty in the ski touring segment is the "Junior Mindbender", a touring ski boot for youngsters. There has never been anything like this before, but it will certainly be a market in the future, so K2 is once again a pioneer. All the experience from the adult series has been incorporated into this boot, with care taken to keep the price low. This new approach was honored with an ISPO Award.

The Disruption series (also an ISPO Award Winner) is completely new. This is an on-piste oriented ski that doesn't need to shy away from an excursion into the backcountry. Fun is the top priority with this ski, but without having to compromise on performance. There is a separate series for women which, in addition to saving weight, also has a completely different, playful and feminine design. However, feminine does not mean pink, pink and studded with rhinestones, but fresh and tough. If you don't know what that means, check out the pictures.

Conclusion

In addition to numerous new developments, some partners have worked on the design, fine-tuning and details for the 2020/2021 season, in short: making good things even better. What I find a really pleasing development is the shift in thinking with regard to ecologically responsible action. Some more, some less, but definitely a step in the right direction!

PowderGuide would like to thank all its partners for their trust and long-standing cooperation.

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This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

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