One of the focal points of ISPO reporting this year is, of course, the development of the market for safety and emergency equipment. The most important part of our multi-part ISPO special comes at the end: Here you will find the latest innovations in safety equipment.A lot has happened again, especially in the booming airbag sector: the companies Pieps and Black Diamond, as well as Scott, have come up with completely new avalanche airbag options. In the meantime, it can also be said that almost every manufacturer has arrived on the "airbag market". The following manufacturers have caught our eye with airbag systems for the first time this year: Berghaus, Faction, Black Diamond, Osprey, POC, Vaude, Burton, Quicksilver, Pieps and Deuter. There are big differences, especially in the implementation of the backpacks. Here, for example, we noticed that Deuter has not integrated any back protectors into the backpacks. With Osprey, on the other hand, it is possible to mount the skis on the side of the 42 l model.
EVOCEvoc is presenting some highlights this year, especially for sports photographers. With the ZIP-ON ABS CP 26 l, Evoc is launching the first camera backpack attachment for the ABS Airbag Vario Line. As usual, skis, snowboards or snowshoes can be attached here. In addition, the "PHOTO SCOUT", an 18-liter photo backpack, will be available from next season. This is the smallest model of the photo backpacks. With the ZIP-On ABS Guide 30 L, EVOC also closes the gap between the 20 L and 40 L attachments. The PATROL 40+ liter touring backpack is also getting a little brother with 32+ liters. In the future, there will also be a protector backpack for women. ARVA
From next season, Arva will also be represented on the protector market. Arva has also revised all the shovels in its range. There are also changes in the backpack segment. In future, the segment will be expanded to include a ladies' range.
Black Diamond
A lot has happened in the airbag sector in particular: Black Diamond is launching the JetForce system together with Pieps. This is a battery-powered airbag system that inflates the airbag in 3.5 seconds with the help of a jet blower. The blower is developed in such a way that air is refilled every 20 seconds. This ensures that the airbag can largely maintain its volume for a period of three minutes, even in the event of a puncture. After this period, all the air is sucked out of the airbag. This is intended to create a breathing cavity in the event of a burial. The unusual deployment handle also conceals a battery indicator. A system check is also carried out when the system is started. Swedish sister company POC also uses the JetForce system in its own backpack. For more information, check out the product presentation that recently appeared on PowderGuide.com.Pieps
Like Black Diamond, Pieps (part of Black Diamond) is presenting its first JetForce backpacks. There will be two models available from next season: a backpack with 24 and one with 34 liters. BCA
Like last year, BCA presented the Tracker 3 and will now try to launch it on the market from next season. According to the manufacturer, the Tracker 3 should stand out above all due to its high reaction speed. We were particularly impressed by the well-functioning marking function, which can also be canceled. In addition to the Tracker 3, BCA has also expanded its airbag series with two well-made models, the Float 27 Tech and the Float 42.
OrtovoxAfter entering the airbag market last season, Ortovox is expanding its airbag line with the BASE 20 L model. As with all other Ortovox ABS backpacks, this also features the removable ABS unit M.A.S.S. (Modular Airbag Safety System).
With the "Pocket Spike", Ortovox is launching a makeshift spike that can be connected to the "PRO ALU III" shovel in just a few simple steps. Both Salewa and K2 are focusing on this trend.
The North Face
The trend towards safety vests is also gaining more and more followers. The North Face is now bringing the "Powder Guide Vest" to Europe. Originally developed for mountain rescuers, the vest replaces a bulky backpack, but still offers enough space for safety equipment. Whether this trend will really catch on is questionable. But other manufacturers, such as Dakine or Mammut, are also focusing on it.
MammutMammut is launching the Alyeska Protection Airbag Vest, an airbag in the shape of a vest, which is primarily intended to appeal to off-piste skiers. A newly developed back protector is integrated into the vest, leg loops are no longer required and it can be adjusted to the body shape using several straps. This should ensure maximum freedom of movement despite the airbag system. The vest also has a 4-liter compartment on the back to provide space for safety equipment. In addition to expanding the freeride airbag segment, Mammut has developed the Light Removable Airbag, a touring backpack with the removable airbag system integrated into the backpack lid. Without the cartridge, the backpack weighs just 1930 grams. With carbon cartridge only around 2200 grams. Scott
Scott has also made some progress in the airbag sector. With the "Alpride", Scott is launching a self-developed airbag system on the market. The airbag is filled with two small cartridges containing a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide. This system also makes the backpacks significantly lighter than those of other manufacturers. You can find more information in the product presentation that recently appeared on PowderGuide.com.
ABS system usersFrom the coming 2015 season, the backpack specialists from Deuter and Vaude will also be launching their own airbag backpacks on the market, using the ABS base unit. In addition, Berghaus, Burton, Faction and Osprey also introduced their own ABS-compatible zip-ons. Further pictures of safety equipment and the whole variety of Ispo can be found in our "Ispo in pictures" article in the last part of our Ispo 2014 series.
