Slowly, everyone involved has recovered from the after-effects of Ispo 2013. Some suffered from the well-known post-Ispo flu (mostly caused by an overload of the "I want to have" center in the freerider brain) and others had thick thighs because there was so much Canadian-light powder snow to track after the majority of potential trackers preferred to stay in the post-Ispo flu-infected exhibition halls in Munich. We take advantage of the calmed waters and present the new products from the PG partner forges.
You can't get more ski pants than this: FlyLow Compound Pants
The clothing brand FlyLow, which is not yet well known on the European market, has developed new ski pants for the next winter season and added them to its range, which meet all the technical and comfort requirements of a freerider. Equipped with the new Polartec Neoshell, the pants still only weigh 800 grams. The long side zippers ensure good ventilation when touring - together with the highly breathable Neoshell, this is probably the best choice in the range for the modern, agile freerider who is not afraid of a few meters of ascent. The knee areas are reinforced in typical FlyLow fashion and there's really no need to say more about the FlyLow's comfortable, uncomplicated cut. The FlyLow's own Belt Loop System provides the perfect finish at the top, allowing the trousers to be quickly connected to the jacket's snow skirt! To the manufacturer's page...
More function, just a little less nature: Icebreaker Sierra Plus Hoody
The New Zealand merino wool specialist Icebreaker is taking a new approach and giving a few new items of clothing improved weather protection through the use of synthetic materials. For example, the well-known pure merino wool hoody Sierra now has a plus, which basically means two additional layers. The innermost layer is still made of pure merino wool (much thinner than the original Sierra Hoody, of course), while the two outer layers consist of a windproof and breathable membrane and the DWR coating on the outside. In addition, the outer layers are made even more water-repellent than they already are by wetting them with nanoparticles. This also makes merino wool products interesting for sports in more moderate conditions. Something else that should perhaps be mentioned at this point: Merino wool in itself is already water repellent, but by using synthetic components, the performance for the outdoor athlete can of course be improved even further - and that is one of Icebreaker's goals. We will be testing the Sierra Plus Hoody for you while ski touring and there will be a review on PG.com shortly. To the manufacturer's website...
Even more safety in the airbag: Mammut PAS
Since last season, the Swiss mountain sports specialist Mammut has been selling two different airbag systems, which were introduced to the company through the purchase of Snowpulse. One is the interchangeable system (RAS), which fits into nine different backpacks, and the other is the Lifebag system, which has been installed in six different backpacks but is not interchangeable. Thanks to the special shape of the buoyancy bodies, the head and neck of avalanche victims in particular can be protected. The newly named Protective Airbag System (PAS for short) is nothing more than a replaceable lifebag system. This means that in future it will be possible to install the (safer) lifebag system in different backpacks. Four different backpacks will be presented for the next season - Rocker (15 L), Ride (22 L), Pro (35 L), Light (30 L) - and it can be assumed that the product range will be continuously expanded. As soon as the first test products are available, we will, of course, present the first experience reports for you. To the manufacturer's website...
More functionality for ski tourers: Salewa Randonnée backpack
The new backpack highlight from Salewa is very simple: the Randonnée ski touring backpack. But don't be fooled by its simplicity, because functionally it has everything a ski touring backpack needs to be able to do. Reducing weight while maintaining the same functionality is the motto and the makers at Salewa have achieved this well with the lightweight Randonnée. All the important features for an ambitious ski mountaineer (diagonal and A-frame ski holder, ice axe holder, rope attachment) are present and easy to use. The highlight of the Randonnée is the Buttfly Compartment: on one side of the backpack, you can quickly access the main compartment via a zipper, while the safety compartment with shovel, probe and first aid kit opens on the other side. This is easy to do even when the backpack is packed to the brim. There is also another compartment that makes perfect sense - separate from the main compartment: An external skin pocket! Very commendable and many ski tourers have been asking themselves for a long time why this hasn't been included in all touring backpacks for a long time. The Contact Fit System ensures that the backpack adapts perfectly to the wearer's body and that comfort is not lost even on longer tours. The Randonnée backpack will be available in 30 and 36 liters and a super-light version in 25 liters (SL 25L). To the manufacturer's website...
More fit: Salomon Motion Fit jackets and trousers
Who hasn't had this happen to them? When closing your ski boots, you squat down low and your trousers and jacket slip due to the movement so that, in the worst case, your bare skin is exposed to the cool winter air. Ski clothing manufacturers could have thought of this a long time ago - but Salomon seems to be the first to have found a suitable solution: Motion Fit. The French company's designers tinkered with it until they found a way of sewing in the right amount of extra fabric in the right places to create more volume without making the jackets look or feel too big. The sleeves are ergonomically pre-shaped. Thanks to these features, the jacket fits perfectly - even when bending over and raising your arms. The same principle applies to the ski pants: thanks to an insert on the waistband, the lower back remains covered even when squatting or lifting the legs. The close-fitting cut on the seat and thigh area also allows unrestricted freedom of movement on ascents as well as during aggressive turns on the piste and off-piste. Next winter, the Motion Fit concept will be used in the S-Line and Quest jackets and pants. To the manufacturer's website...
More ease when changing lenses: Scott LCG
Another well-known problem for skiers: light conditions change over the course of the day and you don't have a spare pair of goggles with you. Scott has developed a simple system with which you can quickly and easily change the lenses of your goggles - even in inhospitable conditions: LCG; long: Lense Change Goggle. In addition to the aspect described above, Scott designers and athletes also focused on a perfect fit and a large field of vision when developing the LCG. All three aspects have now been implemented in the new goggle. The goggles come with two different lenses that are suitable for almost any light conditions and can be easily stored in a jacket pocket in a handy storage box. A test report will be available for you shortly on PowderGuide.com. To the manufacturer's website...
More style combined with safety: HLMT5 and G.GL100
In the third year of the Core Range's existence, the safety experts from Germany at Uvex are launching a new helmet and a new goggle: the Uvex Core Range G.GL100 and the HLMT5. The latter is set to become the one-quiver helmet for jibbers and freeriders (and everything in between). The new style is aimed at all young or young-at-heart freeriders and there is really no need to talk about product style at Uvex. The perfect counterpart is the G.GL100, which has also been redeveloped in terms of technology and design. Whether park or powder, the decentered 2D double lens with XXL field of vision guarantees optimum vision in every situation. The tried-and-tested Uvex Super Anti Fog coating prevents fogging even in damp conditions. Anti-scratch makes the lens robust and durable. The colorful lite mirror coating has a stylish and contrast-enhancing effect. A more detailed review of the Uvex HLMT5 will appear in the Equipment category on PowderGuide.com in the coming weeks. To the manufacturer's page...
