OutDoor Show 2017 | Report

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The trends and innovations from the OutDoor trade fair in Friedrichshafen

Unusually early in the year, all well-known manufacturers presented their products at the OutDoor Show 2017 in Friedrichshafen this week. The four-day OutDoor is the most important trade fair for the outdoor industry in Europe. The PowderGuide team was also there and looked around for the latest trends and innovations for you.

ISPO

As was already evident at ISPO, manufacturers are increasingly switching to sustainable production and sustainability remains a major topic in general. Many companies, such as Bergans, Pyua, Meier Sport, Marmot, Haglöfs, Vaude, etc., now offer jackets and pants with PFC-free membranes. At the OutDoor Show, Houdini presented the first completely compostable T-shirt, among other things.

The Norwegian outdoor outfitter Bergans is getting a little closer to its goal of only manufacturing products made from sustainable materials by 2020. The proportion of recycled materials is increasing from year to year. Mammut has also set itself the goal of completely eliminating PFC-based materials by 2022.

Senja collection

With the Senja collection, Bergans is launching a new backpack series on the market that has been specially developed for women. This series also picks up on the second important theme of this year's OutDoor: "Lightweight". The backpacks are primarily intended for lightweight hiking and are available in sizes 14, 22, 34 and 55 liters.

equipment

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OutDoor

OutDoor Show 2017

Skylotec Rider 3.0

Mammut is now using Gore Active material for its Eiger Extreme series. This is a type of laminate that is permanently waterproof and windproof and is also supposed to be extremely breathable. Nevertheless, it is supposed to be extremely durable - whether this proves to be the case remains to be seen. So far, Gore Active has mainly been seen in lightweight running jackets, but it will probably also be used more and more in ski jackets in the future.

Equipment

When it comes to safety, manufacturers have also made a few improvements. Many manufacturers are presenting revised belay devices for climbing - these are also designed to reduce the risk of misuse by the belayer. With the Smart 2.0, Mammut is launching a revised version of the Smart belay device onto the market. The geometry has been slightly revised, which should enable better handling. In addition, the jerking when lowering the climber is said to have been eliminated. To minimize the safety risk of incorrect operation, a type of safety plate, the "Smarter", can now be purchased with the Smart 2.0. This ensures that the rope is blocked even if the brake rope is held above the Smart 2.0.

Johannes Wolf

OutDoor Show 2017

Expedition Himalaya

But completely new approaches were also on show: with the Rider 3.0, Skylotec is launching a completely new via ferrata set onto the market. The Rider 3.0 has a moving rope brake, which is placed directly on the wire rope and runs permanently as you walk. This prevents a fall to the next anchor point. Skylotec even won the Outdoor Industry Award in the "Mountain Sports Equipment" category for this idea with the Rider 3.0.

While we are familiar with self-dimming headlights in cars, Petzl has now brought this technology to the mountains with the "DUO" headlamp. The headlamp dims automatically when someone with the same headlamp approaches, thus avoiding glare. Unfortunately, this currently only works with the "DUO" headlamp. Petzl has also presented a new via ferrata set, which includes an integrated sling with a carabiner. This means you can take a break on the via ferrata without having to carry an extra carabiner and sling around with you. In addition to new belay devices, many climbing harnesses and helmets have also been redesigned. A climbing harness weighing less than 100 grams - yes, there really is such a thing now.

Color trends

In recent years, colors have become increasingly sedate, with ochre-yellow and brown shades dominating. This has now subsided somewhat. Colorful, but still set colors are increasingly being used again. Some manufacturers, such as La Sportiva, are also increasingly using bright colors again.