A World of Greater Innovation

If in my search for interesting news I had limited myself to GORE-TEX products and ignored most of fitness, electronics and surfing, I will still have to hold back on the research. After all, the Ispo doesn’t last forever and I would like to stick to one blog entry, not write a book. The variety is enormous, with jackets, pants, shoes, gloves and things like the Seattle Sombrero from Outdoor Research – a classic.

GORE-TEX products from the UK: consistently something special

Mountain Equipment have frozen the newest Gore product technology: GORE® THERMIUM™ (warning: this is NOT GORE-TEX!) protects the insulation against moisture and is very breathable. The moisture protection is limited to light rain and snow showers and not made for day-long direct contact with snow and water, something this poor guy has had to suffer through. For extreme weather protection the familiar GORE-TEX product technology remains the most competent. For GORE-TEX clothing with an interesting ecological concept, I stop at Berghaus. The Brits use a GORE-TEX laminate that is dyed without water. That means that the nylon shell can be eco-friendly produced. The colour theme is staged nicely. Funny that of all people, the British have chosen to deal with colour. Anyone who has been to the English-Welsh-Scottish mountains knows that 99% of all outdoor clothing are navy blue or black. 1% is dark grey.

Blue and red jackets can also be found hanging around English neighbourhoods, thanks to Montane. These island folk know how to protect against rain and all of the other things that British weather brings forth. They offer a good-looking, clean line with GORE-TEX Pro, GORE® C-KNIT™ backer technology and GORE-TEX Active. In navy blue and black. But joining them is at least also one model in bright red and now and again, even green, dahlia and light blue.

To colour or not to colour, that is the question

In contrast, there are currently a few Scandinavians, more precisely Swedish, who came along completely void of colour. Colourlessness is often interpreted as high-class. Peak Performance can be seen as on the more stylish side of (ski) sports and is nonetheless tough. And every time, Peak wins another award. Last year, it was the chic Heli Vertical suit from the current GORE® C-KNIT™ technology. This year, it’s with the Milan jacket – one of the “key pieces in our 30 year anniversary collection as well as a key product for the future”, explains Peak-CEO Nicolas Warchalowski. The Milan is also made of GORE® C-KNIT™ backer technology and is good for both the city and the mountains. The must-have factor is high.

Black is no longer a colour, but a word

As seen with a new Gore client, whose name makes it clear where it would like to be seen: Black Yak. The Korean company is practically unknown in Europe (until now), but they are a titan in the Far East. That the “black cow of the high mountains” met with instant success at its launch in Europe (Black Yak decorated their horns with 8 gold awards at the Ispo 2016!), may be because of the collection, which they stated was designed especially with Europe in mind. In any case a successful performance that was also celebrated in this video. “Black” seems to do well in brand names, sounding somehow secretive, promising, and strong. Not a skinned animal but a fowl is my favourite at the Ispo: Black Crows. The founder, Bruno Compagnet, skied a little, won a few contests, moved to Chamonix, skied a little more and founded the company. Those who want to earn money and are cool make clothes. Black Crows don’t make clothes any more, they make really good clothes. And now also with GORE-TEX products – and talk about stylish! The brand presented two inside-out jackets (so one may see the made-with-love lining). Retro on the outside, fancy on the inside. I like!

Over, under, and out

And because clothes are not all that GORE-TEX technology can be worked into, I looked at a few boots. From Scott, there is a ski touring boot that’s waterproof. When on ski tours, breathability makes itself very positively noticeable: foot perspiration can escape much better than with the normal, less-permeable foam. With the Scott Superguide Carbon GTX, you aren’t standing in (your own) water after the hours-long ascent through spring snow.

40 years ago, Hanwag offered ski boots. Now, they offer light and magnificent mountain boots like the new Avior GTX. The full climbing shoe has an integrated gaiter, is light, stable and fits perfectly. The Bavarians sew and glue the product together in Vierkirchen (50 km northwest of Munich). A quick look into the process could be found directly at the Hanwag stand at the Ispo where the hum of Nathalie’s sewing machine could be heard. She wasn’t making shoes at the fair as they do in Vierkirchen, but little leather keychains. The sight of the sewing shoemaker was a welcome and pleasant break from the shiny-glamour of the fair.