SKI ISPO Honors The Best Sports Products for 2014/2015

ISPO AWARD 2014. Every year, ISPO honors the best sports products for the coming season with the ISPO AWARD. In 2014 the jury examined 418 entries from 27 countries and selected the best of the best as the ISPO AWARD PRODUCT OF THE YEAR in the PRODUCTS and ASIAN PRODUCTS divisions. From January 26 to 29, visitors to ISPO MUNICH 2014 will have the opportunity to find out more at the ISPO AWARD Exhibition and experience the ISPO AWARD Presentation live.

Each year, the sports industry presents its product highlights for the coming season at ISPO MUNICH, and the selection is very broad. The ISPO AWARD PRODUCTS acts as a seal of quality and offers a reliable selection of the best products from the Action, Outdoor, Ski and Performance segments, as well as from the ASIAN PRODUCTS division. Each segment featured its own, specially selected jury, as well as an Eco Responsibility jury with focus on sustainability, who examined all entries. Overall, 48 experts traveled from three continents to Munich to select the winners for 2014/2015.

Tobias Gröber, Head of Business Unit Consumer Goods Exhibitions at Messe München GmbH, reports: “The selection of winners by the jury shows that the 2014/2015 season holds plenty of innovations. In terms of sustainability companies exhibit an ever-increasing involvement. There is also a lot happening in regards to product weight.” Visitors will have a chance to experience the high-caliber selection of ISPO AWARD Winners at ISPO MUNICH 2014.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR, Segment Ski: Dahu Sports Company – Dahu Ski Boots

Passionate skiers have been jealous of snowboarders for just one thing: their much more comfortable boots. Now skiers can catch up with the help of Dahu Ski Boots. They consist of two components, a soft inner boot featuring a waterproof and breathable membrane and a separate, exterior boot construction. This system offers skiers both a comfortable, high-quality boot for getting to the mountain and stable construction for a dynamic downhill run.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR, Segment Outdoor: Oru Kayak

Maybe the biggest surprise is the PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Winner in the Outdoor segment. In November 2013 the start-up company was selected as the ISPO BRANDNEW Overall Winner, and now the product also impressed the ISPO AWARD jury. The bag weighs 11.8 kilos, and fits into almost any car’s trunk. At first glance it doesn’t look special. Yet within five minutes, the same bag unfolds into the 3.66-meter-long Oru Kayak. Clever origami technique makes it possible. The kayak features solid construction with a seamless, double plastic liner. This invention solves storage and transportation problems, and is perfect for a considerably expanded target group.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR, Segment Action: Union Binding Company - FC

The snowboard binding FC consists of forged carbon steel, a true material innovation that is even lighter than titanium. It allows the production of three-dimensional binding components offering optimal support and flex at the required locations wherever force is applied. With only 1260 grams the binding is a true lightweight. FC is the result of an in-depth cooperation with “ACSL”, Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR, Segment Performance: Technogym – Google Glass Controlled Treadmill

This treadmill represents the next generation of professional fitness equipment. As the name reveals, users can control the treadmill with the Google Glass and also have direct access to training results. Thanks to the new UNITY Technology, an android-based display for cardiovascular training equipment, the treadmill is compatible with any app or peripheral devices. Every user can personalize the functions, including personal training program, data and entertainment.

ASIAN PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: X- Bikeman

Bikeman is an exciting innovation especially for safety in everyday traffic. With the help of integrated LED arrows the backpack displays the rider’s directional change which the rider signals with the help of the wireless transmitter. Whether straight, left, right or stop; vehicles behind the rider immediately notice the intended directional change. In addition to this primary function Bikeman also offers a number of additional clever details.

Special Award for Houdini Sportswear

Houdini impressed the ECO Responsibility jury with a strong combination of design and function as well as a closed sustainable production chain. This promoted the jurors to honor the “Women's Bedrock Pants” with the ISPO AWARD ECO ACHIEVEMENT Award.

The Winners at ISPO MUNICH 2014

The ISPO AWARD Exhibition at booth 309 in hall A2 bundles the sports sector’s award-winning product innovations, creative projects and progressive marketing concepts. In addition, the winners will be officially presented at the

ISPO AWARD Ceremony on January 27, 2014 at 4 pm in hall A6 at the ISPO Snow, Ice & Rock Summit, presented by Marmot.

For more information on ISPO please refer to www.ispo.com and facebook: www.facebook.com/ispomunich.

The latest voting results from the ISPO Network are available at: www.ispo.com/community

Press Release
ISPO
Munich, January 21, 2014