February 17, 2021 Awards See Sustainable Materials Pushed to New Heights

Biodegradable shoes, cork gloves and algae skis: find out how this winter’s trade show sustainability award-winners have pushed sustainable materials to new heights in terms of durability and function.

Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards

Outdoor Retailer is the largest U.S. trade show for the outdoor industry, and this year announced the winners of its 3rd annual Innovation Awards digitally on January 22 at Winter Online. The award recognizes the gear, brands, and retailers making an impact through innovation. 15 winners were awarded from a record total of 189 entries – here are the sustainability-award winners and excerpts from their entry descriptions:

HELLY HANSEN Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket: Forever Waterproof

‘Designed to provide reliable protection under the toughest conditions. With water repellent protection that never needs to be reproofed with chemical treatment after use, the jacket is responsible and durable without compromising performance.’

MAMMUT 9.5 Crag We Care Classic Rope: Making Use of Leftovers

‘The sheath of the single rope is made from residual yarn leftover from other rope constructions. Each batch is one of a kind, featuring its own individual pattern. This rope is an example of responsible use of resources leading to reduced carbon emissions.’

HOUDINI SPORTSWEAR Mono Air Houdi: Fighting Microfiber Pollution

‘The Houdini Mono Air Houdi is the world’s first fleece jacket designed to fight plastic waste. The innovative Polartec® fabric greatly reduces microfiber shedding and can be recycled over and over again. Stay warm and cozy while you contribute to a waste-free world.’

SCARPA Mojito Bio: Biodegradable Shoe

‘At the end of its life, 85 percent of this shoe will decompose after 450 days in a landfill. Made with a sugarcane-based EVA midsole that is 100% biodegradable and an outside using a new biodegradable natural rubber. Uppers are Bio Knit Fabric made from bamboo-derived fibers. Remaining parts are bio-based.’

ISPO Award Sustainability Achievement

ISPO Munich is the world’s largest sports trade show. This February, a separate jury convened alongside the prestigious ISPO Awards to once again identify and honor outstanding achievements and innovations in the area of sustainability. Here are the outdoor product winners of the Sustainability Achievement award, and excerpts from their entry descriptions:

BLEED x Zanier Eco Active Gloves Green: Recyclable Outdoor Glove

‘The first completely recyclable all-round gloves from sustainable production. The palms are reinforced with cork, a recycled laminate from Sympatex serves as the shell and the lining comes from Polartec. The lightweight glove is biodegradable and vegan, windproof, water-repellent and easy to recycle.’

EARLYBIRD Chickadee: Circular Performance Touring Skis

‘The CHICKADEE touring ski by earlybird offers control and reliable performance even in technical terrain. Manufactured 100 percent carbon neutral with sustainable raw materials, the ski is durable and easy to recycle at the end of its life.’

Icebreaker ZoneKnit Hoodie: Midlayer Made from Sustainable Merino Wool

‘Designed to keep winter athletes warm and dry while guaranteeing full freedom of movement. A merino yarn filling at the front provides additional insulation. The material: 100 percent organic merino. The production: completely waste-free.’

WNDR Alpine Vital 100: Freeride ski made from organic material

“Vision of the future: The Vital 100 by WNDR Alpine shows what is possible in the ski industry of the future. The big innovation lies in the production: the Vital 100 consists largely of organic material obtained from algae. All parts of the ski are also recyclable.”