February 1, 2022 Sustainability Wins From Latest Round of Outdoor Awards
From hemp headlamps to biodegradable down jackets – check out the latest award-winning products with a focus on sustainability!
Scandinavian Outdoor Award
Journalists, gear specialists and the editor of Suston’s sister publication NORR Magazin, Philipp Olsmeyer, joined this year’s jury and put the latest Scandinavian outdoor products to the test in the Stockholm archipelago. Here are two of this year’s winners who took sustainability to new places with their products.
Overall Winner: Alfa Sko – Stad
The main award went to Norwegian outdoor footwear brand Alfa Sko for its timeless Stad model. Its fabric is made of short-travelled, pure Norwegian wool with no chemicals added and is naturally water-repellent. The type of wool and weave is selected for its durability and leather is added in areas exposed to tear to increase the lifespan even further. The shoe is suitable for standard shoe repairs, and due to the fabrics woven texture the upper can be darned such as knitted socks should a hole appear.
Statement from the Jury: The lightweight winter boot Stad from the Norwegian footwear specialist Alfa looks and performs great and won every jury member’s heart…What a great way to use Norwegian wool, the jury agrees.
Sustainability Winner: Silva – Terra Scout
The sustainability category winner went to the Swedish brand Silva and its Terra Scout headlamp. Terra Scout is made from Trifilon Revo, a hemp and recycled plastic that has up to 90% lower CO2 footprint compared to standard plastics.
Statement from the jury: … Silva brings sustainable materials into the head-lamp-category… [it] is easy to use and will be available at an affordable price.
Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award
Sustainability was also a key factor in many nominees on the other side of the Atlantic for the 4th Annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards. Here are two of the winners:
Kathmandu – NXT-Level Bio Down Jacket
Kathmandu takes the concept of biodegradability to a whole new level with its NXT-Level Bio Down Jacket – where everything is biodegradable. This means the materials used in its fabrics, insulation, threads, zippers and even the packaging it comes in can theoretically be biodegraded under conditions found in some landfills. It uses Amni Soul Eco nylon fabric, Responsible Down Standard 600-fill-power duck down insulation that provides traceability with TrackMyDown.
Got bag – Rolltop
Sporting a timeless, minimalistic and functional design, the Got Bag Rolltop could be another award-winner in its own right. But there’s more to its good looks. Got Bag aims to both support a sustainable circular economy and reduce and prevent plastic waste pollution. Got Bag Rolltop’s fabric is thus also made of recycled ocean plastic waste and its straps and clips are made of recycled PET.
ISPO Award 2022
This year, the ISPO Awards tested a new concept whereby all category boundaries were tossed out to compare and all products and identify the best on the basis of lightness, functionality and sustainability. Here’s a couple winners that excelled in terms of sustainability:
Pusu – Loska Spinnova
Environmentally conscious enthusiasts interested in quality equipment with a story will find their all-mountain ski for ski resorts and backcountry adventures alike in the Loska Spinnova by Pusu. The all-wood core is reinforced with the revolutionary Spinnova textile fiber – a completely new composite material and a world first in skis.
Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket
No matter what the weather, whether on the slopes or in the powder: the Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket keeps ski and snowboard fans dry. Thanks to the first PFC-free Gore-Tex membrane and water-resistant DWR coating, which consists of 100% recycled outer material.
Photo: SOA/Outdoor Retailer/ISPO
