On the first day of the OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen, 46 products were the proud recipients of an OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD 2011. Eleven of them were honored with a GOLD award for outstanding innovation and design achievement.
“Innovation can be reflected in the use of new materials, in specific reductions or in the successful improvement of an important detail – the industry is always blazing new trails,” summarized the judges. A total of 301 entries were submitted from 23 countries from around the world in the competition for the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD 2011 (previous year: 328 entries from 28 countries). All in all, 46 winners were happy to claim an award, while the eleven best submissions were honored with a GOLD award. All of the award-winning products will be presented in a special display to an international audience of experts during the OutDoor Show – in the East Foyer (Foyer Ost) from 14 to 17 July 2011.
The jury of experts met for two days in Hannover for the first time to examine the 301 product entries on the basis of their design quality. “The trend towards ultra-lightweight products continues. The use of material has been optimized, the design reduced and anything unnecessary is being eliminated more and more frequently. This also leads to ultra-functional design. There were exciting new products in all the categories,” juror Mark Held, managing director of the European Outdoor Group, was happy to report.
Stefan Reisinger, OutDoor project head and member of the Messe Friedrichshafen board of directors: “The outdoor industry stands for a special kind of awareness of life, for a completely different social outlook – and, perhaps most importantly, for the spirit of innovation. And that is exactly what became very clear once again during this year’s OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD – many market leaders entered their new products in the award to make them stand out from the competition. After all, winning such an award is an official endorsement of a product’s creativity, innovation and quality.”
The jurors
The OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD was hosted by Messe Friedrichshafen and organized by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover for the sixth time this year. Entries were accepted in the following categories: Apparel/Helmets/Shoes, Backpacks/Travel luggage, Mountain-climb¬ing equipment, Camping equipment, Sleeping bags, Accessories, Products of high ecological and sustainable value and Material inno¬vations. In addition to the evaluation criterion of design quality, the judges also took into account such other aspects as degree of innovation, work¬manship, choice of materials, environmental compatibility, sustainability, functionality, utility, safety, trendsetting character and brand value/branding.
This year, the jury of experts included: Dr. Bene Benedikt (ALPIN – Das
BergMagazin, Gauting/Germany), Mark Held (European Outdoor Group,
Zug/Switzerland), Eva Paster (Neuland (Paster& Geldmacher), Munich/
Germany), Giovanni Quirici (mountaineer and biologist, Carouge/Geneva,
Switzerland), Tjeerd Visser (Op Pad Magazine, Den Haag/Netherlands),
Frank Wacker (outdoor editorial office, Stuttgart/Germany) and Bernd
Woick (Bernd Woick GmbH, Filderstadt/Germany).
Dr. Bene Benedikt (ALPIN – Das BergMagazin, Gauting/Germany)
“As expected, there are a lot of small improvements, some of which
exhibit remarkable quality because they offer a high degree of
innovation. It’s great to invent something new – but it’s also just as
innovative to improve a product by deliberately leaving something out so
that it is perfectly designed to meet the needs of a specific target
group. Another good example of innovation is the HANWAG customized
trekking shoe, which is offered in cooperation with specially equipped
retailers. The buyer’s individual foot form is measured by a 3D scanner –
but the system won’t work without the right retail partners. It’s an
interesting idea. Innovation as a result of the use of new materials is
also an exciting topic: there are some manufacturers who work with these
materials using traditional methods while others travel in new
directions and completely rethink the design, the looks and the
function. We saw some really clever solutions that worked, and these
were the products that got the awards.”
Eva Paster (Neuland (Paster& Geldmacher), Munich/Germany)
“It seems to me that ‘good, solid product care’ is the motto of the
products entered in the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD this year: successful
improvements made on such details as a more ergonomic fit, enhanced
handling properties, greater stability or interesting new features
characterize many of the products submitted and of course, the
well-known fight to reduce weight has been taken to new heights. More
stability and function at an ever-lighter weight and packing volume is
achieved here through material innovation in particular. The processing,
surface treatment, chemical alteration and combination of known
materials have led to some astonishing results.
In terms of
sustainability, some of the products score points by using ecologically
certified production chains, by replacing harmful substances with less
harmful substances or by making the topic of animal protection on of
their concerns.
Unfortunately, there was as good as no real
innovation at the concept level in terms of a radically new approach to
processes, or if there was, then only at a still very immature stage of
design or very much up for discussion as to whether or not it would
really make much sense. The majority of the products exhibited good
design standards. I heartily welcome the development towards greater
simplicity and the more sensitive approach to the use of color.”
Giovanni Quirici (mountaineer and biologist, Carouge/Geneva, Switzerland)
“It is exciting to see how the manufacturers are trying to improve the
quality of their products. There were many interesting, small
innovations made on existing products – but nothing really completely
revolutionary. We can see how difficult it is to create something really
new. There are so many parameters that have to be taken into
consideration. That also means that, in my opinion, many of the entries
are still in the process; they are not yet finished products. I am
already looking forward to innovations in the field of sustainability.
It is important for the outdoor industry to understand that everything
is part of the circle of life and that our environment won’t continue to
exist unless products such as these protect it.”
Tjeerd Visser (Op Pad Magazine, Den Haag/Netherlands)
“The overall level of the products entered is very high, which makes it
difficult to find new, outstanding products. Because different
manufacturers use the same materials, the products are very similar in
terms of their functionality. The projects devoted to the topic of
sustainability are very important, such as the “Titan 450” down sleeping
bag, which is made by Mountain Equipment: In cooperation with the IDFL
(International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory), the supply chain
for the down is inspected from start to finish – from the farms to the
final product. This includes high standards of animal protection and
solvent-free processing methods: an important step in the right
direction.”
Frank Wacker (outdoor editorial office, Stuttgart/Germany)
“It’s great to see that the developments in the outdoor industry
continue to make important progress. There is a noticeable trend towards
more lightweight products. And an increase in the comfort factor. There
is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of ecology and
sustainability. This is where the outdoor industry has to set further
standards on how the ecological value of a product can be properly
evaluated. The only recognized eco-label so far is the “blue angel”.
Bernd Woick (Bernd Woick GmbH, Filderstadt/Germany)
“The products submitted are very high in quality, with three very
noticeable trends this year: 1. Products are getting more and more
lightweight, unfortunately sometimes at the expense of durability. 2.
There are more special materials used, or rather, a more innovative and
intelligent combination of materials. Kevlar is just one example – used
in a soft-shell jacket for the first time: this is a jacket made to last
a lifetime. A great contribution to the topic of sustainability. 3.
Fashion trends are finding their way into the outdoor industry. The
market is divided into two segments here: first, into the professional
outdoor segment and then into the ‘recreational sports’ market.
Companies like adidas, who come from a different market segment, are now
discovering the topic of the outdoors as a new sales market. Real
outdoor activists, however, are more likely to place their trust in
smaller, specialized outdoor manufacturers rather than in mainstream
companies.”
The OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD was hosted by Messe Friedrichshafen and organized by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover for the sixth time this year. Entries were accepted in the following categories: Apparel/Helmets/Shoes, Backpacks/Travel luggage, Mountain-climb¬ing equipment, Camping equipment, Sleeping bags, Accessories, Products of high ecological and sustainable value and Material inno¬vations. In addition to the evaluation criterion of design quality, the judges also took into account such other aspects as degree of innovation, work¬manship, choice of materials, environmental compatibility, sustainability, functionality, utility, safety, trendsetting character and brand value/branding.
This year, the jury of experts included: Dr. Bene Benedikt (ALPIN – Das
BergMagazin, Gauting/Germany), Mark Held (European Outdoor Group,
Zug/Switzerland), Eva Paster (Neuland (Paster& Geldmacher), Munich/
Germany), Giovanni Quirici (mountaineer and biologist, Carouge/Geneva,
Switzerland), Tjeerd Visser (Op Pad Magazine, Den Haag/Netherlands),
Frank Wacker (outdoor editorial office, Stuttgart/Germany) and Bernd
Woick (Bernd Woick GmbH, Filderstadt/Germany).
Dr. Bene Benedikt (ALPIN – Das BergMagazin, Gauting/Germany)
“As expected, there are a lot of small improvements, some of which
exhibit remarkable quality because they offer a high degree of
innovation. It’s great to invent something new – but it’s also just as
innovative to improve a product by deliberately leaving something out so
that it is perfectly designed to meet the needs of a specific target
group. Another good example of innovation is the HANWAG customized
trekking shoe, which is offered in cooperation with specially equipped
retailers. The buyer’s individual foot form is measured by a 3D scanner –
but the system won’t work without the right retail partners. It’s an
interesting idea. Innovation as a result of the use of new materials is
also an exciting topic: there are some manufacturers who work with these
materials using traditional methods while others travel in new
directions and completely rethink the design, the looks and the
function. We saw some really clever solutions that worked, and these
were the products that got the awards.”
Eva Paster (Neuland (Paster& Geldmacher), Munich/Germany)
“It seems to me that ‘good, solid product care’ is the motto of the
products entered in the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD this year: successful
improvements made on such details as a more ergonomic fit, enhanced
handling properties, greater stability or interesting new features
characterize many of the products submitted and of course, the
well-known fight to reduce weight has been taken to new heights. More
stability and function at an ever-lighter weight and packing volume is
achieved here through material innovation in particular. The processing,
surface treatment, chemical alteration and combination of known
materials have led to some astonishing results.
In terms of
sustainability, some of the products score points by using ecologically
certified production chains, by replacing harmful substances with less
harmful substances or by making the topic of animal protection on of
their concerns.
Unfortunately, there was as good as no real
innovation at the concept level in terms of a radically new approach to
processes, or if there was, then only at a still very immature stage of
design or very much up for discussion as to whether or not it would
really make much sense. The majority of the products exhibited good
design standards. I heartily welcome the development towards greater
simplicity and the more sensitive approach to the use of color.”
Giovanni Quirici (mountaineer and biologist, Carouge/Geneva, Switzerland)
“It is exciting to see how the manufacturers are trying to improve the
quality of their products. There were many interesting, small
innovations made on existing products – but nothing really completely
revolutionary. We can see how difficult it is to create something really
new. There are so many parameters that have to be taken into
consideration. That also means that, in my opinion, many of the entries
are still in the process; they are not yet finished products. I am
already looking forward to innovations in the field of sustainability.
It is important for the outdoor industry to understand that everything
is part of the circle of life and that our environment won’t continue to
exist unless products such as these protect it.”
Tjeerd Visser (Op Pad Magazine, Den Haag/Netherlands)
“The overall level of the products entered is very high, which makes it
difficult to find new, outstanding products. Because different
manufacturers use the same materials, the products are very similar in
terms of their functionality. The projects devoted to the topic of
sustainability are very important, such as the “Titan 450” down sleeping
bag, which is made by Mountain Equipment: In cooperation with the IDFL
(International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory), the supply chain
for the down is inspected from start to finish – from the farms to the
final product. This includes high standards of animal protection and
solvent-free processing methods: an important step in the right
direction.”
Frank Wacker (outdoor editorial office, Stuttgart/Germany)
“It’s great to see that the developments in the outdoor industry
continue to make important progress. There is a noticeable trend towards
more lightweight products. And an increase in the comfort factor. There
is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of ecology and
sustainability. This is where the outdoor industry has to set further
standards on how the ecological value of a product can be properly
evaluated. The only recognized eco-label so far is the “blue angel”.
Bernd Woick (Bernd Woick GmbH, Filderstadt/Germany)
“The products submitted are very high in quality, with three very
noticeable trends this year: 1. Products are getting more and more
lightweight, unfortunately sometimes at the expense of durability. 2.
There are more special materials used, or rather, a more innovative and
intelligent combination of materials. Kevlar is just one example – used
in a soft-shell jacket for the first time: this is a jacket made to last
a lifetime. A great contribution to the topic of sustainability. 3.
Fashion trends are finding their way into the outdoor industry. The
market is divided into two segments here: first, into the professional
outdoor segment and then into the ‘recreational sports’ market.
Companies like adidas, who come from a different market segment, are now
discovering the topic of the outdoors as a new sales market. Real
outdoor activists, however, are more likely to place their trust in
smaller, specialized outdoor manufacturers rather than in mainstream
companies.”
