Elevate winter adventures with Nibelia Warm by Dolomite – the perfect blend of sustainable design and trail-ready performance.
Designed with the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts in mind, the Nibelia Warm by Dolomite bridges the gap between function and style, ensuring a seamless experience from mountain trails to urban streets. The shoe's design is inspired by the trail-running environment, boasting features like a 12 mm drop, a dedicated hiking last, and a specially developed hiking sole. While these features champion the shoe's hiking pedigree, its modern aesthetic ensures it's equally at home in an urban setting. “Our main target group is represented by young outdoor enthusiasts, people who go to the mountains seeking joy and well-being. A target group that wants a performative product that is also trendy and contemporary, as they like to have a versatile product”, says Cristina Bonora, Dolomite’s Marketing Manager “As a brand, we have always celebrated the joy of being outdoors, and we want to share that joy with everyone at all times.”
One of the most impressive features of the Nibelia Warm is its integration of Primaloft Gold Eco insulation, an eco-responsible membrane. This ensures optimal thermoregulation, providing both warmth and dry feet throughout activities. Pair this with the shoe's technical textile and TPU layers, and wearers can expect unmatched abrasion resistance, even in the harshest winter conditions. Nibelia Warm employs the Vibram Traction Lug technology, ensuring exceptional grip on every surface, whether icy, rocky, or muddy. “Our athletes are involved in all stages of product development. This is especially important in the crucial field-testing phase, where the footwear is pushed to its limits, and we work on every detail to ensure the best possible footwear in terms of comfort and performance”, says Enrico Pizzolato, Footwear Product Manager.
Part of the Nibelia family, which offers a range of shoes for summer hikes, the Nibelia Warm stands out as the winter's answer for those eager to experience trails in the colder months. It's an easy-entry model crafted to appeal to the younger demographic, emphasizing Dolomite's dedication to promoting year-round outdoor activities. “The big idea behind Nibelia is to offer young and new outdoor enthusiasts the perfect shoe to practice outdoor activities during the winter. A modern-looking shoe that has all the essential features of a hiking shoe, but at the same time is in line with young people’s tastes and trends. In this way, we encourage young hikers to practice this activity all year round, not just in the summer”, describes Pizzolato the basic idea behind the shoe design.
Italian design's richness is embedded in the Nibelia Warm, where a harmonious blend of tradition and creativity is evident. This isn't just a shoe; it's a testament to Dolomite's commitment to inviting more young outdoor enthusiasts to experience the joys of hiking, regardless of the season. In essence, the Nibelia Warm is more than just a shoe; it's Dolomite's pledge to nurture the joy of being outdoors, driving a new wave of hikers to discover the magic of winter trails. It's time to discover the comfort of the Nibelia Warm hiking shoe.
The Patagonia M10 Storm Pants are a groundbreaking innovation in alpine climbing gear that completely redefines mobility in hardshell pants.These pants are crafted with innovative technologies that ensure their outstanding performance.
The fabric features a durable Toray Kudos XT DWR that not only delivers exceptional longevity but also reduces wet-out without relying on perfluorinated chemicals. This commitment to responsible materials and durability is at the core of the M10 Storm Pants.
Designed by climbers for climbers, these pants prioritize functionality. The unique four-point gusset and knee articulation design allow for total freedom of movement during climbs. The waistband is designed to sit comfortably with today's lightweight harnesses, and the elasticated cuffs can easily tuck into integrated gaiters on alpine boots. Another smart detail is that the fly is oriented for easy access with a harness, and a single thigh pocket is thoughtfully placed below the harness leg loops for added convenience.
“This project began four years ago here in the forge, which is our R&D center, as a collaboration between Colin Haley, Matt Helliker and some of our other alpinists“, explains Eric Noll, Advanced R&D Designer at Patagonia. „They sought the transition back to hard shell for a lighter, more weather protected pant. So, this began as a pattern and draping exercise really focused on mobility to give a design that offers hardshell protection in something that they could fully move in.”
When it comes to material features, the M10 Storm Pants excel in breathability, lightweight construction, recyclability and waterproofing. This comprehensive approach ensures that these pants are versatile and reliable in various outdoor conditions.
In summary, these pants epitomize the commitment to quality, sustainability, and performance that Patagonia is known for, making them a game-changer in alpine climbing gear. Elevate your climbing experience and explore the great outdoors like never before with the M10 Storm Pants from Patagonia.
LiiteGuard's Glu-Tech Tights are here to change the game for runners. A fusion of innovation and style ensures more stability.
For avid runners, knee injuries are an all-too-common adversary. To battle this, liiteGuard presents their groundbreaking Glu-Tech Tights – a garment that promises to transform the way we run. Designed in collaboration with top athletes and industry professionals, these tights are not just another piece of sportswear but a blend of innovation and years of expertise. At the core of the Glu-Tech Tights is the revolutionary hip stabilizing elastic. This design marvel activates the gluteal muscles, laying the foundation for enhanced running efficiency while also preemptively guarding against knee and foot injuries.
But that's not all! These tights are constructed with compression materials. What does this mean for the wearer? Superior muscle support coupled with optimized blood flow. Compression tech is woven into every fiber, offering double benefits: solid muscle backing and an improvement in blood circulation. The result is an enhanced running experience, lesser fatigue, and a reduced injury risk.
For those who value comfort, the Glu-Tech Tights don't disappoint. Made with a sweat-wicking four-way stretch fabric, these tights promise uncompromised mobility. Plus, the flat seams ensure that comfort isn’t just an afterthought. One of the standout features, especially for those who are always on the go, is the hidden side pockets. Whether it's your mobile, keys, gels, or any other essentials, these pockets ensure that you have everything you need safely secured during your run or workout.
Apart from stocking a truly distinctive product in a market swamped with generic black tights, the Glu-Tech Tights allow for an interactive selling approach. Through the innovative hip drop exercise demonstration, retailers can showcase the real-world impact of hip stability on conditions like "runner's knee," bolstering the product’s credibility and appeal. Plus, their unique aesthetic design ensures they stand out, attracting more customers and amplifying sales.
Consumers stand to benefit significantly. A study from a thesis project carried out at Aalborg University in Denmark, compares the Glu-Tech Tights to a normal pair of running tights, which indicates that the Glu-Tech Tights genuinely improve hip stability. This reduces the internal rotation of the hip and inward movement, also known as adduction, of the hip during a run, directly addressing the infamous runner's knee issue. “They have measured how much the hip internally rotates and moves inwards in the stance phase of the run, i.e., when the foot is on the ground”, says liiteGuard Co-founder and CEO Christopher Geertsen. “When reviewing all measurements with our Glu-Tech Tights , it shows that the average internal rotation of the hip was reduced by 46% and the hip inwards (adduction) movement was reduced by an average of 5,4%. It also showed that the lateral pelvis drop, which refers to which extend the hip is moved or dropped to the side during the stance phase in running, was reduced by 12% in average.”
The Glu-Tech Tights are produced in a responsible fabric, of which as much as 75% has been produced from recyclable polyamide. “In addition to recycling polyamide materials, we have chosen an extra durable material that is extremely resistant to abrasion. This extends the life of our product, as we do not want to encourage overconsumption”, says Geertsen. In a world where sportswear often sacrifices function for fashion, the Glu-Tech Tights by liiteGuard challenge this norm. It's not just about looking good; it's about running better and safer. Furthermore, they're 100% squat-proof yet remain breathable – making them perfect for activities beyond just running, like fitness routines or yoga.
The Performance Kit by liiteGuard is a game-changer for footballers seeking optimal protection and performance. Smart idea to integrate a moldable shin guard firmly into a sock.
Football, while exhilarating, often comes with its share of physical discomfort. LiiteGuard is here to change the game with its groundbreaking Performance Kit. Designed meticulously for football enthusiasts, this kit addresses common pain points like Achilles pain, blisters, and calf soreness. “Blisters are a pain every football player knows, and by reducing the friction between sock and boot with our grip technology, the sock reduces the chance of getting blisters,” says Christopher Geertsen, Co-founder and CEO at liiteGuard. “Furthermore, it will give you a great grip when you are changing direction.” The football sock has medically approved compression and extra compression around the Achilles. This stimulates the blood flow and contributes to increased performance and injury prevention, as it reduces swelling and harmful vibration in the tissue during psychical activity. Furthermore, will the inside pocket combined with the compression ensure that the shin guard will be kept in place without using sock tape. Sock tape is often placed around the Achilles, which creates harmful pressure.
The shin guard is developed in a light material that becomes moldable at 58-60 degrees Celsius. The shin guard will become moldable when heated in water, which allows the customer to easily mold the shin guard to fit the dimensions of their leg and cut and adjust the size if needed. This means that the moldable shin guard is 100% customized to the leg, which gives the feeling of not having a shin guard on, and you can concentrate 100% on playing football. Moreover, the moldable shin guard can be remolded again and again, which means if you grow (for example, from teenager to adult), you can remold it and should therefore not buy a new pair. Finally, it’s biodegradable, which means it will not harm the environment, and if you want to make a figure for the kids instead of having a shin guard, you can do that.
For starters, the kit contains a high-quality sock and a shin guard like no other; it's 100% customizable to the individual's leg. Made from a special material, it becomes moldable at just 58–60 degrees. Within mere seconds, players can adapt its shape to their unique leg contour, ensuring unparalleled fit and protection. Furthermore, the sock features the latest weaving technique and offers medically approved compression. This advanced design aids in better blood circulation, while silicone dots grip the boot’s base, offering players optimal on-field traction.
Noteworthy is the extra compression woven around the Achilles tendon, reducing unwanted vibrations. Plus, the SoftAir Plus material ensures optimal sweat transport and sublime comfort. This innovation isn’t just a win for the players. Retailers get to differentiate themselves by offering in-store shin guard customization. This exclusive service fosters customer loyalty and potential upsells and resonates with the “less is more” ethos, maximizing revenue while optimizing store space. “Additionally, our shin guards offer not only an excellent fit but also the unique benefit of being remoldable. This feature eliminates the need for consumers to purchase a new shin guard when they experience growth, saving them money and providing long-term value”, says Geertsen. In conclusion, liiteGuard's Performance Kit is more than just protective gear. It's a testament to innovation, quality, and the pursuit of unparalleled sports performance.
HO Sports partnered with Checkerspot to displace petroleum, in their high-performance Sabre water ski, with revolutionary materials, derived from microalgae oil. Thanks to this innovative approach, the Sabre won the ISPO Award 2023.
In principle, petroleum is an invaluable resource and key to the human life we live today. But there are also concerns associated with petroleum use, above all the emissions associated with the combustion of fossil fuels and their impact on global climate change. In addition, the extraction and transportation of petroleum products has several impacts on the environment and human health, especially during the drilling and refining of oil. The disposal of petroleum-based products is also a problem.
That’s why many brands are working to move away from petroleum as the basis for their gear. One of them is HO Sports. The leading manufacturer of water sports equipment paves the way towards a post-petroleum future with their new Sabre water ski. In partnership with Checkerspot, HO Sports has displaced petroleum in the Sabre, with a revolutionary lightweight biobased foam core derived from a renewable source, microalgae oil. At their jury meeting at Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria, in October, the six jury members found this environmentally-friendly project worthy of receiving the ISPO Award 2023.
HO Sports, which is headquartered in Snoqualmie, Washington, developed the biobased and custom-formulated rigid foam core with Checkerspot, a biotechnology company based in Alameda, California, which designs high-performance ingredients and materials for a better planet. The Checkerspot WINGTM platform enables the design, at the molecular level, of new materials. Their team of scientists engineer microalgae to produce new molecular building blocks, and then they apply chemistry, creating materials with novel physical properties. Hence, Checkerspot’s materials are formulated with renewable oil produced by microalgae through a large-scale fermentation process.
In the past, the development of high-performance equipment relied on petroleum, a finite resource, to meet industry standards. In creating its 2024 lineup, HO Sports has taken the opportunity to use more sustainable materials from new, renewable sources.
By partnering with Checkerspot, HO Sports aims to set a new industry standard by offering products that not only excel in performance but are better for the planet.
"It takes courage and conviction to move away from the status quo. We are excited and honored that industry leader HO Sports has joined the community of innovators who are empowered by the WINGTM Platform and committed to transitioning towards a post-petroleum future,” said Matthew Engler, Head of Materials Business Development at Checkerspot. He continues: “The Sabre water ski shows that performance versus sustainability is a false choice. We encourage other product developers and forward-thinkers to seek out high-performing renewable materials to position themselves at the forefront of innovation in their respective industries."
Checkerspot deployed its biology and materials science capabilities to design a biobased foam core tailored to reduce overall weight, with approximately 42% bio-carbon content. With higher compressive strength at lower densities, the foam enables a construction that meets water ski-specific performance metrics.
The lightweight and durable construction, easy maneuverability, and forgiving sweet spot make the Sabre a great choice for intermediate to advanced skiers who aim to progress their skills, accelerate their learning curve, and want a versatile, stable, and smooth ride. The overall package resulted in a water ski that the jury selected for the coveted ISPO Award 2023 as it marks a significant step towards a more sustainable water sports industry.
Checkerspot x HO Sports: The video explains how the Sabre water ski was designed with biology.