Hurling has always demanded dexterity, courage, and resilience—qualities that define both the athletes who play the sport and the equipment they use. In a sport where milliseconds matter and collisions are an integral part of play, protection often takes a backseat to performance.
Torpey, however, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. The brand that has shaped generations of hurleys now turns its attention to an equally important tool: the hand. With the Torpey Klāw, the company introduces a high-performance hurling and camogie glove designed around the anatomy and movement of the human hand and the raw realities of the sport.
This is not just another padded glove. It’s a rethink—a product built with clinical insight, player feedback, and the idea that athletes should be safeguarded without compromising their performance. The Kláw aims to keep more young athletes in the game, offer elite players uncompromising dexterity, and set a new standard for protective gear in Gaelic sports.
At the heart of the Kláw lies its defining innovation: a non-Newtonian gel that is soft and flexible when in motion, yet hardens instantly upon contact. Crafted from a blend of vegetable oil, TP, and pre-polymer, this material acts like a responsive shield. Players feel free when catching, striking, and switching grips yet protected when a hurley or sliotar connects with force.
What makes this technology particularly groundbreaking is how and where it has been applied. Torpey partnered with hand specialist Daniel Harte, who has a Master of Clinical Research, Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, and is a certified hand therapist, to map injury-prone zones across the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hand. The result is protection that is anatomically engineered to focus on the metacarpals and proximal phalanges—the areas that are most often injured.
This targeted approach is especially important in a sport where repetitive trauma is common. Rather than covering the entire hand in bulky padding, Torpey strategically places protective layers where they are needed most. This preserves natural movement while delivering serious protection where it counts.
The Kláw's standout feature, an exclusive Anti Ball-Bruise Zone, extends this concept further. For the first time in hurling glove design, the palmar side receives dedicated shielding to combat soft tissue bruising caused by high-speed ball impacts. It’s a direct response to one of the most common and frustrating sources of injury in the game.
A protective glove is only as good as how it feels. The Kláw succeeds in this regard with its open-palm design, which provides a “bare-hand” sensation. By freeing the middle and distal phalanges and the fingertips and second joints, Torpey preserves tactile sensitivity, grip precision, and player confidence. Players can still feel the grain of the hurley, adjust instantly, and pull off reactions that define elite play.
Moisture-wicking materials keep hands dry, and mono-stretch fabrics enhance freedom of movement. Abrasion-resistant surfaces add durability without stiffness. Every aspect of the glove is designed with ergonomics in mind, from its anthropometrically informed contours to the seamless integration of the Torpey logo into the protective structure.
The Kláw is also designed with inclusivity in mind. Although it was originally envisioned as a unisex glove, Torpey's development process revealed an important truth: existing options did not adequately serve female athletes. The brand changed direction and developed a dedicated sizing system based on women’s anthropometric data. Female players provided feedback throughout the process to ensure that the glove wouldn't just fit, but also perform well. Comfort, sensory feedback, lightweight mobility, and knuckle-specific protection were all refined for women’s hands.
In a sport where retaining young female athletes is challenging, this attention to detail matters. For many players, a well-fitting, reliable protective glove can mean the difference between frustration and long-term participation.
„The Torpey Kláw represents six years of relentless innovation and collaboration between clinicians, product designers, and material scientists. Designed and developed at Torpey HQ in Co. Clare, Ireland, and tested at the Sports Technology Institute in Loughborough University, UK, the Kláw brings engineering and sport science together to solve high contact sport’s unique challenge - finding the optimal balance between comfort, protection and performance. While the Torpey Kláw has been developed for hurling, we also see great potential for this product to be used in other contact sports.“, explains Seán Torpey, Managing Director at Torpey.
Torpey makes it clear that while all hurlers can benefit from the Kláw, its core target group is athletes aged 6–14. These players are the most vulnerable to discouragement from repeated knocks and bruising. If a glove can boost their confidence, ease their fear of injury, and help them maintain a sense of control, it can foster a stronger, more inspired generation of players.
However, the Kláw isn’t just for youth. Its performance characteristics—smart protection, responsive feel, and anatomical accuracy—make it equally valuable for adult players who demand equipment that enhances their game instead of limiting it. The glove’s design philosophy aligns perfectly with Torpey’s guiding mantra: "Lead, Never Follow."
"Whether you're striking on the run, contesting a high ball, or defending in the heat of play, the Kláw supports natural movement while offering a layer of protection that feels like part of the hand rather than something worn on top of it. That’s a difficult balance to strike, but this glove achieves it with confidence.” ISPO Award Jury
The RealFleece Grid Blackridge Pullover Hoodie represents icebreaker’s latest step toward performance apparel built fully from plastic-free fibers. Designed for winter mountain adventures and snow-sport environments, the hoodie is constructed from a blend of 57% Merino Wool and 43% Tencel Lyocell. This combination provides high thermal retention, breathability and adaptable comfort across changing intensities. Awarded an ISPO Award 2025, the midlayer addresses a clear demand in the outdoor market: performance fleece that avoids synthetic fibers entirely. As icebreaker continues its mission of “taking unnecessary plastic out of performance apparel,” the Blackridge stands out as a benchmark product.
“Designed for winter mountain adventures, the RealFleece Grid Blackridge delivers dynamic thermoregulation, naturally. The flexible hood system and 100% plastic free grid material adapt to changes in tempo and temperature – breathing whilst active and insulating at rest,” says Monika Foster, Global Product Designer at icebreaker. The hoodie is targeted at experienced outdoor explorers aged 30–55 who prioritize performance, durability and responsible material choices.
The engineered grid construction is the defining feature of the Blackridge. The material traps heat when the wearer is stationary and releases excess warmth during movement — a natural, responsive form of thermoregulation that reduces the risk of overheating during snow sports. The grid channels increase airflow and help moisture escape during exertion, creating consistently comfortable microclimates throughout varied conditions.
Unlike conventional grid fleeces made from polyester or nylon blends, icebreaker’s approach relies on 100% plastic-free composition. The Merino-Lyocell blend delivers a soft hand feel, low bulk and strong breathability, while naturally offering odor resistance and thermal responsiveness. The result is a midlayer that performs across wide temperature swings, whether worn under a shell during alpine days or as a stand-alone piece during milder conditions. This marks a notable shift in the market: a grid fleece that achieves technical performance without defaulting to synthetic materials.
A key element of the design is the integrated hood-and-chute system, giving the wearer multiple configuration options depending on weather and intensity. It replaces separate accessories such as neck gaiters or lightweight balaclavas, reducing bulk while offering quick adaptability. The hood can be worn up, down, partially enclosed or combined with outer layers, adapting seamlessly to colder winds, sudden ascents or rest breaks.
For retailers, this modularity expands the usability narrative: the Blackridge functions as a single midlayer that covers a broad spectrum of conditions, reducing the number of items consumers need to carry. The fit is regular, lightweight and low-bulk, offering unrestricted movement on skin tracks, winter trails or alpine ridges. Available in men’s colors Abyss and Black and women’s Black and Dawn, the hoodie slots into a technical layering system without compromising comfort or freedom of movement.
The sustainability story behind the Blackridge extends beyond the absence of plastics. The midlayer is made in a vertically integrated facility in China, where both fabric and garment are produced on-site, reducing transport distances, emissions and resource use. The Merino wool is RWS-certified, ensuring responsible sourcing, while the Tencel Lyocell comes from FSC-certified wood and is processed in a closed-loop system with strong chemical management controls.
For icebreaker, this piece symbolizes the next phase of natural-fiber innovation: high-performance technical apparel that avoids synthetics without sacrificing capability. The ISPO Award 2025 recognizes this achievement — a midlayer that pairs functional engineering with a sustainability narrative grounded in material integrity. As demand for natural alternatives to synthetic fleece increases, the RealFleece™ Grid Blackridge Pullover Hoodie demonstrates how design, thermoregulation and environmental responsibility can align in a single, well-executed product.
"The RealFleece Grid Blackridge Pullover Hoodie stood out to the jury for delivering true technical performance without relying on synthetics. Its Merino-Tencel grid construction offers dynamic thermoregulation usually associated with plastic-based fleeces, while remaining entirely natural in origin. The piece fills a clear market need: a low-bulk, plastic-free midlayer that adapts to intensity and temperature shifts on winter mountain missions." ISPO Award Jury
Children’s winter wear often struggles to balance insulation, comfort and freedom of movement. Viking solves this challenge with the Expower Insulated SC Playsuit, a design focused on the way young children actually play outdoors. Awarded an ISPO Award 2025, the playsuit introduces Solarcore insulation to the seat area — a NASA-inspired aerogel technology that delivers exceptional warmth without bulk. This ultra-thin layer activates under pressure, offering reliable heat when children sit, slide or rest directly on snow. The concept is simple yet transformative: targeted insulation applied exactly where heat loss is greatest.
For Viking, the award also reflects a milestone in the company’s expanding apparel journey. “For Viking Apparel, as a new brand on the market, winning this award means a great deal,” says Silje Kristine Langsholt Røst, Product Manager Apparel. “We are so proud to be able to take the Solarcore success from footwear to children’s apparel.” As a Norwegian brand rooted in outdoor culture, Viking sees its mission clearly: “Our absolute biggest mission is to make products that keep the children dry, warm and comfortable.”
Beyond its advanced insulation, the Expower Insulated SC Playsuit is engineered for the realities of winter terrain. A windproof and waterproof outer material with Bionic Finish ECO shields against wet snow and cold winds, supported by fully taped seams to maintain performance in harsh conditions. The suit integrates Primaloft insulation throughout the rest of the body to ensure warmth remains breathable and evenly distributed.
Durability is a central theme: the main fabric is bluesign approved, and reinforced materials on the back and knees are designed for the toughest outdoor use — ideal for daily kindergarten play, where abrasion resistance is essential. Reflective elements enhance visibility in low winter light, while functional details like a removable hood, snow gaiters and easy-to-operate front zipper ensure everyday practicality. The waterproof rating above 15,000 mm and breathability of at least 7,000 g/m²/24h underline the technical ambition of the design.
The playsuit is aimed at children aged 1 to 10 years, especially those who spend long periods outdoors in kindergarten environments where sitting, jumping and crawling on snow are part of daily activity. The lightweight feel of Solarcore ensures that insulation never restricts mobility, allowing kids to stay outdoors longer while remaining warm and comfortable.
Viking highlights the importance of designing for real use patterns: the suit provides warmth without stiffness, supports natural movement and maintains comfort through a soft inner lining. The brand’s design DNA focuses on sustainable thinking, durability and clean Scandinavian aesthetics expressed through muted and mono colours. “Our DNA is to design with sustainability in mind. Durable fabrics are therefore a must,” says Røst. For retailers, the product offers strong value: a compact, clearly structured collection “so that both retailers and end consumers can find their absolute must-have for the kids.”
The Expower Insulated SC Playsuit marries advanced insulation technologies with a high level of weather protection and durability. By combining Solarcore and Primaloft, Viking delivers warmth that is efficient, lightweight and tailored to children’s needs in cold environments. “In the Expower SC Playsuit you will get a durable bluesign approved main fabric, together with Primaloft and Solarcore,” says Røst.
The ISPO Award 2025 recognizes this clear and purposeful approach: a playsuit built to keep children warm in the coldest conditions, to withstand heavy use and to support outdoor play without compromise
In a footwear market still dominated by synthetic materials, complex constructions and hard-to-recycle components, the Solk Fade 101 takes an uncompromisingly different path. It is the debut model of a brand built entirely around biocircularity, a principle that defines the sneaker from first stitch to end of use. Fade 101 is designed to be worn for years, returned via Solk’s take-back system and processed through the brand’s own in-house composting facility.
This lifecycle thinking is central to Solk’s mission. “We’re proud and grateful. This ISPO Award affirms our belief: make sneakers people want and make them harmless at end-of-life. It’s a welcome push to keep going,” says David Solk, Founder, Solk. The Fade 101 demonstrates what that belief looks like in practice — a sneaker engineered not only for comfort and longevity but for a clean, safe and traceable return to the earth. For retailers and consumers, it offers a modern aesthetic paired with material integrity rarely seen in lifestyle footwear.
Every component of the Fade 101 is selected for its ability to compost safely within Solk’s controlled system. The upper is made from German chrome-free, heavy-metal-free leather, ensuring both comfort and biodegradability. Inside, the sneaker features a knitted compostable yarn lining designed to minimise offcuts and deliver a second-skin fit. The outsole uses natural rubber, while the laces are made of Tencel with certified compostable aglets.
Solk’s take-back and composting system is the backbone of this approach. Since no industry-wide certification for compostable footwear exists, the company built its own infrastructure and testing protocols. Returned shoes are screened against 200+ hazardous substances, broken down under industrial-like conditions and evaluated for safe compost output. The brand reports that uppers decompose around 70% within 14 weeks, while midsoles exceed 90% degradation in under 45 days. Although the natural-rubber outsole takes longer, its purity ensures it will biodegrade without harmful residues.
In a global context — where hundreds of millions of sneakers end up in landfills each year — this closed-loop model offers a clear alternative: controlled material cycles with verified safety and end-of-life integrity.
Biocircularity alone would not be enough for a lifestyle sneaker aiming to replace conventional options. Fade 101 is therefore built to perform as a comfortable, durable everyday shoe. The brand draws on decades of shoemaking expertise to deliver a fit that feels familiar: secure in the heel, roomier in the forefoot and supportive throughout.
Design-wise, the sneaker emphasises timeless styling rather than trend-driven detailing. Clean lines, a sculpted silhouette and soft tactility create a premium look and wearing feel. The signature squiggle stitch on the medial side serves both symbolic and functional roles: a reminder of Solk’s evolving circular journey and a structural element that anchors the lining to the upper without excess glue.
Breathability, natural comfort and a low-impact construction support the idea of a favourite everyday sneaker — one that performs like a high-quality leather shoe during its life and becomes harmless compost once returned.
A defining advantage of the Fade 101 is Solk’s ownership of its manufacturing facility in Vietnam, allowing the company full oversight over materials, production methods and working conditions. This vertical structure enables precision in material selection, reduced waste through AI-driven leather cutting, and a seamless link between production, customer and take-back-composting system.
This ecosystem is particularly valuable for retailers looking for transparency and traceability in an otherwise complex and opaque category. With a clearly communicated end-of-life solution and durable construction aligned with premium lifestyle sneaks, Fade 101 provides a compelling option for design-led, quality-oriented consumers across the DACH region, Scandinavia and the UK.
For the ISPO Award jury, Fade 101 represents a remarkable step: a fully biocircular sneaker engineered from the ground up — aesthetically refined, built to last, and Made to Fade, without sacrificing comfort or credibility.
"The Solk Fade 101 impressed the ISPO Award jury as a fully biocircular sneaker with a verified end-of-life pathway. Every component is compost-capable, and Solk’s own take-back and in-house composting system ensures traceable material cycles from start to finish. In a market struggling with billions of sneakers entering landfills each year, Fade 101 offers a credible, scalable alternative that pairs comfort and design with real environmental responsibility." ISPO Award Jury
Built on over 200,000 scanned women’s feet, the Her Moment Mid GTX delivers targeted support, stability and winter-ready performance.
Designing footwear specifically for women is often reduced to simple adjustments, yet the Her Moment Mid GTX demonstrates how deep biomechanical insight can fundamentally reshape performance. Awarded an ISPO Award 2025, Viking’s mid-cut winter trail shoe is built on a last developed from over 200,000 scanned Nordic women’s feet, creating a precise fit that acknowledges the structural differences between male and female bodies. Women’s stability often relies more on ligament support, combined with a naturally greater Q-angle that increases the likelihood of overpronation—factors that can lead to knee, hip or heel discomfort on longer outings. Viking’s concept addresses these issues directly through a focused technical package built around real data, field testing and women-specific needs.
“With a heritage stretching over 100 years as a footwear manufacturer; for all types of weather, this award helps us to confirm that we still are at the forefront of pushing boundaries, in creating the best possible footwear for our customers,” says Ludvig Fauske-Palmér, Product Manager Performance Footwear. “The incorporation and creation of the woman’s specific last in cooperation with Volumental and the added attributes of the dual density EVA midsole (Motion Control) – makes this shoe one of our most exciting and researched projects, to date.”
At the heart of the Her Moment Mid GTX lies Motion Control technology, developed to reduce pronation, ankle strain and heel pain. This is supported by a dual-density EVA midsole that prevents arch flattening, helps maintain alignment and provides a stable platform during uneven winter terrain. Viking also integrates a reinforced TPU heel clip to stabilize the ankle and improve heel hold—an essential feature in colder seasons when ground conditions can be unpredictable. The technical build goes beyond cushioning: every component is chosen to support women’s biomechanics through the gait cycle.
The shoe was tested by 100 women walking for three months, providing feedback across different surfaces and conditions. Their insights informed adjustments in support, fit and flexibility, resulting in a shoe that balances guidance with comfort. Retailers, Viking notes, gain a compelling narrative through this evidence-driven approach: a shoe designed from the ground up to relieve tension and address common pain points in women’s trail and winter walking.
Beyond its stability platform, the Her Moment Mid GTX is engineered for cold-season environments. A GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane provides waterproof, breathable protection without adding stiffness, keeping feet warm and comfortable during winter walks. The upper uses recycled materials, contributing to a combined recycled share of 50% across mesh, lace and webbing. Lightweight construction maintains agility on the trail, and Viking’s signature Scandinavian design values—clarity, function and restraint—come through in the clean silhouette and subtle colorways.
The shoe is available in sizes 36–43 and colors Olive and Dark Neutral, matching the preferences of its target group: women aged 20 to 60 seeking supportive, winter-capable footwear designed specifically for the female body. As Fauske-Palmér notes, “This award will also help us to pursue new similar projects and look to the future – on how we can incorporate new technologies, to enable the best types of footwear for our consumer.”
In the Her Moment Mid GTX, Viking presents a women-specific stability shoe that is both technically grounded and purpose-built. By using extensive foot-scan data, integrating Motion Control, and reinforcing the design with a TPU heel clip and dual-density midsole, the brand elevates comfort and support for winter walking. Combined with a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane and recycled materials, the concept reflects Viking’s commitment to performance and responsibility. Retailers benefit from a strong, research-driven story, while end users experience a shoe that reduces strain, enhances confidence and supports movement on winter trails. The ISPO Award 2025 acknowledges this thoughtful and well-executed approach to women-specific design.
"The Her Moment Mid GTX convinced the jury with its evidence-based, women-first approach to design. Developed from over 200,000 scanned women’s feet, it translates biomechanical insight into tangible comfort and support. The integration of Motion Control technology, a dual-density EVA midsole, and a reinforced TPU heel clip provides stability where it matters most, while the GORE-TEX membrane ensures reliable protection for winter trails. A smartly engineered shoe that merges data-driven design with real performance." ISPO Award Jury
