Equal performance, lower impact on the environment: With this idea, Garmont set out and teamed up with the Italian footwear brand and B-Corp ACBC to rework one of their iconic models, the Dragontail Tech. The Dragontail Tech Geo has a scientifically calculated 28.8% lower environmental impact in terms of CO2 and is to set a new standard in reducing the carbon footprint for the brand’s collection.
To create a more sustainable product, there are lots of steps and components that have to be taken into consideration. From raw materials, processing, logistics, packaging and end of life, lots makes a difference when it comes to the carbon footprint of a shoe. But to find out how to make the most eco friendly version of the Dragontail, one of their well-loved hiking and approach models, Garmont took a closer look. »The biggest challenge was to combine performance and responsible materials,« says Garmont Head of Product Paolo Martignon. The shoe was therefore disassembled into its single components, from the main upper materials up to the smallest inner reinforcements during the development process and the brand calculated the CO2 impact for each one trying to find more eco-friendly alternatives to reduce it. The brand’s main challenge was to provide the same level of abrasion resistance, durability, and support of virgin materials, for example, substituting leather with a FreeBio™ Microfiber Upper made from 40% recycled PL 15% recycled PU, 14% recycled Calcium Carbonate and 10% wood fiber.
A scientifically calculated impact comparison according to GHG Protocol was therefore done. This calculation took into consideration raw materials, transport, production, packaging, and the product's end of life. But also from upper, lining, reinforcements, sole package and accessories CO2 impacts where measured and compared between different possible material options. Driven by numbers, Garmont found a balance that doesn’t compromise performance. »We had to make changes in the last second when everything seemed to be defined just because some tests had not given exactly the results expected. We have been able to show that we can make more sustainable technical products and this is the most important result for us because it opens the doors to countless future projects,« Martignon explains
The shoe still has a lot of other features making it a great hiking shoe, for example an extended protective rand, an asymmetrical and extended lace to toe closure to better adapt to different feet and instep volumes, and a wide toe box for more comfort on long days or multi-day adventures. A different insole design for men and women offers support and cushioning, while the Michelin Off-Road outsole gives grip all sorts of terrains.
Overall, a huge number of laboratory tests were performed to ensure that all selected materials satisfy the brand's physical and mechanical test specifications before the shoes were taken out on field tests. Each pair of shoes will also be equipped with a QR code on the hangtag referring to their impact in numbers as well as the materials used for each component of the shoes.
This transparent approach for the Dragontail Tech Geo should influence future approach and hiking shoes to come.
Who says cotton isn't suitable for wild adventures in nature? Matching the Terrex Xploric Wind Jacket made of organic cotton, Adidas Terrex combines it with pants made of the same material. Their functionality is based on a particularly robust fabric construction with water-repellent finish and many practical details.
The adidas Terrex Xploric Pants for men show what is possible with cotton: The functional outdoor pants are robust and are perfect for less intensive activities in nature or at the campsite. It is part of the 'Made With Nature in adidas terrex Apparel', a range of functional and stylish products that venture into the future of outdoor clothing. The goal is to use natural materials, harness their inherent performance properties and enhance them through construction and additional treatments. To help make better decisions, Adidas Terrex measures and publishes the carbon footprint (CO2e) of these products.
The pants were made from 98 percent cotton, with 78 percent of that being organic cotton and 20 percent being BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton. The missing two percent consist of spandex, which provides additional freedom of movement, but without compromising the stability of the fabric. In addition, a particularly durable, windproof ripstop construction was used for the outer fabric, which can also withstand light rain showers thanks to a PFC-free DWR finish.
The abrasion resistance of the material has been tested by the Terrex product testing team in various activities and conditions to ensure that the product is suitable for various outdoor occasions and will last for a long time. Due to the material composition and fiber selection, the pants offer UPF protection of 50+, which is especially important in the spring and summer months when UV exposure is high.
Sustainability, durability and comfort were at the forefront of the development. Thus, the pants offer perfect protection from wind and sun. The side-mounted pockets also offer plenty of storage space and combine style and functionality to look good in any environment. The target audience is young outdoor lovers* who are looking for micro adventures, but prefer their own look.
The pants are only available for men in different colors and will be launched in February 2024.
The Men’s Customizable Boxer Briefs by Twinery is designed to alleviate daily challenges wearers face with their underwear and to fit all body shapes, sizes, and lifestyles. Twinery is on the lookout for the right retailer brand to take this unique product to market. Brands supporting an active lifestyle, with a focus on functionality, aesthetics and comfort will find this product to be the perfect fit for their consumers.
Twinery, the innovation arm of MAS Holdings, thrives on transforming the human textile interface, which puts groundbreaking, life-improving technologies right next to your skin. Twinery ranks 18 in Fast Company’s list of top 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators for 2022. And this time, they have disrupted the Men’s Boxer Briefs, which won them an ISPO Award 2023.
Combining consumer research and over 35 years of product knowledge, these boxer briefs allow wearers to customize the product to suit their lifestyles and their bodies; enhancing performance and comfort. With customizable waist bandwidths and leg lengths, seamlessly integrated sweat management zones and anti-ride-up features, the patent-pending method of construction and design features provide superior comfort, breathability, and anti-odor protection during any activity.
Ranil Vitarana, Chief Technology Officer of MAS Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., stated: “MAS and its innovation arm Twinery have been working on bringing sustainable change to our industry in many forms. Our latest breakthrough comes in the form of a technology unlock that allows the wearer to dictate the specification, taking away waste from the system. This is revolutionary for this industry. This award signifies the importance of bringing about this positive change.”
Malaka Chathuranga, Technical Lead at Twinery, added: “Made with premium Nylon 66 material, these boxer briefs deliver a softer hand feel, giving the consumer a luxurious experience. This softer hand feel is combined with our built-in anti-riding-up feature, using two specialized techniques. The first involves mapping the muscle lines to ensure that muscle movement in the leg is independent; the second technique is advancing our knitting capabilities to integrate elastic material at the fiber level to ensure support is provided at the hem.”
The unique construction uses minimal seams which eliminates chafing and improves comfort overall. The Vitruvian line feature supports independent muscle movement, eliminating boxer leg riding up ensuring freedom of movement while the boxer sits comfortably on your body, even during the most intense workouts. Compression in the right areas provides the right support for an active lifestyle.
These boxer briefs mark a significant milestone in eliminating size buckets within the apparel industry. It shifts the focus from fitting into your clothes to clothes fitting you. “We at Twinery approach our innovations as a holistic end-to-end solution. These boxer briefs are a result of our revolutionary manufacturing technology. Our technology unlock enables the boxer briefs to be made to order and fully customized to the exact requirements of our consumers”, explains Limali Panduwawala, Commercialization Lead at Twinery. She continuous, “this means fit, form, and function customization, which changes the way consumers buy boxers. For the brands, this also means no excess stock, lower returns, and no inventory costs. This can all be done by eliminating waste in the manufacturing process and excess garments that go into landfills. So, we are revolutionizing the process of buying and making boxers while offering unparalleled comfort and customization to our consumers.”
The boxer briefs allow customers to experience true comfort, embrace their individuality, and boost self-confidence by feeling satisfied with their body shape and size. It’s a transformative step towards personalized fit, enabling a greater sense of happiness and contentment with oneself.
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Thanks to its futuristic and all-new outsole unit, and its low weight, the Dachstein SF TREK hiking shoe is a game-changer in the realm of outdoor footwear. The Austrian innovation was rewarded with the ISPO Award 2023.
Dachstein, the Austrian company offering outdoor and urban footwear from the heart of the Alps, can celebrate receiving the ISPO Award 2023 for their new SF TREK hiking shoe. At their jury meeting for the second round of the ISPO Awards 2023, the judges were impressed by the elaborate details and sustainable features of the shoe. The SF TREK incorporates the latest technology and recycled materials to provide hikers with a pleasant experience on the trail. With a new outsole unit, the boot ensures increased stability and rugged durability while maintaining lightweight comfort. Whether for easy hikes or technical ascents, the SF TREK delivers a new feeling for outdoor adventures.
Designed for modern hikers, the SF TREK is made of the most technical and lightweight materials, with the new outsole unit being at the core of the innovations. It features the HIKEPLATE, a TPU molded shank adding stability and control for a perfect stride on every step. The lightweight and durable EVA midsole provides cushioning, rebound, and ground feel, while the “trail-compound” rubber outsole delivers a robust lug pattern that Dachstein specifically designed for hiking and trekking adventures, allowing for good traction on any surface.
On top of these and other features, the SF TREK provides a fresh and modern look that targets younger outdoor enthusiasts with its combination of straightforward design and up-to-date technology. With a knit collar that allows for easy entry and a custom sock-like fit, the SF TREK ensures to keep rocks and dirt out of the shoes. The quick-drying and breathable mesh upper delivers abrasion resistance and moisture management. For those who like a more rugged feel, Dachstein also offers a leather version. It features the new AWS membrane developed by the Salzburg-based company for a waterproof and breathable outdoor experience.
Available in a mid-cut style and a range of colors (coyote, gray, green, and blue), the SF TREK is perfect for technical hikers seeking modern equipment. The intended usage is for hiking, technical ascents, and treks. Dachstein says they crafted the SF TREK to inspire adventure and fuel people’s desire for the outdoors. Christoph Döttelmayer, Head of Design at Dachstein, points out: “The SF TREK is our vision of a modern hiking shoe which combines a clean, simple design and new technologies. Its shape and contours go beyond a traditional hiking shoe shape, and they perform amazing and look cool.”
Priced at €149 for the mesh version and €169 for the leather/AWS membrane option, the jury of the ISPO Awards 2023 found the SF TREK a suitable solution for discerning hikers and thus agreed to give Dachstein the coveted award. The shoe will be available in the summer of 2024.
The Danish brand Nordisk has introduced an innovative tool for all outdoor lovers. The durable NFC chip, which is installed in the brand’s tents, enables customers to access loads of information that facilitates the use of the product. The jury of the ISPO Award 2023 honored the idea with the coveted award.
The Scandinavian outdoor experts at Nordisk have included NFC chips in some of their newest tents, such as the Ydun Sky, enabling customers a new kind of digital experience that the judges of the second round of this year’s ISPO Award found worthy of an ISPO Award 2023.
The chip works as a product passport, making it easier to follow the product from the factory to the end consumer. This benefits not only Nordisk but also its customers. The NFC tag is sewn into the packsack of the tent. Scanning it with a smartphone by “tapping”, which means placing its back on the indicated NFC tag, takes customers to a unique website where they can find inspirational pictures, product information, FAQs, and how-to-set-up instructions. It also allows for easy customer registration and a premium easy-to-access ecosystem experience. In addition, Nordisk rewards registration with an extended 5-year warranty on manufacturing defects.
The concept behind this solution, which Nordisk developed in partnership with Dutch company Tappr, is to allow customers to engage with the product digitally before, during, and after using it. This NFC tag also enables Nordisk to add sustainability metrics to each product, such as production location, shipment method, and CO2 footprint. While QR codes tend to wear down quickly when used outdoors, the NFC tag offers a durable, reliable, and functional solution. The NFC tag is waterproof, tearproof, and windproof, making it ideal for outdoor use, and it is also machine washable.
Nordisk is a company that emphasizes sustainability, and although the NFC itself is not green since it’s a microchip, it has a positive impact in terms of sustainability. It enables transparency in production and shipping and also facilitates easy care and repair of the product. The Nordisk chip is ROHS compliant, which means it restricts hazardous substances found in electrical and electronic products.
The NFC solution comes at no additional cost to customers. Nordisk aims to utilize this solution to reduce its dependency on printed paper. Printed manuals and product guides, for example, are no longer needed. Nordisk also uses it to tell the product’s unique story as well as offer the right add-on products. The jury chose this package as a winner of the ISPO Award 2023.
Easy to use: just “tap” the NFC chip with the smartphone.
