What may seem to be an odd place for a knife company, Spyderco of Golden, CO, had a booth at the SIA show this year featuring most of their models. One knife in particular caught our eyes, not for any other reason than how it might help you or I our of a backcountry ‘situation’. On the surface, the Assist looks to be just a regular, single bladed knife, but it has so much more to offer. Continue reading SIA: Spyderco May Be Able to ‘Assist’ You
Category: SIA
Thursday Reading List (1/26/2012)
Outdoor Retailer Show Growing!
Welcome to the Thursday reading list. The trade shows continue, we’ve already seen new products come out of the Consumer Electronics Show and SHOT Show and it seems that this week’s Outdoor Retailer Show is outgrowing its home in Salt Lake City reports KSL.com, which noted (video above):
The Salt Palace Convention Center has expanded twice to host the show. The outdoor industry, and all the products associated with it, just keeps growing, and more and more companies want to be a part of this show every year. It’s kind of a nice problem to have, companies say.
SIA: The Fusing of Sight and Sound
People can have an eye for art and an ear for music, but at the SIA Snow Show in Denver Fuse Optics will introduce its new line of audio adaptable glasses. These are designed for those looking for stylish eyewear and a bit of music to accompany their workouts.
The Fuse Optics provide a new solution for communications, streaming music or cancelling noise, where built-in earbuds are held in place by the frames of the glasses. We think this could be the fusing of sight and sound in a sleek package.
SIA: Get on the Helmet Band-(It) Wagon
Over the years we’ve encountered many people who won’t wear helmets for cycling because they think they look cooler with their hair blowing in the wind – at least until a crash. Today many cyclists see a helmet as part of the style of riding. On the slopes, where fashion remains part of the sport, many skiers simply avoid the helmets because they won’t sacrifice style for safety.
But now Helmet Band-Its could be the answer, as the company offers an easy way to accessorize helmets, offering style whilst retaining the protection.
The patent-pending Helmet Band-Its, which are being shown at this week’s Snowsports Industry America’s trade show in Denver, are just as the name implies, fashionable bands that can be worn over and around a ski helmet. These are made of European faux and premium furs (sorry PETA), as well as high-quality cotton and even novelty materials for more whimsical designs. It allows skiers to look chic while skiing it safe!
SIA: Venture Snowboards
This week at the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) show in Denver Venture Snowboards is showing a full line of its 2012/2013 boards including the Euphoria, Helix, Zephyr, Storm and Odin.
Made in America: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
Snowshoeing is an activity that most able bodied people can do during the winter, just as long as there is enough snow. This is proving to be a fairly light snow year, at least in Colorado, but hopefully as we get into the later winter months that will change. There are quite a few companies that still manufacture their snowshoes in America, and one recently caught our eye due to its unique features. The MSR Lightning Ascent, by Cascade Designs, looks like a traditional snowshoe from a far, but has a whole list of features that set these shoes one step ahead of the competition. Continue reading Made in America: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
SIA 2012: Quicksilver Makes a Play for the Mountains
Quicksilver, a brand known among surfers, watermen, skateboarders and snowboarders, is prepping its fall 2012 line for a newly launched mountain division. The line will be on show at Outdoor Retailer and SIA this month.
The fall line includes 16 pieces including insulator jackets, down parkas, fleeces, bombers, windbreakers and shells that range in price fom $80 to $250. In an early look Quicksilver revealed a photo of its Ghost Tree jacket, shown in orange.
CES 2012: Liquid Goggle Cams
At last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas we saw a lot of waterproof devices, and accessories to protect from a few spills – liquid or otherwise. But then there was Liquid Image that introduced products that were anything but all wet. And while not designed for the water, these sports tech products did make us take notice.
Liquid Image revealed two additions to its Xtreme Sports Cams line of goggles with built-in video cameras. These feature the camera along with Wi-Fi and GPS, and can of course be controlled via a smartphone. The Apex HD snow goggles will feature a 136-degree wide angle lens with Line of Sight video capture at 30FPS in full HD 1080p mode, or 60FPS in 720 action mode. This one can even take 12megapixel stills – which is very impressive from a wearable camera. Continue reading CES 2012: Liquid Goggle Cams
Thursday Reading List (1/12/2012)
While we were are the Consumer Electronics Show this week, across the pond – that would be the Atlantic Ocean – another trade show was happening, this would be the London Bike Show. Fortunately our friends at BikeRadar.com were there:
SIA: Snow Show a Sellout
The SIA Snow Show is still more than two months away, and winter is still a month off itself, but already the annual industry trade event is poised to sell out. Predictions of a bad winter is good news for the snow sports industry, which expects to draw more than 19,000 attendees including snow sport suppliers, retailers, reps, athletes and professionals from around the world to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver for the January 26-29 event.
The Snow Show, which sold out in booth space last June, will feature over 900 snow sports brands throughout over 330,000 sq. ft. square feet of exhibit space including 96 new exhibitors, which are brand new to the Show or returning after taking a hiatus. 2011 Video Recap after the jump
Made in America: FITS Socks Co.
Last week was the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) Show in New York featuring a number of different manufacturers from all around the winter sports industry. With so many companies to choose from, it might seem odd that we picked a sock company to feature. There are quite a few sock companies that still produce their items in the U.S.A., but most usually on feature three sizes – FITS Socks manufactures five different sizes ranging from 3-½ to 15-½ for men and 5 to 17 for women.
Knitting socks in Niota, TN since 1902, Crescent Sock Co. endured the ups and downs that shaped the character of America’s people and her textiles industry. Today the company produces socks under its own FITS name in the oldest operating hosiery mill in the U.S. – leveraging technical expertise and long-held knowledge of fit and comfort. The family-owned company remains committed to its vision, its people, and to keeping jobs in the Tennessee Valley. Crescent manufactured socks for more than 30 other brands before deciding to market its own high-quality product. Responding to an industry-wide epidemic of ill-fitting socks, FITS leveraged over a century of experience to develop the world’s best-fitting sock using materials, processes, and quality controls that far exceed industry standards. The result: a product line that embodies the crucial connection between fit and performance.
FITS Sock has a different approach to sock ‘fitting‘. Instead of looking at the length of the foot, they base their sizing on total volume of the foot creating a precise sock-fit. FITS socks are constructed from two-ply, compact-spun, ultra-fine Merino Wool, providing the ultimate blend of softness and durability. Their F3 Technology™ delivers a unique form FIT thanks to a deep heel pocket, specialized toe seam, and contoured leg – which keep FITS socks firmly in place. This means no more bunching, hot spots, or friction, regardless of the task at hand – if you experience any of these issues, you will appreciate how important a good pair of fitting socks can make your sporting experience much more enjoyable.
At SIA FITS was featuring their winter sports sock – FITS SKI. The heart of the FITS SKI line is the FITS Ultra Light SKI, a minimalist’s SKI sock. Developed to be the thinnest high-performance Merino Wool ski sock, it features ultra-light construction with absolutely no cushioning; a vented instep for breathability and reduced material; and FITS’ signature SculptureKnit leg that conforms to your foot and leg and stays up all day.
Along with winter sports, FITS also produces socks for hikers, runners, hunters and even business or casual use. Ranging from $15.99 to $19.99, FITS Socks are available directly from their website or you can search their store locator page to find a retailer near you. If you order directly from FITS, rest assured that the socks will fit you properly. If you are not satisfied with your socks, simply contact FITS Sock Co. within 30 days and they will replace your pair with the correct size or refund your money.
SIA Preview: MTN Approach – Backcountry Riders Rejoice!
‘Fresh tracks’… the endless pursuit of most boarders to be the first to descend a mountain full of freshly fallen snow. At most resorts it is tough to be to first on the slopes so this drives the truly hardcore into the backcountry. These people hike up slopes for hours in waist-deep snow just to get one or two runs a day in the virgin snow – a ‘high‘ that is tough to duplicate.
The pursuit of freshies just got a little easier! MTN Approach has announced the first three-part, light weight, folding approach ski. Designed by snowboarders and weighing just 3.5 pounds per foot, each ski has two hinges that allows this 150cm ski to fold down to 53cm (approximately 21”). This might not sound like a big deal, but as someone who has snowshoed all-day to ride on some fresh powder, the use of skis make the ascent much quicker and easier as they do not sink into the snow as deep. Sure, snowshoes work fine to hike up a slope, but they often do not fit snowboard boots very well. This means that more equipment is required to be carried if a second set of boots is needed.
The MTN Approach skis do not utilize traditional ski bindings requiring specific, ridged boots. The MTN Approach skis has bindings that a straps similar to snowboards which allows the use of just about any snowboard boot. These skis also feature metal edges, side cuts and full camber. This permits the rider to perform a more confident ascent of the mountain, especially when traversing a slope. Continue reading SIA Preview: MTN Approach – Backcountry Riders Rejoice!
SIA Preview: Boots That Fit Like a Glove, Only Better
While a lot of skiing is of course about the actual skis, the truth is that it is the boots that play a big role. Having ill fitting boots can result in bad form and accidents. But now Fisher Skis US is looking to make ski boots that fit like a glove.
The Fischer Vacuum Fit pretty much gives away how they accomplish this, setting a new standard in Alpine boots, making for the first ski footwear that has a 100 percent custom fit. The patented Fischer VACU-PLAST material provides for a completely anatomical fit of the entire boot. But yet it doesn’t take a massive amount of time or money to obtain this level of quality. Fittings can be in about 20 minutes, offering a reliable and stable result. The material inside can be reshaped up to five times ensuring that each customer gets a 100 percent perfect fit.
(Video after the jump)
Continue reading SIA Preview: Boots That Fit Like a Glove, Only Better