This year, the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD competition was held by Messe Friedrichshafen for the third time. A total of 280 entries from 25 different countries were submitted to this year's innovation award, originally developed and organized by iF International Forum Design. An international jury of experts presented a total of 27 awards, of them two GOLD and six SILVER awards for exceptional performance in the field of design and innovation.

The INDUSTRY award jury's evaluation criteria included: degree of innovation, design quality, workmanship, choice of materials, environmental friendliness, sustainability, functionality, utility, safety, trendsetting character, and brand value/Branding.

The Judges were:
Boris Gnielka │ Motor Presse Stuttgart │ Stuttgart, Germany
Mark Held │ European Outdoor Group│ Zug, Switzerland
Alan Hinkes │ Adventurer │ North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Stephan Dietrich│ adidas AG│ Herzogenaurach, Germany
David Durkan │ Bergans │ Sandvika, Norway
Lars Kirchner │ OutDoor-Profis - Basislager │ Erfurt, Germany

Mammut did well and have been honored with two of the six total SILVER OutDoor INDUSTRY awards. Closer to home, James Titt, whose a regular at UKClimbing.com (UKC profile) and runs Bolt Products (www.bolt-products.com) was awarded a SILVER for his Twisted Leg bolts (specs here) - a glue in bolt that on test are the 'strongest in the world.' The UK's Wild Country did well also with their Alpine Shield helmet, see the UKClimbing.com report here: Wild Country Helmets: The 360 and the Alpine Shield

We are hoping to get a Mammut Smart belay device to test and Jon Griffith, UKC gear reviewer, has a review of the Black Diamond lantern coming up soon. See below for a list and description of the winning products.

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GOLD Award

05. Camping equipment:

"Therm-a-Rest NeoAir" air mattress Manufacturer/Design: Cascade Designs Inc., Seattle/USA

NeoAir is a super-light 3-season air mattress. Thanks to the new, highly developed material, it is warmer than any other insulated air mattress. It delivers body heat back to the body and diverts the cold to the underside.

Jury's opinion: "NeoAir is a real innovation. This air mattress is not only unbelievably light and beautifully designed, it is also extremely comfortable and very easy to use."

More information at: www.thermarest.com

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GOLD Award

05. Camping equipment:

"Wiglo Tent Concept": Tent
Manufacturer/Design: Bergans of Norway, Hokksund/Norway

The tent is a kind of tepee with a main post in the middle and three additional posts on the sides. This type of structure provides a particularly generous floor area. The three outer tent flaps can be rolled up to create three large entrances. The three poles provide the tent with great stability.

Jury's opinion: "A great, new type of tent with wonderful design features that can be used anywhere."

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SILVER AWARD

04. Mountain-climbing equipment:

"Mammut Smart": Security device
Manufacturer/Design: Mammut Sports Group, Seon/Switzerland

The Smart belay device is quick and easy to use and perfect for lead and top-rope climbing using a single rope. Developed especially for the growing numbers of indoor and sports climbers, the ingenious Smart provides dynamic braking in the event of a fall, but blocks on sensing even a small amount of force from the belayer. This makes it ideal for partners of different weights. The Smart is designed to respond to the reflexes of the human body: its functionality is not impaired, even if the belayer reacts inappropriately to a fall by jerking at the rope or tensing up.

Designed by Mammut to accommodate the brand's previous innovations in lightweight, skinny-yet-strong climbing ropes, the Smart is an assisted belay device with a non-mechanical automatic brake.

Jury's opinion: "Smart is dynamic, quick and simple. A convincing design solution with perfect functionality."

More information at: www.mammut.ch

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SILVER AWARD

02. Shoes

"Mamook GTX": Mountaineering Shoe
Manufacturer/Design: Mammut Sports Group, Seon/Switzerland

Weighing in at only 860 grams, the Mamook GTX is a real featherweight. The shoe is only hard where it actually has to be. It adapts to the foot particularly well and guarantees pleasant wearing comfort. The asymmetrical 3-zone lacing provides for top-class support – for any type of foot.

Jury's opinion: "The shoe stands out not only by virtue of its beautiful design, it is also very functional at the same time. The new type of material mix is convincing – especially its light weight."

More information at: www.mammut.ch

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SILVER AWARD

03. Back packs/Travel luggage

"Exos 46": Back packs
Manufacturer/Design: Osprey Europe Ltd., Dorset/Great Britain

The Exos 46 combines very light outer material with a new, super-light, comfortable back frame. Even though it weighs only 857 grams, it offers excellent wearing comfort and top-class ventilation. Its frame made of 6061-T6 aluminium stabilises even heavier loads, the flexible hip and shoulder straps made of bio-stretch foam also allow the air to circulate, are comfortable and adapt perfectly to the body.

Jury's opinion: "A real lightweight. The sophisticated structural design provides excellent wearing comfort."

More information at: www.ospreypacks.com

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SILVER AWARD

04. Mountain-climbing equipment

"Steel Blade“: Snow shovel
Manufacturer/Design: Grivel Mont Blanc, Courmayeur/Italy

The super-light snow shovel (406 grams) does not require any type of assembly. It is multifunctional and can also be used in cramped spaces. The shovel can be easily elongated with the help of an ice pick. Its steel edge is able to cut the sharpest ice edges.

:Jury's opinion: "This product is really innovative. The shovel has been reinvented: small, light and multifunctional. Basic equipment for ski tours and glacier climbs. And if it gets lost, its signal colour makes it easy to find again."

More information at: www.grivel.com

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SILVER AWARD

04. Mountain-climbing equipment

"BH1": Climbing Bolt
Manufacturer/Design: Bolt Products, Bockhorn/Germany

The first climbing bolt that dynamically jams into the hole when pressure is applied to significantly increase its holding power compared to conventional climbing bolt. When bearing a load, the twisted side pieces of the hook can move independently. Its twisted form forces its anchors against the hole, which increases its holding power enormously.

Jury's opinion: "The new climbing bolt solves an important problem in a completely new way. It stands out by virtue of its quality as well as its functionality."

More information at: www.bolt-products.com

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SILVER AWARD

04. Camping equipment

"Orbit": LED lantern
Manufacturer/Design: Black Diamond Equipment AG, Salt Lake City/USA

The Orbit, which weighs a mere 135 grams, is a bright, no-glare miniature, pocket-sized lantern (diameter 57 mm; height 102/140 mm). The dual reflector system bundles the light and maximizes the lighting range of the 1-watt LED. An integrated dimmer makes it possible to adapt the brightness. Orbit is operated with four AAA batteries or the rechargeable NRG2 battery kit.

Jury's opinion: "A good-looking, aesthetic, low-key product. A really great new aid that will find a multitude of uses."

More information at: www.blackdiamondequipment.com

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