Outdoor Insight

February 2018 • Outdoor Insight • 23 IF YOU'RE WALKING THE AISLES AT THE OR+SNOW SHOW, feeling overwhelmed with the new format and wondering, what's next, we've distilled down some of the biggest innovations on tap for the year ahead. As you plan your attack or simply stroll the aisles, keep your eyes peeled for these new technologies and trends that are shaping the winter outdoor and snowsports industries. 1. Renewed Eco Focus More brands are bringing their focus back to the environment with an emphasis on going green, continuous recycling and sustainability influencing consumer decisions. Jack Wolfskin is making an introduc- tion to the U.S. apparel market this year with outerwear made from completely recycled materials. PrimaLoft says 90 percent of its insula- tion products will include at least 50 percent recycled content by 2020 while maintaining the same industry-leading performance levels as a result of supply chain advancements. Burton's goal is for all softgoods to use 100 percent Bluesign approved materials, 100 percent sustainable cotton, 50 percent recycled polyester and 100 percent PFC-free DWRs by 2020. Adidas Outdoors sees continued momentum for sustainable and environmentally friendly products with programs such as Parley for the Oceans, using recycled ocean plastic as a raw material for foot- wear and apparel. And Schoeller is participating a new Wear2Wear European collaborative for recycling textiles, as well as introducing new Bio finishes and ECONYL upcycled yarn for F18. These are just a few examples of the growing eco-friendly trend. 2. Fat Skis Waning For a while there, skis just couldn't get fat enough… until ski makers realized that people on the east coast and in Europe didn't really want to ski on 110mm skis, at least not every day, and powder days are getting fewer and farther between. Even stalwarts like the Völkl Mantra goes from 100mm to 96mm underfoot for next year. Although conditions may not be improving on the mountains, Völkl aims to improve the way skis handle those conditions and is introducing a frontside ski called the Deacon in 76mm and 74mm waists. Independent brands built on Big Mountain and Freeride designs, like Liberty Skis for example, are now using proprietary technologies to bring skis down to as little as 76mm. 3. Indie Ski Brands on the Rise More retailers are giving wall space to boutique ski brands, and for good reason: "People want quality skis and they want to buy them from someone they can relate to and who understands them, not just because it's small batch, but because of performance, quality and community," says Parlor Skis founder Mark Wallace, who also points to a leveling of the playing field when it comes to access to materials, tooling and engineering. Sego Ski president Tim Wells adds that shop owners and consumers are realizing there's another choice, and people want a differentiated product. Sego hopes to soon be 70 percent wholesale, which is why this show is still so important to these indie brands. DPS has also seen double-digit wholesale growth 1 0 S T O R I E S I M P A C T I N G T H E I N D U S T R Y I N 2 0 1 8 . B Y A A R O N H . B I B L E TECH & TREND WATCH T R E N D S Image courtesy of Sego Ski Co.

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