Two SALEWA Mountaineering Products Win Outdoor Industry Gold Award 2018

June 18, 2018

SALEWA From South Tirol, Wins Two Gold Awards at The International Outdoor Sports Trade Fair In Friedrichshafen. The SALEWA Wildfire Edge Approach Shoe and the Apex Wall Mountaineering Pack

Boulder, Colorado, June 18, 2018 –  Perfectly timed for the start of the summer climbing season in the Dolomites, mountain sports brand SALEWA, based in the South Tirolean Bolzano, has won two more international awards in the Equipment and Footwear categories. Within the Approach category, it was the Wildfire Edge, the refined tech approach version of the hugely popular, high-performance Wildfire model, that earned the accolade. And the second award went to the Apex Wall, the robust mountaineering pack for ambitious alpinists. The two OutDoor Industry Awards 2018 further reinforce the management-led family owned business’ focus on its brand essence and brand heritage. Their efforts at striving for progressive, technical solutions for alpinists has once again been recognized at Friedrichshafen.

Sebastian Schaller, Technical Sales Manager and involved in overseeing both product categories is delighted with the news: “In our opinion, we are the first company to produce technical packs that really address the issue of a sweaty back. In 2017, we introduced the Split Shoulder Straps in our Ultra Train pack for speed hiking, which won the 2017 ISPO Award. In 2018, we then introduced the Contact Flow Fit system, which featured in our ISPO awarded Winter Train Rucksack for Ski Mountaineering. These two in-house developed technologies offer a precise fit, good freedom of movement and above all a built-in ventilation system for the back that keeps it dry. These key features will be used in all SALEWA backpacks in future. In developing the Apex Wall, we combined these elements with the functionality and materials required for a backpack for technically demanding mountaineering, without compromising comfort in the shoulder strap and back panel areas.”

The Jury Statement: “We liked the Apex Wall the moment we saw it. Its ventilated carry system with its enhanced air circulation and reduced contact points is exceptional, as is the optimal tapered design for load distribution. The overall attention to detail is outstanding.”

Solutions that are wholly convincing and inspiring. The same goes for the Footwear category: “When it comes to tech approach shoes, it’s all about striking the balance between climbing performance and walkability”, explains SALEWA Product Manager Giordano Vechiet. “Mountain guides and climbers tell us that they either opt for a narrower fit – good to climb in, but uncomfortable on hikes and descents. Or a more comfortable fit – nice for walking, but with less precision when climbing, especially at the toe and when edging. But combining both characteristics in one shoe has not been possible to date. That is why we made further improvements to our 3F System and also came up with the new Switchfit system. The result is that alpinists can now wear the new Wildfire Edge for hiking and climbing – because the toe box can be compressed when required.”

The Salewa Switchfit system is as simple as it is smart. Simply lace the additional eyelet on the Wildfire Edge and then tighten them up. This way, you pull the foot forward into the toebox, compressing the toes similar to a climbing shoe. Once you’ve finished climbing, you return the laces to the original, standard position, for a wider toe box and more hiking comfort.

Founded in Munich in 1935, SALEWA has been designing backpacks for over 70 years. In 2005, the South Tiroleans began manufacturing mountain footwear in Montebelluna. The brand, which is based in the heart of the Dolomites, offers a full collection of mountain sports products from apparel, footwear, and equipment, to backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents.

ABOUT SALEWA

Behind SALEWA stands 80 years of experience in the vertical and on high-alpine expeditions. The mountain sports specialist wants to inspire people all around the world to live and to experience the mountains, and it outfits mountain athletes with the appropriate gear for their alpine activities. With the development of innovative, functional, premium products, the multi-specialist puts great emphasis on its trusted network of alpine institutions, active mountain athletes, specialized partners and professional mountain guide organizations. Founded in 1935 in Munich, Germany, the family-owned, management-led company today has its global headquarters in the heart of the Dolomites, in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. Employing 550 people globally, the firm is among the leading international brands in the mountain sports segment with its four product categories of apparel, footwear, equipment and technical hardware.