OutDoor by ISPO is in the starting blocks. The world’s largest outdoor trade fair will return to the exhibition grounds in Riem from June 3-5, 2024.
For three whole days, the international outdoor community will come together to discuss the latest developments, including the most exciting products and solutions that the outdoor industry currently has to offer. Once again, the winners of the prestigious ISPO Award will be officially presented on stage and in the ISPO Award exhibition in Hall A2 as part of the trade fair OutDoor by ISPO.
The ISPO Award
Innovations are one of the major drivers for the outdoor industry and the demand for highly functional product developments remains high. The seal of quality is awarded to sports products with a particularly high innovative character and thus offers a curated overview of the most important trends within the industry. A jury of experts assesses the product innovations submitted by the sports and outdoor brands in advance. Only those who collect a certain number of points in a total of nine different criteria receive an ISPO Award. The jury consists of business professionals as well as regularly changing, sports-orientated consumers from the ISPO Collaborators Club. This way, the perspective of the actual users of the service or product is always included in the assessment.
Trends are developing
The lightweight trend continues with improved and more robust textile fibres that increase the durability of the products, especially with trail running shoes. Young brands such as NNormal impress consumers with innovative concepts such as interchangeable insoles.
The industry is continuing to develop in the direction of recycled and natural fibres and is placing an increasing emphasis on the reparability of products. ‘Recycled fibres are now the standard,’ says jury member and textile expert Dr Regina Henkel with delight. ‘Manufacturers are thinking beyond the mere production of a product. Reparability is the new topic.’ In addition, more environmentally friendly materials are increasingly being used for impregnation.
Surprising innovations
The jury was amazed by the foldable and re-inflatable aH-1 bicycle helmet from the English brand Ventete. The development of this bicycle helmet took a whole 9.5 years. But there are culinary highlights too: coffee out of a tube. No Normal Coffee impresses with its high-quality flavour product for outdoor coffee enjoyment.
Outdoor is more diverse than ever
The popularity of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, climbing and, in particular, fast hiking – a combination of hiking and running – is constantly increasing. This year’s ISPO Award show, that the industry is responding with innovative products for these sports, for example with the Deuter Speed Lite Pro and the Rab Vail XP 30. Hybrid shoes – such as the Aenergy Ultra from Mammut – are also on the market to fulfil the needs of the fast hiking community. Trends such as vanlife and camping remain popular, with manufacturers focusing on lightweight, space-saving and stylish products, such as the award-winning Frontier cook- and dinnerware range from Sea to Summit. The digital world also offers innovative solutions for outdoor activities, such as the Doxa Sports app for urine analysis for outdoor athletes and professional athletes, or the Goes Health first aid app, which is designed for outdoor emergencies. All innovations can be seen in the ISPO Award Exhibition Area at OutDoor by ISPO.
Trade visitors and journalists of OutDoor by ISPO can experience all ISPO award winning products of the first and second quarter of this year live in the large Award Area in Hall A2. This is also where the trophies will be presented: On the first day of the fair, Monday, JUNE 3, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. In the evening at 5 pm, the Orange Stage in Hall A1 will be the venue for another exciting event: the Special Recognitions will be awarded for the first time. In addition to the already well-known and coveted Public Choice Award, in which the members of the ISPO Collaborators Club vote for their final favourite, the favourites of retail and the jury will also be celebrated as well. The winners are not announced in advance – so the surprise is guaranteed.
Click here for the programme of OutDoor by ISPO: https://www.ispo.com/en/events
More information about OutDoor by ISPO at: https://www.ispo.com/en/outdoor
