From a better ride to saving lives innovation that truly changes the game
Without fail this year as every year before it companies have launched new lines of winter sports gear in hopes of wooing a few wallets open. Some of the products single-handedly revolutionize winter sports some of them flat-out suck but most of them ride the wide meridian of mediocrity. Here are a few gems that stood out for this season.
NOT JUST BINDING… BONDING
Every once in awhile the snowboard industry sees an innovation that truly changes the game. For 2008 Burton’s new Extra Sensory Technology (EST) takes the cake. The technology was so under wraps that snowboard media had to sign non-disclosure agreements just to get the lowdown on what all the fuss was about.
EST is Burton’s latest venture into creating infinitely adjustable stance options while maintaining board flex and on-snow feel. It works in two parts. Firstly the board employs a single 10-inch channel rather than inserts for an unlimited number of stance options. Secondly compatible bindings are mounted through two contact points located in channels outside the sidewall of the binding chassis rather than on a disk in the baseplate underfoot.
By moving the mounting hardware out from underfoot and to the outside of the binding chassis Burton was able to remove much of the rigidity from the binding baseplate and replace it with differing densities of EVA (ethylene vinyle acetate) foam. Getting rid of the rigid baseplates found on most bindings and replacing them with these so-called removable SensoryBEDs allows the overall setup to absorb impact and vibrations allowing for true flex with no dead space.
The result creates a seamless binding-to-board relationship with uninterrupted board flex. Dampening is amplified response goes through the roof and all the while your speed and control reach new heights on rough terrain and park features. Fresh dump overnight? No prob. Strap in and adjust your stance without taking your foot out of the binding. Lapping the park? Bring your stance forward once again on the fly.
The EST is exclusive to the X8 Jeremy Jones Stria and Un..Inc boards for the 2008 season. Check it out at burton.com.
RETRO MEETS FUTURE
Arriving on the scene in 1980 the Raichle Flexon Comp boot quickly developed a cult following unlike anything else in skiing at the time. The Flexon’s design delivered smooth flex and unrivalled performance and soon both weekend warriors and top skiers like ’80s mohawk icon Glen Plake were rockin’ them. Virtually unchanged for two decades the lightweight three-piece boot featured a floating ribbed tongue designed by ski bum Eric Giese a NASA scientist-turned-inventor. The Flexon went on to dominate freestyle and mogul podiums around the globe into the 1990s. But by the end of the millennium Raichle had run into hard times and production ceased on the monumental boot.
Skiers scrambled and believe it or not the Flexon became a hot underground commodity. Used pairs have commanded high prices through gear swaps and circulation on EBay for the past 10 years. Until now. Last year two boot-fitting fanatics managed to get the coveted rights to the original Flexon moulds and reincarnated the beloved boot under the banner of Full Tilt Boots. The new Full Tilt boots are a beefed up version of the old Flexons with a burly modern liner for hammering out lines all day long. Plus the Intuition liners actually come heat molded to the shell for optimal integration and feel inside the boot — and are also incredibly warm. This firm-flexing boot pushes the biggest boards through the nastiest of conditions. Check it out at fulltiltboots.com.
PUT UP YOUR DUKES
Up until now it has been difficult to find a binding to suit those seeking to skin uphill in search of fresh lines to rip up on the way down. With many resorts offering quick access to backcountry terrain skiers are demanding a binding that can handle the job with no sacrifices. Enter the Duke from Marker a burly alpine touring binding that doesn’t compromise the downhill experience. Unlike past attempts that have tried to integrate a freeride component into a touring binding Marker developed a freeride binding and added a touring feature.
After two years of research and development this marks the first entry into the touring market for a traditional binding manufacturer but if things go well for Marker it may not be the last. The binding isn’t light at almost 2.7 kilograms (five pounds 15 ounces) but with a DIN of 16 you’ll have one hell of a ride down with this bomber. (Bindings use the universal scale called DIN to assure that bindings worldwide release under the same force. Setting your binding to the correct release setting is essential for your safety.)
A solid chassis links the toe piece with the heel unit and this also enables the heel to be adjusted for different boot lengths. The entire unit hinges on a toe pivot for touring mode and a laterally solid track-and-flange system locks your boot down. When engaged the climbing mechanism hinges back three centimetres for efficient skinning. In ski mode it acts like an alpine binding allowing the ski to flex freely underfoot and its wide footprint — designed for ski widths 76 millimetres and fatter — gives it powerful edge transfer control.
If you’re looking for that stash just beyond the chairlift or stacking laps in the backcountry this binding just might be the ticket. Check it out at markerusa.com.
GREEN GEAR
While green environmentally friendly products are nothing new to store shelves much of the gear that gets used in pristine outdoor areas has dirty little secrets behind it. Fiberglass harmful chemicals and glues are used in the ski and snowboard manufacturing process. In recent years the green movement has seen many companies change their practices — whether this is simply a marketing ploy because it’s hip or a reputable effort to improve their environmental impact is up for debate. One company that has led the charge on the green front is Arbor Snowboards.
Arbor is a pioneer and eco-design leader of snowboard technology. The company’s unique approach has allowed it to develop an independent voice and fuse green design innovation with consumer environmental awareness. The small company goes against the grain both literally and figuratively using wood from eco-friendly and sustainable sources and creating a radically different look for the industry to chew on. Arbor has always made its mark by creating surfboards skateboards and snowboards from koa bamboo cork and other woods leaving the grains in plain view. The company asserts that the planet offers solutions that are superior to many standard manufacturing methods. As a result it uses a selection of natural materials to develop organically driven designs — technologies that create a higher level of relevance in a responsible way. Arbor also pledges to be conscious of the footprint it leaves and to use organic eco-friendly materials and limit the use of epoxy and other chemicals when designing boards. On top of that it also donates a portion of profits to organizations working to save and restore the planet. For more information go to arborsports.com.
RIDING OUT A SLIDE
You’ve nearly finished your bag of chips so you give them a shake and voila the largest ones seem to rise to the surface. Similarly larger objects tend to rise to the surface of avalanche debris while smaller particles have a tendency to fall to the bottom. The larger the surface area the greater the chances of staying on top of a turbulent flowing medium.
That’s where the Airback Backpack System (ABS) comes into play. By pulling a ripcord the avalanche air bag adds 150 litres or more to the user’s volume. The backpack works by increasing the volume and surface area to help float the victim to the surface during the slide and as the snow settles. The airbags stow conveniently in the backpack until the trigger handle on the shoulder strap is pulled. Within two to two-and-a-half seconds the nitrogen-air cartridge is activated deploying two bags out of the sides of the pack.
With the incredible growth of backcountry skiing and snowboarding the number of deaths due to avalanches has also increased. Aside from not venturing into the backcountry at all the ABS system is the only device currently available that works to actively keep the user on the surface of an avalanche. All other avalanche safety devices enable the user to be located but do not change the probability of burial leading to asphyxiation the leading cause of death in avalanches.
Used for over 10 years in Europe the statistics are impressive: more than 90 per cent of avalanche victims end up on the surface and are recovered alive. After years of bureaucratic delays the backcountry lifesaver is now available in North America and is rapidly gaining popularity. As prices and weight continue to drop the air bag will most likely become standard equipment for all backcountry travellers. Find out more at abs-airbag.com.
