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March 2007

2007 SIA Show: Top 25 Products and Trends

Want to know what will be hot on the slopes next season? We cruised the SIA Show in Las Vegas to find out.

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Check out our favorite new products and trends from the SIA Show in Las Vegas.


Leki trigger grip
Trigger S poles ($79-$149) connect hand to pole with a removable Power strap via a small corded loop that clips to the back of the pole grip. The strap automatically releases under pressure; it also has a manual release button. The Power strap attaches to any glove or mitten, and is integrated into a line of trigger-ready gloves ($79-$129). 1-800-255-9982, www.leki.com.



Marker Duke and Jester bindings
These lightweight new bindings for freestyle and big-mountain freeriding are mechanically identical and pack a great deal of shock absorption, to prevent pre-release. The AT-like Duke ($495) adds a touring plate that hinges to make hiking easier, though its real mission is power transmission in extreme terrain. The Jester ($395) has a low stand height and no plate, to reduce weight and improve feel for pipe and park. DIN range: 6-16.
1-800-453-3862; www.markerusa.com.



CW-X insulated conditioning wear
The Insulator compression tight ($85-$110, depending on weight and style) is a base and support layer in one. The Conditioning Web provides tuned support to the knee, hamstring, lower back, hip, and other muscles, reducing fatigue and keeping tissues supplied with rich, warm blood. Insulated tops run $80-$85.
Info at (212) 743-9661; www.cw-x.com.



Burton E.S.T. interface
A super-cushioned binding platform and infinite stance adjustment create a new binding-board format. The E.S.T. binding ($300) mates with a mounting track built into four board models (X8, Jeremy Jones, women’s Stria, un..inc, $530-$550), or with a disc that’s compatible with conventional boards. The lack of a rigid baseplate also provides better board feel and more natural flex, according to Burton.
1-800-367-2951; www.burton.com.



Tecnica after-ski boots
From the leather and rabbit fur of the Prestige Tuscany ($475) to the traditional Moon Boot, Tecnica keeps its line up to date. The Moon Boot Street ($230) with faux sheepskin and wool shearling is at home in town and on the mountain. Even the traditional Moon Boot is stepping up: the W/E Velvet model ($319) is the first with right and left lasts, and now comes in more sizes for a better fit.
1-800-258-3897; www.tecnicausa.com.



Kombi Freeform
This glove and mitt ($80) incorporate Gore-Tex’s new 2 in 1 technology, which offers both extra warmth and superior grip. Slip your hand into the liner as usual for warmth; slip it between the outer shell and liner for grip. (This works much better than that sounds.)
1-800-243-6117; www.kombisports.com.



Hart Skis Reborn
Yes, that’s right: Hart is back, with a six-model line and some familiar model names. The new models are largely carve-oriented, except for the not-at-all-retro Twintips, and include two women’s models. Other brand revivals: the new Full Tilt boot line is the old Raichle Flexon shell with a new high-tech liner, and the Killy and Powderhorn lines are back. Can CB be far behind? Hart: 1-866-SKI-HART; www.hartskis.com.
Full Tilt: 1-800-718-0820; www.fulltiltboots.com.



Dakine Heli Pro
Packs are hot, and the Heli Pro ($80) is one of Dakine’s hottest. It’s easy to see why: it has insulated hydro sleeve, fleece goggle pocket, deployable bottle pocket, and waterproof camera pocket. It can carry snowboards, either horizontally or vertically, or skis. And, of course, a snow shovel. This is the recommended off-piste pack at Mt. Baker, Wash.
1-800-827-7466; www.dakine.com.



Palmer skis
Yep, the snowboard company is making skis now (here: PO1: LE, $750, with graphics by L.A. artist Chase; P02, $900, or $1,200 with integrated Tyrolia binding). Dynamic Power Distribution is the key technology, a concept borrowed from the board line that is said to optimize edge pressure. Board makers High Society and World Industries, among others, are also moving into skis. Hey, if Rossi and Salomon can make boards . . .
(303) 623-0334; www.palmersnowboards.com.


GIRO MANIFEST GOGGLE
Known for its helmets, Giro is branching into eye- and footwear. And it’s serious: the flagship Manifest ($200) includes “Pop Top Technology” to make changing lenses a snap (or pop), along with a new, proprietary, optically correct gold tint spherical lens and perfect fit with helmets, of course—without compromising fit or ventilation.
1-800-969-4476; www.giro.com.


Spyder skiwear
Brown—it’s the new navy. Brown is showing up everywhere, from hats and gloves to hardware, and in lines for both men and women. Spyder’s Monarch Jacket in cocoa ($550) and Garnet pant ($425) use a technical stretch nylon sateen weave with a waterproof, breathable laminate. Thinsulate Supreme insulation maintains the thin profile and silky feel.
(303) 544-4000; www.spyder.com.



Eurosocks
Combining technical features and fashion colors, socks have moved way past gray wool. Eurosocks have specific padding and colorations for men, women and kids, in ski and snowboard styles. Prices are: women’s ski-specific Snowdrop, $19, men’s Board Supreme, $19, and Board Camo, $24. Shown is the men’s line.
1-866-387-6762; www.eurosock.com.



Neon Is Back!
Neon is making a comeback—most often as an accent color, not the main attraction. But occasionally, as in the base graphics of the all-around Never Summer SL ($500), it bursts out all over. Could this foreshadow a serious outbreak of neon in the near future?
(303) 320-1813; www.neversummer.com.



Roces Idea
This clever kid’s boot ($119-$125, according to size) grows along with its user. The Idea has a moveable rear spoiler that can slide forward or back to accommodate three full boot sizes with one shell. An adjustable rear spoiler further customizes the fit. Even the liner grows or shrinks as necessary, thanks to an accordion-like section in the midfoot area. A simple but sturdy mechanism locks or frees the cuff.
Info at 1-800-770-8750; www.rocesusa.com.



The Total Package
Color-coordination extends from head to toe in more and more company lines. Here’s the full Roxy treatment, built around Roxy’s Posh print: Eden hiphugger one-piece suit ($320, itself the height of fashion), Ally board ($399), Lelani print boot ($169), Team series bindings ($139), Drama Queen and Miss Dionne beanies ($25 and $19, respectively), Toro scarf ($30) and goggles.
1-800-576-4004; www.roxy.com.



Salomon Teneighty Thruster and SPK
Twintips are hot. Salomon’s basic construction soaks up landing shocks, and offers both classic and progressive mounting positions (shown: Teneighty Thruster, $595). The new SPK boots (Pro, left, $700, and Kreation, $435) are two-buckle-overlap, easy-flexing, shock-absorbing models for park and pipe skiers. The design allows greater ankle and foot articulation than traditional boots.
1-800-654-2668; www.salomonsports.com.



Spy Bias goggles
These new women’s goggles ($80-$115) have a sleek frame with optically correct, anti-fog and anti-scratch treated spherical lenses with total UV protection. But this line is really about graphics. Metal accents, badges, prints—these goggles bring the bling.
1-800-SPY-EYES; www.spyoptic.com.



Dropzone Hangtimer
This 2.5 x 3-inch sportwatch ($100) aims squarely at the park crowd. It measures big-air hang time via a tri-axis accelerometer for up to 10 hits, flags the biggest air time and tallies both average and total airtime as well. Other functions include time, temperature and stopwatch. The Dropzone booth was packed right up to the final bell at the show—a sure sign of a hit product.
1-800-640-3892; or www.dropzonecorp.com.



Dynastar women’s skis
Dynastar is the first company to make women’s specific ski molds. The women’s line ($699-$999) includes forward waists and mounting points, raised heel built into the ski, and dramatically reduced weight (25 percent less than comparable men’s/unisex models). Even the Autodrive construction is adapted for women; sidewalls are bolstered where women exert force on the ski.
(435) 252-3000; www.dynastar.com.



Two-piece construction, one-piece look
This may be the hottest idea of the season, and it’s not just a fashion statement. The North Face Unity Suit ($549) delivers a two-piece look in a waterproof/breathable one-piece with more than a dozen useful pockets (cell phone chest pocket, internal security pocket, forearm pocket with goggle cloth, etc.) and two Recco avalanche rescue reflectors. The pants have inner thigh vents and gaiter with gripper elastic.
1-800-447-2333; www.thenorthface.com.



Flow One and M9
Snowboard boots and bindings are seeing continued innovation in comfort and fitting. Flow’s One boot has three closure options, including a dual BOA system ($299) for the ultimate in ease and fit.
(949) 361-5260; www.flow.com.



4FRNT skis
Boutique brands are proliferating. 4FRNT’s pro riders own the company and design their own signature models—for real, from the construction and flex patterns to the graphics. Now these pros are introducing a kid’s model, the Grom ($249), based on their experiences with the fans who attend their summer camps. Sensibly, the boards all have relatively traditional wood-core sandwich construction.
(801) 975-9500; www.4frnt.com.



integrated armor
Aegix integrates fashion styling and protective padding in a way that makes the protection almost invisible once the clothing is being worn. The armor protects the ribs, back, spine, shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees; the Poron urethane padding is highly shock absorbent, transferring very little impact to the body. Shown: the Park Rat (jacket, $280; pant, $180).
1-800-AEGIXII, www.aegixgear.com.



Dalbello 4 Factor
This new boot-binding rental system reduces binding adjustment issues by packing a full boot size run into just 4 sole lengths. The new Vantage boot ($115 wholesale) incorporates many of the features of Dalbello’s benchmark MX Super, with a new center-entry design. Coupled with an Elan/Tyrolia ski-binding system, shops can preset bindings to accommodate many customers without additional adjustment.
1-800-775-8100; www.dalbellosports.com.



ID-My-Gear markers
This non-toxic, water-based polymer comes in easy-to-use squeeze bottles, and adheres to any clean, dry, non-lubricating surface. Once dry, it is impervious to moisture, fading, and abrasion—making it especially suitable for rental gear. But it can personalize almost any personal item. Plus, the graffiti potential is enormous. It’s available in 1- and 4-ounce bottles.
1-888-622-5909; www.id-my-gear.com.