These are the entries for the Paddlesport Product of the Year Awards 2019 in the Apparels/Equipments category. These awards are organized every year at the occasion of PADDLEexpo. Note that, a product could win the prize although not listed here, if the judges discover once at the show, that a product worth winning was not entered; entering ahead of the show simply guarantees a product to be taken into account by the judges.
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YAK ADVENTURE EQUIPMENT – HORIZON DRYSUIT
The all new Yak Horizon drysuit is the ultimate synergy of elements taken from the Paddlesport, Commercial and Military markets. As part of Survitec, a global leader in survival and safety solutions, Yak is in an unique position to utilise its Design teamís expertise in a variety of areas to create a product which marries the best features from all worlds.
Tailored using 3-layer breathable material technology, with enhanced waterproof properties (20,000mm) the paddling specific panel cut ensures maximum comfort and minimum restriction.
This is combined with a neoprene/latex twin neck seal system, and latex wrists with adjustable over cuff, keeps the wearer warm and dry – no matter what the activity.
Hiding below the twin adjustable neoprene waist band, is a unique and innovative stretch mesh back panel which sets it apart from the rest of the products out there. This stretch panel, combined with the flexible internal braces, creates a custom-fit feel for a wide range of sizes, and gives an unsurpassed range of movement. Plus, the pre-articulated arms and legs provides unrestrictive movement to enhance the suitís athletic performance.
The low profile fabric socks reduce the material bulk normally found when fitting inside a boot, and the seam placement helps eliminate abrasion issues on a long hike. The adjustable ankle then assists in lessening the ingress of boot-bound debris.
The cross shoulder YKK Aquaseal, flexible dry zip is positioned for minimum restriction and allows the wearer to don the suit easily, whilst the extra wide relief zip keeps things “comfortable”. Both feature protective covers to increase life span.
Finally, heavy duty 500D Cordura reinforced double layered seat and knees provide extra protection to the areas of high wear, to increase longevity and durability, whilst maintaining the flexibility of the suit.
Material – 840D nylon with TPU on face and backing provides heavy-duty durability and waterproofness.
Two size options – 15L / 30L
Removable padded liner available for the 15L duffel (sold separately).
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MOCKE – THE RACER PFD
The Mocke Personal Floatation Device was born out of a desire to help paddlers paddle at their best. If you love paddling (and competing) as much as we do, you’ll agree that you never want your equipment to hold you back. The Mocke Personal Flotation Device (PFD) was designed for that reason: to give you an inherently buoyant PFD that fitted and felt like you weren’t wearing anything, and that didn’t make you overheat while paddling. While we want it to fit and feel like it wasn’t there, we still needed it to conform to safety standards. And that is how the design happened.
The Mocke Racer Personal Flotation Device is designed to be competitive at the highest level. Our Racer PFD is ISO and SANS Type 5 Approved for all users. It is also approved by the International Canoeing Federation and features performance improvements to bring you a lighter, even cooler PFD!
Some of the Racer PFD’s unique features are:
The first PFD to be made COMPLETELY from mesh material outside and inside.
The first PFD the offer separate floatation blocks. The configuration of these blocks make it mould around your body and also create channels through which hot air can escape. This means you stay cool.
The PFD is a stand-out with the outer shell being made completely out of high visibility orange mesh. This provides maximum visibility in ALL conditions from very bright days to overcast days.
The PFD features a large front utility pocket. We found that, when paddling and racing, paddlers donít have time to fiddle looking for things like energy gels. Also, if you need to place your phone or get it out, you don’t want to fight it out the pocket. The large front pocket is easy to access and is spacious, making it very versatile.
We designed a snug back pocket for a hydration bladder, which works perfectly with our branded hydration bladder. The unique cu of this back pocket keeps the bladder at the top of the pocket and not sagging down to the bottom. Additionally we made routing loops for the bladder tube so that it is fed neatly to the front. The loops also worked perfectly for the mandatory reflective tape on the PFD
One of the features you won’t see but is there, is because of the PFD made completely out of mesh material. Because we use mesh, none of the webbing can be attached to it. This means we had to design an integrated webbing harness. Not only does this make the entire structure SUPER strong, it also means you have 6 points of adjustment for a perfect fit!
Finally our PFD meets the ISO tested and approved (EN ISO 12402-5) standards. It also meets the NRCS approved for South Africa (SANS 12402-5:2007) standards, AND is on the International Canoe Federation’s approved list of PFD’s for use in World Cup competitions.
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F2 – HAPPINESS COLLECTION
We have chosen the best materials for you! From the board, which is a cleaner all-rounder and perfectly tailored to the needs of female paddlers, to the ultra-light, floatable paddle, a super-sweet neoprene shorty, which, thanks to a premium material thickness of two millimetres, can stand up to any cool wave and lets you look simply fabulous, about a lycra shirt and two variants boardshorts, fast drying and light as a feather, neoprene yogapants and matching bra in one millimeter material thickness to achieve best mobility with basic insulation. From a hoodie made of three millimeters thick material that can be individually adjusted, to various bags and accessories that sweeten your everyday life.
It can be mixed. It won’t get boring!
F2 is whether the company history and the fact that a large part over the years is always the sporting competition of our team drivers and customers was and is, primarily a classic brand – at least in terms of appearance – and that’s a good thing. But we are extremely pleased that – in cooperation with Element Watersports – we are now able to use the HAPPINESS-line not only in terms of materials, technology and handling to keep up with the times, but that our designers have also been able to live out their “fashionable” ideas.
When it comes to capturing the style of the season, you can definitely think about flower patterns look good! They come and go, but they always make it back to the most famous catwalks in the world, and thereís a good reason for that. The designers have managed to make botanical statement prints look so casual and effortless like little navy stripes! They have become an easy to combine design element. who speaks cheerfully about your fashion sense and style, and “summer” and “happy” are an unbeatable team!
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LEVEL SIX – WOMEN’S FREYA DRYSUIT
Women only! Level Six’s unique and revolutionary drop-seat relief zipper design allows for easy use and maximum comfort. It allows you to sit in a kayak or on the back of a raft without even knowing it’s there! Constructed with eXhaust 3.0 fabric and reinforced in the high wear areas like the knees, seat, and elbows for optimum breathability and durability. The front-zip entry makes it extremely easy to get in and out of on your own and our new Stealth waistband system locks the suit into place with its internal cinching system. Plus, fleece-lined pockets for cold days! We are making this suit in 6 sizes, including a XL Short to fit every shape.
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DEWERSTONE – LIFE SHORTS 2.0
What do you do to improve the worlds best board shorts?
Give 1% of sales to environmental non profits.
Whilst this is the short we wanted to create for ourselves, when people started buying them it became so much more than that. We’ve embraced it, improved the shorts and improved our business practices. Plus, we gave them a tropical twist! #wecantdoitalone
Whilst this is the short we wanted to create for ourselves, when people started buying them it became so much more than that. Weíve embraced it, improved the shorts and improved our business practices. Plus, we gave them a tropical twist! #wecantdoitalone
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KOKATAT – HUSTLE-R
A life vest designed to operate when lives are on the line, the HustleR is a must-have piece of equipment. Each feature is designed to meet the demands that come with swiftwater rescue without sacrificing the features that make for a comfortable and durable whitewater vest.
A low-profile rescue life vest, the HustleR comes specifically designed with the features that veteran paddlers and river guides demand in swiftwater rescue situations. With 16 pounds of buoyancy, the HustleR has a quick release chest harness, a sleeve designed to fit Kokatat’s River Tow Tether, and an O-ring attachment for a standard cow tail. The HustleR features two stacked and sculpted, pre-curved GAIA PVC-free and PE foam panels that wrap around the paddlerís torso and float to allow optimal fit on varied torso sizes. These floating panels of foam are covered in rugged 500D CorduraÆ. Padded shoulder straps and three side adjustments allow for total comfort. The large, extra-deep front pocket is another highlight. It comes complete with an extra security zipper and internal organization. Thereís also a covered front lash tab for a rescue knife on front of the pocket.
Colors: Mantis, Black
Sizes (Buoyancy lbs/oz.): XS/S (16/00), M/L (16/00), XL/XXL (16/00)
Certifications: ISO (European Union), US Coast Guard
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PALM EQUIPMENT – NEVIS PFD
A New Vision
Four years in the making, the Nevis PFD is the culmination of research from UCLan, design by Barney Caulfield and testing worldwide by Bren Orton.
At its core is the Delta Fit adjustment system. Two wings that wrap your ribs, reducing pressure on your abdomen, helping you to breathe and increasing mobility. Set-up to go in five fluid steps with fewer buckles, including new load tested aircraft grade aluminium hardwear.
The Nevis incorporates the world’s first one-pull Piggyback adjustable quick release chest harness, building on the latest research and improving upon it, so that releasing your harness doesn’t affect the fit of your PFD.
Concealed storage is abundant: a spacious utility-draw front pocket, side stash pockets, dedicated knife and whistle placement and ancillary stow space front inside the PFD too.
Made from tough CORDURAÆ fabric filled with more than enough Gaia foam to keep you afloat in even the most turbulent water, the Nevis sets a new standard in fit and safety.
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SHRED READY – ZETA
The Shred Ready Zeta Helmet combines the style and swagger of iconic sports figures with high-tech energy management foams on a user-friendly platform. The name Zeta was inspired by the infamous Class V+ Zeta rapid on the Futaleufu River in Chile. The Futaleufu is one of the premier whitewater rivers in the world and is known for its turquoise waters, a phenomenon produced by glacier till. The Zeta helmet echoes the power and dynamic beauty of the river with its iconic and innovative style. The design process for the Zeta was driven by three factors; style, unparalleled protection and intuitive use. There are some solid new features with the Zeta as well. A a newly designed – single hand adjustable “Hand of God” occipital lock utilizing the BOA reel and lacing system while reducing its overall foot print. A new strap configuration adds comfort and stability followed by strap adjusters with some new flavour. We also added crucial protection around the temple area with our new temple guards and LDP (light deflection paint) to the underside of the brim to reduce glare. All of these create a better experience while keeping the Zeta simple and easy to use.
Q: Why should this helmet win?
A: Use of new foam technology (detail below)
Typically, energy absorption materials are hard and uncomfortable. These harder foams are covered with softer, non-functional foams for comfort which then adds to the complexity and geometry of a helmet. Shred Ready teamed with DCLAN technologies for the solution; DCLAN foam is soft and comfortable in a normal state, but when impacted it transforms and directs energy away from users head, achieving both comfort and protection in one material.
Shred Ready Zeta Features:
– A slim, comfortable design maximized for protection.
– DCLAN foam which is soft and comfortable in its normal state but stiffens on impact to direct energy away from the user’s head.
– BOA single hand adjustable lock utilizing the BOA reel and lacing system.
– Interchangeable compression moulded closed-cell foam fitting pads with silicone strip to reduce helmet slip.
– Temple guards cast in aluminum, rather than plastic, for better protection.
– Light deflection paint on the underside of the brim to reduce glare.
– A bottle opener on the strap slider, for use off the river as well.
– Soft nylon webbing. Stainless steel rivets and burrs to stop the corrosion. Duraflex fasteners, adjusters, and stops.
– Four-point retention system.
– One-Year limited warranty on workmanship and materials.
Sizing: Head Circumference
Small: 54-57cm Medium: 57-60cm Large: 60-62cm
A portion of each sale of the Zeta helmet is donated to American Whitewater and Futaleufu Riverkeeper, two amazing organizations dedicated to the protection and conservation of American watersheds and surrounding areas.
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BIONDO ENDURANCE – POSIDIONIA DRYTOP
– HEAVY-DUTY WATERPROOF and BREATHABLE 3-LAYER NYLON SEA-KAYAK EXPEDITION JACKET
– LATEX RAISED COLLAR, WRISTS GASKETS
– 2,5 LAYERS ULTRA-LIGHT DAMP- PROOF RIPSTOP OUTERSKIRT
– EMERGENCY HI-VISIBILITY LIMBSí ENDS and DETACHABLE HOOD + REFLEXITEÆ TAPINGS
– ADJUSTABLE NYLON TAPE with BUCKLE WAISTBAND
– ARM ZIPPERED POCKET
– MADE IN ITALY
FABRIC (Main) – 100% POLYAMIDE
Ditex – Warp 78/24 / Weft 190/136
Gr. /mç – 200,00
Tensile Strength N – Warp 740,0 / Weft 780,0
Tear Strength – Warp 42,0 / Weft 27,0
Elongation % – Warp 34,0 / Weft 37,0
Water column mm. – 13.000
(incr. weight)
Water Repellency % – 100
Breathability (RET) – 18
Dimension Stability % – Single Wash Cycle ± 3 (Warp / Weft)
“Posidonia” CamoGreen Camouflage celebrates one of the most important aquatic plants known as the “Lung” of the Mediterranean, and stands for “Being at one with Nature”, quietly and gently blending into the reflections of the plant meadows on the sea surface.
SALTY-DOG is “BiondoEndurance” Sea-Kayak section:
products are all made out of our 3 layer Waterproof nylon with its characteristic “Posidonia” CamoGreen camouflage print.
Just one color, no seasonal change.
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DAGGER – INERTIA WHITEWATER SPRAY SKIRT
A collaboration between Dagger and Palm Equipment, the Inertia Whitewater Spray Skirt is designed to stay on your cockpit and keep you dry through the most extreme conditions.
Rand – 11mm Rubber rand for highest protection against implosion
Deck – 4mm small diamond deck with Supratex Kevlar reinforced rim
Waist – Small Diamond neoprene tunnel with extended body tube with unique O-ring seal
Triple glued, blind stitched and taped seams
Grippy durable coating underneath cockpit lining
2 cockpit sizes – M, L
3 waist sizes – XS/S, M/L, XL,XX
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PEAK UK – DBS FOOTWEAR SYSTEM
Here at Peak UK we are proud of our tried and tested range of suits and legwear, but we are always looking to improve and take our products to the next level. Our equipment is renowned for its durability, but as with any garment there are areas of heavy wear and one of our continual focuses is to improve the durability and performance of these areas, thus maximising the lifespan of our products, in turn creating less waste. The fabric socks we use on our legwear and suits are amongst the most comfortable, breathable and high performance methods of dry feet available in the industry, but the lighter weight nature of the material, whilst offering superb comfort, does require considerable care in order to maximise longevity. Secondly, whilst the material and seams are fully waterproof, if the outer of the socks get wet (whilst launching etc.), then the paddler will still have to sit with wet socks in their kayak, which can lead to colder feet, even when dry. We wanted to create a product that would solve both these issues in one go. Enter the DBS Footwear System.
The Peak UK DBS Boots are designed to combine and integrate with our One Piece Suits and Legwear to give the ultimate, warm and comfortable paddlesport footwear experience. We wanted to create a way to support and protect the fabric socks on the above products, whilst also offering a tough, supportive yet super comfortable boot.
The DBS Boots are 30cm high and feature a fully waterproof, glued and blind stitched, 5mm super stretch neoprene upper, bonded onto a Vibram Icetrek 2 ultra grippy sole, with cushioned EVA midsole.
The unique concept of the DBS system integrates boot and suit / legwear to offer the driest, warmest footwear system currently available. The DBS Boots cleverly connect with the aforementioned to give a superb seal unlike any other. The legwear’s outer ankle seal and inner waterproof sock acts like a double tunnel, which is held in place onto the boots by a cunning DBS double-sided Velcro hook tab. Similarly to a spraydeck and twin waist jacket, water is repelled by both the outer layer and the neoprene of the boot. The top of the boot fits neatly into the inner seam at the top of the ankle and the legwear strap fastens around the outer of the boot for a super secure fit.
This allows the paddler to stay far drier and warmer than ever before and also prolongs the life of the socks, meaning less repairs, less replacements and less waste in the long run.
The DBS Boots represent the next step forward in creating the ultimate paddling footwear system that remains as tough, dry and functional as possible, whilst at the same time providing the ultimate in comfort and warmth.
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SEALSKINZ – WATERPROOF KNITTED SHOE SOCK
We have made waterproof socks like no other for over 20 years. 100% Made in UK. 100% PFC free.
Now we present to you a waterproof knitted shoe that is also truly unique. Crafted using our original three layer, 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable construction which acts as the perfect barrier between you and any weather condition. Designed for comfort and durability, these knitted shoes are versatile for many uses and suitable for all weather conditions.
– Waterproof – Three layer construction for warmth, durability and waterproofing
– Thermal regulation – Merino wool lining for moisture control, insulation and comfort
– Added support – Zonal elastication for added support
– Extra comfort – Footbed padding and foam cushioned sole absorbs shock for comfort
– Close-fit – Four way stretch for comfort and stretch
– Helps prevent blistering – Prevents friction and rubbing which eliminates blistering
– Protection & Grip – Sole provides stability, ruggedness and grip on varying surfaces
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NRS – GUIDE SHIRT
NRS continues to lead the way in paddle-to-pub lifestyle apparel with its latest version of the Guide Shirt. With performance materials and paddler-specific designs, Guide Shirts keep you cool, comfortable and sunburn-free whether youíre styling a rock garden or crushing the beer garden.
