Splitting The Difference — More From Outdoor Retailer Winter Market
Voile Revelator and Voile Revelator BC. Click all images to enlarge.
The Outdoor Retailer show is the biggest trade show of its kind in the United States. For backcountry people like us, it’s wildly stimulating with endless eye candy at every turn. I had my eyes tuned into the splitboard side of things as well as the newest innovations and improvements for ski/snowboard mountaineering. There were numerous improvements and a handful of new ideas out there.
Voile –- New for Voile this winter is their splitboard tail-clip attachment. This is a quality improvement to their skins and will be available February 2015 for about $40. Voile is sticking with their same skin material from Black Diamond, and is using a burly tip and tail clip attachment from the skin to the Voile strap.
Voile’s new splitboard tail attachment.
Black traction pattern on the base of Voile Revelator BC.
Voile incorporates a section of fish-scale technology as an option onto their Revelator series. Not intended to replace a traditional skin by any means, but rather to add functionality on short skates or a split-ski out a flat access road. I also see this being functional on a hut trip when the end of the day requires a skin across a frozen lake to get back to the hut. Save time and leave the skins in the pack. It will be interesting to test this application on the snow.
On Voile’s LightRail Binding, screws can be accessed while the binding is attached.
New for next year, Voile is using the rail system for stance adjustment (similar to what is currently on Burton snowboards). Claimed to be the most versatile stance customization on the splitboard market. They have also redesigned the LightRail Binding so that the screws can be accessed while the binding is attached. Available Fall 2015.
G3 — new tail clip.
G3’s redesigned tip and tail attachment
Similar to the ski side of things, G3 has restructured their tip and tail attachment to provide a wider range of adjustment (about 16 cm). The attachment piece is wider and more robust and is a single component instead and only one swiveling metal tab. They will still be using the Alpinist and the High Traction material for their skins for Fall/Winter 2015.
G3’s powder board, Scapegoat Carbon.
New and available fall 2015 is G3’s Scapegoat Carbon splitboard. Made for powder fests, it has a rockered nose, camber under foot, and 40 mm of taper in the tail. Constructed with triaxial and biaxial stitched carbon fiber for a torsionally stiff board — a lightweight poplar paulownia wood core gives flex and the ABS/TPU sidewalls enhance power transfer and shock absorption. We don’t like the black topsheet (our usual gripe) but the stated weight of five pounds thirteen ounces is impressive. Dimensions: 313/260/288. Available lengths: 158, 162, 166. G3’s all-around Black Sheep Carbon will continue to be available 2015/2016.
BCA – new collapsible poles and redesigned airbags (plus one new model)
BCA Scepter 4s –- This pole may be great for splitboarding due to its 4 piece collapsibility, 110cm-130cm adjustability, and 275g weight. Available Fall 2015.
Redesigned Float 32 with a more rounded shape, adjustable torso length on the waist belt (ideal for all sizes of users). Available Fall 2015
BCA Float 32 in cool new colors!
Look hip on the lift with the slim 8L Float pack. Float 22L is the medium version. Packs are available without the Float system so BCA users can transfer the airbag from another Float-enabled pack. Float 8 weighs 1,230g pack only; 2,540 with airbag system and full cylinder. Float 22 weighs 1,350g pack only; 2,660g with entire system including full cylinder. In stores fall 2015.
Petzl –- new glacier rope and crevasse rescue system
RAD – Rescue and Descent system. A 6mm 30 meter mostly static rope (8-10% stretch) accompanied with a micro-traction device, a Tibloc ascender, 3 carabiners and an anchor sling. Available Fall 2015.
Salomon –- Adventure touring line + Climbing/Skiing rated helmet
As Anton revealed, Salomon is coming out with a new ‘Adventure Touring’ line. Additionally they are releasing a ski/splitboard mountaineering helmet that is rated as a climbing helmet as well as a skiing helmet. Available Fall 2015.
Mammut –- Alpine harness, rappel cord, and air-bags
Mammut will come out with a new lightweight alpine/glacier travel harness with many great looking features including an auto double-backing waist buckle. Weighs right around 8 oz. Available Fall 2015.
Mammut’s rappel cord comes in 40m and 60m lengths. Intended for ski mountaineering descents that require up to a full 30m rappel. This cord is currently available online.
Mammut will be making several of their bags adjustable for different size torsos as well as narrower shoulder strap placement.
Mammut’s Light Protection Airbag, backpack weight about 1,250g, 30L volume.
Mammut provides a global cartridge rental program to make it easier to travel with Mammut avalanche airbags. Various guides, heli and cat operators and shops offer cartridge rentals. Additionally, Tahoe Mountain Sports in the US and Avalanche Safety Solutions in Canada are hazmat shipping certified. They offer a cartridge rental service where a full cartridge is shipped to your destination (US or Canada respectively) so it’s awaiting your arrival. Reasonably priced, for example Tahoe Mountain Sports offers a 7-day rental of a filled rental cartridge for about $30.
Stay tuned for more from Outdoor Retailer as well as more splitboard specific gear next week at Snowsports Industries of America.
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Comments
26 Responses to “Splitting The Difference — More From Outdoor Retailer Winter Market”
Hey those models look familiar!
Yep,Voile’s Revelator and Revelator BC splitboards are not new and will continue to be available next season.
Are you guys able to comment on Voile’s ski lineup for next year?
Thanks
Codey, we have a ski post planned for this week.
Thanks Lisa. Looking forward to it.
How long will the new BCA torso go? Hopefully 2+ inches more than the current model, this could delay my purchase to next winter as I don’t really want to go up to the 42L just for torso length.
BCA goes Euro!
Codey, I checked my notes and new to Voile’s ski lineup are a fishscale V8 and a large twin tip ski. We won’t be testing either since they aren’t what we look for in backcountry skis.
Speaking of the Light Protection Airbag from Mammut.
I bought this last year after extensive research and it seems to be by far the lightest avalanche airbag in the ~30 litre range. Also featuring a top loader (so you can fasten a rope etc) instead of zipper, like most other lighter packs, I don’t understand why this isn’t a more popular backpack. I would have thought WildSnow would praise it! What am I missing? 🙂
Will BCA be using the same canister?
“Packs are available without the Float system so BCA users can transfer the airbag from another Float-enabled pack.”
I take it that is just current models or can a older Float 22/32 system be transferred into a new pack?
Hey Wildsnow, please visit the G3 booth and update any changes in their ski offerings, along with a photo!
Thanks for the shoutout on our Hazmat shipping. Yes, we can ship anywhere in the US via HAZMAT ground shipping options for both Mammut, BCA and ABS and anything that uses those systems.
Did I see at the North Face area an ABS device that could be strapped onto any pack to make it an airbag? I asked at the small ABS booth and the person did not know what I was talking about. Could be a good idea. Any info?
Chris – We will be covering G3 skins in our next post. Stay tuned! Thanks for inquiring. They have some great looking skis coming.
Billyg – The canisters will be more or less the same. How old is your Float model that you have? I will get that info for you asap.
Hakan – stay tuned we will have more in depth looks and reviews of the Mammut packs that may be what you are looking for. Thanks for your input.
John – I did not look too closely at the TNF booth, so I am not sure if what you’re talking about is accurate or not. I will make a point to check it out at SIA and will have a report back for you.
I’ve been a fan of G3 skins but I’m disappointed to see the Scapegoat is black. Black, really? After all the discussion about snow build up, you’d think black would be the last color of choice. G3 should offer the Scapegoat in two versions: one white and one black, and let the consumers decide. Maybe sales would speak louder than designers.
John – Yes, that is true and is an accurate product. You can check out a pic in our OR photo gallery on FB for Tahoe Mountain Sports. Its pretty cool actually and looks like it is going to work. Its called the Modular ABS Pack and will turn virtually any backpack into an airbag pack. It was one of the coolest things I have seen during this buying cycle. Check it out!
Håkan, I’m aware of the Mammut stuff and that it uses Snowpulse technology, it is super nice and we’ll cover it. As always, we’re not intending to be a 100% gear website so not everything gets perfectly presented. Luckily there are commenters like you to call attention to things, and that’s better anyway in some ways, as the idea is sourced from the consumer public, I hearing that’s what people like about WildSnow, that we have lively comments, but focused and not offensive. So keep it coming!
I’ve got an appointment with Mammut at ISPO and will bring more info from there as well.
Lou
Revelator is an interesting idea. What are the advantages over kick wax for longer flats or mellow rolling terrain? Seems like it would be a hindrance on long, almost flat ski outs (think GTNP exits) due to the reduced glide.
Aaron, long flat ski outs in the park are great. Tons of glide for that. eg Out to Jenny Lake – perfect. The ski outs that are slower are those with a little more pitch such as the luge run coming out of ullr/north maverick. or a downhill groomer like cache creek. Jackson Lake is ideal *except* you need to be sure you aren’t going to hit slush, cause that will ice up the scales and you’re in for a bunch of work to clear it.
Thanks for covering the splits. Interesting that Voile is running the same ol stuff next season. The G3 pow shape looks intriguing. Weight sounds nice. Agreed about the color.
Once the madness slows I’d be interested to read about air bag trends and innovations (like the modular thingy, batteries, overall weight, and different canisters).
Rumour has it the BD jetforce line is getting a substantial price hike and dropping some serious weight? Any insights? Love the updates! Keep ’em coming!
@Travis, as far as i know price will be 20% more. A don;t know any details about weight. But its quite possible. I can cut about 500-600grams of useless shit from my BCA Float 42L :).
Carl, here’s the beta on the new BCA Float 32 torso:
-Load lifter adjustment at the top of the pack allows for 6cm of adjustment.
-Adjustable waist belt can move a total of 6cm.
-The minimum dimension from center of waist belt to top of shoulder is 34cm.
-The maximum dimension from center of waist belt to top of shoulder is 46cm.
What are those other Petzl things? There is nothing new about those RAD products other than its a package deal with a rope?
Sorry for the delay, I have a 2012(?) red/black float 32, as well as the blue/yellow 22. Thanks in advance if you can get that info on whether the airbag can be transferred… Looks like a good update on the 32. Mine is too long for my torso and the 22 fits great but can barely hold the volume needed for a BC day…
For 2015, BCA will only offer the Float 8 as a “stand alone” pack that you can load with your existing Float system.