May 14, 2013 (Heber City, UT) – The Swiss Company, Toko, announced today the US release of Toko Care Line products. Formulated to be resource-saving and environmentally friendly, Toko’s Eco Wash and Eco Proof lead a line-up engineered to perform with legendary Swiss efficiency. Toko Care Line products are specially tailored to high-quality outdoor gear and footwear and draw from the company’s history as a ski wax provider as well as Toko’s partnership with outdoor titan, Schoeller Textiles. US Brand Manager Ian Harvey spoke on the end result of Toko’s work on the new line, “Every Care Line product has a significant advantage in some way over the competition – either in price or performance or both.”

Early stocks of Care Line products are available now in select Toko dealers and a larger product unveiling is planned for the summer Outdoor Retailer show in late July. The Toko Care Line is a complete resource for the care of outdoor gear including hiking, cycling, skiing and more. Toko Care Line Products Include:

– Eco Textile Wash
– Eco Wool Wash
– Eco Softshell Wash
– Eco Down Wash
– Functional Sportswear Care
– Eco Textile Proof
– Eco Softshell Proof
– Shoe Proof & Care
– Tent & Pack Proof

January 31, 2013   (Salt Lake City, UT) – During the second half of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, SkiTrax focused on the apparel and accessory side of the Nordic world. The new product offerings brought some exciting  product innovations as well as some improvements on old classics.

Auclair
One of Auclair’s best developments was its improvements on a classic performance glove, the Finlander. This is an improved version of the glove that Billy Demong used to ski to Olympic gold in Vancouver. Auclair removed the piping on the top of the glove, and this provides a seamless transition between the glove and pole strap. The glove is also more wind resistant than previous models.

Auclair has developed a warmer ski glove called the Alex Races, named after Canadian Alex Harvey. The Alex Races features the same seamless upper as the Finlander, and provides a bit more warmth than other models. Auclair’s lineup is highlighted by its versatility. A new unnamed prototype light glove could be used for roller skiing, while a lobster claw glove named the Alaskan Crab can be used in temperatures well below 0 degrees (F).

Auclair’s most unique development for 2014 is a new glove cover that Velcro attaches over your existing gloves, and can be put on while the skier is attached to pole straps. This allows the skier to remove the glove after a warm-up, and prior to race.

Bjorn Daehlie Clothing

Bjorn Daehlie has a couple of new jackets that they are featuring for 2013/2014. The first is the new Cross jacket, which is the brand’s “do everything” jacket. It features many elements of Bjorn Daehlie clothing that we’ve seen in the past: stretch panels in the shoulders and under the arms for freedom of movement, and wind and water resistant fabric on the front and main panels for warmth. The new features are the reflective elements in the seams for reflectivity. The new Champion jacket is what the US Ski Team will wear next year. The Champion features the same safety/reflective features while providing more of a “racer’s fit”, and waterproof panels.

Sporthill

Sporthill will enter 2014 with more than a few great products. The Whistler jacket is a great light weight pick. Water proof up to 10,000mm of standing water, and windproof up to 40mph, this jacket would be a great pick for a wet and windy fall training day. The Callaghan pant, cut for both men and women, is gram for gram the warmest pant on the market. The pants are made from a woven polypropylene fabric that is slightly thicker than most but is probably the most comfortable pant around. If you are looking for a warm, breathable, comfortable pant that is windproof up to 37mph, look no farther than the Callaghan pant from Sporthill.

2XU

2XU is the official compression wear supplier of the US Ski Team. In the past, people have thought of the base layer as being simply thermal. Compression adds a new element to the base layer. Compression can do multiple things. It can improve posture, influence muscle containment, and influence circulation in particular muscle groups to improve performance. Significant amount of study has been done to determine the positive effects of compression in recovery. Many of the US Ski Team’s top athletes in both alpine and Nordic have used the compression socks for recovery and to promote circulation during long flights to feel rested and quick after a long day of travel. Of course fit is of the utmost importance, so remember to take care when sizing these compression products to ensure you get the perfect fit.

Leki

On the performance side, Leki’s new Strike Carbon pole is an improvement on its popular Shark line. While the Leki poles may be a bit heavier than other high-end brands, they have uncompromising durability, and are as stiff as anything on the market. The poles also feature great and improved grips with a new notch near the top of the grip to provide a more ergonomic fit. The line of gloves has also been built upon. The gloves feature an integrated trigger system so the transition between glove and ski grip in absolutely seamless. Leki is a great brand to pick for performance and functionality.

Thule
Thule has one new box that may catch the Nordic skier’s eye. The Sonic Alpine box for 2014 can accommodate skis up to 213cm long. It features an innovative dimpled design at the nose that has lowered the box’s drag coefficient by 10%. The box is also the lowest profile box that Thule has on the market, with a height profile of only 11in. The box comes in silver and black, and is a great looking box for any Nordic skier looking to stash their gear away from the harmful effects of salty roads.

Sugoi

Sugoi has added a number of products to their line. The company has traditionally had a summer, bike and running focus, but is making a strong move into the winter world this year. The line features a layering system with a number of high tech fabrics. The style is definitely reminiscent of the products that Sugoi has brought to the cycling world, but they bring a level of functionality that rivals all the usual cross country focused brands. Sugoi has also moved into accessories for cross country – everything from socks, hats and gloves, to Velcro ankle wraps to keep snow from getting into your boots. Sugoi is definitely a brand to check out for 2014.

January 16, 2013 (Haverhill, MA) – Swix Sport is set to launch a new adjustable pole collection for the 2013/14 season called Swix Sonic, designed to be the most advanced adjustable pole to ever hit the market.

With an emphasis on detail and advanced materials, the design has been tested and manipulated to guarantee superior performance with stiffness and ease of use never seen before in an adjustable pole.

At the heart of the pole is a revolutionary new locking system that will change the way people use poles.

The Swix Sonic collection will include four different models ranging in size and price from $99 up to $249. The collection ranges from aluminum poles at the lower end to lightweight carbon poles at the high end – all featuring the new adjustable locking system.

The advanced construction of the new Swix Sonic poles includes four unique elements:
– Handle and Strap – Easily adjustable handle and strap system with universal ergonomic fit for hand and glove. The handle offers two unique functions. A beveled straight edge is designed into the handle to help clean the top surface of skies for packed snow and can also be used to adjust rando bindings without having to bend over.
– Adjustable Locking System – Provides 100 percent reliable fixation and intuitive usage. Constructed with a silicone-coated grip that will stay soft even in the most extreme conditions. Unlike other adjustable poles, the locking system is located higher up on the pole to improve performance and reduce weight. The all alloy locking mechanism can be completely disassembled without tools for bombproof durability and reliability in the backcountry.
– Disc Basket System – Features interchangeable baskets for varying snow conditions made from super lightweight PVC coated nylon that provides for superior swing weight.
– Shaft – Made from an ultra-lightweight composite carbon technique to ensure maximum strength stiffness and durability. The collection offers four models ranging from the R4, which includes aluminum shafts, up to the R1, made with 100% Carbon-fiber in top and bottom portions of the pole. With over 25 years of racing heritage, Swix Sport has extensive experience in composite and aluminum racing pole construction.

“We’ve been studying the pole market for the past four years with the goal of building the best adjustable pole in the market,” said Steve Poulin, President of Swix Sport USA.

Poulin said one key area emerged as the company researched the market – a need for better locking mechanism’s on adjustable poles. Swix Sonic features a locking technology that provides the industry with a more stable, easy to use locking mechanism.

“No stone has been left unturned and every detail has been thought through in the design and execution of these poles.”

Swix Sport will have samples for all of the Swix Sonic models in quantity available at the Outdoor Retailer All Mountain Demo Day, January 22 at Solitude Mountain Resort and the SIA On-Snow Demo Days, February 4-5 at Winter Park Resort.

October 03, 2012 (Vantaa, Finland) – The Finnish Nordic Sports brand ONE WAY will launch during the upcoming winter season a new high-end ski wax range with a wide program in Premio Fluor powders, high-Fluor and low-Fluor gliders. In addition OW will present a professional tool range for ski service with Roto brushes, hand brushes, wax iron, structure tools and other important tools.

The ski wax range is a perfect match with the ONE WAY cross country ski range combining a lot of experience and tests developing the fastest and best products for a Nordic athlete.

The testing phase for the new products with several National teams continues during this fall and the racing service team is aiming for the first medals during the World Championships taken with the support of OW SKI WAX.

www.onewaysport.com

April 03, 2012 – I just got back from a product development trip (Coreteam meeting) in Switzerland. These were the best meetings that I have ever taken part of as part of this team. Generally we have meetings in November to initiate the next 2-3 years or more products and direction.

These meetings involve 15+ countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Canada, US, Austria, France, Italy, Czech, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and then some other countries like England, Belgium, etc). The focus here is to see what the different markets need as they are different as well as to try to develop a consensus as to what is needed for the future. Then in late March we have another meeting where things are really decided more specifically.

At this meeting, fewer countries are represented. This year we cut the number of participants way down and had a core group with super high competence. Product manager Thomas Knecht, Events manager Christian Stalder (with Toko for 15 years), Swiss sales rep and WC racing service icon Heinz Kolly (with Toko for 15 years), head of Toko Austria Christoph Schober, and head of Toko USA (me).

Before attending this meeting, I compared ideas and findings with Doug Hartwick from Canada and John Vickman from Sweden. We all had great cooperation and moved forward really well. Thomas Knecht also did some great work in the meantime since our meeting in November.

Developments were made in grip waxes, klisters, vises, glide waxes, irons, brushes, workbenches, and stones. We also have new top coats on the way that are being worked on now, but will be released later.

That’s it for this season from Toko. See you in the fall!

Need to Storage Wax your Skis or Board for Summer? Click HERE to learn how.