A total of 76 sports products won the ISPO Award 2021 seal of quality for innovation and functionality in the sporting goods industry this month. A jury of international experts selected ‘Products of the Year,’ ‘Gold Winners’ and ‘Winners’ from 250 submissions in the four sectors of Snowsports, Outdoor, Running & Fitness and Urban Life. Products were also awarded special recognition for their particularly sustainable concepts and ideas.
The highest award, ‘Product of the Year,’ will first be announced during the official award ceremonies via live stream as part of ISPO Munich Online, from February 1 to 5, 2021. The Gold Winners, Products of the Year and Winners with the special Sustainability Achievement will be presented during the event in their own digital award showroom.
Jacqueline Eskandar, Senior Product Manager of ISPO Awards & Innovation at Messe München, “Even in these particularly challenging times, product development didn’t come to a halt. We have got to know many innovative concepts all over again. One thing that has again been made clear is that awareness for sustainability topics within the industry has increased across the board. That’s why more and more manufacturers are committed to an advanced circular economy.”
Due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the two-day jury meeting was held in a hybrid format for the first time – partly on site, partly by video call. A jury of 25 experts, consisting of representatives from retail, designers, product specialists and media representatives, selected winners from the 250 submissions in segment-specific teams.
In addition to innovation, the assessment criteria included functionality, quality and choice of materials. Exceptional performance in terms of sustainability across all segments was honoured with special prizes.
Consumers were involved for the first time and an additional ISPO Public Choice Award was made after the 70,000 members of the ISPO Open Innovation Community selected their personal favourites from all of the Gold Winners.
All of the winning products can be seen now and considered all year round online here.
