inov-8 Win Three Ispo Awards, Including Gold For Race Ultra Vest

News Release / 23.01.2014

inov-8’s relentless drive for innovation has landed the company THREE product awards at the world’s leading international sports business trade show.

The Race Ultra Vest was voted best in the performance equipment category by a panel of expert judges and named a 2014/2015 ISPO AWARD GOLD WINNER.

inov-8’s Race Ultra 290 shoe and Race Elite 315 Softshell Pro, both of which are new for autumn/winter this year, were both named 2014/2015 ISPO AWARD WINNERS in the performance footwear and performance apparel (outer layers) categories respectively.

inov-8 founder Wayne Edy said: “As a brand, we stand out as a true innovator in the market place and these three awards prove that.

“It is a fantastic result and a deserved reward for all the hard work our young, talented product team have put in.

“We will not, however, rest on our laurels. We will continue to sweat innovation in offering industry-leading products for committed athletes across the globe.”

The awards will be officially presented at the ISPO trade show, which starts this weekend in Munich, Germany. 

The Race Ultra Vest, which is new for spring/summer 2014, is the best-fitting pack ever brought to market.

Made entirely of stretch mesh and fully-breathable 3D Airmesh, the insanely lightweight vest is form-fitting design innovation at its best.

Weighing just 195g and capable of carrying four litres of kit, the vest, which boasts seven pockets, delivers zero bounce when running. It feels more like a second skin on the body, rather than a rucksack.

By positioning two pockets much lower than comparable products, a pair of 500ml bottles can sit flatter and more stable to the side of the body. This ensures easy access to bottles and minimal fluid bounce.

inov-8 founder Wayne Edy said: “Ultra distance runners demand the lightest, most comfortable, simple to use product possible – and that is exactly what we have delivered with the Race Ultra Vest.

“Form-fitting and fully-breathable, the vest also features six independently adjustable straps, guaranteeing it will fit any body shape or size.

“The use of stretch mesh pockets means we were able to free the vest of any fiddly zips, which can be time-consuming and tiring to use when 20 hours into an ultra race.

“Working closely with top international ultra runners, our design team also ensured the vest was versatile to meet the demands of varying race distances and kit-list requirements. Thus we included a removable insulated sleeve that can house a two-litre shape-shift reservoir, for when an athlete wants to carry more fluid.

“Meanwhile, outer bungee compression allows extra storage space for poles or other accessories that need to be accessed quickly when racing.”

inov-8 athlete Ben Abdelnoor tested a prototype of the Race Ultra Vest when obliterating the course record at the high-profile 2013 Ultra Tour Lake District 50-mile race, held over some of the UK's toughest trails. 

Ben said: “It is incredibly light and molds to your body.  Access to the bottles is lightening quick and really easy, while the multiple pockets allow me to store energy gels and bars.”

Also new for spring/summer 2014 are two further products in inov-8’s new Race Ultra range - the Race Ultra 1 waistpack and Race Ultra 0.25 hand strap.

To learn more visit www.inov-8.com and watch the video of the Race Ultra Vest at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vi8AAuh8Ng

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