After reviewing 203 nominations in 28 categories, judges of the new Outstanding Outdoor Award programme from the OutDoor by ISPO trade fair chose products that set new standards in terms of their special functionality, striking design, safety improvements or exceptional innovation.
The jury was made up of a total of 21 experts from nine countries, including specialist retailers, designers, marketing professionals, journalists, consumers and athletes who considered all products over three days in the Annecy region of France.
Six Moon Designs, a leader in affordable ultralight gear, received double ‘Winner’ status for its Gatewood Cape in the Rain Apparel category and its Lunar Solo tent in the Tents category.
The Gatewood Cape is 3-in-1 rain gear that can be used as a cape, a pack cover or a shelter pitched with a trekking pole. It weighs only 10 oz. and packs down incredibly small but, unlike other poncho tarps, it’s shaped to eliminate all exposed sides when pitched, providing 360º protection.
The Lunar Solo is a one-person tent that that weighs just 26 oz. yet is roomy enough inside for two people at a push (26 square feet floor space and another 8.5 square foot vestibule). It uses a 100% silicone coated polyester material that packs down a lot smaller, is more water-resistant and has less stretch than other tent fabrics.
Whitney LaRuffa, Six Moon Designs Sales and Marketing Manager, said, “The Outstanding Outdoor Awards are chosen after rigorous testing by experts in the industry, and we are proud that Six Moon Designs gear keeps coming out on top.”
The impetus for Six Moon Designs came to founder Ron Moak, an avid thru-hiker who sought out much lighter weight gear than what was available at the time, on the Pacific Crest Trail. In 2002, Moak introduced his first product the Europa Tent, a 33oz. single wall sil-nylon shelter and the backpacking community quickly embraced the lightweight backpacking ethic.
Soon, other innovative Six Moon Designs products followed including the Gatewood Cape, a combination poncho/shelter system, and the Starlite Pack, a pioneering frameless pack with a large carrying capacity, all setting the bar for affordable, durable and lightweight backpacking gear.
Traynor On The Trail 