At the SIA Snowshow in Denver last week Giro introduced a new “soft-shell” helmet for the snowsport industry that can survive multiple impacts and still keep the wearer protected. The Combyn helmet can flex and bend under pressure and like “Stretch Armstrong” return to its original shape.
The helmet reportedly utilizes a patent-pending liner made with foam to absorb impact, with two outer layers of foam that are designed to take both “high and low energy shots” and be flexible yet durable. The helmet features eight vents, and removable goggle retailer. It will comply with the CE EC 1077 safety standard. It will be available in August for next year’s winter sport season.
Italian helmet maker Osbe have introduced a new stylish ski helmet for those who don’t like to take their time heading down the slopes. This model features an integrated lens/helmet design that eliminates the need for goggles – hence the Osbe United moniker. It features UV-protected, anti-fog lens that even allows skiers to wear prescription glasses if needed. This one just screams speed.
The Light Bohrd is one that will certainly let you be seen on the slopes. This snowboard features the world’s first illuminated graphics technology. It doesn’t really do much but look cool, but oh isn’t that enough.
Helmet maker Bollé introduced its Osmoz help, which is actually a fully-integrated helmet and goggle system that allows offers a click-to-fit system to ensure it will fit any head. Interchangeable lenses can help protect the wearer even as weather conditions change. This smart looking brain bucket is lightweight, and provides a sleek, more aerodynamic profile as well.
The holiday season is far from over, but with the New Year less than a week away we begin to think about what it will bring. One thing for certain is a lot of products. January isn’t just the post-holiday season, it is also the season of winter trade shows. Next month these will keep us busy as KineticShift will be heading to the shows, including International CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show), SHOT Show, Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and the SIA Snow Show.
At the SIA Snowsports Show in January we got to see an early model of the 
Just because winter is a time to bundle up with extra layers, doesn’t mean all of us are hibernating. Many of us get out and burn calories on the slopes, ice and take part in other outdoor adventures. SIA, the SnowSports Industries America organization, released its 2012 SIA Snow Sports Participation Report. The top finding shows that 6.9 percent of Americans participate in snow sports, and burn 332 million calories while they do it. 
That annoying expression “talk to the hand” might get new life thanks to Swany’s g.cell ski gloves, which feature built-in Bluetooth technology that transforms the hand warming ski gloves into a mobile phone speaker and microphone. Basically this allows a phone to stay in one’s pocket, while the gloves can be used to make calls, including voice activated commands. The speaker and microphone are embedded in the thumb of the right glove, which also features the controls.
Ski goggles aren’t what they used to be, they’re better. Several models have interchangeable lenses so you can swap them to suit the conditions on the slopes, but those interchangeable can be difficult to handle. Burton introduced a new pair of Anon ski goggles, which will be available in fall 2012, that use magnets to secure lenses and allow for an easy swap.