OWPG Awards Technical Innovation
WINNER Gear Award 2024
Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Awards for Excellence
For too long there has been a stigma associated with making the “ sustainable ” choice in outdoor apparel . Too often , sustainability has been reverse-engineered in a way that has diminished performance or increased weight for otherwise beloved products . So , this year , our judging panel sought out brands that have thought about the entire product lifecycle from the very beginning , making gear sustainable by design from the very first step .
After many months of product testing and spirited discussions , we have chosen BAM as the winner of this year ’ s innovation award . BAM is a British-based maker of bamboo , recycled polyester , and merino wool athletic clothing , and we have been impressed by its radical transparency to educate consumers about every stage of the product life cycle . It can be incredibly hard for the consumer to cut through greenwashing and understand whether they ’ re actually making sustainable and ethical choices .
At the same time , BAM ’ s clothing is also comfortable , performance-driven , and multi-functional for the outdoors and everyday life . Judge Jessie Leong , a writer and outdoor instructor , tested BAM ’ s 73 Fleece Gilet in extreme conditions in sub-Arctic Iceland , among other adventures , and praises the brand ’ s apparel for its versatility — crucial for a “ less is more ” sustainable mindset .
HIGHLY WINNER COMMENDED
Gear Award 2024
Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Awards for Excellence
“ It ’ s not only the roomy pockets on the well-fitting BAM 73 Fleece Gilet , which I tested to minus 15 degrees in sub- Arctic Iceland , or the soft-to-the-skin , breathable leggings I tested in Spain . They ’ re clothes I ’ ve worn daily for their ease of wear . BAM aren ’ t necessarily clothes for a ‘ harder , faster , stronger ’ setting , but they ’ re clothes I ’ ve gone back to because they ’ re comfortable , wear well , and suit an overall active lifestyle that feel at home in the pub of a busy mountain region , as well as being worn for more extreme weather outdoors .”
We hope that BAM ’ s transparency will push other manufacturers to do the same , and drive greater innovation in outdoor products that do not ask the
Technical Award judges : Kassondra Cloos , Jessie Leong , Alex Roddie and Chris Townsend consumer to choose between durability , performance , and sustainable design .
Highly commended is MidgeSpecs , for reviving a brilliant idea that is immediately game-changing for walkers and trekkers . MidgeSpecs are simple but genius : Insect netting glued to transparent glasses frames . The product is so comfortable that one of our judges admits that he once tried to take a bite of his lunch through the netting .
Moving forward , our judging panel expects to prioritise these two things above others when reviewing products for awards — functional sustain ability and creative problem-solving .
24 OUTDOOR FOCUS Winter 2024 – 25