2013 has been crammed with novelties for La Sportiva, the company from Trentino which first started producing mountaineering boots in the heart of Val di Fiemme back in 1928. During the Outdoor Trade show in Friedrichshafen, which was held between 11th and 14th July, the brand presented important innovations to the technical mountaineering footwear sector in all categories, from high altitude climbing to technical mountaineering and mountain running. It also introduced further enhancements to its apparel line with a number of new additions to the range.

Among the many novelties presented, all eyes were turned to the new Trango Cube GTX, a technical boot for mountaineering and climbing, which captured the attention of the entire jury of the Industry Design Awards. It was the winner of the prestigious Outdoor Industry Award, an annual prize given to the most innovative product launched in the outdoor sector.

The panel of experts included Felix Bachli (Bachli Bergsport AG, Nanikon, Switzerland), Laurence Guyon (Escalade Mag. Sermano, France), Mark Held (European Outdoor Group, Zug, Switzerland), Alix von Melle (expedition mountaineer, Munich, Germany), Graham Thompson (Trail Magazine, Peterborough, UK) and Frank Wacker (Outdoor Magazine, Stuttgart, Germany). They defined the model as a unique new entry to the market, thanks to the seamless internal construction method which promotes a clean and defined look. This is achieved by the application of a special thermo plastic covering and thermo sealing (Thermo Tech injection technology) through which the lacing hooks are also inserted.

This particular construction method reduces volumes to a minimum, obtaining an incredible lightweight of 675g per half pair, along with the exclusive reduced layered sole - La Sportiva “Cube” - made in collaboration with Vibram. The thermo plastic material of Trango Cube GTX makes the product exceptionally waterproof. The inners are also climatically controlled. These features are further enhanced and guaranteed by the use of Gore Tex Performance Comfort membrane. Trango Cube was indeed classified as being well “ahead of the times” in terms of design too.