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Introducing TECHUNTER AWARDS, our long-due yearly recap of everything functional and techy. Our team went back and found all of the innovative, fascinating, and just purely fun product releases, new technologies, and designs, materials, treatments, visual and informative works by our peers and colleagues to present to you in this format.
Since we didn't want to assign multiple podium places for our award, we decided on crowning the best one in each category and 8 more that deserve your close attention.
Since we didn't want to assign multiple podium places for our award, we decided on crowning the best one in each category and 8 more that deserve your close attention.
So here are the main nominations for TECHUNTER AWARDS 2022:
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR
FOOTWEAR RELEASE OF THE YEAR
APPAREL RELEASE OF THE YEAR
Without further ado, let's dive deep into the best of 2022 and our list of TOP-9 in each category!
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR
FOOTWEAR RELEASE OF THE YEAR
APPAREL RELEASE OF THE YEAR
Without further ado, let's dive deep into the best of 2022 and our list of TOP-9 in each category!
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
BEST INNOVATION OF THE YEAR:
Thermoformed StartX rubber
by Vibram.
Thermoformed StartX rubber
by Vibram.
To disrupt the injection mold market and open up a new way of footwear creation Vibram and Slam Jam used StratX compound and thermoformed it over a 3D printed last. The resulting product is a hybrid shoe made in just 5 steps. A simple and elegant way of bringing the industry forward into the "post-sneaker" era.
Black Dyneema is the pinnacle: no distractions - devoid of colour, complete focus and it exudes discipline. Put together in the form of a shoe, with an addition of G+ membrane for the winterised version, this release marks another first for Canadian trail running disruptors.
Resisting -100°C in a liquid nitrogen chamber, built with the only material that's already on Titan and Mars, crafted with the utmost attention to detail, this embodiment of the Michelin man is ready to combat the most inhospitable weather on earth and beyond.
RunShelter is the world's strongest, lightest, and most breathable waterproof jacket, crafted by hand with a uniquely-treated roll of Dyneema® sourced from a prized vault. It has a significantly higher breathability rating over other popular waterproof materials while retaining the ultralight and indestructible qualities of Dyneema®, weighing 121g and packing down into its own pocket.
Unlike the traditional injection mold process, KMOSHON uses 3D printing to create the frames for their products. Featuring a spherical lens with Vucid™ technology and anti-reflective coating, created by a team of long-time industry professionals in the prescription glasses industry, this company is set up to reimagine performance eyewear as we know it.
Cotton Ripstop OFF-DYE OVD is an innovative reactive dyeing and resin coating cycle, with dried garments treated with corrosive resins to remove part of the military-specification cotton ripstop color. This process gives every item a unique finish, before it is over-dyed, washed, and dried.
CO2RENU technology has been created in collaboration with industry experts, Lanzatech. It is an innovative way of recycling CO2 from industrial waste into products, whilst helping reduce carbon footprint. Craghoppers uses 100% recycled fabric, 70% of which is recycled polyester, 30% of which includes fibers converted from CO2 industrial waste as an alternative to recycled plastic bottles.
Continuing to build up their offerings this year, sailing brand 878 comes up with a P2 sailing jacket utilizing their graphene-based membrane, that offers improved breathability, enhanced durability, greater stretch, and flexibility, compared to regular 3L materials.
MF70 is a proposed solution for a working system based on giving power to all participants throughout the supply chain of clothing production and making them see and take credit for their input on a fair basis, paving the way into the future of brand building and clothing creation.
PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR
| BEST PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR: LTEKS Edition 04 campaign by Serin Auh. In their fourth edition, LTEKS showcased an absolute mastery of combining nature and technology, bringing together the otherworldly scenery of Iceland and their outstanding clothing in this editorial, which found its way into a print zine alongside each purchase. We have been following the development of LTEKS for years and it is truly a force to be reckoned with, in both its form and function.
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BEST PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR:
LTEKS Edition 04 campaign
by Serin Auh.
LTEKS Edition 04 campaign
by Serin Auh.
In their fourth edition, LTEKS showcased an absolute mastery of combining nature and technology, bringing together the otherworldly scenery of Iceland and their outstanding clothing in this editorial, which found its way into a print zine alongside each purchase. We have been following the development of LTEKS for years and it is truly a force to be reckoned with, in both its form and function.
Utilizing movement to present their intricate adaptivity for a user's need, this video lookbook elevates already an incredible collection by Goldwin_0 into the stratosphere.
Another excellent work by Chris Glickman shows the exploration of the mountain passes and peaks in this split-focused multi-character campaign. Refined and artful, just what we came to expect from this creative team.
This campaign, shot by Theo Sion, presents the collaborative capsule in a series of surreal scenarios, corresponding to the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water, and a humorous nod to both the shoe's raw materials and the imagery commonly associated with performance footwear.
Presented during Milan design week this installation consisted of four concentric circles that act as a diaphragm creating a visual tunnel that leads the gaze from the macro to the micro levels, while still leaving the observer free to build a personal perception of the maquette. The perception of vision varied, as the observer moved through the space, is required to participate in a performance.
One word — jetpacks! To illustrate a story for Eye_C's 6th issue, Tom Weatherill and his team took it to a level beyond the next one, creating a gravity-defying work of art.
Capturing a moment of falling in this vacuum abstract studio environment makes a terrifying real-life situation into something to marvel at. This work honors the idea of falling being an organic part of any climb, both on real and metaphorical peaks.
Orienteer mapazine crew delivered a real-life surreal collage piece in this editorial, centered around static and movement. A real highlight of this year.
This altar to the dark forces that are encapsulated in Demon's footwear serves to present a mastery of combining architecture, man-made objects, and materials with nature's simplest forms. Set in the courtyard in the middle of a busy city, this installation is a masterclass example of an artist and designer collaboration.
FOOTWEAR RELEASE OF THE YEAR
| BEST FOOTWEAR RELEASE OF THE YEAR: Moncler Trailgrip GTX. This august Moncler came out guns blazing with their new line of mountain-ready footwear, the main caliber being Nathan Van Hook, who applied his expertise and background at Nike ACG to create one of the most appealing and functional silhouettes we had our hands on. This sneaker, and the whole FW22 footwear collection, represents a new era for Moncler. When skyscrapers are mountains to climb, subway steps are steep paths to run on, and sidewalks are trails full of obstacles, we can use the same shoe to get out of the office and rediscover the beauty of nature in the wild.
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BEST FOOTWEAR RELEASE
OF THE YEAR:
Moncler Trailgrip GTX.
OF THE YEAR:
Moncler Trailgrip GTX.
This august Moncler came out guns blazing with their new line of mountain-ready footwear, the main caliber being Nathan Van Hook, who applied his expertise and background at Nike ACG to create one of the most appealing and functional silhouettes we had our hands on. This sneaker, and the whole FW22 footwear collection, represents a new era for Moncler. When skyscrapers are mountains to climb, subway steps are steep paths to run on, and sidewalks are trails full of obstacles, we can use the same shoe to get out of the office and rediscover the beauty of nature in the wild.
An incredible collaborative project between Slam Jam and Vibram results with a "post sneaker' – a hybrid shoe made in just 5 steps. Utilizing Vibram's StratX rubber compound in a form of sheets, it is thermoformed on a 3D last creating a one-piece one-step upper.
Salomon's QUEST LOW model in collaboration with GR10K is a unique retelling of durability and diverted wear, an exclusive collaborative shoe to complement their collection of elevated and long-lasting uniform-inspired goods that weave archived patterns and workwear fabrics into a modern-day.
Based on Clifton 8, Project Clifton is a reinterpreted spinoff on the classic silhouette, equipped with the same cushioning and support as the original, spiced up with a futuristic new look, adding an Aquaguard Zip and a quick-lace system. A treat for chunky sneaker lovers.
Kiko Kostadinov Studio updates the UB4-S GEL-1130 with a mix of materials and new visual aesthetics, paying homage to the ninth iteration of the GEL-1000™ series. Remixed for everyday functionality, features GEL® technology cushioning, it's a true eye candy for fans of the brand.
The first ever ready-to-wear sneaker from the creative studio features Helen Kirkum's signature split-sole design with mismatched fore and rear sole components, repurposed materials' with a principle of collaged leather varying between each pair, making each one unlike all others, and, as all of her products, is an ode to the process of making.
Teaming up with Reigning Champ and renowned Life Coach Ryan Willms, Altra has created an exclusive edition of the Olympus 4, paying tribute to and being inspired by Ryan Willms's work and career. Each pair came with a matching set of tie-dye gaiters, elevating the release to new heights.
Peace & Silence 001 was an industry-shaking collaboration between Parisian Satisfy Running and the Canadian Norda. Jadeite colorway with a gum sole and reflective details throughout, Peace & Silence messaging found on the lace aglets, peace sign decorating the heel tab, custom insoles, recycled nylon shoe hermetic bag, limited NFT version of the shoe and more.
The latest original creation from Converse and the visionary genius of Dr. Samuel Ross blends functional utility and progressive styling in a completely unique boot design featuring a stretch bootie construction, zip-up shroud, and elevated lugged outsole. This train is not stopping any time soon, and we are so on board for it.
APPAREL RELEASE OF THE YEAR
| BEST APPAREL RELEASE OF THE YEAR: Descente Allterrain x côte&ciel capsule. A collaboration we have been waiting for a very long time! French artisan of functional bags and accessories côte&ciel has teamed up with the Japanese functional apparel brand Descente and its urban sub-brand Allterrain. Both masters of their craft have demonstrated the highest level of their abilities with a combination of key parameters: modern design, innovative approach to fabrics and materials selection, exquisite construction, and a strong visual presentation. For their joint limited edition capsule, which will delight all fans of all functional clothing, an entire system was created, consisting of the Sormonne Métamorphe / The Shapeshifter bag and the Mizusawa Down Jacket, that work adaptively with each other through special design elements, having a myriad of options for a wearer to choose and combine. A true highlight of functional clothing history for decades to come.
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BEST APPAREL RELEASE OF THE YEAR:
Descente Allterrain x côte&ciel capsule.
Descente Allterrain x côte&ciel capsule.
A collaboration we have been waiting for a very long time! French artisan of functional bags and accessories côte&ciel has teamed up with the Japanese functional apparel brand Descente and its urban sub-brand Allterrain. Both masters of their craft have demonstrated the highest level of their abilities with a combination of key parameters: modern design, innovative approach to fabrics and materials selection, exquisite construction, and a strong visual presentation. For their joint limited edition capsule, which will delight all fans of all functional clothing, an entire system was created, consisting of the Sormonne Métamorphe / The Shapeshifter bag and the Mizusawa Down Jacket, that work adaptively with each other through special design elements, having a myriad of options for a wearer to choose and combine. A true highlight of functional clothing history for decades to come.
Canadian high-end retailer HAVEN has been masterfully telling other brand stories for years earning its reputation as a premium project with a specialized approach to everything they do. Their clothing is practical, comfortable, high quality, and it makes you look good and feel confident at the same time.
In celebration of their 70 years anniversary, Moncler invited many of their former collaborators for a series of new spins of their iconic Maya Jacket, and while all of them came out unbelievably stunning, Palm Angels®' Francesco Ragazzi transcended time and space to create one of the most memorable pieces of 2022.
In 2002, Y-3 established the category of fashion sportswear – a genre that this powerhouse continually redefines twenty years in a row. For 2022 Y-3 set out to explore its past, present, and future – boldly dubbing it "20 Years: Re-Coded". A true GOAT, 20 years in a row.
A staple of all functional menswear, Stone Island's Shadow Project has been at the bleeding edge of innovative materials and design elements since 2008. For their FW22 they presented a range of garments in an attempt to emphasize the haptics of the materials themselves, grounding their pallets in natural shades of emeralds and moss, rust, and berry.
South Korean label XLIM has captivated the minds of functional clothing enthusiasts for as long as it has existed. In their "EP.2" SYNOPSIS 4 drop, they combine forms of architecture and man-made objects with stone and fallen leaves, mankind, and nature.
Simplicity in perfection, Veilance garments don't scream at you for attention but dig below the surface, and you will uncover the masterful seaming, precise use of textiles, and mathematically ideal balance of proportions. Their Women's FW22 is a textbook example of why Taka Kasuga's work is a cornerstone of modern urban outerwear design.
MS.SITE kickstarts its journey with "3.0 Industrial Athlete Pants". TMS.SITE has named these "heavy-duty" workers "Industrial Athletes". By setting a goal to reduce the social divide between blue-collar workmen and white-collar workers they tell real and intimate stories of Hong Kong local Steel Fixers, making workwear cool like never before.
A moto BYBORRE has been living by for the entire journey. For 2022 they not only made a fascinating collection, consisting of their staple silhouettes in pinks and dark navy shades, but they truly flipped the script – this collection is their last to come out as Editions, a signature style of releasing their own clothing to showcase their textile abilities and technologies. Press Knit to pay respect.
This list concludes our TECHUNTER AWARDS 2022. As always, we would love to see your opinion, picks, and ideas of what caught your eye this year in the comments of our social media. What other categories should we do next year?
Stay tuned to see our Results of 2022 article, combining all the highlights we achieved this year. Keep it pinned to our socials/web for 2023 and have a great holiday celebration! – TECHUNTER Media team.
