China Outdoor Gear Awards “Showdown in the Capital” — Outdoor Brands Unleash Their Signature Moves
In early spring 2014, the fifth China Outdoor Gear Awards, known as the “barometer of China’s outdoor industry,” announced its results. This high-level “showdown in the martial arts world” of the outdoor field saw 41 well-known domestic and international outdoor brands compete, presenting 101 of the latest outdoor gear products sold in China. The top “fighters” chosen from various “schools” battled fiercely, ultimately awarding 19 gear prizes and 3 Best GORE-TEX® Gear Awards.
In 2010, Gore and the magazine Outside successfully co-hosted the first “Best GORE-TEX® Gear Awards,” which received positive market feedback. Building on that success, Gore and Outside joined forces again to launch the fifth edition of the “Best GORE-TEX® Gear Awards.” Among the outdoor gear submitted for testing this year, 19 pieces were made with GORE-TEX® fabric, spanning categories such as jackets, hiking shoes, and accessories. Like masters in a strategic duel, the competition aimed for fairness. A professional and experienced testing team conducted rigorous, hands-on field tests of the gear over several months. Only gear that excelled across multiple factors could be crowned the “martial arts leader” of the China Outdoor Gear Awards. Ultimately, three products in the clothing, footwear, and accessories categories were selected as winners of the “Best GORE-TEX® Gear Awards.”
Best GORE-TEX® Gear Awards – Clothing Category:
School: Lafuma Alpine Series – IRON MAN (Iron Man) Men’s Jacket
Title: LMJ03A101
Signature Move: Crafted with premium GORE-TEX® Pro Shell 3L stretchable professional fabric, it delivers outstanding windproof, waterproof, and breathable performance while maximizing freedom of movement. The jacket features all-waterproof zippers, a detachable hood with adjustable drawcords for full head protection in harsh weather. It includes a built-in snow skirt to shield against snow, rain, and wind. The ergonomic, three-dimensional cut ensures maximum comfort during activity.
Verdict: Exceptional performance and superior mobility.
Beyond the three winning products of the “Best GORE-TEX® Gear Awards,” other “competitors” from the GORE-TEX® “school” also delivered impressive results. Out of the 101 “martial arts masters,” 19 came from the “Gore School,” spanning categories such as jackets, hiking shoes, and accessories. Of the 19 award-winning gear items this year, five were “Gore masters.”
Best Gear Award – Men’s Jacket:
School: Black Diamond Front Point Shell Men’s Waterproof Shell
Title: W74G-150-M GTX® Pro
Signature Move: The flagship GORE-TEX® Pro jacket from Black Diamond offers rock-solid protection against harsh conditions, generous pocket storage, internal elastic pockets for electronics with cord exits, excellent breathability, custom-molded Velcro cuff tabs, and streamlined design for enhanced mobility. Its rare white color in the jacket world makes the wearer stand out. Not to mention the Front Point Shell fabric—this jacket is a paragon of functional outerwear design.
Verdict: Tough and resilient, ready for any expedition.
Best Gear Award – Women’s Jacket:
School: Lafuma Alpine Series – Women’s Jacket
Title: LFJ03A101
Signature Move: Female testers praised its soft appearance and color palette. Made with GORE-TEX® Pro Shell 3L stretchable professional fabric, it offers excellent windproof, waterproof, and breathable performance. All-waterproof zippers, a hooded design with adjustable drawcords provide full head protection in harsh weather. The built-in snow skirt shields the body from snow, rain, and wind. Reflective 3M tape enhances nighttime safety. The three-dimensional cut in the sleeves and waist, along with a figure-flattering design, accentuates the wearer’s silhouette. It comes with a dedicated storage pouch for convenience.
Verdict: Powerful functionality, stylish design.