Third Annual Carry Awards :: Best Specialist Results

1st Place

Black Diamond JetForce

This has been a massive project, requiring diverse skills, significant investment, and serious cojones to reinvent a lifesaving technology. And Black Diamond have done an amazing job.

Avalanche airbag backpacks traditionally use cylinders with compressed gas or air to inflate their big pillows, which then help you rise to the top of any nasty snow slide you might get caught in (rather than being buried by it). The BD Jetforce uses a battery-powered fan instead. This lets you practise cheaply, fly without cylinder restrictions, and continue to force air into the pillows even if they’ve been torn by debris. It was a massive project to get right, but the results will change the industry.

Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honour, we bow our heads in the upmost respect and kudos. If this were a dias, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And I’m sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

Douchebags Douchebag

Schlepping around skis and snowboards isn’t fun. Cue the Douchebag rolling onto the snowsports scene to make sense out of a frustrating carry situation. Forget the schlep and focus on the shred, as this nifty bag securely fits skis or snowboards up to 200cm long thanks to its adjustable length – and when it’s not in use, simply roll it up for easy space-saving storage. The bag’s Rib Cage construction features ABS ribs that provide lightweight but tough protection for the contents, while wheels at the base of the bag mean the user can forgo hauling around hefty gear. This is a rad piece of kit, Douchebags, congratulations!

Note: if you’re shopping in Australia, you can find the Douchebag here. 

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MONO Guitar Sleeve

Musicians can get pretty passionate about their tunes – and even more so about protection for their instruments. Happily, the MONO Guitar Sleeve has plenty to get passionate about, from the sleek profile with easy top-loading access, to the Headlock neck suspension that absorbs shocks and keeps the neck and headstock secure if the sleeve is bumped or (cue shudders) dropped. The sleeve features a pouch that is handy for carrying items such as tech gadgets and cables, while an EVA insole on the base of the sleeve provides further protection. This is a stylish, functional sleeve that will be sweet music to anyone on the go with a guitar and looking to travel light.