New ski clothing that protects against cuts
Anyone who has followed the ski races of the past few weeks will have seen them: the crashes that resulted in bloodshed. Cut injuries, including those caused by razor-sharp ski edges, are said to have been to blame. The Spanish brand Diston presented ski underwear at the ISPO sports trade fair that is designed to protect against such injuries.
Anybody who ventures onto the piste or into deep snow on skis knows that having fun in the snow harbours a certain risk. According to figures from the accident insurance company SUVA, 25 per cent of all sports accidents happen in the snow. While these are mostly bone or joint injuries, some of the injuries are caused by sharp ski edges. To remedy this, the Spanish manufacturer Diston has developed cut protection clothing specifically for winter sports.
Certified by the International Ski Federation
The special feature: The ski clothing has been certified with three stars by the International Ski Federation (FIS). This is the highest category for cut protection awarded by the federation. It has only ever been awarded to Diston. For Lulen Agirrebeña, founder and engineer of Diston, whom I met at the international sports trade fair ISPO, this is an important honour: "Providing skiers with safety without restricting their freedom of movement was our top priority from the very beginning."
Source: Diston
The ski clothing is also certified to the second-highest level of the European cut protection standard (EN 388:2016). Among other things, the material to be tested is maltreated with a circular blade that moves forwards and backwards and rotates at the same time. In terms of cut resistance, the ski clothing achieves almost twice the value of what is usual for cut protection gloves.
Ski racers shaped the products
Diston founder Lulen Agirrebeña is himself a keen skier with good contacts in the ski racing scene. During a conversation around three years ago with racer friends who were competing in the FIS Alpine Ski Europa Cup, among others, they expressed a particular concern. They criticised the fact that there was no good anti-cut clothing that was flexible and functional so that it could also be worn during ski races.
Agirrebeña himself was working for a ski clothing manufacturer at the time. He was attracted by the idea of developing his own ski underwear that offered protection against injuries, good moisture management and great freedom of movement.
Source: Siri Schubert
He spent two years developing and testing until he launched the Diston ski underwear onto the market eight months ago. It is made from high performance polyethylene (HPPE), a material that is very cut and tear resistant. Agirrebeña combined the HPPE with nylon and other elastic fibres until the result was right. Skiers, racers and trainers repeatedly tested his clothing and provided feedback. The first collection of long ski underwear, long-sleeved shirts and neck protection has been on the market for just under a year. Agirrebeña already has the next ideas: "The innovation doesn't stop. We are continuing to research and develop so that we can soon offer even better anti-cut clothing."
We don't yet offer Diston clothing. Our purchasing department will clarify whether we will include these products in our range.
Cover photo: Shutterstock / Lukas Gojda17 people like this article
Research diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.