The North Face Modulator ABS

Gear of the Show 2015: The North Face Modulator ABS

Turn any backpack into an avalanche airbag system

By: Joe Jackson

 

Jan 29, 2015

The Modulator ABS is the first of its kind, allowing any pack to house an avy airbag.     Photo: The North Face

Inflatable avalanche airbag packs, designed to keep the wearer on top of the snow if he gets caught in a slide, are becoming a mandatory part of the backcountry quiver. While they work great, the airbags are also permanently built into the pack: if you want a small avy pack for short excursions and a larger one for longer trips, you have to buy two different packs.

Enter the North Face’s Modulator, the first-ever avalanche airbag system that converts any backpack into a potentially lifesaving ABS avy airbag pack. Two rectangular side pods house the airbag system and nitrogen canister, and the pods’ harness system can be attached to any pack with shoulder straps. Users set up the pneumatic trigger on either the right or left side, great for southpaws or snowmobilers who squeeze the throttle with their right hand. Bonus: the packaging doubles as a storage bag for easy traveling. Avaliable this fall.

Read about our other Gear of the Show winners from the SIA SnowShow 2015. 

$999, thenorthface.com 

Gear of the Show 2015: Julbo Aerospace Goggles

Eliminate goggle fog with such a simple fix? Genius.

By: Joe Jackson 

Jan 22, 2015

                                                                                 system that keeps lenses from fogging up.     Photo: Julbo

Nothing ruins a powder day faster than fogged-up goggles. Which is why we’re so excited to try out Julbo’s new Aerospace goggles.
Their solution to the age-old problem is ingeniously simple: a quick tug on the photochromatic lenses pops them about a centimeter away from the frame, a mechanical venting system that Julbo says creates more than enough airflow to keep your lenses moisture-free. It takes less than a second to do—the corners of the lenses have ridges that are big enough that you can easily pop them out with gloves or mittens on.
Snowing? The Aerospaces come with a shield you can snap over the top. Available September 2015.

Read about our other Gear of the Show winners from Winter Outdoor Retailer 2015.