10 iF design award 2021 winners show creativity when stepping outdoors

either camping or road tripping, practicing a sport or preparing for a hike, design solutions make the outdoors even easier and fun to deal with. 10 winning projects from iF design award 2021 prove how creative an adventure can be, as designboom concludes the 12-series collaboration with the renowned competition platform. from bike helmets that indicate direction and brakes to waterproof shoes made out of recycled coffee grains, the selected winners integrate technology with comfort.

as a last in a series of award-winning highlights from the iF design award 2021, designboom picks 10 projects that offer comfort to any outdoors adventure.

name: polar grit x
brand: polar electro oy

developed to help outdoor enthusiasts push their boundaries, finnish product ‘polar grit x’ offers a robust and lightweight design, outstanding battery life, and smart coaching features. whether out on the trails or having an indoor workout, the watch comes with all the essential tools to power through anything. in a US military-grade standard construction designed for the roughest conditions,  the just 64-gram device also boasts an incredible weight-to-battery ratio, even up to 100 hours via multiple power save options – perfect for extended adventures or ultra events.

name: livall evo21
brand: qianhai livall lot technology co., ltd
designers: RUMA design
award: iF gold award

spanish design ‘livall evo21’ is a road bike helmet that optimizes air resistance and reduces perspiration through a system of inner channels. equipped with powerful front and rear lights that indicate direction and brakes, the product is also implemented with an SOS system. specifically, via the user’s smartphone, it becomes possible to call emergency services while providing the cyclist’s geolocation as well as flashing the helmet lights. through the app, the user can also connect to a class-leading community of interconnected cyclists. name: xpresole® panto
brand: CCILU international inc.
designers: wilson hsu, steve hsu

all-occasion ‘xpresole® panto’ is the go-to boot for the city, country, hiking, rain and snow. including ultra-lightweight, double-layered water and dirt-proof, smelling fresh like coffee, and machine washable. the moisture-wicking, fast-drying, odor/mildew-controlled, responsive, resilient and supportive taiwanese model is also sustainable. by using recycled coffee grounds (SCGs), as they are a major source of greenhouse gases when they are landfilled, one pair of panto upcycles 15 cups of SCGs. the aim is to associate users with the experiences of circular economy, product excellence and community engagement.

name: canyon precede: on
brand: canyon bicycles gmbh
designers: fedja delic, alexander forst

from commuting to work in the morning to picking up the kid after school, the german ‘precede: on’ e-bike makes navigating the city faster, simpler, and more carefree than ever before. along with high levels of functionality and performance through exceptional components and clever integration, a striking carbon frame completes the look. the cockpit alone fits bright lights, built-in brakes, and a vibrant display into a unified form with no visible cables. factor in the powerful motor, integrated kickstand, smart storage solutions, and trailer mount, and the result is an elevated standard for what an urban smart bike is capable of and a vision for the future of mobility. name: 8×20 IS / 10×20 IS
brand: canon inc.
designers: yoshiyuki kashiwagi

the famous japanese brand canon pursues a design that allows users to concentrate on watching, through clear operability and a reduction of physical burden during long periods of use. thanks to their compact form, the lightweight binoculars ‘8×20 IS/10×20 IS’ can fit into small bags, making them perfect for concerts. to serve any kind of user, the pair has also been realized with a hold that takes into consideration different-sized hands and holding patterns.

name: otter 153-2 sheepfoot
brand: otter-messer gmbh
designers: wahrmann design

completely hand-made in solingen, germany, ‘otter 153-2 sheepfoot’ combines a striking design. as elegant as it is, the everyday carry knife made of regional plum wood can be used for any kind of outdoor and urban activity. traditional craftsmanship and high-tech materials definitely influence the product’s style, while the angled handles with defined grips optimize ergonomics.

name: bosch easypump
brand: robert bosch power tools gmbh
designers: robert bosch power tools gmbh, propeller design AB

in an ergonomic, handy and lightweight design, ‘bosch easypump’ is certainly a high-performance pressure air pump. with an intuitive button design and a pressure preset function, the device becomes suitable for all pressure applications up to 10.3 bars. moreover, the display is set at an angle making it easier to read when kneeling on the ground, thus making it an ideal model for inflating tires (car, motorcycle, bike), balls, or smaller water sports equipment.

name: hibear all-day adventure flask
brand: hibear
designers: mark tsigounis, matic lenaršič, jernej koželj

insulated bottles are an essential part of outdoor adventure, but fall short when it comes to crafting beverages on the road. as a response,  american ‘hibear all-day adventure flask’ is designed to hold drinks from water and coffee to cocktails. thanks to its stainless steel construction and unbreakable glass finish, flavors and aromas are prevented from sticking. additionally, the silicone sleeve that acts as a double cup prevents denting, while the lid can be flipped upside down.

name: destroyer series
brand: megabass, inc. hamamatsu city shizuoka

for anglers of all skill levels, fishing rods ‘destroyer series’ offer several advantages: they are lightweight, comfortable, durable, and efficiently store and release angler energy to power long-distance casts. in order to deliver a superior strength to weight ratio as well as an impeccably smooth bend curve, manufacturers megabass developed a proprietary 5-D graphite process. through analyzing mechanics and ergonomics, angler and equipment become integrated.

name: off toco_2style lunch backpack
brand: ELECOM co., ltd.

unprecedented backpack ‘off toco_2 style’ has made it possible to put a lunch box/water bottle and other business tools/personal belongings in completely separate spaces and quickly take them out when needed. as the practice of bringing lunch boxes to work is increasing, having a bag that divides work documents to food is definitely a practical solution. in order to avoid the risk of smells, stains and contamination, employees tend to carry their lunch separately, which is what the sophisticated japanese product aims to change.

iF design award 2021 ‘sports & outdoors’ winners conclude the 12-series collaboration between the competition platform and designboom. from thousands of projects, the elaborate jury panel awards hundreds of projects from which we then highlight our top 10 winners including finalists receiving the acclaimed iF gold award. technologically advanced, ergonomic and certainly creative projects are featured through the final topic. to see the full curation of iF design award 2021 winners, click here.

how is that inspiration going? showcasing the ‘creatiFe power of design’, registration for iF design award 2022 is now open, here.