portable avalanche airbag by AEROSIZE is a compact safety kit for off-piste snowsports

lightweight, safety-tested and stylish, ‘vest ONE’ by AEROSIZE is the world’s first certified avalanche airbag compact vest. geared towards people exposed to the danger of snow avalanches, the vest contains AEROSIZE’s patented hybrid airbag system that’s smaller than your average avalanche backpack kit. however, the airbag retains the standard capacity of 174 liters when filled up, offering protection for off-piste snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiles and rescue teams.

after pulling the trigger in front of the vest, compressed gas inflates only the airbag structural chamber

image courtesy of AEROSIZE, TOPO visuals adam brandys

the AEROSIZE hybrid airbag system inside of the vest works differently than standard avalanche airbag systems. after pulling the trigger in front of vest ONE, compressed gas (non-flammable un 1006 argon) from the cartridges inflates only the airbag structural chamber. therefore the airbag frame grows and stretches the fabric of the airbag walls. the rest of the volume of the airbag is filled automatically with air sucked in from the environment, allowing AEROSIZE to minimize the size of the components, the whole system, and the final product. each cartridge weighs only 160g. 

the trigger can be closed in the vest pocket when not being used

image courtesy of AEROSIZE, TOPO visuals adam brandys

vest ONE was designed in collaboration with polish designer dorota kabała, who adopted a user-centered design method. ‘I think that understanding both a business context and user’s needs is very important for product development. therefore at the beginning of the collaboration with AEROSIZE we defined users, goals, competition and technical requirements,’  says kabała, founder of design studio we design for physical culture.

the most important feature of the vest and the system is its small size. the design underlines the function of the vest while the aesthetics intend to underline its reliability, professional use and compactness; broad fluorescent red stripes make it easy to spot and black parts make it appear smaller. all the textiles and parts of the vest were carefully chosen, taking both technical requirements and style into consideration.

broad fluorescent red stripes make wearers easy to spot

image courtesy of AEROSIZE, TOPO visuals adam brandys

‘I know the importance of technical parameters in sports equipment. they were also necessary for TÜV SÜD certification. that is why while I was choosing the fabrics to be used in the vest I verified whether they ensure safety, reliability, compactness and lightness. I also asked the suppliers questions on the origins of the materials and the possibility of recycling,’  continues kabała.

vest ONE offers increased safety for off-piste snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiles and rescue teams

image courtesy of AEROSIZE, TOPO visuals adam brandys

the portable airbag has been tested and certified by TÜV SÜD product service gmbh in accordance with the guidelines of EN 16716: 2017 mountaineering equipment – avalanche airbag systems (safety requirements and test methods for avalanche airbag systems). it was also tested by specialists including austrian rescue services, ÖAMTC and ARA flugrettung, as well as winter sports amateurs and AEROSIZE R&D team members. vest ONE is already available for purchase and rental. 

the trigger is opened when the user is ready to ride

image courtesy of AEROSIZE, TOPO visuals adam brandys

the trigger is designed to be easy to grab even when wearing bulky sports gloves

image courtesy of AEROSIZE

all the textiles and parts of the vest were carefully chosen for both technical capability and style

image courtesy of AEROSIZE, TOPO visuals adam brandys

AEROSIZE vest ONE was designed for people exposed to the danger of snow avalanches

image courtesy of AEROSIZE

image courtesy of AEROSIZE

image courtesy of AEROSIZE

vest ONE was tested by specialists and winter sports amateurs, including AEROSIZE R&D team members

image courtesy of AEROSIZE

project info:

name: AEROSIZE vest ONE
design: AEROSIZE in collaboration with dorota kabala of we design for physical culture

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom