Snow Safety F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Snow safety brands focus on innovation as more riders venture into the backcountry, driving demand for reliable, user-friendly protection gear. By Rocio Enriquez.
Snowboarding is increasingly adopting an exploration mindset, possibly due to unpredictable conditions that push riders toward the backcountry when resort snow is scarce. In this environment, safety is no longer a trend or a choice, but a core value. Once primarily used by professional emergency services, snow safety equipment is now seeing a gradual increase in demand from recreational users as well.
FW26/27 Snow Safety products.
Safety gear is well positioned for growth, but long-term customer retention will depend on delivering gear that is as reliable as it is easy to use. Brands seem to have taken good note of this. “The Aerosize avalanche vest has performed very well, mainly because it is compact, maintenance-free, and compatible with any backpack”, says Wojtek Wieczorek, Founder. By using the smallest inflation system without batteries or cartridges, the vest eliminates the need for a bulky airbag system.
ABS reports great sales from their Vario and Voltage backpacks, a trend they expect to continue this winter. “The combination of the electric E2 system and the ZipOn principle invented by ABS offers our customers the greatest flexibility and options”, says Maximilian Haberstroh, Marketing Manager. They are adding a new backpack, the Rift, in 22L and 35L, specifically developed for high altitude tours, and a new lightweight shovel. Nivia will launch next year a new type of transceiver. The Nivia 3D Finder uses a GPS-based 3D algorithm that enables rescuers to locate buried individuals up to 30% faster. This marks a significant innovation, considering that all current transceivers rely on antenna technology. The Nivia 3D Finder is compatible with all existing devices. “As soon as the first signals are received, from a distance of about three meters the 3D Finder can determine the exact position of the buried person to the centimetre”, explains Michael Vogt, CRO. Additional features include a powerful, cold-resistant battery with a three hundred hour run time, an automatic emergency call function, power bank capability, and a newly developed app.
Mrozy, a sister brand of Aerosize, is set to enter the snow-safety market with several new products: the CramponsXS, the Shell gloves, and emergency snowshoes. The Shell gloves are particularly robust and designed for scraping across snow and ice, making them ideal for carvers. The emergency snowshoes are ultralight and small enough to fit in a pocket. Recco is expanding their partnerships with Mammut, Scott, H&M, and others. “Next year, the Mammut Eiger Free collection will also be equipped with Recco technology”, says Julia Granhed, Head of Marketing. Recco is also branching out beyond winter by integrating its technology into summer activities such as hiking, biking, and trail running. At the same time, their Recco SAR helicopter detector network of countries continues to grow, with New Zealand and Nepal recently added. Arva introduces a brand-new Pro range of airbag backpacks designed specifically for ski patrollers and other mountain professionals. They round up their snow safety catalogue with a redesigned shovel and probe engineered for improved comfort and efficiency in use.
Retailer Support.
Education remains the most important form of retailer support in the snow safety category. Recco promotes year-round use of their technology through e-learning modules and on-site training with key accounts. Aerosize highlights the maintenance-free design of their vest with the “Always Ready” campaign. They offer retailers educational content, training materials, and visual in-store demos that showcase compatibility of the vest with any backpack. They also provide testimonial materials from professional rescue services and backcountry guides, helping build credibility and customer confidence. Nivia provides demo devices, alongside detailed instructional videos and POS materials that help customers understand and experience the functionality of the 3D Finder. They also run extensive training sessions for retailers at the start of the season, ensuring staff are confident and well prepared to explain the new technology. ABS offers retailers with comprehensive product training as their primary form of support.
As backcountry exploration becomes more popular amongst snowboarders, safety equipment is evolving from niche professional tools to essential gear for everyday riders. Brands that pair cutting-edge innovation with intuitive, low-maintenance design will make the best of this growing market. A strong retailer support with a focus on education will secure the performance of the snow safety category on the retail floor.
Brand Previews
