The two mountain sports brands from Canada and Germany are pooling their global know-how and developing one of the lightest avalanche airbag technology on the market.
NORTH VANCOUVER, CANADA, February 9, 2022. Arc’teryx, the global design company specializing in high-performance technical apparel and gear, has partnered with ORTOVOX, a world leader in mountaineering safety gear, to create LiTRIC™ (“light and electric”), a new, industry-leading avalanche airbag technology to be launched in Fall/Winter 2022. Inspired by the original Voltair backpacks, Ortovox approached Arc’teryx to further develop and adapt the award-winning airbag technology that Arc’teryx introduced in 2016. The resulting LiTRIC™ technology is lightweight, intuitive and reliable. It allows both brands to create airbag systems with an electronic system powered by supercapacitors and a long-life lithium-ion battery that provides at least 60 hours of continuous use and at least two inflations while weighing just under 1.1 kilograms (excluding backpack weight). .
“The key to making significant advances in avalanche safety lies in collaboration,” said Gord Rose, Senior Industrial Designer at Arc’teryx Collaboration felt, our shared passion for backcountry skiing, mountains, safety and obsession with building the best possible gear trumped all other considerations.”
“It felt right from the start. With a common goal in mind, we quickly knew that the answer could only lie in a new approach to working together. A collaboration driven by the will to rethink avalanche airbags together. A collaboration that knows no industry boundaries,” says Stefan Krause, Head of Product at ORTOVOX.
Developed in partnership and manufactured in Germany, the LiTRIC™ airbag system improves safety by offering a minimum of two inflations for a minimum of 60 hours of service when fully charged. A powerful centrifugal compressor with a compact axial diffuser inflates the airbag in four seconds. The system can be tested at no additional cost and is fully charged in 25 minutes via USB-C. Without a cartridge, there is more space for gear and no travel restrictions. The revolutionary and patent-pending 150 liter airbag consists of two separate layers of material that can be easily slid back into the airbag pocket. Advanced airbag backpack technology is designed to keep skiers and riders on the snow surface during an avalanche event, which can reduce burial depth and increase survival rates.
The system itself weighs just under 1.1 kilograms (excluding backpack weight) and saves weight thanks to the cold-tolerant supercapacitors and the ultra-light airbag, making it one of the lightest airbag constructions on the market. From the height-adjustable, secure deployment handle to the redesigned safety leg strap, the intuitive design makes the LiTRIC™ easy to use and easy to store. The patented locking system prevents accidental opening of the airbag, no matter how full the backpack is. The LED display on the side of the backpack shows the charge status of the battery and its operational readiness.
Facts about LiTRIC™:
When fully charged when switched on: 2 activations within approx. 60 hours
When fully charged when switched off: Ready to use for about 30 days
Permissible battery charging temperature: -20° to +45° C (-4°F to 113°F)
Permissible operating temperature: -30° to +45° C (-22°F to 113°F)
Battery specification: lithium-ion battery nominal capacity 3.7 V, 2,000 mAh, 7.4 Wh
Product lifetime: 50 activations
LiTRIC™ system weight: 2.4 lbs / 1,080g
LiTRIC™ airbag volume: 150 liters
Two airbag refills at one-minute intervals when deployed
Warranty on the LiTRIC™ system: two years; five years upon registration
Production: 100% in Bavaria, Germany
Arc’teryx will house the LiTRIC™ system in a backpack available in three sizes: 16L, 32L and 42L optimized for touring. The backpack includes an avalanche gear pocket, external helmet carrying system, sternum strap with safety whistle, hip belt with storage compartment and slots for ice tongs, and attachment for a dogbone wrench. The skis are carried diagonally, the snowboards vertically. The backpack is glove-friendly, allowing for quick, easy transitions and carry configurations. All zippers are waterproof thanks to WaterTight™ technology.
The comfortable and robust backpack with the LiTRIC™ system is available in three sizes. The small size of the LiTRIC™ system saves weight and offers more space for equipment. The Arc’teryx backpack will be available in Arc’teryx stores and online starting Fall/Winter 2022.
In January of this year, the LiTRIC™ airbag system received the ISPO Award for the innovative design of the system. The ISPO Award is a leading international sports platform that honors the best products and services in the sports industry four times a year.