25 Jun SALEWA: APEX WALL
Developed by SALEWA to lower the temperature of mountaineers’ backs, keeping them drier.
The departure before dawn. A demanding approach. The crossing of a glacier. The ascent to the summit, and then a long return to the valley or base camp. This is a typical mountaineering day, during which the backpack is worn for long hours, while the body under stress sweats to keep its temperature in balance.
The result is that shoulders and back are often wet, an uncomfortable situation that exposes climbers to the risk of cold shocks. Twelve months ago, SALEWA introduced a solution technology for this problem. Taking advantage of the use of thermographic images, the Salewa research and development team investigated the way to make the backpacks more breathable.
The solution is the Contact Flow Fit system, based on the principle of reducing the area of the backpack in direct contact with the body and integrating a mechanical ventilation system able to promote air circulation on the back.
For the Spring / Summer 2019 season, Salewa presents Apex Wall, the new mountaineering backpack that uses the latest evolution of the Contact Flow Fit system. Completely redesigned for mountaineering activities, the new design emphasizes the effect of micro ventilation and comfort for those who have to wear the backpack for many hours in the mountains.
“We have the impression of being the first backpacks manufacturer to have seriously faced the problem caused by sweating of the back – explains Sebastian Schaller, Technical Sales Manager Salewa – In 2017 we introduced the shoulder straps doubled in the Ultra Train backpack from speed hiking, with which we won the Ispo Award 2017. In 2018 we presented the Contact Flow Fit transport system, used on the Winter Train, the ski mountaineering backpack with which we won the 2018 Ispo Gold Award. The combination of these two exclusive Salewa technologies allow you to have a tight and stable load, without limiting freedom of movement and leaving the drier back of existing systems. With the Apex Wall we put these advantages at the disposal of those who are mountaineering at high altitude, offering our most efficient solution in terms of micro ventilation without compromising comfort “.
Thanks to the reduced contact area and the special 3D ventilation channels that allow greater breathability per square centimeter of conventional systems, the Contact Flow Fit system used on the new Apex Wall allows for a reduction in the back temperature of 1.6 ° C after 15 minutes of use. However, keeping your back drier was not enough for Salewa designers.
The Apex Wall also integrates a series of smart functional solutions with the aim of making it the perfect climbing partner. This is why the Apex Wall is made of ROBIC® nylon fabric with high tenacity, a material 60% more resistant to tearing of conventional nylon to face fearlessly rocks, crampons and ice axes. The magnetic hook buckle is an example of functional simplicity that allows you to fix the rope with one hand, as well as the roll-top system, which allows you to easily adjust the volume of the backpack by stabilizing the load. While the split shoulder straps characteristic of the latest Salewa backpacks, do not limit the freedom of movement of the arms even in the complicated grips above the head.
The Apex Wall backpack will be available from Spring 2019 in two volumes: 32 and 38 liters. It also has a larger version with a closing hood, the Apex Guide 45, when more volume is needed for multi-day mountaineering activities.
Technical details
• Contact Flow Fit transport system
• Split Shoulder Strap Double Shoulder Straps
• Upper volume adjustment roll-top closure
• High tenacity ROBIC® fabric
• One-hand rope fastening system with magnetic buckle
• Removable lumbar band padding
• Side hooks for skis
• Load control straps
• Compression side straps
• Hook for ice ax and sticks
• Front pocket
• Upper pocket
• Internal pocket for values
• Exit of the hydration system
• ISB Board
• Side access zipper
• Safety whistle
• Key ring
• Volume: 32l / 38l
• Weight: 950g (680g) / 1040g (770g)
• Dimensions: 60x27x23 / 63x28x25 cm
• Height of the backrest: 45/53 cm
• Colors: pumpkin, blue shades
