Marketgoers get taste of new products
Test samplings by passers-by at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market proved what company creators believed. Which was, said Eric Walle, western regional sales representative, "That they will definitely be up there among the favorites. They are definitely good."
Destined to become another popular items in the food basket is the new Peanut Butter Pretzel.
The best part, of course, as Walle confirmed, is the bars are also good for you. The organic fruit and nut bars, for example, are blended from 100 percent organic ingredients, come with two servings of fruit in each bar and have no trans fats.
Otherwise, as Walle pointed out, "a healthier real food snack bar that uses lots of organic ingredients and tastes really good."
The summer show, which draws hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of retailers in search of new and proven products, is the largest of its kind in the country.
These are products that will start showing up on retail shelves between now the annual closeout of winter goods.
For the serious climbers and hikers, Black Diamond has a list of products maybe not so new but definitely improved.
Take backpacks, for example. The redesigned packs, explained Joe Skrivan, senior designer, are made to carry all the necessary equipment but without all the unnecessary gadgets. Made for the climber, the pack has a simple cover in the back that can hold, among other things, a helmet for easy stowage and easier access.
Improvements have also been made in its LED headlamps. One of its more popular lights, for example, has the option of using a rechargeable battery. It is the only headlamp system with this option. With traditional alkaline batteries, at its brightest, it will give light for up to 25 hours, and on its most conservative setting up to 200 hours.
Called a backup or emergency light, or simply as a lightweight companion for more moderate hikes, is the Ion, which with battery weighs but 1 ounce.
For those who sometimes get confused on the direction of true north, Magellan and National Geographic have teamed up to develop the latest in handheld GPS or global positioning systems and highly detailed maps.
It starts with the Magellan Triton series of six different handheld units, which are said to be the most advanced navigational devices available.
Features include full-color, touch-screen controls, the first on the market. The unit also has a feature to record and attach audio waypoints. Users can also take pictures with the 2 megabyte camera and view a digital compass, barometer and have use of a built-in LED light.
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