043: Trends in Backpacking

Today on The First 40 Miles, learn about the upcoming trends in backpacking gear. Then, on The SUMMIT Gear Review, the headlamp that illuminates without a lot of complicated button pushing. Next, the Backpack Hack of the week will show you how to sleep like a baby. Then, we’ll wrap up the show with very little humor and a bit of trail wisdom.

Show Notes: Episode 043

Opening



* About Outdoor Retailer 2015

* In Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace and Pavillions

* Retail buyers, Media, Manufacturers all in one place

* Learned a lot about upcoming gear, new features, and trends

* Great ideas that fuel The First 40 Miles for months to come



The Top 5 Trends at Outdoor Retailer Show

High Quality Food on the Trail



* Organic, Ancient Grains, Superfoods, Grass–Fed Beef, Real Food

* Creative, Exotic, Flavors

* More outdoor brands going into the food business



Adjustable Torsos on Packs



* Means that fixed torso length is becoming maybe a thing of the past.

* It also means that packs will be more re-sellable, since size doesn’t matter

* Thule will come out with adjustable torso packs



Outdoor Gear vs Outdoor Lifestyle



* Nearly every established brand has created a line of lifestyle gear

* This gear is for two types of people: Brand Loyalists +People Who Want to Look Like Outdoors People

* Beware of lifestyle gear, because it may not have the technical specifications that will make it good for all your backpacking adventures

* Lightweight and performance materials are often sacrificed for looks



Tons of Vintage Design Influences



* Some of these brands have been around for long enough that they have designs that are cool again.

* The designs from 40 years ago now have been updated with performance fabrics



Gear and Food for Four Legged Backpackers



* People want to bring their dogs on trips for companionship and safety

* Meal replacement bars just for dogs

* Dog packs, lightweight gear, shoes, just for dogs

* Rabbit jerky (with the hair) just for dogs



SUMMIT Gear Review™: UCO Comfort-Fit Headlamp (A-120)

Structure



* Neoprene head band, so it’s comfortable without sacrificing weight

* The battery pack is in the back, in a slim little pocket

* Has a simple band around the head, with not cross band over the skull.

* No slipping issues

* The lens is on the front and there’s a stylized ziz-zag wire to the back

* UCO did a great job with styling, giving faux leather, and canvas look

* UCO, est. 1971, had a fun time giving this that heritage throwback look

* Again, technical gear with a fun vintage feel



Utility



* Light can be tilted down, to almost a 90 degree angle, not quite.

* If you twist the light to the right, you feel a click: RED Night Vision Light

* Twist to the left and you get a dim light that can go up to 120 lumens

* It goes seamlessly from dim to bright…and it starts out dim so you don’t ruin your night vision.

* At max light output it glows 120 lumens



Mass



* 3.6 ounces or 101 grams



Maintenance



* 3 AAA batteries

* The case that holds the batteries is within a little canvas pouch

* Velcro type closure on it is the newer style of hook and loop which is a lot less likely to snag your nice performance clothing or wool base layers



Investment



* $39.99

* The step down from that, is $29.99 for the UCO Comfort Fit (A-45) only 45 lumens



Trial

Head lamp for dummies: simple to use, comfortable, lightweight, well-designed, and it does what I need it to do. Shine.

Backpack Hack of the Week™: