Over the past three years Australian Hiker has attended the annual Outdoor Retailer Australia Show. This show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to showcase their new and existing products to Australia’s outdoor retailers and allied media.
Due to the pandemic, the show was cancelled for 2020 but rather than let the opportunity pass us by we managed to catch up with a number of suppliers for an update.
This is the second episode in this series in which we bring you a further three interviews. As a follow up to our discussions with the various suppliers, in the coming year we will be reviewing that will be of interest to you.
The first episode in this series, episode 155, was released last week.
Podcast Overview
Introduction
Outdoor Agencies (time index 0:58)
Products
Arcade Belts (read our review of these belts here)
As a company, Arcade comes from the snow industry
Want a comfortable belt, not just one that hold your pants up
Standard width and slim width (women’s)
Longer length (available in mid 2021)
Range of colours
Highly adjustable
Widely available
Osprey packs (time index 13:27)
Packs
Kids hiking range has been updated
Strengthening their sustainability through the use of recycled content
An updated Poco child carrier pack is due. This pack is probably one of the most widely used child carrying packs. Due late 2020
The outdoor industry at the moment (time index 20:03)
A challenging year
Some brands like Rumpl have been selling well as a multipurpose home/outdoor product
Wherever possible lots of people either walking or cycling on the trails, more so than normal
Optimistic about the future
Tim and Gill’s comments
Wilderness Wear (time index 32:46)
A well known Australian clothing company that advertises they are 200% Australian – 100% Australian owned and 100% Australian made. They also source most of their materials like the Merino wool from Tasmania
What’s new?
Consolidation year this year, looking at some upcoming releases
Alpaca Merino blend
Natural fibre
Not dyed
Lighter in weight
Higher thermal properties than straight merino yarn
Tracks Mountaineer sock
Glow in the Dark socks
Velo Night Glow sock
Atmosphere socks
Snake Bite Sock!
Using high technology materials but still a work in progress
Hopefully by the end of 2020
The outdoor industry at the moment (time index 42:27)
Downturn after bushfires for bricks and mortar stores
Online sales increased as people shopped from home
Tim and Gill’s comments
Spelean (time index 52:46)
An Australian company that imports a big range of well known brands
What’s new?
Buff (time index 53:19)
Buff Filter Mask (not rated to Australian Standard)
Updated colours and patterns
Material more UV protective
Therm-a-Rest (time index 56:18)
New Wing Lock Valve valve system now available in hiking mats
Faster inflation – three times the speed of the previous valves
One way inflation so the air doesn’t rush out when inflating
Away from the sleeping surface
R value ratings have changed with industry standardisation
Twin lock valves for the larger mats
MSR (time index 1:00:00)
Pocket Rocket Deluxe almost due for release
Just need finalisation of the gas testing standards paperwork
New water filters
Guardian purifier (filters viruses)
Gravity feed version – no pumping!
Thrulink Microfilter inline filter for hydration pack now now available
Platypus Quick Draw
Attach to water bottle and drink (filter is outside the bottle)
Petzl Headlamps
IKO
IKO Core (500 lumens – Ultra running headlamps
What makes a headlamp suitable for runners?
The Outdoor industry at the moment (time index 1:07:31)
The year started out OK after the bushfires
The pandemic has forced some stores to close, others to reduce hours
Support your local stores
Online sales have helped many stores
Tim and Gill’s comments
Podcast Close
Watch out for episode 157 (out on 12 August 2020) where we discuss pack training
Arcade Belt. Promoted as the ‘world’s most comfortable belt’ and if its not, its pretty close. For our written review on this belt go here
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping mat has an R-value of 6.9!
Therm-a-Rest Winglock Valve
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe. For More information read our gear test. This stove should be on the Australian market in the coming months so keep an eye out
MSR Thrulink water filter
Petzl Iko Core rechargeable headlamp
Petzl Iko headlamp
Listening to the Australian Hiker Podcast
You can listen to just one episode but the best way to listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast is by subscribing through iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher Radio, Spotify where the podcast episodes will be delivered to your device almost as soon as they are published. Go on, you know you want to!
You can listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast in the following ways:
Through our website. All our episodes can be found here
On Apple technology listen through iTunes at Australian Hiker podcast here
On Android phones (as well as apple) we recommend Podbean