Australian Hiker

249-Adventure Expo 2023; Industry Interviews pt 1

Show notes

Every year Australian Hiker touches base with suppliers, importers and manufacturers of hiking equipment to find out what new and exciting products are on the market and well as to see how the industry is trending.

This year is the first chance we have had since 2019 to catch up with suppliers face to face and get to talk about the new gear face to face and get up close and hands on. To get the best from this episode go to the Australian Hiker website and on our episode page to the show notes to see images of what we are talking about in this podcast.

In next weeks episode, episode 250, we’ll bring you the second half of the interviews.

Podcast overview

Podcast introduction

Episode Introduction (time index 0:01:39)

Campers Pantry (time index 0:02:39)
- Interview with Claire
  - New and upcoming product
    - Expedition meals coming on line with an extended range
    - Freeze dried ice-cream
    - Porridge
    - Snack range
- Tim interview summary

Sea to Summit (time index 0:20:41)
- - Interview with Ross – Sea to Summit products
    - New product
      - Packing cells / bag
        
        Rationalisation of the rang to make it easier to choose
        
        Australian landscape inspired colours
      - Tent range
        
        More consistent supple
        
        New model Ikos – very big three person tent
      - Hydraulic dry bag range for when water proofing is essential
        
        Fully submersible
      - Tim interview summary
  - Interview with Alex (time index 0:31:55)
    - Mystery Ranch Packs
      - What’s so special?
        
        Load Haulers
        
        Used by us Government and Military in the US
        
        Features have transferred to there retail market
        
        Extremely customisable
        
        Highly durable
        
        High quality materials used
        
        Well known in hiking circles for load hauling
      - Tim interview summary
  - Interview with Seth (time index 0:36:29)
    - Black Diamond
      - Trekking poles
        
        Trail series – entry level
        
        Pursuit Series – enthusiast level without being the best
        
        Shock and non shock series
        
        Recycled materials used where possible
        
        Improved flicklock adjustments
        
        Inbuilt adjustment key
        
        Cork grips
        
        Pursuit FLZ folds down top a very smaller size
        
        Alpine series – top of the line
        
        Distance series still available
      - Headlamps
        
        Specialised lights for trail runners
        
        Distance (1500 lumens)
        
        Used by us Government and Military in the US
        
        Features have transferred to there retail market
        
        Extremely customisable
        
        High quality materials used
        
        Deploy (300 lumens)
        
        Small light (around 39 grams)
        
        Made for the urban runner
      - New running pack due out
      - New climbing gear due out for big wall climbing
      - Tim interview summary

AllSat Communications (time index 0:49:08)
- - Interview with Ian
    - Spot / ACR /Bivy
    - Spot X
      - Two way communicater
      - Used by a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts
        
        Full keyboard, very easy o use
    - Rescue Me
      - PLB
        
        Tiny
        
        Durable
        
        Robust
    - ACR devices
      - 4 new PLB’s on the market
        
        5 year battery life
        
        Comes with a strobe light
      - New product
        
        ACR Bivy Stick
        
        Personel satelite commication
        
        Iridium network
        
        98 grams
        
        Subscription required
        
        Available now
        
        Rechargeable battery – USB-C charge cord
    - Tim interview summary

Spelean (time index 1:02:53)
- - Interview with Greg
    - Petzl
      - New range of headlamp
      - Performance headlamps
        
        1500 lumens
        
        Reactive lighting that adjusts to the conditions
        
        Advanced series
        
        Includes Acts Core and Actik
        
        Increased lumens across the range
        
        ‘Core’ means comes with a rechargeable battery
        
        What sells well for hikers nd why ?
        
        Actik core
        
        Tikka
        
        Tikkina
        
        All readily available now
    - Thermarest Sleeping mats
      - New range of mats NXT
        
        Xlite and Xtherm
        
        The Xlite is now 5 times quieter than the previous version, also warmer
        
        Xtherm mat was previously a quiet mat anyway but is now warmer with the new technology
      - Good range of sizes
      - New mats are lighter than the older models
    - MSR Stoves
      - Stove kits
        
        Pocket Rocket 2 Kit (280 grams)
        
        Pocket Rocket Deluxe Kit (300 grams)
    - UCO Range
      - Kitchenware and lighting
        
        UCO candle lantern well known
        
        SPORKS and utility tools
        
        Starting to use recycled product
        
        Switch utensil
        
        Spoon with a knife
        
        Clips together with a fork

- - - Storm
      - Fabric treatment
        
        UK made
        
        One cycle washing system
        
        Tent cleaning
        
        Footwear
        
        SPORKS and
    - Tim interview summary

Episode wrap up (time index 0:41:10)

Close (time index 1:21:01)

Campers Pantry Images

Campers Pantry with Apple Banana and Hemp

Tim with the Campers Pantry Expdition meals

Close up of Campers Pantry Icecream

Sea to Summit Images

Sea to Summit Dry Bags

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Packing Cells

Sea to Summit Ecos 3 person tent

Osprey Hydraulic Pro 75 litre Pack

Mystery Ranch Pack Images

Mystery Ranch Coulee 40 Pack. These packs are full featured load haulers that do the job in comfort

Mystery Ranch Coulee 40 Pack side view

Black Diamond Images

Black Diamond Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Deploy Headlamp weights in at around 39-40 grams min weight

Black Diamond Distance Headlamp 1550 lumens!

AllSat Communications Images

Allsat Website

SPOT X 2−Way Satellite Messenger

Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 in a large male hand

ACR Bivy Stick Satellite Communication Device

Bivy stick image 2

Spelean Images

Spelean carries a large range of well known products including Thermarest, MSR, Petal and Storm

Petzl Headlamp Range

Petzl Actik Headlamp

Thermarest Xtherm NXT, just part of the comprehensive range available

PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Kit weights only 300 grams

Storm range of fabric treatments

Uco Spoon Fork Knife

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