Summary: 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.<br> Show Notes: Episode 043<br> Opening<br> <br> * About Outdoor Retailer 2015<br> * In Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace and Pavillions<br> * Retail buyers, Media, Manufacturers all in one place<br> * Learned a lot about upcoming gear, new features, and trends<br> * Great ideas that fuel The First 40 Miles for months to come<br> <br> The Top 5 Trends at Outdoor Retailer Show<br> High Quality Food on the Trail<br> <br> * Organic, Ancient Grains, Superfoods, Grass–Fed Beef, Real Food<br> * Creative, Exotic, Flavors<br> * More outdoor brands going into the food business<br> <br> Adjustable Torsos on Packs<br> <br> * Means that fixed torso length is becoming maybe a thing of the past.<br> * It also means that packs will be more re-sellable, since size doesn’t matter<br> * Thule will come out with adjustable torso packs<br> <br> Outdoor Gear vs Outdoor Lifestyle<br> <br> * Nearly every established brand has created a line of lifestyle gear<br> * This gear is for two types of people: Brand Loyalists +People Who Want to Look Like Outdoors People<br> * Beware of lifestyle gear, because it may not have the technical specifications that will make it good for all your backpacking adventures<br> * Lightweight and performance materials are often sacrificed for looks<br> <br> Tons of Vintage Design Influences <br> <br> * Some of these brands have been around for long enough that they have designs that are cool again.<br> * The designs from 40 years ago now have been updated with performance fabrics<br> <br> Gear and Food for Four Legged Backpackers<br> <br> * People want to bring their dogs on trips for companionship and safety<br> * Meal replacement bars just for dogs<br> * Dog packs, lightweight gear, shoes, just for dogs<br> * Rabbit jerky (with the hair) just for dogs<br> <br> SUMMIT Gear Review™: UCO Comfort-Fit Headlamp (A-120)<br> Structure<br> <br> * Neoprene head band, so it’s comfortable without sacrificing weight<br> * The battery pack is in the back, in a slim little pocket<br> * Has a simple band around the head, with not cross band over the skull.<br> * No slipping issues<br> * The lens is on the front and there’s a stylized ziz-zag wire to the back<br> * UCO did a great job with styling, giving faux leather, and canvas look<br> * UCO, est. 1971, had a fun time giving this that heritage throwback look<br> * Again, technical gear with a fun vintage feel<br> <br> Utility<br> <br> * Light can be tilted down, to almost a 90 degree angle, not quite.<br> * If you twist the light to the right, you feel a click: RED Night Vision Light<br> * Twist to the left and you get a dim light that can go up to 120 lumens<br> * It goes seamlessly from dim to bright…and it starts out dim so you don’t ruin your night vision.<br> * At max light output it glows 120 lumens<br> <br> Mass<br> <br> * 3.6 ounces or 101 grams<br> <br> Maintenance<br> <br> * 3 AAA batteries<br> * The case that holds the batteries is within a little canvas pouch<br> * 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<br> <br> Investment<br> <br> * $39.99<br> * The step down from that, is $29.99 for the <a href="http://ucogear.com/a-45-headlamp.html">UCO Comfort Fit (A-45)</a> only 45 lumens<br> <br> Trial<br> Head lamp for dummies: simple to use, comfortable, lightweight, well-designed, and it does what I need it to do. Shine.<br> Backpack Hack of the Week™: <a href="http://www."></a>
