From the company that brought you such tasty snacks as Chocolate Chip Crunch, Crunchy Peanut Butter and Black Cherry Almond, watch now for Blueberry Crisp and Maple Nut, the two newest flavors from the makers of the Clif Bar.
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.
As might be expected, the list of products is nearly endless. For every item, there are styles and models and color, not to mention sizes to compliment that item.
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.
The best news for the novice locator is that the Triton series, which will retail from $129 to $499, is "significantly easier to use than previous models."
The Triton series is also the first and only GPS unit to offer on-screen compatibility, usage and display of National Geographic software ... for all 50 states and 21 weekend explorer products covering major metropolitan areas highlighting weekend activities. One of those weekend programs covers the Salt Lake area.
National Geographic is the country's leading maker of map software, trails maps and even wall maps,
Jeff Caulfield, national service manager, said the biggest sellers in software and maps are those focused on the Western states, which, of course, include Utah and the Salt Lake WeekendExplorer 3D.
The program, identifying cities and recreational opportunities, reaches from Santaquin to the south to Bear Lake to the north, and from Utah's eastern border to the western shores of the Great Salt Lake.
The software, which retails for $29.95, covers 200 USGS maps, which at $6 a map would amount to about $1,200.
New fabrics are a big part of new items at the show, and one of the leaders in this area is DuPont. And what DuPont spotlighted at the show is its new Sorona renewable resource polymer. The product takes 30 percent less energy to produce over petrochemical-based nylon. It also reduces emissions by 63 percent in its production.
Sorona is made from cooked corn sugar.
"We've known about this process for 40 years. The new part of this is we're now using a renewable resource to produce it," said Dawson Winch, product manager.
The product is UV and stain resistant and is suitable for active wear, swim wear, ready-to-wear, outerwear and lingerie apparel. It can also be used for many other products, including parts in the automotive industry.
Mountain House has made it possible for travelers to take along ice cream without having to carry along the ice. The maker of packaged meals has freeze-dried strawberry, vanilla and chocolate, which simply removes the water. The bite-size pieces taste like ice cream but without the cold sensation.
For the dog owners, especially bird hunters, who have trouble keeping track of their canine, Garmin has come up with a dog-tracking system. The owner holds the GPS receiver; the dog wears a transmitter. The one receiver can keep track of up to 10 dogs. The range is five miles. The cost is $699. Additional collars are $199.99.
One of the rapidly growing recreational areas is water sports, and in particular kayaking. Hobie is introducing the Mirage inflatable. It deflates into a pack slightly larger than a large suitcase. It is 12 feet long, holds one person and offers a pedal-propelling system. The price is $1,799.
And in the sock market, Thorlo has been making running socks for nearly 30 years and tennis socks for nearly 28 years. Today it makes socks for outdoor use, hunting, winters sports, western wear and casual wear.
This year, Thorlo is a supporter of the three-day event to raise money to fight breast cancer. To go with the three-day event it made a special women's walking sock. It comes in a package of six, and $1 from each sale will be donated to the event.
This, of course, is only a few of the thousands of items shown at this year's show. For a more complete look, visit your outdoor retail store this fall.
E-mail: grass@desnews.com