Fall - InsideOutdoor Magazine

manufacturing process that the company says significantly
reduces manufacturing costs. The system’s
flexible-yet-durable polyimide substrate results in
paper thinness and light weights, while the amount
of silicon used in PowerFilm solar panels is as low
as 1 percent of the amount used in traditional solar
panels, says the company.
Although most of the applications are industrial
and architectural at this point, it’s quite possible that
PowerFilm eventually could provide apparel manufacturers
with small strips of its solar panel film, which
then could be attached to a Velcro strip on a jacket, for
instance, in order to continually charge mobile electronics
while out playing or exercising. Or maybe a
shell piece can generate its own heat when the temperature
drops – no batteries, heat-activated compounds
or (gasp) insulation required.
And while we’re over at the ESA, and since only
a minority of attendees found the time to make
the trek across 300 West, we’ll transition here to a
few of the gems uncovered by a quick walkabout
through the “new exhibitor” section. Hoping to
capitalize on the popularity of the iPod, iPhone
and other portable devices, SNIK’s headphone cord
routing device for apparel and bags is one quick
way to “tech your threads,” says Rob Honeycutt
of SNIK products. SNIKs are essentially slightly
oversized buttons with a small groove around their
circumferences to hold a headphone strap securely
in place. Line up a few SNIKs down the front of a
jacket or button-down shirt, for example, and just
about any such garment instantly includes a builtin
cord routing system.
Equally as small, simplistic and innovative as the
SNIK, the new Cord Lock Light from exhibitor Black
Crater combines a replacement cord lock device with
a hyper bright 3mm LED light. Conveniently attached
to any sleeping bag, stuff sack or hooded jacket, the
Cord Lock Light features three modes (low, high and
flash), a water-resistant construction and weigh less
than 8 ounces.
Individual Cord Lock Lights wholesale for about $5 a
piece, depending on volume, and come with a free point
of purchase hang strip with promotional graphic.
At the risk of suggesting that media swag leads to
positive ink (wink wink), the folks at Naturally Bamboo
were passing out free t-shirts to media members
who made their way to the ESA, and after a handful
of wears, the 100-percent bamboo shirt is now one of
the first t-shirts grabbed from my closet. The t-shirt
Reclaimed, Recycled, Responsible!
ECOWOOD
DISPLAYS
made w/ reclaimed wood
proudly made in the usa
800-452-1679
www.ecowooddisplays.com
22 | InsideOutdoor | Fall 2008