SNEWS -- An Active Interest Media Company -- SNEWS® Live: Professional product tester appraises latest gear with critical eye

SNEWS® Live: Professional product tester appraises latest gear with critical eye

Posted: 03/15/2007 In Category(s): News & Features :: Podcasts, News & Features :: Outdoor Headlines

Save This

Comment

RSS

Post a release

This edition of SNEWS® Live is brought to you by The North Face

SNEWS® Live: One of the more interesting characters in the outdoor industry is a relative unknown, but you may have handled the end result of his work. Why? Because Layne Oliver is a product field tester. Though you may have never met him, he's had his hand in the testing and development of several new products from headlamps to tents to climbing gear over more than decade.

Known to manufacturers as "Lightning Layne," Oliver is a professional field tester who casts a skeptical eye on the latest outdoor equipment. He keeps gear designers from investing in innovation for innovation's sake, encouraging them to make only those changes that significantly improve a product's performance.

An avid outdoorsman, a National Guard reservist and an electrician by trade, Lightning Layne reminds each of us what's most important when meeting consumer demand for high-tech equipment. SNEWS® Live spoke to him at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2007 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Listen now:

Download file: Right click, select save target as.

Subscribe directly to SNEWS® Live by clicking on either button below:

SNEWS® Live is produced by SNEWS® Production Studios. To learn about the benefits of placing your advertising on SNEWS® Live or to submit a story idea you believe would be perfect for a SNEWS® Live report, send an email to SNEWSLive@snewsnet.com.

SNEWS® CHAT -- Have a comment, idea, retort, or an engaging thought that was inspired by this article or from our opinions expressed in the SNEWS® View? Just click here to comment now.

Save This

Comment

RSS

delicious

Yahoo MyWeb |

Google |

Add to Technorati Faves

Follow SNEWS on Twitter

Makoto Xergame
Jun 29, 2009
When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office.

Coleman LED Quad Lantern
Jun 22, 2009
Pardon the pun, but Coleman's LED Quad Lantern presents one of the brightest ideas we've seen when it comes to lighting. It's unique because the body of the lantern has four detachable panels, each of which has six 5 mm, white LED lights. We tested the lantern during several car-camping trips and found that it was really handy when we had several people sharing a campsite.

Teva Sunkosi 2 water shoe
Jun 15, 2009
As a concept, water shoes are a fine idea. But we've suffered painful scrapes and blisters from poorly designed amphibious footwear, and frowned over many models that didn't dry as quickly as advertised. But Teva's Sunkosi 2 performed well, and proved to be exceptionally comfortable during numerous paddling trips, including an 18-day rafting journey down the Grand Canyon. Our testers said these shoes were not only easy on the feet, but they were also some of the most durable water shoes they've worn.

WS 100 endurance run observations: Product, privacy and sloshing packs
Jul 1, 2009
"I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and made sure they were in OK shape for the remaining 52.2 miles, I found myself taking a look at the apparel, gear, food and product they all had. OK, SNEWS® is sick. We are always looking at brands."
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Sleeping bag manufacturers provide technical and durable features at a reasonable price point.
Jun 27, 2009
In the SNEWS Outdoor 2009 Magazine, our coverage of the hardgoods market included a trends and product report on tents and packs debuting for the spring 2010 season. Below, is the latest on the sleeping bags segment that was not included in the magazine. As with tents and backpacks, weight remains a key selling point for sleeping bags. Keep your eyes peeled for new collections, as well as updates to lines that have sold well for the past few years.
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Young Guns: Peek into the minds of designers whose innovative ideas are changing the industry
Jun 27, 2009
What will outdoor gear look like in the future? Peek into the minds of these designers whose innovative ideas are changing the industry. Originally published in the SNEWS Outdoor Summer '09 magazine, this special web feature includes two additional profiles of designers Tae Kim and Alan Yiu, as well as expanded coverage from each designer -- Hanna Boone, Josh Guyot, Ian Iverson, and Chris Miksovsky -- voicing his or her perspective on the outdoor industry's future. Also, look into the world of Project OR and its influence on student designers in a special added feature.
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Fast-Drying Tilley 'Travel' Socks
Dec 16, 2008
Fast-Drying Tilley 'Travel' Socks. Not just for travel! Your feet will thank you for providing arch support, no-feel toe seams and moisture escape panels for a dry and comfortable fit

Stretch Diad Jacket
Apr 25, 2009
Designed for mountaineering and other sports in which weight and space are crucial, The North Face Stretch Diad is a waterproof, breathable jacket.

Tilley TM10 Mesh Hat
Dec 16, 2008
Tilley TM10 Mesh Hat weighs only about 5 ounces! Tilley Mesh Hats are lightweight, cool and comfortable because the crowns are made of strong ‘3-D’ polyester mesh which blocks sunlight, but allows air to pass easily.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager - Osprey Packs
Listed - 07/03/2009

Velo Vie Bicycles - Velo Vie Bicycles
Listed - 07/02/2009

Accounting - Niner Bikes
Listed - 07/02/2009

Category Business Manager, Top-of-Car - Yakima Products, Inc.
Listed - 07/02/2009

Kodiak Boots / Terra Footwear / Unity - Kodiak-Terra USA, Inc.
Listed - 07/01/2009

Mechanical Draftsperson - Crank Brothers
Listed - 06/25/2009

Retail Store Manager- Lincoln City, OR - Columbia Sportswear Company
Listed - 06/23/2009

Post a Job Opening | Post a Resume | List All Jobs

Search for Members

Advertising / Marketing	Non-Profit Organization
Consultant	Public Relations
Distributor	Retailer
Legal / Professional Services	Sales Representive
Manufacturer	Supplier
Media	Trade Association

Add Your Company

Did you hear?...Health magazine announces fitness/gear award winners
Jul 2, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines

Power Players' Lounge: Opportunity knocks -- do you hear it?
Jul 1, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines

Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Outdoor Headlines

Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group grows design team, brings R&D in-house
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases

Highgear Receives Health 2009 America's Healthiest Fitness Award
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases

Hydration at Elevation: nuun and Mountain Madness Team Up
Jul 1, 2009
Read story | Post a release | Go to all Industry Releases

Think About It: OIWC asks, what is the best way to get what you want?
Jun 17, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Sales Tools & Advice

You are more important than “just a….”
Jun 17, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Sales Tools & Advice

SNEWS Mini-Survey gives glimpse at how stores view customer buying motivation
Jun 15, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Sales Tools & Advice

Makoto Xergame
June 29, 2009
When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office.
See all Product Reviews

SNEWS Readers' Choice: Our readers pick their top 25 products of the last quarter-century
Jun 22, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance's Early Show offers early preview of trends and potential top sellers
Jun 19, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market ’09: You want new and cool?
Mar 23, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Layer up
Mar 4, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Outerwear makers shell out jackets and pants -- and kids get in on the action too
Feb 27, 2009
Read Story | Comment on this story | Go to all Product Trends

Outdoor industry rugby players unite for match against Utah locals during Outdoor Retailer
May 27, 2009
Read story

SCAM Alert: Did you book your hotel rooms at OR or HFB with Travel House Services?
Jun 26, 2009
Read story

EU iodine ban worries -- SNEWS provides the facts
Jun 26, 2009
Read story

Did you hear?...Health magazine announces fitness/gear award winners
Jul 2, 2009
Read story

Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read story

WS 100 endurance run observations: Product, privacy and sloshing packs
"I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and"

Read Comments

"denver show " by fabio ravasi (07/03/2009 16:22 MDT)
Comments

"HFB " by John Price (07/02/2009 10:03 MDT)
Comments

"Denver show. " by Dan Sharshel (07/02/2009 09:14 MDT)
Comments

Join the conversations -- Ideas, Community. Becoming a member of the community is free.
Click here to activate your membership now.