POPULAR FLAG BACKPACKS GROW GLOBALLY
OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
JANSPORTs’ backpacks may have “been tailored to outdoor geeks,” ---- but has morphed into one of those GIANT brands of haulers that cover a wide range of ‘carrying’ needs.
Seemingly every other person we see on the subways or on the mountains during day hikes, is sporting a Jansport something…whether the technical kind or the more fashion forward packs.
New for Spring 2010, the company is smartly, expanding its reach with a new Career Collection…aimed at college and biz types who need a well tricked out, padded bag that’ll carry electronics and stuff----easy and organized.
We loved the magnetic closures
... and ergo backs that are curved just so to fit human backs. And a back zipper on the internal padded laptop sleeve reveals this staple of our lives with a quick unzip--- that makes cruising through the airports less of a chore.
Several sizes are available---up to styles cradling 17-inch laptops. We loved the Hooky Bag…with plenty of outer pockets.
WHAT’S HOT: The Flag Backpacks are selling well. Just in time for the World Cup, that massive soccer/football match set for play in South Africa…are new country additions of Brazil and Mexico. We recently went to a USA vs. Mexico soccer match…a sellout, naturally…and know for sure that patriots will grab these day haulers as soon as they hit the retail shelves.
BONUS: Jansport plays a major sponsorship role of Big City Mountaineers, headed up by the congenial Syd Jones…who we met at the annual Shake N’ Bake. On the job for all of two days, Jones, the new Executive Director -hails from 8 blocks from where we live in NYC! Outdoor skills acquired through Boy Scouting serves him well as the transplanted to Denver, Big Apple native is now the leading light for this nationwide 501c (3) that takes inner city kids ---some of whom have been no where ever…out into the boonies for multi-day backpacking (and team building) jaunts. Or “Guiding Urban Teens Outdoors.”
INFO: JANSPORT