REI Gear & Apparel Announces Spring 2010 LineComfort, Value and Innovation are Keys for the Season

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national outdoor gear and clothing retailer, today announced its spring 2010 line of exclusive REI-brand gear and apparel, during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market tradeshow.

The company’s products for spring will be available in REI stores and on REI.com starting in January 2010 and will include new and revised product and apparel offerings designed for backcountry, backpacking, active and urban lifestyles. A trusted outdoor brand, REI is announcing updates to some of its best-selling, most popular iconic tents, packs, activewear and travel gear, as well as introducing new extended trip packs, sleeping bags and outerwear.

“People have come to rely on REI for innovative, high quality gear and apparel, and the Spring line really delivers, again,” says Lee Fromson, vice president of REI Gear & Apparel. “Our design team has come up with some incredible updates for some of our icons, including the Sahara pants, Mars and Venus packs, Ultra Light jackets and award-winning Half Dome tent.”

Tents

The Half Dome tent is all new. It is roomier and lighter than its predecessor with two-person comfort, easy entry/exit and livability people can expect from REI’s backpacking tents. Its award-winning, top-selling predecessor, the Half Dome 2HC, was introduced in 2002 and helped lead the industry to the innovative design of the two-person, two-door, two-vestibule lightweight backpacking tent design that is overwhelmingly present in similar designs today. The new style will be available starting at $179 and will come in three styles (two-person; two-person plus and four-person).

REI’s All Season Light (ASL) tent series has also been updated. The low weight, weather-worthy tents fill the gap between ultra light and expedition tents. The ASL design allows for comfort in various weather conditions whether the camping experience includes sun, rain, or even a spring snow storm. The series includes the Cirque ASL 2 ($309) with a roomier backpacker-inspired tent design and the Arete ASL 2 or 3 ($229/$329) that boast a more compact mountaineer-inspired tent design with a compact footprint.

Packs

REI is introducing the new Extended Trip (XT) series backpacks for men and women at 85 and 75 liter sizes, respectively. These packs offer a hybrid design by incorporating the comfort of the internal frame and stability of the external frame for maximum flexibility, while providing ideal comfort and perspiration management for long days and heavy loads. Available at $299, the XT Series backpacks weigh up to 20 percent less than other packs, at just five pounds.

Great product for a great price, the classic Mars (men’s) and Venus (women’s) backpacks have been updated to feature new external organizational pocketing, overall suspension and fit. Customers can still enjoy the same feature-rich design of the previous packs that include dual access panels, easy-to-use torso adjustments and an expandable floating top lid to offer maximum comfort for heavy loads on either short or extended backpacking trips in any season ($199).

Minimalists, runners, bicyclists and day hikers will appreciate the new Stoke 9 & 19 hydration pack for the body-hugging and updated sleek design. These packs are made of double ripstop nylon for exceptional strength and durability, and a built-in egg crate shape foam will allow moisture to escape quickly (Stoke 9: $49.50; Stoke 19: $69.50).

Sleeping Bags

REI will also add the Lumen sleeping bag series to its spring line. This sleeping bag will carry the European Norm (EN) temperature rating, which allows direct comparison with temperature ratings of any other EN-rated bag. This lightweight, compact three-season synthetic mummy-bag has great performance and value. With designs specific to men and to women, the bags feature Thermawave, a highly compressible synthetic insulation that retains its insulating properties even when wet (available for youth at $99.50 and in adult men and women styles starting at $139).

An REI customer favorite, the REI Expedition -20 sleeping bag has an updated fit, making it the ultimate cold-weather bag for glacier-to-summit performance. The updated design customizes down fill for each baffle to ensure the most warmth for the least amount of weight. The ultra light shell is made of durable ripstop nylon and features a waterproof, breathable fabric to repel water from the outside, while dissipating water from the inside for a comfortable fit (available in short $379; regular $399; and long $419).

Youth

New for spring, kids can sleep even more comfortably with the new REI Nodder +25 sleeping bag. Thanks to a built-in draw cord, parents can simply adjust the sleeping bag length for a close, thermally efficient fit that can be lengthened as your child grows. The stuff sack and elasticized hood are built into the bag for hassle-free packing after a family trip ($79.50). Additionally, the new Trekker 1.0 sleeping pad provides an essential layer of warmth for a better night’s sleep ($39.50).

Outerwear

Also new for spring 2010, REI is introducing the Kimtah jacket, a lightweight technical jacket made with eVent fabric ($229). Windproof up to 60 mph, this jacket is ideal for spring and summer activity. Similar to REI’s other eVent jackets, the waterproof, breathable eVent fabric allows warm air vapor to escape so the body stays dry on the inside, while also repelling water to keep you dry on the outside. The Kimtah’s eVent backing is exclusively designed for REI and helps minimize the jacket weight without sacrificing strength.

REI’s Ultra Light jacket and pants collection has been updated with a higher quality shell fabric that is quieter than previous and a vastly improved hood. REI Elements-rated waterproof breathable fabric is wind-proof up to 60 mph. The seam sealed, two-way stretch material provides increased range of motion and can easily be packed into its own pocket for easy travel and storability (jacket: $119; pants: $79.50).

Activewear

The iconic men’s Sahara convertible pants, shorts, and shirts collection has also been updated. The well-known convertible pants will feature the unique “no-sit zip” which adds a new vertical zipper that integrates into the horizontal zipper allowing the lower leg to completely open so the lower leg section doesn’t need to be pulled over muddy boots. Additionally, REI is introducing the Sariska Yoga collection, which includes a hoodie, tank, pants and capris designed for training indoors and out (pricing varies).

Luggage

The new Tech Beast 22” joins REI’s rugged luggage line as the ideal choice for short or light travel adventures. The smaller size fits in most overhead airline bins to help avoid the hassles and expenses of checked luggage. Additionally, the Inside Passage Wheeled luggage has been updated for spring as a solid choice for any traveler. The Inside Passage line includes an 18” ($149), 22” ($189), 25” ($219) and a carry-on bag ($69.50) that can slip over handle for easy travel through airports.

Ideal for the gym, the updated Balance Gym Bag continues to be a favorite for customers. The bag is designed especially to fit into the locker and hang vertically for quick, easy access for gear. This bag earns REI’s ecoSensitive logo for being made with durable recycled PET, and comes with a seam-sealed waterproof compartment to keep dirty shoes or wet clothes separated ($59.50).

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