Granite Gear Backpack Awarded Gear of The Year by Outside

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dan Cruikshank
Media Relations
Granite Gear
(218) 834.6157×10
dan@granitegear.com

TWO HARBORS, Minnesota, April 23, 2007 –“On treks in New Mexico’s Pecos Wilderness and even ski touring in the Tetons, testers were unanimous: The Meridian carries like a champ.” For comfort, versatility, and durability, Outside Magazine’s Buyer’s Guide awards ‘Gear of the Year’ to the Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian, “which is as comfortable as it is tough.”

Outside Magazine’s Buyer’s Guide 2007 lists editors’ top choices for the year’s finest outdoor equipment. The issue is now available and features the best products in a variety of categories chosen by Outside Magazine’s experienced testers.

“The Nimbus Meridian was engineered from the beginning to last for the entire 10,000 miles of Trauma’s hike,” said Granite Gear designer Jeff Knight. “The pack had to be light, yet durable so we selected Cordura fabrics and the new RiRi Aquazip zipper.” Justin Lichter (trail name “Trauma”) field-tested the pack during his 10,000 miles of thru hiking in 356 days during 2005-2006. He completed extended versions of the International Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest trail and the Continental Divide Trail (North America’s Triple Crown) using just one pack, which was still in completely serviceable condition after his treks. “I have no doubt that any pack made by another manufacturer would not have made it even half of the 10,000 miles,” Trauma affirmed.

Granite Gear’s Nimbus Meridian features the “firm yet flexy” Topoflex framesheet that “moves with your body,” the “dual density foam in the hipbelt that cushions luxuriously,” and a “precision fit” for ultimate comfort. “It’s light enough to use as a weekend pack yet big enough for a week’s worth of supplies – and you won’t feel you’re compromising in either case,” state Dennis Lewon and Justin Nyberg of Outside Magazine. Weighing in at three and a half pounds, the Nimbus Meridian exhibits a heavy-duty vertical RiRi Aquazip zipper that accesses the main packbag, stretch woven bottle pockets for trail necessities, a removable lid that converts to a hip pack and an internal hydration pocket perfect for stashing water.

For more information about Granite Gear’s Nimbus Meridian or details on Trauma’s hike, please visit www.granitegear.com.

About Granite Gear: Now in their 21st year, Granite Gear continues to express passion for innovation, quality, and durability in every product they offer. Granite Gear is renowned for their Backpacks, Packing Systems, Dog Gear, Trail Toys, and Canoe Packs. Granite Gear’s creativity in design and testing of products takes place in Northeastern Minnesota.

About Outside Magazine: Back in 1978, a letter in Outside’s first issue stated that the magazine was “dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors,” an editorial goal that has stuck ever since. Armed with great writing that’s always based on critical thinking and a sharp sense of humor, the magazine has done an amazing job of bringing people in contact with the world Outside.