Q & A With High Sierra Sport Company

Rand Whitney, vice president, Sporting Goods Division for High Sierra Sport Company, discusses the Backpack Market.

Q What are the current trends among backpacks and sports bags with regard to fabrics, styles, colors, etc.?

A There are a number of exciting new trends among backpack and sports bag designs that are incorporating a fashion forward style, by introducing various types of fabrics, edgy patterns, and a broad spectrum of color palettes.  Now we are seeing a consumer need to offer more variety such as interesting patterns of polka dots, flowers, and more. Bags also used to have a limited color range, primarily consisting of basic primary colors. Now the color way includes chipotle orange, a broad range of blue and navy tones, and also the surf and spa color way which consists of aqua blues and turquoises, paired with browns, tans, and sand colors.

Q. What are the recent developments or updates that High Sierra has made to its bags/backpacks?  What are the advantages of these changes?

A. High Sierra Sport Company has made recent significant developments and updates to its day packs, by introducing bags that now incorporate electronic functions to accommodate MP3 players and hydration features to the day packs.  Adding these contemporary features creates a consumer advantage, as the customer has more convenience to access his/her accessories and to experience a pack with better function overall.                             

Q. What are the current challenges facing the sports bag / day pack market?

A. A major challenge facing the sports bag/day pack market is there are a large number of brands competing for the same consumer. In addition, the consumer expects the price of product to decrease, which is difficult with the rise in the cost of materials such as petroleum.  There are also a number of retail competitors available to sell the same bag, which removes the exclusivity of providing a bag.            

Q. What is High Sierra doing to address the needs/challenges of the sports bag/backpack market?

A. In order to address the needs/challenges of the sports bag/backpack market, High Sierra Sport Company has become more efficient on the production side, increased its public relations efforts to increase brand awareness among customers, and has engaged in more participation at the retail level to pull products through.

Q. What do you see as the opportunities for High Sierra in the sports bag/backpack market over the short term?  What does the future hold?

A. Future opportunities for High Sierra Sport Company include continuing to be a key industry player in designing innovative products for the back to school and the ski/winter sports seasons, continuing its efforts to increase its brand recognition, and to enhance its signature lines such as the adventure travel collection (AT).