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2009-01-22

CONTACT: REI Public Affairs (253) 395-5958

New REI Halo Sleeping Bags Selected as National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s 2009 Best of Adventure Award Winner

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, has been selected as a National Geographic Adventure (NGA) magazine 2009 “Best of Adventure Award” winner for its newly-introduced REI Halo (+25 ¡ F) sleeping bag series.

Each year outdoor gear is nominated by NGA’s Retail Advisory Board and analyzed and evaluated by NGA’s editors.

“We are thrilled with the new sleeping bag designs and look forward to continuing to bring innovative, award-winning gear and apparel to our customers,” said Lee Fromson, REI’s vice president of REI Gear & Apparel. “We’re honored and encouraged by this recognition by NGA, particularly as we believe it validates our efforts to ensure customer comfort.”

The award recognizes REI for adopting the EN 13537 temperature test methodology and specifically calls out the REI Halo, the company’s premium down sleeping bags. Halo is one of four sleeping bag collections in the 2009 line that includes premium down (REI Halo), down (REI Radiant), premium synthetic (REI Aura) and synthetic (REI Zen) bags for men and women ranging in temperature ratings from +10 ¡ F, +25 ¡ F and +40 ¡ F.  

Last June, REI announced its plans to incorporate the European Norm (known as EN 13537) into its new backpacking bags (available Spring 2009). EN 13537 is a temperature testing methodology developed and used as a standard for product sold in Europe. The EN method provides real-world ratings and allows customers to compare EN-rated bags, making it easier for customers to make informed decisions when selecting a sleeping bag.

About REI Gear & Apparel
 REI’s in-house team designs and develops award-winning gear and apparel for camping, hiking, cycling, urban lifestyle, travel and general outdoor recreation. The REI and Novara brands are sold exclusively through the co-op’s retail stores, online at www.rei.com and through its catalogs. REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

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