A pouch that allows outdoor enthusiasts to keep vital medicine at the correct temperature has won the top accolade in an inaugural award.
Judges placed the Frio Zipper Cooling Wallet top of the winners in the first UK Outdoor Industry Awards.
The wallet can be used by diabetics to keep their insulin cool – vital if it is to be effective.
Ten outdoor products were selected as best in their categories, with the Frio wallet gaining the overall winner award.
The Outdoor Industries Association, the trade body for companies in the outdoor sector, said: “With an estimated one in 16 people in the UK having diabetes, Frio Sports & Leisure has developed the Frio Zipper Cooling Wallet.
“This new patented insulin cooling wallet provides freedom to medication dependants from being tied to refrigeration. Featuring a water-activated crystal inner liner, the wallet keeps insulin, anaphylactic shock pens and other temperature-sensitive medication cool for days. Simply recharge with water for continual use.”
Candy Evans, test editor for the Camping and Caravanning Club magazine and one of the judges, said: “Much of what I do is about promoting the outdoors for everyone, regardless of age, creed or ability.
“It seems to me the Frio Wallet is a simple device that can make getting outside that bit easier for those who rely on temperature-sensitive medication, which must be a good thing.”
The winners were announced at the OIA’s annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The 31 finalist products were displayed in a dedicated area at The Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show in February, which allowed consumers to vote for their favourites in person, as well as online. The Frio product topped the accessories category.
Other category winners were:
- Backpacks and travel luggage: Mountain Hardwear Rainshadow Outdry Pack
- Camping equipment: Jetboil MiniM
- Climbing equipment: DMM Pivot
- Clothing: Berghaus Hyper Smock 2.0
- Digital product: Suunto Traverse GPS Watch
- Family product: Vango Starwalker Junior
- Footwear: Hoka One One Men’s Tor Ultra Hi WP
- Sleeping: Therm-a Rest Neoair Camper SV
- Tents: Terra Nova – Southern Cross One.