Press release
February 29, 2024
“We’ve seen a growing interest and a rise in participation in the ultra-running community, with recreational runners and at major events globally, so the opportunity to add a layer of safety for those heading into remote environments with an essential piece of equipment made a lot of sense to us,” says Emma Axtell, run, hike and adventure product manager at CamelBak. “By partnering with RECCO, the leader of rescue technology integration in sporting equipment, we hope to set a new standard by inspiring others in the ultra-running space to infuse layers of safety for runners, as we have with the Apex Pro.”
The all-new Apex™ Pro run vest marks the first CamelBak product with an integrated RECCO reflector, making runners searchable to professional rescue teams globally.
RECCO rescue reflectors are commonly found in outdoor clothing and equipment, such as bike helmets, hiking shoes and climbing harnesses. Other applications include backpacks, jackets, pants and ski boots. The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector can quickly search large areas, covering a square kilometer in six minutes. Along with helping reduce search times for missing people, the helicopter-based detector can reduce the time and the exposure to risk for rescue workers during search missions.
Currently, there are 36 RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors globally, with 12 located in North America and 24 units deployed across Europe. The latest deployments include Helico Secours, Quebec (CAN), Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (US), and a RECCO SAR helicopter detector based out of Lauterbrunnen (SUI) operated by Air Glaciers.
The new Apex Pro Vest is available now at authorized CamelBak resellers and will be available at CamelBak.com beginning February, 2024.
The Apex Pro is designed in collaboration with CamelBak’s top professional ultra-running athletes such as Sally McRae, Cat Bradley, Harry Jones, Scotty Hawker, and Sage Canaday. Being tested at events such as the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) series and the Cocodona 250, the Apex Pro has also been developed with valuable insights from key global community run crews.
"CamelBak is a valued brand partner of ours, and we're incredibly excited to see RECCO technology integrated into a flagship product like the Apex Pro,” says Fredrik Steinwall, CEO at RECCO. “Bringing our rescue technology into the ultra-running space has been a priority for us as the sport has taken off globally. Through a comprehensive network of search and rescue partners, the Apex Pro, equipped with a RECCO reflector, will allow runners to be searchable and safer as they venture outdoors.”
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com
