NOW CLOSED Walkers Sunbites - feedback thread for testers

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

This thread is for all the MNers who have been trying Walkers Sunbites. Below are some questions to get you started but please feel free to add other comments too. Everyone who adds their feedback on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £250 high street voucher.

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

I don't know. I think Walkers are just trying to generate PR about these snacks with these freebies they are circulating and publicising.

Personally though I have a soft spot for the snacks as they were available when I lived in the US @1995 but as a delicious French Onion flavour. Have been desperately disappointed in the UK launch as the flavours are not a patch on the French Onion.

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I enjoyed eating them very much! I thought they were very tatsy and seemed lighter in texture than a 'normal' crisp and certainly less greasy. Made a nice change.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

A yummy savoury snack and a good alternative to a regular packet of crisps.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Sweet Chilli were very tasty. I would love to see a Salt and Vinegar version. Yummy!

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

The wholegrain made me feel slightly more virtuous that I would've felt if scoffing a standard bag of crisps so I would say that was a feature that makes them different.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I probably would maily because they taste nice. I have to sya I tried Sunbites when they first came out and wasn't too impressed so it came as a pleasant surprise that they tasted as nice as they did.

Thank you for letting me take part.

So, having now eaten all the bags, we have decided that we like all the flavours. Surprisingly, we found the onion and rosemary the nicest, and salted the blandest.
We really like the crunchiness of them and the wholewheat. Also the fact that they are not greasy!
We would like to see a meaty flavour and maybe salt and vinegar?
We would recommend them as they are healthier snacks with fairly different flavours. Maybe a little more sophisticated than normal crisps.
Thank you for sending us yummy things!

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

The packaging was fab nice matt finish. I enjoyed eating them - my dh and children weren't so keen. I love all crisps and thought they were lovely and crunchy, my children are more fussy about flavours and my dh really isn't a crisp fan.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

A bit like doritoes but thinner, less strongly flavoured and crunchier.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Me and ds liked plain best, dd liked cheddar and dh liked sour cream. None of us were keen on sweet chilli (too sugary). Salt and vinegar would be lovely.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

THe wholegrain thing - you can pretend you are having something healthy!

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

I think so if they were complaining about not being able to find any healthy alternatives to normal crisps or similar.

Additional feedback from DS (nearly 4) now he's had a chance to have his packet. Crunchy, nice, yum! (We gave him the salted ones). We did nick a couple for ourselves too. Very nice, not too salty, though with this flavour could really taste the seeds rather than the flavouring.

They are the same weight as normal bags of crisps but they do seem a bit like there's not much in them. Probably as a puffed potato piece weighs a lot less than dense wholegrains so you get fewer for your weight.

Think we'd buy again. I liked them (which DH said was a miracle as I hate wholemeal bread! My comment back, "but I love multiseed bread".)

We really loved them I'm not surprised that I enjoyed them given that I like a wholemealy type taste but I was quite surprised that the children loved them too. 4yo dd2 loved the onion and rosemary ones, dd1 loved the sea salt, I loved the sour cream ones (ate them in private to avoid them getting nicked by the dds)

I enjoyed them enough to buy them again, the fact that they're low fat is an added bonus. In the unlikely event that my friends and I were chatting about crisps, then yes, I would recommend Sunbites

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

The packaging was very girly, my husband said he would definitely not pick them off the shelf in a shop. Flavour wise, I thought that there was very little differentiation in flavour between the packs. I enjoyed the crunchiness of them though and liked the wholegrain.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

Wholegrain snacks - but not as good as Wheetos

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Chilli were the best - the others just tasted of "wholegrain", rather than the particular flavour they were supposed to be

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

Texture perhaps - I'm struggling a bit to be honest.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

I don't regularly hold crisp conversations, but I don't think I would recommend them. They are not tasty enough, simply not flavourful.

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Really enjoyed them. Overall impression is that they are a good alternative to crisps - a bit healthier, but still with a satisfying crunch.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?
Crispy wheat snack-thingys - sorry, not very original!

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?
Think I liked the chilli flavour best, though they are not quite as addictive as Sensations sweet chilli. DH's favourite was the sour cream.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?
Can't think of any other wheat snacks in crisp-size packets so that would be it.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?
Would definitely recommend them.

Thanks for the free samples

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I thought the packaging was a bit pastel and girly. Some of the bags seemed a bit empty and light (but then I usually buy crisps in big bags and eat them all myself to share). I quite liked them but the flavours weren't strong enough for me - I usually eat crisps with a side order of red wine so like them to have robust flavours. I liked the texture and that they were strong enough to scoop up dip!

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

Light crunchy wholegrain crisps - kind of ryvita-ey.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Onion and rosemary. Some of the flavours were a bit bland, and some a bit too sweet.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

The wholegrain texture.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I'd recommend that they try them, especially if they were looking for a lower fat alternative to crisps.

Thanks for the opportunity to try them :)

Update: the onion and rosemary ones are very nice dipped in Sill Graddfil (herring in sour cream sauce).

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Liked the packaging. DH and DD really enjoyed eating all the flavours. I did too, but to a lesser extent!

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?
Lower fat, wholegrain crisps. The salted flavour in particular is similar to tortilla chips.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?
DH - sour cream and black pepper, DD Cheese, Me - salted. None of us liked the Rosemary and Onion flavour!

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?
Wholegrain.

.Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I would. They fact that they are lower in fat than regular crisps and that they are wholegrain would lead me to recommend them if it came up in conversation.
However, personally the flavours themselves would not lead me to recommend them. I liked the sea salt flavour the most which is actually fairly bland. In my opinion, the overriding taste in all flavours is the 'wholegrain' taste they seem to have. Based purely on flavour, my preference sadly is for regular crisps such as Walkers (sensations or standard!).

Q1 : They were fine, but I don't really know why I like them.

Q2 : A bit, sort of, Dorritosish.

Q3 : Me - Sour Cream, DS (7) - Cheddar AND Sour Cream (), DH - Salted

Q4 : Not really, if I'm honest.

Q5 : Probably would. They're quite nice.

1. We had a highly positive overall impression. DH and I very much enjoyed them as they were tasty and had a lovely crunch.
2. Healthier, wholegrain crisps.
3. Sweet chilli was our favourite. We would like to see a paprika flavour.
4. They are crunchier than crisps without being greasy. DH thinks that generally the flavours are more subtle (though not the onion and rosemary)
5. We would definitely recommend them as we like them a lot!

signing in.
thankyou MN and Walkers for this tasty test.
Q1 overall impression of the product

I think they are quite a 'posh' crisp, the granary bread of the crisp world.
They look like more of a female snack, don't think they would appeal to any of the blokes I know...
The packaging is quite 'natural' looking with the pastel colours, and matt finish; the logo of the rising sun looks african to me.
Ideas that come to me from looking at the packaging include:
ethnic friendly harvest-time, ecological, happy, tastes of nature, seasonal, tasty, fresh, farm-larder-esque, family-made, nomadic, wholesome, nutritious, strong-flavours
the crisps themselves look like corrugated cardboard, I think theyre a weird shape being almost square.They are quite thin, and very crunchy, and 'solid' tasting in the way granary bread is.

1. I would describe them as a healthy wholemeal crisp, quite naturally flavoured.

1. so far Ive only tried 3 flavours, will report back with the others.

A) first tried sea salted. they were a little too sweet for me, with a nice texture, very crunchy. I would add vinegar. They look cardboardy but are light. I would change the word 'tiny' on the packs for 'little' or even 'crunchy' sea salted were a bit bland for me. B) Onion & Rosemary. The smell of these as I opened the pack actually made my mouth water, lovely flavour. They seemed thinner than the first pack though. Really enjoyed these. C) am currently eating the sweet chilli. they are much stronger than I thought they'd be, and some of them seem unevenly flavoured - just had a really sweet one- also they do have something of an afterburn on the roof of my mouth!! wouldnt buy these ones again..

would love to see a ham/bacon type flavour, or a chocolate sweet version as I do think they are leaning toward being very sweet for savoury snacks, and I have a very sweet tooth indeed.

4. they are exceedingly thin! how are they feasible to manufacture! demands my husband. they are thinner than 'squares' the thinnest square crisp I can think of.
   They are also browner and corrugated...

5. I would recommend them to anyone on a diet or who loved crisps but worried about the fat or calories.

will add more on the other flavours over next few days.

I already fedback but wanted to add that, having eaten ALL packets I think the flavours are not strong enough. They should be named 'A hint of cheese/ onion/ pepper etc'

DS(5) likes the onion and rosemary ones.

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I did enjoy eating them, the flavours were fairly subtle and they had a really nice texture.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

I'd say that they look a bit like shreddies and are vaguely reminiscent of weetabix in that wheaty, stick in your teeth kind of way! Fairly nice flavours.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

I liked the sour cream ones the most, wasn't very keen on the cheddar cheese ones and the slightly salted ones were a bit too subtle. I think I would buy the sour cream ones, not sure about the other flavours.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

They have quite a different texture to any other snack food I have had, it is closer to cereal than anything else, not particularly in a bad way, I like cereal!

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would if I knew they liked cereal, although I can see some people not liking the texture, so not sure I would recommend someone to buy them, would definitely offer them one of mine if I had a pack and would say that I like them. It would also depend on how much they cost as there wasn't a vast amount in the packet, so if they were quite expensive, I'm not sure they are good/luxury enough to justify a hefty price tag.

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Very crisp and flavoursome. Very attractive packaging (colours and graphics). I find the fact that they are advertised as 30 % less fat than regular crisps actually quite misleading. The bags are smaller than regular small crisps and yet each bag is 120 or thereabout calories. There are some crisps on the market that stay below the 100 calories per small bag mark. So I wouldn?t count them as a low calorie/ healthy option snack (and I?m getting an impression that?s how they are marketed if attention is drawn to ?30% less fat?). If they were in a bigger bag, they would probably have very similar amount of calories like other crisps. I'm sure that they fat is lower like they say but what about the carbohydrates?

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?
Light and crispy snacks, more for a party than in between the meals (a bit like those veggie crisps).

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?
My favourites were Onion and Rosemary, Cheddar and Sour Cream. I like strong flavours and those 3 really delivered in this department. Sweet Chilli and Sea Salted were nice but a bit bland. I don?t even now remember how they tasted.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?
They are very crispy for snacks not made of potato. Really lovely taste, although I wouldn?t have too many considering their calories value.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes I would, but I would recommend them for their taste and texture, not as a ?healthy? option.

DH and ds(5) were v impressed. DH wouldn't normally go for a healthy snack, but said that he really liked the crunchiness and would buy them again. DS scoffed his and looked for more

Q1 LOVED them! really unusal but really tasty and I felt less guilty about snacking as they seem far healthier

Q2 Healthy crisps that are delicious

Q3 Rosemary and onion was our favourite

Q4 Tey are the only wholegrain snack I'm aware of

Q5 YES - very much so, we actually bought some today (insead of our normal crisps) at the supermarket as we enjoyed testing them so much - thanks for letting us be part of the trial

I didn't know we had been picked, first I knew was postie knocking with a very light brown box

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

They look like a healthier options of a snack than crisps do, they were very enjoyable and we have scoffed them all in a couple of days and bought a couple of multi packs for lunch boxes, proudly tellling DD they do not count as crisps they have fibre in them!

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

A nice crunchy snack that could be used as a dipping snack as well as a crisp in bigger packets though-

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Onion and rosmary went down well and so did the sweet chilli, the sea salt ones didn't have even a tiny taste of sea salt about them but I do like the way they are non greasy.

Others flavours? Thyme and chicken, paprika, oh a balsamic, I love balsamic!

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

The packaging is nice and they are a good lunch box, after school activity snack size although bigger for sharing would be great.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would recommend and I am hoping to get them past the lunch box police as a bit of crunchy fibre intake.

Thank you for the free nibbles!

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

They look like girls crisps-I can't imagine many men choosing them. I can see them on the shelf in Boots next to the low calorie wraps etc. The packaging is unusual with the matt finish/colours. I was really surprised when we opened the first packet though as they were so huge! More like Sunblocks than Sunbites. I didn't expect them to look so 'artificial'. Overall the children and I quite enjoyed them but there didn't seem to be many in a packet.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

If I was being kind 'a crunchy ridged snack'. If I was being unkind 'an updated version of Frazzles'

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

Sweet chilli was our favourite but I would prefer the 'sensations' thai sweet chilli any day. Cheese and sour cream were also popular but the lightly salted were a bit boring. The onion flavour divided us-my son loved them, my daughter virtually gagged and I only ate one as I had a flash forward moment to imagining myself with hours of bad breath.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

The shape and the crunchiness-

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Possibly as something different to go in the childrens' lunchboxes

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, we liked them. Hubby said they were 'alright I suppose' which means he liked them. Kids loved them. (7yo and 4yo). I liked them. Was sad when they ran out.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

Like wavy tortillas with different but not overpowering flavours.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

I liked Onion and Rosemary, and the Sour cream would be good at parties and stuff. Didn't get to try the sea salt ones, but this is usually my fave flavour so would like salt and vinegar or similar

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

Different flavours available

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would, they were very nice, thank you! We like tortillas. I think Walkers should do party bag sizes. The only drawback with the ones we got was there wasn't a lot in each bag and we always wanted just a couple more.

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

DH and I enjoyed them, the packets seem more grown-up with the matt finish giving then an "artisan" feel. The sour cream and chilli flavours were most favoured, I think because the others seemed pretty bland.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

A healthy version of crisps, reminiscent of Frazzles.

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

We liked sweet chilli the best.

Would like to see salt & vinegar, bacon and steak flavour.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

The crunch! This was totally different to other crisp type snacks. Also, the shape of the Sunbites are different to other crisps.

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, as they are a totally different, tasty and crunch snack which don't taste like the usual "healthy-type" snacks.

Other thoughts - there doesn't seem to be that much in the packet (compared to normal crisps), but there's too much for me to think about including in my children's lunch box. I'd be happy for half sizes of the test packet for lunch box inclusion, together with larger family size packets for dipping etc when watching a dvd (or similar). We would buy, but only if the price is comparable to other crisp products.

Thanks for letting us try them out!

Q1 What was your overall impression of the product? Did you enjoy eating them or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

• I thought the packaging looked really good and liked the range of more unusual flavours (salt & vinegar flavour was missed though). Really liked the crunchy texture and flavour of the actual Bite.

Q2 How would you describe Sunbites to a friend who didn't know what they were?

• Very crunchy & very moreish!

Q3 Which flavour did you like the most? Are there any other flavours you'd like to see in the range?

• Really liked Chilli and the Cheddar (reminded me of Quaver flavour) Would love to try them in Salt and Vinegar though.

Q4 Thinking about Sunbites in comparison to other snacks, can you think of one feature which makes Sunbites different? If so, what is it?

• Texture/flavour of the actual bite

Q5 If it came up in conversation, do you think you'd recommend Sunbites to your friends? If so, why? If not, why not?

• I probably would, not from a health perspective though as there were only 13 cals less then my usual crisps and I imagine they are much more expensive, but because of the tastiness of them and the variety of flavours.

Testers here were DH, DS (9) and me.

Overall impressions- we all enjoyed very much. I usually shy away from 'healthy' snacks but all flavours were tasty. Packaging quite 'girly' though.

I would describe to a friend as as a cross between a crisp and a Quaver with a hint of Ryvita.

DS and I liked the sour cream and black pepper the best (DH did not get to try these because we ate them all) Worse flavour IMHO was the rosemary and onion. Too perfumed. I think Crispy Bacon and Salt and Vinegar flavours would be a great addition.

What makes Sunbites different? Hmm- we all liked the fact they were not greasy. They also felt 'healthy'.

I would def recommend to a friend. Really enjoyed them and will be buying some of the sour cream flavour without a doubt.