NOW CLOSED Walkers Hoops and Crosses - tester review thread

[KatieBMumsnet]

This thread is for all the MNers who have been trying new Walkers Hoops and Crosses with their DCs. 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 John Lewis voucher.

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

Q3 What do your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

[UniS]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

IMO the salt n vinegar is to much vinegar not enough salt, too sharp for my taste. DS however liked it best. I found the Beef one to taste OK, DS disliked it. Neither DS or I were very keen on the texture. DS said " the texture concerns me" and while I like the initial crunch I dislike the subsequent slimy goo that sticks to my teeth as the corn stuff dissolves.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

I'm ambivalent about the wholegrain, no I'd not chose to buy these over a different snack.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

DS wants the salt n vinegar ones in his lunch box. I will try and palm the beef ones off on DH in his lunch box as I don't like them enough to chose them over mini chedders or hula hoops ( the other crisps in the cupboard)

[jackeroo]

Ours have arrived.
Q1. I liked the S&V, DS liked the Beef but said the S&V were pretty good. His fave flavour of crisps is usually S&V so I was kind of surprised.
Q2. Glad they are a source of wholegrain - I would therefore choose them over a non wholegrain snack.
Q3. DS thought they'd be great to have in the lunchbox and as a regular snack at home. He was very happy to finish both packs just now when we tried them. I will buy prawn cocktail next as we'd both like to try these. Low in fat is a bonus for me and DH. Thought the flavours were good - didn't get sick of them after eating a few.
Thanks for the chance to try them!

[jackeroo]

Forgot to say: DS liked the fact that they were in noughts and crosses shapes too!

[whattodoo]

Got ours today. Will be snacking in the interest of research later.

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Thank you for sending me and my dc's the crisps! We enjoyed tasting them, here's the feedback...

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?
We have tried both the s&v and beef crisps, DH said the s&v were 'magic' and both ds's (age 3 and 5)said both flavours were yummy and ds1 asked if he can take a packet to school tomorrow. Both flavours were delicious, we all liked s&v best but they were both yum. Taste and texture were like Monster Munch, a good thing!

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?
It's great they are whole grain, and yes I'd choose these over something that wasn't whole grain.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?
Yes definitely! They'd eat the whole multipack if they could!

Thanks again :)

[Hopezibah]

Overall these were great! Here's our feedback.

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?
We were only sent salt and vinegar and not the roast beef flavour. Although one of my sons doesn't usually like salt and vinegar he did try these - he liked them enough to eat some but not as many as me and my other son. We LOVED them!

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

I was impressed that they were whole grain and that is really good that a snack that is generally considered unhealthy has been made a bit healthier in this way.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

Great snack! They would be pleased with them. I found my sons not only playing hoops and crosses with them but also they were biting them into different shapes to make letters of the alphabet with them and they proudly announced that they managed to spell DOG, CAT, GOD and some other words with them.

thanks for the opporunity - we loved them. xxx

[SuedeEffectPochette]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

We all liked both the flavours (Roast Beef and Salt and Vinegar). The Roast Beef was not too strong and not "chemically". The Salt and Vinegar was quite vinegary rather than salty, which did make it a little sharp tasting. I liked it though, as we all did.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

The wholegrain is a real bonus. I actually couldn't really detect that when I ate them. The kids would eat these and never know that they were healthier than other crisps. Yes, I would choose these over another snack that was not wholegrain.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

We try not to eat too many crisps as I always feel that they are salty and not healthy. I feel that these are not salty and do seem to be healthier. At only 84 calories a bag they are almost only 1 point (for those who remember the old Weightwatchers system!). The ingredients all look natural and no artificial sweeteners. I would definitely buy these again and use them as the kids snacks in preference to saltier fattier more chemically varieties. They are great!

[Hulababy]

Thank you MN and Walkers; our packs arrived today. We have tried one of each flavour so far.

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

DD really liked the Roast Beef flavour. I tried the Salt and Vinegar, which I preferred, though DD didn't like these ones. DH liked both. I didn't find them particularly salty, the s&v ones were definitely more vinegar than salt.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

TBH I wouldn't really notice as I don't search out wholegrain, not something that concerns me too much. But DD likes these types of snacks a little more than crisps, esp for a packed lunch treat.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

Yes, DD liked the roast beef ones and would chose them as a packed lunch snack.

[Bramblesinafield]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

We had the beef and the salt and vinegar. Dcs liked the beef, I preferred the salt and vinegar, but felt that the vinegar taste was too much of an aftertaste rather than being 'up front' but this may be better for those that don't like strong tastes.

The texture was great and they were not greasy, also good. Good crunch without hurting gums!

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

Nice to have whole grain, but we have plenty in diets. Hopefully will make them more sustaining as a snack.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

They liked the novelty of the shapes and the taste/texture. They would be happy to ahve them as a snack - and have chosen them for their lunch boxes tomorrow.

[pancakesfortea]

1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?
Both boys like both flavours but preferred salt and vinegar (their usual chip choice).

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?
Not really a consideration - I would still think of this as a "treat" and look elsewhere for wholegrains etc.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?
Yes, definitely.

[musicposy]

Yay, we received ours today. DD1 hasn't tried them yet and we only tried one flavour each so far but will feedback more later. I am going to review in my own way as I'm finding it hard to keep to the questions, but I will cover them!

First impressions - I thought that 18g was not going to be much but actually the smaller size of the hoops and crosses made the amount seem fine. I thought the pack size was actually about right.

DD2 is vegetarian so first thing we did was check the roast beef flavour. It is suitable for vegetarians so that was a big thumbs up for her! DD2 and I both tried roast beef. I liked them a lot. I thought they were a bit like monster munch but the flavour was nicer. DD2 said they didn't taste like roast beef, which she liked in a way. She said they tasted meaty but not like fatty real meat. She thought the taste was very good. We both liked them a lot and will definitely buy more!

Later I had my 11 year old goddaughter round and she opted for salt and vinegar. She liked them too. She said it was like monster munch but she liked the flavour better. She liked the texture of them and thought they had more substance than monster munch. She liked the salt and vinegar. The only thing she said was that in her pack the flavour wasn't very consistent - some were very strong and others hardly flavoured at all.

DH then came home and grabbed a pack. I told him he had to review them now! He had roast beef and thought the flavour was authentic. He enjoyed them. He liked the fact that they crunched but melted later.

Both DD2 and goddaughter independently said they thought the name was wrong and couldn't understand why they weren't called Noughts and Crosses.

We eat plenty of wholegrain but if something can be made slightly healthier, then why not? I probably wouldn't buy it for the wholegrain as such but I do think that it makes them a bit more substantial, less like eating air, so that's a good thing.

DD2 and goddaughter both liked them as a snack and would be happy to get them. We will definitely buy them again. DD2 says they were yummy. I would get roast beef personally but tomorrow will try salt and vinegar and get DD1 to taste test them.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I agree about the name. Is there a reason not to go with the obvious? Presumably tm infringement but then wouldn't hoops and crosses be too similar anyway?

[kelb6180]

I just googled, there is a company that uses that name already :)

[FannyPriceless]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?
I didn't like either flavour, but the kids loved them. DD didn't like the salt and vinegar but loved the beef. Despite the kids liking them, I would be more likely to buy if they came in flavours like plain salted or cheese and onion.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?
Actually, that phrase 'a source of wholegrain' makes me feel suspicious! Like a tiny bit of wholegrain has been added just so that you can make the marketing claim. I realise on inpsection it is a bit more than that, but I don't like the feeling that you think that kind of sneaky marketing works on thick little mums. If I were comparing two choices I would be more likely to read the chart on the back and make my own decision about which is 'healthier'.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?
Thrilled. They LOVED them. DD aged four immediately applied her imagination to the shapes. She made a person out of a cross with a circle for the head, then proceeded to gobble the limbs and ask "Oh no, where have my legs gone?" etc. She thought it was hilarious. I asked DS aged 2 if he liked them and he paused munching long enough to say yes. I asked him what they tasted like and he said "they taste like sandwiches." On the basis of the kids' reaction I would buy them again.

A couple of other comments:

• the name is a bit odd. Why not Noughts and Crosses, or Circles and Crosses? Hoops implies, well, Hula Hoops shape, and they are nothing like this, which is confusing for kids who like Hula Hoops.
  
• the health claims - really? Who are we kidding? The 'healthier than' comparison to other crisps is worded in a weird way becasuse you don't mean average crisps, you mean average unhealthy crisps which is a smaller and smaller proportion of crisps these days. The comparison struggles to sound valid. You need to revisit the verisimilitude of the marketing.
  
• they seemed a little bit oily/greasy to me, more than I had expected.
  

Hope that helps! :)

[Strangemagic]

Ds 1 loved the roast beef flavour and would have eaten more than the one packet I gave him,Ds 2 and 3 liked the beef but ds 3 preferred the salt and vinegar,which I found to be too sweet,more vinegar than salt.

I already buy bread with hidden wholegrain,so think these are a good idea.Good size portion,ideal when the dc want a snack.

My dc would be happy to have these in their lunchboxes,but will probably stick with the roast beef flavour, as this was definately their favourite.

Will probrably the roast beef flavour again.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I did a tm search and the only live mark I could find was this one which isn't crisps anyway but cereal. I can see why the lawyers would want to avoid a clash but it does seem a shame.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

Just getting on this thread, though I have still to open the box which I collected this morning. Will wait for dcs. How exciting!

[LippyDiDooDah]

Arrgh did the school run and popped to the gym and so have missed my parcel. I have to wait 24hrs now until I can collect - well I presume it's my crisps parcel...

[Samestoryhere]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

Salt and vinegar is my favourite flavour so I really liked those ones and preferred them to the roast beef. My dds enjoyed both flavours although leaned towards the salt and vinegar. They said that they were quite strongly flavoured, which for them was a positive but might not be for someone not so keen on the flavour.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain? Anything to get more wholegrain into us all is good. I probably would choose them in future over other snacks. The low calorie value is good too.
Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?My 12 year old said they weren't her favourite snack but she'd be happy to have them again. My 9 and 7 year olds loved them. All 3 have gone to school with a pack for their breaktime snack, so I think that is a vote of confidence!

[Samestoryhere]

Did I see mention of a prawn cocktail flavour? That is my kids' favourite flavour ever, so they would definitely gobble those up and I'd certainly buy them.

[Chocoflump]

This si my first product test and i am so excited- thank you for choosing me!

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

We tried Roast Beef and Salt and Vinegar. DS (3) wasn't keen on S+V - i think the flavour was maybe a bit strong for him but the roast beef was a big hit. I also preferred the Roast Beef, but DP preferred S+V.

They were smaller than I imagined, I thought they would be more the size of monster munch. Might sound strange but I preferred the hoops rather the crosses! The crosses were slightly too big for a mouthful but too small to bite a bit off! The hoops fitted perfect. DP preferred the crosses- he must have a bigger mouth

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

I think the fact that they are a source of wholegrain definately makes me feel less guilty than I would giving him a normal packet of crisps. I will buy again.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

DS loved the Roast Beef and would happily have them again, however he is not allowed crisps in his lunchbox as part of their healthy eating campaign at school. But these are perfect for an after school snack.

DP will happily take them in his lunchbox for work though

This week I think I will go out and buy the prawn cocktail flavour to try.

[LackaDAISYcal]

My kids were mega excited about the arrival of the package yesterday! So much so that I might send them little random things in the post every now and again

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

Both flavours were nice. I'm not usually a fan of beef flavour things, but these were OK, not too beefy. The vinegar was nice and sharp in the salt and vinegar which I like. DS1 preferred the beef, but he isn't a vinegar fan, DD liked the vinegar, ditto with beef and DS2 thought they were both "brilliant" and "please you may can I have another bag please" We all love prawn cocktail, so that flavour would have been good to try and will buy them when we see them.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

Is the wholegrain thing not a bit of a red herring? They are a corn based snack which is a grain, so are they wholegrain by default? I doubt it would influence my buying choices as crisps and the like are a rare treat here, so them being healthy is never much of a consideration, they're just a treat and if you're going to treat yourself...Saying that, they liked them so I will definately buy them again.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

The children really liked them, and DS2 loved them and would eat the whole multipack if I let him. They liked the taste and the texture, but I found the texture a bit odd and they got all claggy in my teeth. Like most children, they would be ecstatic to have a bag of crisps in their lunch box, but unfortunately our school has a "no crisps, sweets and biscuit" policy so it's not going to happen. I would be happy to bring these along for an after school walking home snack as they are usually ravenous at home time. These would fill that gap, but not over fill them and spoil them eating their tea.

Overall we really liked them; they're a bit different to other snacks out there and the hoops and crosses shapes went down well. We even played a game of noughts and crosses with them before eating

[YoniLovesChachi]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

We all preferred the beef ("Mmmm, they're like Monster Munch!"), but DS1 also really like liked the s&v because he thought they weren't as salty as other flavoured crisps he's tried, and they didn't make his lips sting.

I found the s&v a bit too sweet. I like a stronger flavour, as does DH. I liked the texture, with them being quite dense and less messy than something similar like Monster Munch. I liked that even though the packets looked small, there was a lot of crisps inside.

DS2 enjoyed them both, but preferred the beef because they weren't as 'fizzy'.

We all agreed that we should get them again.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

I suppose it's better than similar snacks if there's something vaguely nutritious about them, and seeing as we buy crisps anyway I might buy them over other non-wholegrain crisps, believing they're marginally less bad for us.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

They were really thrilled to have them in their lunchbox today! They don't usually have crisps in their box, but I made an exception for today in the interests of this product test. I hope they might be a bit more filling than other crisps and fuel their afternoons sufficiently.

They really liked the 'noughts and crosses' element too, and played a game of it on the kitchen table with their crisps. DS2 is a bit of a fussy nuisance for trying new things and the novelty value seemed to encourage him to try, and as I said, they're a nice no-mess sort of crisp so I didn't care that they were putting them down and lining them up. I hope they don't want to play with them during their school lunch though, DS2 is always the last to finish anyway!

[Barabajagal]

Thanks for sending us these - we tucked in with gusto.

Our findings:

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

We all liked both flavours though salt and vinegar had the edge which is unusual in this house. It wasn't as overpowering as some salt and vinegar flavours. Ds's 1 and 2 even went to the trouble of playing noughts and crosses with them (not sure who won but they all got eaten).

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

I'm not that bothered by the fact they're wholegrain tbh. I'd buy them for the flavour.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

They'd love to get them as part of a packed lunch. Tragically for them however they're all on school dinners!

Is there a cheese and onion version? We'd all love that. Generally a big thumbs up here.

[Tigerlily13]

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?

I'm not keen on meat flavoured crisps, but hubby and son loved the roast beef flavour, and i like the salt and vinegar.

Q2 What do you think of the fact that Hoops and Crosses are a source of wholegrain? Would you choose them over another snack that isn't wholegrain?

Would choose them as they come across as healthier due to the wholegrain.

Q3 What did your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?

Son loved them. We don't do lunch boxes yet but would certainly pack them as a treat on a picnic.