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

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

We had salt and vinegar and roast beef, I liked both flavours they reminded me of space raiders or monster munch. My DC's prefer one of the flavours each!

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 like that they are a source of wholegrain, these sort of snack are usually a guilty pleasure but, these are feel a little bit more healthy. I would chose them over other snacks.

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

Yes, they have gone down a treat!

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?
We've tried salt and vinegar and roast beef. Both delicious but roast beef were definitely the preferred option with the kids (aged 4 and 8)

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 don't fool myself into thinking any crisp is a 'healthy' snack. We'd choose them over some crisps, but because of the flavour, not the fact they are 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?
They'd be delighted, really enjoyed them!

Q1 I liked the taste of the salt and vinegar, DH and DS (5) didn't like either flavour.... They are both crisp fanatics so it was a bit of a surprise that they weren't impressed. We did all think they tasted like monster munch.

Q2 I wouldn't buy them just because they are a source of whole grain, I much prefer the walkers sunbites if I am after a crisp that I can kid myself is a bit healthier!

Q3 DS didn't really like them so no, they won't be going in his lunch box. He didn't really comment on the shape, so I guess that it didn't make a huge impression on him that they were a bit different.

I did like the crisps, but I'm not sure I would buy them often.

Thank you for picking us! We had fun testing them.

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 roast beef. Only DH liked salt and vinegar (I have yet to find a crisp he doesn't like or at least tolerate!).

DH noted the similarity to Monster Munch immediately - 'but they are less strong' noted DD (6). DS (3), more of a sweet-toothed toddler, liked them a lot.

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?

Yes, I probably would choose them over another variety of crisp purely for the 'wholegrain' thing, without thinking too much about it.

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

They went down very well here - both DD and DS liked them. And DH, who regards anything purporting to be a healthy version of a snack he loves with deep suspicion, was won over. He loved them and ate most of the packs. The DC would love to get them in their lunchbox (but won't; I'll reserve them for treats at home).

Q1 I preferred the S&V, the roast beef was too sweet for me. DD preferred the beef, for the same reason!
Q2 liked that they were wholegrain. A great way to get wholegrain into the family without fuss.
Q3 DD loved them. Took ages to eat and discuss and play (she's 5) which makes a pleasant change for a snack! Yes, she'd love them in her lunch box.

Just to backtrack on my feedback above -my DCs have asked for them EVERY day since we tried them.

I'm not involved but I do wish they'd do pickled onion ones.

Groovee, the salt and vinegar ones are very pickled oniony IMO.

Give them a go.

Thanks for the opportunity to try.
We liked roast beef best and, like others, thought it was like a milder version of monster munch. DD1 liked playing with the shapes. Salt flavour was less popular but will definitely get eaten.
The wholegrain thing is neither here nor there for me. I'm more concerned about salt intake especially for the kids. These seemed reasonable on that front but ideally I'd give them something withvery little salt- a step up from organix baby crisls really, which DD1 still loves even though not salty.
I wouldn't buy these regularly as DD1 has schooldinners and tends to snack on fruit, crackers etc but I wouldn't rule them out either.

Just read the other feedback. I agree with the poster who wondered why the GDA info is based on adults for a snack aimed at kids.

Q1 the beef disappeared much quicker than the s&v. Only DS2 really liked the s&v, the older dcs (15 &17) felt they were bland and not vinegary enough.

Q2 I'm not swayed by the wholgrain issue - they only have the same amount of fibre as the regular crisps we ordinarily keep in.

Q3 I think the dcs would be happy to see them in lunchboxes occasionally, particularly the beef. The younger ones liked the shape of them. From my point of view a lot would depend on pricing.

Thank you for letting us try them!

I disagree the S'n'V are vingerary not pickled oniony. The prawn cocktail is crap and beef taste like monster munch.

Hello. Thanks for letting us be tasters.
We tried the salt and vinegar and roast beef. S&v is always our first choice flavour so my DDs tried those first. They really liked them. Said they were yummy, and also attempted a game of noughts and crosses with them!
Like the fact that they contain whole grain but it wouldn't be my main reason for buying them
Both my DD's have asked me to buy them again. The beef weren't so popular (I agree that they taste just like monster munch) but I would buy the salt and vinegar occasionally.
Is it me or are all crisp packets containing less and less crisps these days? These have 18g... I'm sure crisps used to be in 30g bags! Happy to have less crisps but think this should be reflected in the price!

Thanks for letting us test these Mumsnet

Q1 I and DS prefer the beef ones, DH and DD liked both. I agree with other posters that the Salt and Vinegar were too much vinegar not enough salt and I'm normally a S&V fan!!

Q2 Yes I would generally choose whole grain over standard crisps

Q3 My 2 still like Organix crisps which are salt free so at the moment I stick with those. I'd consider these when they stop liking the salt free ones!!

Thanks for the crisps!

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC?
I liked the flavours and so did my DC. Both flavours were good. My DC preferred the beef 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?
I liked that they were wholegrain as they seem healthier. I would choose them over other snacks as long as the price is right.

Q3 What do your DC think of Hoops and Crosses as a snack? Would they be happy to get them in their lunch box?
My DC like the crisps as a snack. They liked the taste and the shapes. I would be happy to give them in their lunchboxes but they aren't allowed crisps at school.

r.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 flavours. Really liked both of them . Thought they tasted like monster munch but not so horribly 'extreme' and also the salt and vinegar didn't give us sore mouths like other crisps do (e
g chipsticks)
Adults preferred roast beef children preferred 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?

Overall quite good but not a deal breaker . However if it were between these and something without wholegrain bI would choose these

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

Loved them - commented that they could actually play noughts and crosses with friends!! Liked the flavours too. They have insisted we get these regularly now!!! Definitely will feature in future lunch boxes.

Thanks

Thanks for sending us the snacks. Here are the longlegs family's thoughts on them.

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 the salt and vinegar variety at all - it was far too strong, made me suck my teeth in and wince, the beef flavour was preferable but I didn't love either. My children (all primary school age) definitely did though: my son described them as "a miracle"...

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'd be slightly sceptical of attributing any health claims to Hoops and Crosses - they seemed highly processed and I'm not sure that all the other ingredients that were in them would be canceled out by having wholegrain. As my family only has crisp-type snacks as an occasional treat, I'd prefer a traditional potato crisp over these.

Q3 What do 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 although I'm not convinced they would choose them over, say, Hula Hoops or normal crisps. They would be happy to have them in a lunch box.

p.s also at only 85 calories I would buy these for myself too .

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

Testers were me, DH, DD1 (4.10yrs) and DD2 (23 months) (in theory DD2 isn?t allowed crisps!).

I liked salt and vinegar more than the roast beef. It reminded me of Chipsticks, or Monster Munch ? in a very good way! But they tasted slightly less cloying than Chipsticks, and a bit healthier than Monster Munch and less greasy.

DD1 thought that the salt and vinegar flavour tasted ?a bit too lemony? (which was a negative thing in her view ? from her expression, think she thought they tasted a bit sour). She said she preferred the roast beef flavour.

She wasn?t wild about them to be honest, but ate all she was given and I think she liked them more than disliked them.

DD2 claimed she didn?t like them whilst scoffing the lot!

DH thought they weren?t the best salt and vinegar he?s ever tasted. He liked the roast beef better.

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 am definitely attracted by the fact that they are wholegrain and baked. I would choose them over a non-wholegrain snack. I?m a bit worried about how much salt there might be in them, and whether the ?flavourings? listed in the ingredients are artificial or not.

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

DD1 says roast beef flavour ones are ?a bit too spicy for a snack?. Her lunch boxes are generally 100% healthy, so I don?t include crisps. But I would buy these to have occasionally at home scoff myself.

DD1 says she likes the fact they are noughts and crosses (which she said without being told). She says ?I like the shapes!?

Q1 What do you think of the flavours you tried? Which one did you like the most? And how about your DC? I liked the salt and vinegar but dc's and dh prefer the roast beef

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? possibly but more likely to choose as lower in fat than many other crisps

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

We received the roast beef pack today too (we had originally been only sent the salt and vinegar) and I LOVE them. One of the kids really likes them too, but the other is a bit fussy and prefers plain crisps generally, although he did eat the salt and vinegar flavour. Both equally liked by me and my younger son. salt and vinegar preferred by the other son.

I love that they have so few calories and I love the wholegrain concept and that they are baked.

I would definitely choose these over 'normal' crisps because of the healthier plus points.

The kids love the shape and hoops and crosses idea so would be pleased to get them in lunch box.

thanks for letting us try these out and also for sorting out us getting the missing roast beef packs too - much appreciated - thank you xxx

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

These are not my sort of crisps, but I did like the flavours as they were not too strong. DD liked them both even though roast beef is her least favourite crisp flavour. Would have liked to have tried the prawn cocktail one. I thought the salt and vinegar tasted liked 'chipsticks'

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?

Great that they are wholegrain and would choose over other snacks not 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?

I have been putting them in DD's lunch box. She has a school trip next week and has asked me to save a pack for her packed lunch on that day

1. Flavour - we all preferred the roast beef flavour, however both DD and I are not fans of salt and vinegar but quite liked these. DD very impressed, possibly because I am evil mommy and am not big on bought "snacks".

1. Wholegrain - in an equal choice, would go for these over non-wholegrain versions. School however do not approve of crisps in packed lunch - not forbidden but...

My main concern would be that they stick to your teeth, especially the beef ones, and they have quite a high sugar content. Bear in mind, if you're a parent that is concerned about wholegrain/calories/ fat - then you check ingredients etc and are just as concerned about sugar etc...

1. Oh yes she'd be happy...

Thanks, hope this helps.