SALT LAKE CITY — Winter weather may be upon us, but that doesn’t mean outdoor adventures have to cease. There will still be gorgeous, sunny days. And when the weather is wicked along the Wasatch Front, there’s always the welcoming oasis of southern Utah to get you out of the frost. And for the inevitable days when you’re outdoors when the weather gets nasty, there’s high-quality gear that can really help to minimize the misery.

These outdoor products cover the full spectrum. Some are fair-weather products that would be best used on a getaway in southern Utah. Others are rugged items that can accompany you for a night in a snow cave.

FUGOO Tough Bluetooth Speaker

PRICE: $229

GRADE: A-

The Bluetooth outdoor speaker market is getting a little crowded. Of course, this can be good for consumers because brands have to really innovate and elevate to stand out from the competition. FUGOO has managed to do this, creating a splash with their new Tough speakers.

As soon as you see FUGOO’s packaging, you’ll see that they’re emulating the style and function of GoPro. The box has a clear, display-style top that allows you to view the speaker in all its glory. Open it up and you’ll realize that the speaker is held in place with screws because this speaker is, after all, mountable. Like a GoPro, it can be affixed nearly anywhere and provide awesome sound.

The Tough speaker is made from fiber-reinforced resin and solid aluminum. This makes it fairly lightweight (1.38 pounds) and ridiculously durable. Drop the speaker in a stream? No problem, because it’s waterproof. Drop it from the top of your van? No problem, because it's great at withstanding impact. Honestly, this little speaker deserves its name.

In addition to its ruggedness, the Tough also boasts top-notch electronics. It has six drivers: two 28mm neodymium tweeters, two 39mm neodymium aluminum domed mid/woofers and two 43mm by 54mm passive radiators. These drivers face all directions, offering full-bodied 360-degree sound. Crank the volume to the max and there’s hardly a hint of distortion. And the best part is that you get all this performance along with 40 hours of battery life. Pretty sophisticated for a speaker that focuses so much on its toughness.

Grizzly 2-Person Canvas Sleeping Bag

PRICE: $159

GRADE: A-

The two-person Grizzly is as rugged as they come. The duck canvas shell with heavy-duty MAX zippers feels like armor plating so you won’t hesitate to take this bag with you into adverse conditions.

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Of course, with ruggedness often comes weight. The Grizzly tips the scales at over 13 pounds, but it packs up nicely in a stuff sack and isn’t as bulky as one might think.

While the outside is all about utility, the inside is designed for comfort. There’s a large hood incorporated into the bag that holds your pillows in place or even replaces them if necessary. There’s a double layer of microfiber fill and the whole thing is lined with high-quality flannel.

This is a solid three-season bag. It can handle cooler temperatures in spring or fall and has the versatility to be a nice summer bag. It’s machine washable, so it’s not difficult to keep it clean and cozy.

Kelty Zeppelin 40

PRICE: $299

GRADE: A

The Zeppelin is more than just an awesome product name. It’s a beast of a bag. For starters, it has 140 liters of interior space. To put that into perspective, my family used to take four or five bags when we’d go on weekend trips. With the Zeppelin, we can consolidate nearly all that gear into one place.

The Zeppelin also has both wheels and backpack straps, making it a breeze to haul around. The wheels are high-quality skate wheels that won’t break or wobble. They can handle bumpy terrain with no problem.

Another aspect of the Zeppelin that I love is the external frame. It’s aluminum so it’s fairly lightweight. But because it’s on the outside, it provides “rollbars” that protect your gear on the inside. The bag’s fabric is 1280D ballistic polyester, which is rugged enough that it won’t snag or tear in tough conditions.

Of course, big bags sometimes result in lots of digging around to find the things you need. That may happen a bit with the Zeppelin, but it has a huge “U” opening that gives you access to every corner of the bag. That’s important when you’re dealing with a bag that’s 40 inches long and 17 inches deep.

Black Pine Sports Camping Air Mattress

PRICE: $189

GRADE: A

We’ve all had camping experiences where you thought you’d chosen a flat area to sleep on, but by morning you realize there was a root or rock beneath you that left you with a majorly sore back. This 4-inch-thick air mattress from Black Pine Sports can go a long way in helping to prevent this situation.

It has dual valves which allows it to inflate and deflate faster than a lot of other mats I’ve tried. Unlike a lot of other self-inflating mattresses, this one has a plush layer of memory foam that gives you extra comfort and also provides insulation.

At 78 inches long and 30 inches wide, this air mattress is roomy enough for most campers. It’s fairly lightweight (about 5 pounds) so it can be used on short to medium-length hiking trips.

L.L. Bean Portside Cruiser Bike

PRICE: $459

GRADE: A

Sometimes the best type of bike ride is simply a cruise. No tough obstacles, no dirt roads and no high altitude destination. For rides like this, a smooth bike with efficient features is a must. The women’s Portside Cruiser from L.L. Bean definitely fits the bill.

The Portside Cruiser is an easy bike to own. It’s easy to assemble, it’s easy to ride and it’s easy to accessorize. It has a super comfy seat for long rides and the seven-speed Shimano® drivetrain has a “Superlow” climbing gear so you can handle hills without breaking a sweat.

It comes in two frame sizes: small/medium for riders up to 5 feet 5 inches and large/X-large for riders 5 feet 6 inches and up. The sturdy steel frame weighs about 38 pounds once assembled.

Beyond its performance, the Portside Cruiser simply looks great. It has classic elements like moustache handlebars and scalloped fenders. There’s a built-in rack on the back for holding a picnic basket or anything else you want to attach to it.

With its 700c Schwinn urban tires, the Portside Cruiser is best suited for rides around town. It’s definitely not meant for off-roading, but who goes off-roading on a bike with scalloped fenders anyway? This bike is designed for cruising and its excellent at what it does.

Topeak Pocket Rocket Pump

PRICE: $20

GRADE: A

The Pocket Rocket strikes the perfect balance of weight and function. Because it has an aluminum alloy barrel, it only weighs about 4 ounces. Of course there are other pumps out there that are this light or even lighter, but sometimes you have to surrender some of the pumping efficiency to get there. However, this is not the case with the Pocket Rocket. It pumps to 160 psi and is one of the smoothest mini-pumps out there.

Like any good pump, the Pocket Rocket has Schrader, Presta and Dunlop valve compatibility. It also has an attached dust cap so you don’t have to worry about misplacing it after use.

The Pocket Rocket is about 22 inches long and fits well on any bike. It comes with a side-mount bracket that keeps it snug to your bike frame. If you’re looking for a sleek, efficient mini-pump, the Pocket Rocket is a great way to go.

FP-200R Floor Pump

PRICE: $45

GRADE: B+

The FP-200R is a great floor pump with two features in particular that stick out. First, the pressure gauge is one of the largest (2.5 inches in diameter) and easiest to read that I’ve ever seen. It makes even the most precise inflation easy.

Second, its alloy metal base is amazingly stable and keeps the pump planted to the floor while you’re using it. There’s even grip tape on the top surface so your shoes will never slide off it. It’s easy to see why the FP-200R is one of Serfas’ top-selling pumps.

The FP-200R has 160-PSI capability and the ergonomic handle makes it a breeze to use. It comes with a ball-inflating accessory kit, which ensures that it can handle most day-to-day pumping duties.

If you’re looking for a good all-around pump, the FP-200R is an excellent place to start.

Joovy Bicycoo

PRICE: $149

GRADE: A-

There are a lot of balance bikes on the market right now and they offer a lot of different features. One of the best to come along is the Bicycoo which has won multiple industry awards for its safety features.

The Bicycoo has an aluminum frame that’s lightweight but sturdy (the bike weighs less than 9 pounds). This is a huge benefit for young riders because it’s easier for them to maneuver and control than a heavier steel-framed bike.

The 12-inch rubber tires are pneumatic, which makes them longer lasting than the plastic tires found on a lot of other bikes. Beyond the durability, these tires also have just the right amount of flex to them, giving the bike suspension for a smooth ride.

This bike is for riders weighing up to 55 pounds, with an adjustable seat that allows it to grow with your child. The manufacturer recommends only children 3 years and older use this bike. Once your child is big enough, the Bicycoo is perfect for helping them develop riding skills and build confidence.

Like all Joovy products, the Bicycoo is made from top quality components, is easy to assemble and is hardy enough to pass down to younger siblings once a child is done with it.

Camelbak Fourteener 24

PRICE: $145

GRADE: A-

The Fourteener 24 manages to do two things particularly well: water capacity and back ventilation. That’s actually quite a feat, considering that the more water weight you carry on your back, the harder it is to keep air circulating between your pack and your body.

The Fourteener 24 has a 3-liter reservoir and also provides extra space for stowing food, extra clothing or other supplies. It maintains ventilation because it has multi-directional air paths that do their job and keep you feeling fresh. Even when weighted down, the pack feels suspended on your back, rather than glued to it.

Other key features include an internal framesheet, a spacious main compartment and multiple lash points for stowing gear externally. Even with its robust features, the pack tips the scales at just over 2 pounds.

The outer fabric is tough enough to endure hikes through scrub oak without tears and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. You can also take your pack fearlessly into the wild because it’s protected by Camelbak’s lifetime guarantee.

Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.

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