SALT LAKE CITY — The winter weather is slowly fading and we’re enjoying more and more warm days. With the melting snow come opportunities to take advantage of clear roads and visit new areas. Family excursions and camping trips bring their own gear needs, so in honor of the summer season on the horizon, here are reviews for six outdoor products.

Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed

PRICE: $249 GRADE: A

I’m a restless sleeper and when I use a mummy bag, my tossing and turning gets me twisted in a hurry. The restrictive nature of standard sleeping bags only seems to compound my sleeping problems. The new Backcountry Bed from Sierra Designs is designed for folks like me and it’s the most comfortable bag I’ve come across yet.

What makes it different? The Backcountry Bed is zipperless, with a large opening at the top that allows for plenty of shifting around while you sleep. The most innovative feature is the built-in comforter that covers the opening. It can be tucked into the bag on cold nights or slid back when the temperature is warmer. It’s this blanket design that gives the Backcountry Bed its name.

Another key feature is the sleeping pad sleeve on the bottom of the bag. Even if you move around a lot in your sleep, it keeps your pad firmly in place.

The Backcountry Bed is considered 3-season and wouldn’t be adequate for winter camping. The comforter is cozy when tucked into the bag, but it still doesn’t keep out the cold quite as efficiently as a mummy bag. Sierra Designs opted to use DriDown for the insulation, which is great because it stays dry 10 times longer than regular down and dries 33 percent faster.

In summary, the Backcountry Bed is perfect for campers who want more versatility and breathing room from their sleeping bag.

Pharo Task Lighting

PRICE: $47 GRADE: B+

The Pharo light from Brunton boasts handy features that make it perfect for everyday tasks. For starters, it has three legs with magnetic feet that can be attached to metal surfaces while working on a project. The legs are also flexible, so while in the outdoors you can wrap them around a tent pole or tree branch to keep the light in place.

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When you want a lantern, you leave the plastic lantern lens over the light. When you want a flashlight, it’s easy to remove the lens and access the concentrated power of the bulb. In flashlight mode, the lantern lens slides over the legs and becomes the handle.

The Pharo is powered by an internal lithium battery that needs to be recharged every 12 hours or so. At 40 lumens, it’s far from the brightest light on the market, but it provides adequate illumination for many tasks, and its unique features make it a handy tool to keep around the house.

Alite Mayfly Chair

PRICE: $100

GRADE: A-

Foldable camp chairs have come a long way from the cumbersome, heavy models of a couple decades ago. The Mayfly employs many of the technological advancements that allow them to be smaller and lighter than ever before. These improvements, and the correlating increase in cost, may seem superfluous to some people. It really just comes down to what you intend to use the chair for. If you simply need a chair to sit in while you watch your children’s soccer games, then the size and weight isn’t too important. But if you’re a backpacker, every inch and every pound matters.

The Mayfly is designed with the hikers and backpackers in mind. It only weighs 1.4 pounds. When folded down it’s the roughly the size of a large hoagie sandwich, so rather than slinging the carry case over your shoulder like most chairs, you can simply stash it in your daypack.

Despite being so compact, the Mayfly is one of the most comfortable chairs I’ve ever used. The low ride design allows it to be used as a stable chair or as a rocker. It can support up to 250 pounds.

Strider ST-4 Bike

PRICE: $109 GRADE: A-

Balance bikes are becoming popular with parents who want to help young children develop coordination and balance. There are several options on the market, with the Strider ST-4 being one of the top sellers. One of the main benefits that the ST-4 has over its competition is its sleek, lightweight frame. Designed for children as young as 18 months, the ST-4 only weighs 6.7 pounds. It also has small, extra soft handgrips designed for toddlers.

One complaint in the past against Strider bikes has been the foam tires. In order to make the tires lightweight and puncture-proof, the company uses EVA polymer instead of the air-filled rubber tires you find on most bikes. These foam tires are undoubtedly lighter than most, which helps children maneuver on the bikes, but they also lack the traction you’d get with a traditional tire. Strider has recently introduced a new tread pattern that provides better traction, but it should be noted that they still don’t quite get the traction that rubber tires do.

While the ST-4 is designed for the smallest riders, it is adjustable for children up to five years of age. The seatpost and handlebars are kept in place with quick-release clamps, making it easy to raise them up as your child grows. This tool-free approach makes the ST-4 one of the most practical balance bikes on the market. Add in features like the durable plastic seat and the perfectly placed footrests, and the ST-4 is hard to beat.

Spy Optic Cooper

PRICE: $134

GRADE: B+

The Cooper is one of Spy Optic’s most rugged models. While some of the brand’s sunglasses look to be more focused on fashion than durability, these can actually take a beating.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you know the importance of quality lenses. The Cooper’s polarized lenses offer 100 percent UV protection and do an excellent job of minimizing glare when you’re on the water.

The propionate frames may feel a bit heavy, but the added heft is worth it because it helps them withstand the rigors of regular use. The hinges are high quality and the frame keeps them snug on your face, so you don’t have to worry about them slipping off, even when you’re sweaty. That being said, these sunglasses are designed for narrow to medium faces. The measurements (59-16-127) are such that they’d fit uncomfortably tight on a larger head.

Bergans of Norway Down Light Jacket

PRICE: $199

GRADE: A

Bergans supplies outerwear to militaries, so its products are usually on the cutting-edge of technology and design. The Down Light jacket is no exception. Its outer fabric is Pertex Quantum, which is lightweight, windproof and water-repellant. It also compresses well, making for easy stowing in a backpack or pocket. The jacket tips the scales at only 15 ounces, which is light enough that you might forget you’re wearing it.

The compressibility and sleekness of the Down Light make it compatible with a shell jacket for extremely cold conditions. I’ve found that it works well on its own and keeps me plenty warm on chilly days. It helps that the cuffs and hem are elastic, which keeps the jacket snug to your body for heat retention.

Aside from the features already mentioned, the Down Light lacks the bells and whistles offered by some of its competitors. There are two spacious front pockets and a front zipper. That’s it. Other jackets from Bergans offer helmet-compatible hoods, underarm ventilation, thicker layering and extra pockets. But the beauty of the Down Light is how straightforward and simple it is. Everything it does, it does well.

Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com 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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