SALT LAKE CITY — Companies around the world are preparing to launch new products at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City this summer. Some of the most unique products to come out from the spring's Outdoor Retailer show were the tree tents made by Tentsile.

Here is a diverse lineup of outdoor products that might be a good fit for your next adventure.

Tentsile Tents

GRADE: A-

Tentsile Tree Tents allow you to sleep suspended above the ground. Why would that be nice? For starters, it gives you a comfortable sleeping base, free from the hard and rocky ground. Also, if the weather gets nasty, you’ll be off the wet ground. It’s like combining the benefits of sleeping on a trampoline with the comfort of sleeping in a hammock.

The unique design of these tents is based on an adjustable network of 2.5-ton webbing straps, a micro-insect mesh roof and a waterproof and UV-resistant polyester fabric fly. After anchoring the three straps to stable objects such as trees, boulders or a vehicle, you ratchet them tight until the internal floor is level and has the proper tension.

In situations where anchors are unavailable or the ground in the campsite is soft and level, you can always pitch a Tentsile tent on the ground like any other. However, the ability to get a “tree house” experience is what makes these tents so amazing.

Many adventurers use these tents as base camps to store their gear. The only limitations are finding a place with three mounting anchors and having the time to set up the tent (as you might’ve guessed, it takes a bit longer than a standard tent.)

There are a handful of Tentsile options, including the Connect and the Stingray. The Connect is a lightweight, two-person tent. It’s ideal for short trips and can be installed in smaller spaces than the other versions. The Stingray is larger and can accommodate three people. Even with multiple people in the tent, if the tent’s set up properly it will maintain tension and won’t sag in the middle.

All Tentsile tents are versatile and can be enhanced by adding hammocks and additional components. And while it’s true that they may not be a good fit for large families or novice campers, these one-of-a-kind tents are an awesome way to enjoy the great outdoors.

Burley Solo Bike Trailer

GRADE: A

Burley’s commitment to quality is legendary and the Solo definitely lives up to the Burley name. It’s one of the lightest and smoothest trailers you’ll ever try, thanks to the natural flex in the tires and the adjustable suspension system.

Basically, the Solo is the one-seater version of Burley’s D’Lite double trailer. It’s impressively roomy and can hold up to 75 pounds. The first thing you’ll notice is how easy it is to assemble.

Right out of the box, all you have to do is snap the “push-button” wheels into place, attach the tow arm and hitch, and then pop the trailer open with one simple motion. It’s so intuitive that you can do it in less than 3 minutes, even without reading the instructions (though it’s obviously recommended that you use the instructions.)

The cool thing about the Solo is that despite the simplicity of its intuitive design, it’s loaded with sophisticated features. As mentioned earlier, the suspension system is top-notch. There’s also a hub-engaged parking brake, robust cover with waterproof zippers and a height-adjustable handlebar that serves as a roll bar when not in use.

As for the occupants of the trailer, they’re well taken care of in the Solo. The slightly bowled design creates extra space inside and the seat is padded and reclines. For easy cleaning, the five-point harness has removable pads, as does the seat pad. There are even tinted side windows.

For the times when you don’t have a passenger, you can make the seat lay flat to make it easier to fill the trailer with cargo.

Burley

Camp Chef Redwood Fire Pit

GRADE: B

Based out of Cache Valley, Camp Chef is a Utah company obsessed with providing top-notch cooking products. While stoves have been their bread and butter, they also offer a wide range of other camping items, including the Redwood Fire Pit.

If you’re wondering when you would use a propane fire pit, just think about the fire bans that have become commonplace in the West in recent years. This fire pit is allowed in most “fire ban zones,” so you can still enjoy a flame for cooking and warmth, without breaking the law.

Because it’s portable, the Redwood is also good for roasting marshmallows in the backyard. In fact, it comes with four roasting sticks. The adjustable flame ensures that you can keep it just right for whatever the conditions. Features include matchless ignition, safety shutoff valve, a 5-inch hose and a support stand for your propane tank.

Camp Chef

Costa Del Mar Luke Sunglasses =============================

GRADE: A-

Costa Del Mar has carved out a place for itself in the crowded sunglasses market by making truly “seaworthy” products. Their sunglasses are functional to the core, rather than being preoccupied with aesthetics. The Lukes are still impressively sleek and stylish, but more importantly, they’re built for performance.

One of the best gauges for the value of sunglasses is if you can comfortably wear them all day. Too many shades out there eventually start to irritate you or give you a headache. They simply aren’t made for extended use.

The Lukes are designed to fall squarely into the comfy camp. They give you a full-wrap frame so your eyes are shielded from nearly all angles. With optical spring hinges, the TR-90 nylon frames have just the right amount of flex. You can choose between plastic or glass lenses, making them customizable for your needs. The lenses offer 100 percent UV light blockage and 100 percent polarization, which neutralizes reflected glare and reduces eye strain.

One thing to note is that these sunglasses have a medium fit. So if you typically require larger sunglasses, they may not be a good match for your needs.

Costa Del Mar

Astral Mary Jay ===============

GRADE: A-

Don’t be deceived by their cuteness and low profile — the Mary Jay from Astral is a legit outdoor shoe. They stay snug on your feet and are rugged enough to handle a day on the river. Sure, you won’t want to go hiking in these shoes because they don’t offer the kind of support and protection needed for intense terrain, but for water-based activities, the Mary Jay is a great option.

They have a 1000 Denier Cordura nylon upper with a 210D printed nylon liner. While this is a fairly breathable material, the secret to the Mary Jay’s amphibious qualities is the drainage port found at both the heel and toe. It keeps water and grit moving through, rather than irritating your feet.

For the outsole, Astral uses G.15 high-friction rubber (3.5 mm thick) with siping to give you impressive flexibility and traction. Because of its low durometer, the rubber conforms to the ground for comfort and grip.

As stated above, the Mary Jay isn’t an all-purpose shoe. It’s not trying to be a trail runner or a hiking boot. Rather, it’s an amphibious shoe that keeps your feet in fine shape when you’re playing in the water. They’ve been engineered to perform beautifully even when they’re soaking wet and invaded by silt.

Spy Angler Sunglasses

GRADE: B+

Sunglasses that are intended for outdoor sports need to be robust. Even the most careful person is going subject them to abuse now and then. So you need to ask yourself the crucial question — if I accidently drop these sunglasses, will they survive the fall?

The Spy Angler is obviously intended for fishing enthusiasts and they have the substantial feel of high-quality shades. If they fall off your head, they’ll most likely take the hit without complaint.

This durability starts with the Grilamid frames. It’s a tough material that has just the right amount of flex. The polycarbonate Toric lenses are a nice complement to the frames, as they’re also resilient enough to take a beating. The lenses are Spy’s award-winning Happy technology, which filter out harsh light and let in the good. The result is less eye strain and enhanced color and contrast.

One complaint that anglers and boaters often have with inferior sunglasses is that they won’t stay on in wet conditions. To remedy this problem, Spy uses Hyrtel rubber nose pads and temple tips. This design definitely does the trick and the Angler has just the right amount of tackiness.

For sizing reference, the Angler has a frame measurement of 59-17-130.

Spy Angler

L.L. Bean Silver Ghost Fly Rod Outfit =====================================

GRADE: A-

Choosing the right fly rod and reel can be a daunting prospect, especially for a novice trying to get into the sport. The Silver Ghost combo from L.L. Bean is a great option due to its versatility and ease of use.

The rod is 9 inches and comes in either a 4, 5 or 6-weight. It's constructed from premium, lightweight graphite that gives it fast action to really power the line. The range on this rod is excellent. The cork handle has a nice feel to it and overall the rod feels great in your hand.

You can buy just the rod if that’s all you need, but if you also need a reel, you’ll save money by buying the combo. The reel has more than a dozen layers of carbon and steel, giving it a robust drag. It’s engineered to deliver fast line speed, corresponding perfectly with the rod’s responsive tip-flex design.

The reel has a large arbor design, a sealed drag system and easy exchange from right-to-left-hand retrieve. The reel also comes loaded with fly line, backing and leader.

This combo is a nice option for anglers of all experience levels. It’s easy to use, while also delivering some advanced features.

L.L. Bean

ZEMGear TerraTECH Round

GRADE: A-

ZEMGear shoes are an interesting hybrid of barefoot shoes and Aqua Socks. They offer a solid amount of protection and support, while still weighing less than a hamburger. The TerraTECH, which is one of ZEMGear’s top styles, is unisex and comes in a wide range of sizes.

Although they look similar to a classic Aqua Sock, the TerraTECH actually gives you enough support to be used as a light trail runner. This impressive amount of support is made possible with a lateral stability cradle, high-tension nylon quarter panels and a tech-toggle closure system.

Of course, comfort is just as important as support and these shoes deliver. They have removable cushioning insoles and a high quality last. On the bottom, they’ve got a recycled dual-density outsole. The traction is quite impressive and gives you confidence even in wet conditions.

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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