This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2004, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
While it is wonderful that the Outdoor Retailer shows will remain in Salt Lake City, the sad note is that an expanded Salt Palace will mean the end of the tent.
Visiting the tent is usually my favorite and first stop at the massive trade show.
Major outdoor companies are found in the main convention center. The newbies, usually the companies with the most unusual products, spend their first year in the temporary pavilion.
The tent exhibitors outdid themselves this year.
A company called TravelJohn Products, for example, promoted portable, unisex disposable urinals. With a capacity of 28 ounces, this product featured a revolutionary bag-within-a-bag design with a nontoxic, leak-proof, odorless, spill-proof gel that was reusable until full. Literature says the device helps families avoid a peemergency.
One of the reasons I never took up serious kayaking was the fear of tipping over and not being able to right myself before drowning. That's no longer a problem. A company called Rapid Air has developed a system that gives kayakers 15 to 20 breaths of air to give them time to right themselves.
That would go well with BetterThanAir, an enhanced oxygen canister designed to give athletes an extra boost of pure air. One was even eucalyptus flavored.
Mango International, tucked away in the southwest corner of the tent, offered some of my favorite products.
The company included a stainless steel finger ring that doubles as a bottle opener called the Ring Thing and promoted as essential equipment for people against thirst. The company had an AM/FM/Weatherband radio with flashlight that could be operated by rechargeable batteries, solar power or by cranking. It had a water-powered clock and calculator and a device called the Fire Dragon, patterned after a Civil War musket barrel, to keep campfires burning.
The tent also featured some fascinating food products.
A company called Heatz, for example, promoted self-heating meals. These dishes, including chicken pasta Parmesan, turkey chili with beans and beef stroganoff, use a chemical reaction to heat food. They come with utensils, napkin and salt and pepper.
Southwest Specialty Food offered samples of hot sauces, salsas, soups and snacks in its Ass Kickin' line. I have no idea what Ass Kickin' bottled water is like.
Seattle-based Gosanko offered samples of chocolate carabineers as well as solid chocolate fish, kayaks, dogs and Christmas lights.
There was also the battery operated Moo Mixer, designed to stir hot chocolate with a moving blade.
Yakpads keep kayakers' butts from getting sore and numb. Nomad Journals preserve rock concert, adventure travel or fishing memories. A personal UV monitor makes sure you won't burn on the beach. There was also a traveling electric guitar and Hummer footwear.
How do you keep all this gear in the back of the old pickup?
With bungee cords.
And, of course, you will find the Bungee Buddy, a plastic storage case for the retainers, in the Outdoor Retailer Tent.