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Home Grown Outdoor Gear
Utah is home to many companies, some small, some not so small, producing quality products for use in the great outdoors. Innovation is often the hallmark of most of these products. Twice annually manufacturers and retailers convene at the huge Outdoor Retailer Market held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. One of the many reasons that this trade association continues to host its markets here is that the surrounding mountains, canyons, trails, rivers and waterways make Utah an ideal testing ground for outdoor products. The Markets always open with the popular “Demo Day” where gear is put to rigorous testing. Dozens of Utah companies display their wares at the Outdoor Retailer shows. The following are but a few.
Lin Manufacturing
Lin, based in northern Utah’s Logan, makes socks. Socks, you say? Innovative, you 
say? How can socks be innovative? Lin makes one brand, AirLift™ that has mini shock absorbers and another, the REFLECTORZ™, that is light reflective. Consider the possibilities. If you’re a cyclist, road or mountain, that’s innovation. Both lines use the fabric Corespun CoolMax to transport moisture quickly, speed evaporation and dry faster than cotton. Corespun Coolmax is a blend of Dupont’s Lycra and CoolMax, where the Lycra is inserted into the core of the Coolmax fiber.
The sole of the AirLift™ sock is made up of multiple loops of Dupont Corespun Coolmax that traps small air pockets creating a mini shock absorber. How’s that for “walking on air”?
A huge advance in technology has allowed Lin to create a sock that reflects light, the REFLECTORZ™. The top of the sock has a ½ -inch band made of a high-viz reflective yarn. Not just a wraparound band, the reflective yarn is an integral part of the sock and also very strong. It will not break, come loose or lose its reflective properties.
To shop online, go to www.linmfg.com/store.
Solgear
A wise man once said, “To succeed in life, do one thing only, but do it well.” The folks at Solgear must have been listening, because that’s what they do. They make products strictly for waterways and river running. Experienced river rats and guides know the importance of a quality throw bag. That’s the rescue device for a passenger who inadvertently and unceremoniously has suddenly become a swimmer. Would you want to be on a raft going through a Class IV rapid knowing the guide bought his throw bags at Wal-Mart? Solgear Throw Bags are made of 12-ounce, plastic coated polyester knit mesh in bright orange for high visibility and to reduce dreaded river-rot. They have a sewn-in foam floats, reinforced bucket-style handles, drawstrings woven through 8 grommets for fast-action cinching and reflective webbing. Is all that quality really necessary? Answer that the next time you flip your boat or trampoline out of a paddle raft.
Solgear builds the same quality into Bow Line Bags, Waistpack Throw Bags, duffels and, most important if you don’t want your beer ending up at the bottom of the river, Drag Bags! Shop online at www.therescuecompany.com.
Macabi Skirts
Macabi makes a uniquely designed skirt for the outdoor enthusiast that travels as well as you do. Using clips and 
snaps, the Macabi Skirt adjusts to what you want to use it for. Whether it’s hiking the Wasatch, kayaking the Colorado, or dining in Moab a Macabi Skirt fits the bill. The fabric is Supplex®, a rugged, breathable nylon that resists wrinkles, dries quickly and feels cottony soft. And the whole skirt stuffs into a zippered security pocket! Macabi offers five colors for women in five sizes from XS to XL in regular and short styles.
And now, there’s a Macabi for you guys! Are you man enough to wear one? Many of Utah’s male river guides and kayakers are, and do! Get all the details at Macabi’s Online Store, www.macabiskirt.com. Or go to Info-now! SKRT
Imlay Canyon Gear
One would expect that the country’s premier state for canyoneering would be the home to America’s number one maker of specialized canyon gear. And that leader is Imlay. Utah has literally hundreds of slot canyons, many well known, some even unnamed. Most all present different challenges that those encountered hiking on ridges, in the desert, or on mountain trails. Because of the nature of the beast; ie. confinement, rappels, flash floods and steep, sheer walls, slot hiking/canyoneering presents unique problems of carrying gear, managing ropes and pothole escapes. Imlay Canyon Gear to the rescue! Imlay makes packs specifically designed to work in the slots. Tough, abrasion resistant fabrics with easy access that drain. If you’ve ever had your pack fill with water, you know how important that last feature is! In three sizes, Imlay’s packs are named after three of Utah’s greatest slot hikes, Heaps, Mystery and Kolob. A fourth is the company name.
Ropes want to tangle in slot canyons, which is highly inconvenient, time consuming and possibly a safety hazard. Imlay solves rope management problems with three sizes of Rope Silos that are engineered and constructed of burley flow-thru mesh, wire reinforced, with flotation foam on three sides. The company also makes a weight-saving Pull Cord bag for a smaller diameter rope.
Exiting a water-filled pothole is a common and often difficult canyoneering problem. Most likely the water is quite cold and in the shade, so rapid exit is important to avoid possible hypothermia. Imlay makes a Nut Sack that is easier to fill and throw to dry ground than a backpack. For extreme pothole escapes, look at Imlay’s Happy Hooker online at www.imlaygear.com.
Green Brand by SanSegal
SanSegal is a sportswear manufacturing company headquartered in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Their lines of products for men, women and children are distributed through retail stores and resorts nationwide. One of the SanSegal divisions is called Green Brand (think environmentally friendly). Green Brand is a complete line of fashion garments made from 100% recycled T-shirts. First, the T-shirts are shredded and then blended into various color groupings used in a patented blending system to insure consistency of shade matching. Garments are cut and sewn using polyester yarn to maintain washability and stability. Finished products have a very soft hand and both vibrant and subdued colors. The Green Brand line is extensive and deep, with styles for men, women and kids. Shorts, tops, pants, pullovers and zips are included. For a Green Brand retailer near you, call SanSegal Customer Service toll-free at 800/338-6048. You can view all the SanSegal products including Green Brand by logging on to www.sansegal.com. Info-now! GRNB
Petzl
Located in Clearfield near Ogden, Petzl America is part of the international company producing high quality climbing, mountaineering and canyoneering equipment and products. Here are three that work well together for exploring Utah’s amazing canyons. 
The Niagra is an adjustable, lightweight yet durable harness. The patented DoubleBack buckles make it easy to put on and adjust and its single attachment point simplifies usage. The wide polyester webbing waist belt and leg loops resist abrasion and will not absorb water. In addition, the Niagra features a single flexible gear loop.
The Pirana, a versatile descender for canyoneering, can be rigged in multiple ways to accommodate different rope diameters, the user’s weight and terrain conditions. Two supplementary braking spurs allow friction to be increased while rappelling. A plastic piece in the clipping hole creates a snug carabiner-descender interface for quick rigging and loss prevention.
One of the most important pieces of equipment for canyoneering is a helmet. Petzl’s Elios provides crucial protection, yet is so lightweight and comfortable you’ll forget your wearing it. Well ventilated and easily adjustable, the Elios protects with an expanded polypropylene liner covered by a molded polycarbonate shell. Four clips on the shell are designed to securely hold a headlamp. www.petzl.com
EMP Tek
Emergency preparedness when venturing into the great outdoors is critical. To be lost, disoriented or injured in the wilderness, particularly if alone, can be catastrophic. EMP makes a piece of equipment that every backcountry adventurer should consider carrying, the Dynamo Flashlight. No batteries to die, this gizmo is self-powered by a hand swing generator lever. Once charged, it produces a sound and flashing light emergency signal and has an FM radio with channel scanner. Cell phone dead? Plug it in for a re-charge.
The Dynamo Flashlight is quick charging, puts out a powerful LED beam, and weighs in at about 12 ounces. That’s 12 ounces of prevention! www.emptek.net
Elete
So what do you want out of your energy drink? Performance, for sure. But if it’s soda pop taste or fruity fruit flavor you want, well…drink soda pop and fruit juice. How about water? Cool, fresh, satisfying water to quench the thirst you get while doing what gets you thirsty, be it running, cycling or hiking. And what if that drink of water contained a pure electrolyte concentrate to prevent fatigue, cramping, dehydration and impaired performance, yet didn’t alter the taste? Enter Elite. Just 32 drops from the convenient plastic container to a liter of water and off you go. This pure electrolyte concentrate provides balanced ions of potassium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate and other naturally occurring trace elements and nothing more. No sweeteners, flavorings, calories and no mess. Pure water + Elite. Fuel for the endurance athlete. www.eletewater.com
Chums
Combining functionality and style with its expertise in creating urban outdoor 
accessories, CHUMS is introducing a new line of fresh, fashionable iPod carrying cases which helps users protect and hang on to their valuable music investments. The new array of iPod cases includes original, unique designs that blend versatility with funky patterns and stylish flair, giving users a choice in how they’d like to outfit their iPod.
The new line of e:personal iPod bags consists of nine different styles that can be used with the standard iPod or iPod mini, and unlike other iPod cases available to consumers today, CHUMS has taken the concept a step further by creating innovative cases that can be worn in a variety of different ways: over the shoulder, clipped on to clothing, around the neck, or with an armband. To keep the iPod secure and protected, each one features a lanyard, carabiner clip, and above all, a swivel hook, which attaches to clothing and rotates to allow for motion while walking and sitting, so that an iPod can be worn much like a PDA or cell phone. Whether its Zen-like yoga, backcountry trekking, or weekend warrior fun, CHUMS iPod carrying cases are designed to suit any lifestyle and personality, be it serious, sporty, or sassy.
iPod cases are perhaps the most important thing to put around a precious iPod, and may be more vital than any other accessory. Just as functional and compact as the iPod, CHUMS cases add armor and versatility so that the music player can be used in a variety of urban outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, running, sunning, or cruising on the subway. CHUMS new iPod cases help prevent the risk of losing favorite tunes, and allow users to listen to music wherever, and whenever, they choose. www.chums.com