The Outdoor Retailer trade show is a twice-annual gathering in Salt Lake City where journalists and buyers preview the latest in outdoors gear, gadgets and apparel. I just returned from Utah, spending three days trekking the show floor. Here are a few items that caught my eye, a preview of what's to come in outdoors shops circa 2009.

Big Agnes Slide Mountain Series

Campers tired of tightening rain-fly guy lines gone loose might be intrigued with Big Agnes' incorporation of the Boa Lacing System into a new series of three-season tents. The company has added Boa knob-based tensioning -- a feature often found on footwear the likes of snowboarding boots -- to enable campers to create a taut rain fly from inside the tent. Just reach up from your sleeping bag and twist. Tiny cables connected to the fly pull the fabric tight as you reel the line back onto a spool. Slide Mountain tents start at $499.95; available in spring 2009; http://www.bigagnes.com

Mammut Verglas jacket

The Swiss-designed Verglas jacket, a soft shell made for all-around use, is one of several new pieces to feature a finishing treatment from Schoeller Textiles purported to make dark colors feel lighter than wearing white. Called Coldblack, the treatment reduces heat build up and keeps the wearer cool while offering protection from the sun’s harmful rays, according to Schoeller. $279; spring 2009; http://www.mammutusa.com

[http://www.mammutusa.com]

Brunton BrewFire

Brunton calls BrewFire "the world's first portable, duel-fuel coffee maker." It's just like your coffee maker at home, but this one is fueled by the same propane or butane cartridges used in camping stoves. Just put your coffee grounds of choice in the filter, add water, turn the knob and flip a switch. In ten minutes you have eight cups of steaming hot java. The double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel carafe keeps your coffee hot for 2.5 hours, the company says. $99; available in February 2009; http://www.brunton.com

Injinji Rainbow Toe-Socks

Reviving the classic rainbow toesock, Injini touts these COOLMAX-fabric toe huggers as "retro fun in a smart, high-performance sock, ideal for active outdoor adventures." The Rainbow toesock incorporates Injinji’s patented construction, which recently received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance. $14; available in February 2009; http://www.injinji.com

http://www.injinji.com

Bilt Stainless Steel water bottles

Metallurgically, I may be a bit inept. But if it means anything to you, these Bilt bottles are made with a "premium food-grade Korean type 304 stainless steel containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel." I think that's good. The company says this material was chosen for its consistent quality and performance characteristics of not leaching chemicals, staining, corroding or rusting. Bilt bottles are available in several sizes, shapes and colors, starting at $16. http://www.bilt.ca

Light & Motion Seca

Touted to be "the first LED bicycle lighting system to make good on the promise of besting the top HIDs on the market," Light & Motion's Seca line of LED bike lights will provide models with output up to 700 lumens. VERY bright, in other words. And at that output Light & Motion specs five hours of burn time between battery charges. (Burns times up to 20 hours are achievable at a lower brightness setting.) Multiple light pattern modes let you put the Seca's beam right in front of your wheel or blast a ray of powerful light down the trail, piercing the darkness up to 200 feet ahead, according to Light & Motion tests. Three Seca models will ship next year, with prices starting at $349; http://www.bikelights.com

Yakima LoPro Skybox

At 15.5 cubic feet, this cargo box was made for consumers with tall vehicles, low garages and/or those looking for a low profile, space-saving solution. But here's the kicker: This cargo box has a built-in solar-powered light that automatically illuminates the SkyBox when opened for better visibility inside. $649; available at retail by Jan. 2009. http://www.yakima.com

Crazy Creek Beach Backpack Chair

Advertised as a "super-comfy, lightweight outdoor seat that can be carried anywhere," Crazy Creek's Beach Backpack Chair has padded backpack straps for transport. Nice touches include height and length adjustments, a swiveling footrest pad, adjustable headrest, and a drink holder.$99; available in early 2009; http://www.crazycreek.com

Patagonia wool base layers

Wool for warm weather is the premise behind Patagonia's spring 2009 collection, called Wool 1. The company is pitching the line as "officially the lightest wool baselayer on the market today." Made from 63% merino wool (16.5 micron fiber) and 37% recycled polyester, this soft, stretchy fabric combines wool’s natural odor control and insulating properties with polyester’s durability, stretch and speedy dry time, the company says. http://www.patagonia.com

ZYM Catapult

Pop it in your bike bottle and wait for it to fizz. Then drink. That's all there is to downing the electrolytes and other athletic enhancers in ZYM Catapult, a new hydration product that includes 100mg of caffeine and B12 vitamins. The result, the company claims, is a concoction that "fights off dehydration, fatigue, muscle pain, and lactic acid build-up." 10 tables cost $8.95; http://www.drinkzym.com

(Stephen Regenold writes a daily blog on outdoors gear at http://www.gearjunkie.com)