This past weekend we arrived back from Moab Friday evening and the next morning immediately went to the Adventure + Gear Fest at the South Towne Expo Center. Having just gotten back from a week of hiking and camping we were in a great mood to be excited about everything we saw there. Here is the run down on some of our favorites.
Activities:
This was a very active expo with a lot more to do then just talk with vendors. When we came in we could sign waivers at the entrance and get a wrist band with a QR code on it that they could scan at the different activities to keep you from filling out a bunch of different waivers for each place. Alternatively you could get waivers at the specific activities if you wanted.
I did several of the activities but Meagan didn't feel up to doing them after hiking all over Moab her back was a little sore. I climbed both rock walls, despite the fact that I had unwisely worn my sneakers. I also took a paddle board out in a wading pool, road a big tricycle, and climbed inside a giant truck. Here are some videos and pictures. I really enjoyed the focus on activities at this particular expo; it made it a lot more fun in my opinion.
Products:
There were quite a few vendors at this show selling everything from vacation packages to hammocks to glasses cleaner. We actually made two purchases which is unusual for us, but there are times when you get really good deals because companies offer show prices.
We knew that Meagan was going to need some new, more comfortable sandals for hiking and for our adventures this summer, so we looked at several different options in the Chaco-style sandals at the show. Finally she decided on the Unshoes and we got a good show price on them. They look like they will be very comfortable (they had some rocks that she walked on) and the team at the booth was really friendly and helpful.
In our more unexpected purchase of the day we ended up buying some lens cleaner from a company called Z Clear. It was a bit impulsive on my part, but the salesman was extremely good and when he handed me back a pair of glasses that were as clear as the day I bought the cleaner. I was sold. I have notoriously dirty and scratched glasses, so I hope that in the long run it will turn out to be a good purchase.
We didn't buy one, but I wanted to. These awesome hammock-tents use three straps to suspend your shelter in the air between trees. They were probably one of the more awesome products that we saw at the show. I tried one out and seemed to be very comfortable as well as being very awesome.
Freebies:
We also got a couple things just for showing up. First we were greeted by the Jeep booth, which gave us t-shirts, that would have been a little bit more exciting if they had had some that weren't larges, but it was free.
There was also a whole set up from the
Recreation Outlet store where they were selling a lot of camping gear at pretty good prices. They had a wheel you could spin to get something for free, so of course we spun it. I really wanted a self inflating camping pillow since I had not been very happy with my regular pillow (which is normally awesome) while camping in Moab. I was so excited when I spun the wheel and it landed on free pillow! Meagan's spin landed on a water proof card case for river rafting, fishing, or water hiking.
Sum Up:
The Adventure + Gear Fest was a blast. We had a lot of fun and saw a lot of great products. They haven't posted the dates for next year on their website yet, but definitely keep an eye out for it if you live in the area.
Labels: Event, Outdoors, Review, Utah
