KineticShift | Evolving Consumer

Half Way There

A Half-Track is a cross between a tank and a truck. These aren’t used so much today, but the notion of “half” still exists as the Halfbike suggests.

Its designers, which launched a Kickstarter campaign to help bring the device to market, see it as truly half way between a scooter and a bike. It is actually a tricycle of sorts with a big wheel in the front and two small tires in the back, but it is designed as an urban transport solution – making it easier to go from point A to point B than on a traditional scooter – but still smaller than a traditional bike.

The unique design could also give a serious workout to the glutes, quads and buttock muscles as there is no seat! But thanks to its small size it could be ideal for navigating crowded urban streets. Video after the jump

Cargo Hauler

The Dutch know a thing or two about hauling stuff on a bike, and Fietsklik has introduced a line of bicycle carrying solutions. This system utilizes a “Klik” adapter, which allows a standard pannier rack to accept a range of special accessories – that the company makes of course!

This includes sturdy box-racks, bags and even a child seat.

Fietsklik Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Fietsklik lockable luggage solutions]

Not SOL with SOL Survival

The name might say it all: SOL Survival Kit, but the truth is that this SOL actually stands for Survive Outdoors Longer. The SOL Origin includes the most crucial lifesaving gear in one compact, waterproof kit.

Tools included are Tinder-Quik fire starters, 150-pound-test braided nylon cord, mil-spec stainless-steel wire, and an emergency sewing and fishing kit. There’s also survival instructions for more than 60 hazards, a liquid-damped compass, and, secured in a button-release slot, a folding lock-blade knife, which itself features a 100dB rescue whistle, an ultra-bright LED light in the handle, and an AUS-8 steel drop-point blade for precision cuts. The inside of the kit’s lid even doubles as a signal mirror. With this SOL kit you won’t be SOL when it hits the fan.

SOL Official Website

Weekend Reading List (03.29.2014): Stop Running, Take or Share, Crowd Funding

Stop Running

From Runner’s World: Should Runners Jog In Place At Stoplights?
You’ll look ridiculous if you do. Then again, the world’s best runner does it, so maybe you should too? Continue reading Weekend Reading List (03.29.2014): Stop Running, Take or Share, Crowd Funding

Get Into Spring With Antigua

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvCnN8RA3Bk&list=UUKtD3G1RptIVRH0NXSMVgdQ&feature=share

The clocks have sprung forward and as of last week it is officially. While we can hope Mother Nature will play along Antigua is ready with its updates to its Spring 2014 Men’s Performance 72 Golf Collection as seen in the video above.

The Collection for men includes 17 shirt models, 12 outerwear tops and seven hats – as well as our proprietary Desert Dry and Desert Dry Xtra-Lite moisture management technology that wicks away moisture.

“It’s bright and bold – really colorful,” says Ron McPherson, president and CEO of Antigua. “Golf has always been a colorful business and this year just a little bit more intense. The consumer is really wearing bright colors right now and having fun with it. This line has vivid color, sophisticated styling and luxurious fabrics…truly a winning combination.”

Antigua Official Website

The Hole Nine Yards and Much More!

We recently heard about a particularly extraordinary Boston Marathon Story, and it involves Larry Grogin, a 59-year athlete who took part in last year’s Boston Marathon. On April 13 he’ll set out to run 250 miles from his home town of Franklin Lakes, N.J. all the way to the Boston Marathon and average about 32 miles a day. A long-time volunteer for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an organization founded by Paul Newman that helps children suffering with serious illness, Grogin was running for his favorite charity that day and was just turning the corner toward the finish when the first bomb exploded.

“I have run hundreds of marathons all over the world, but the Boston Marathon is like no other. Filled with patriotic messaging, people saluting, crowds cheering and chanting “U-S-A”…it is hard to describe the incredible vibe,” he said.

Like so many, he did not get to finish the marathon that day and has a very hard time forgetting the horrible unfolding of the day’s events. Having been told by the police to get away from the scene, Grogin was unable to help victims of the tragedy and suffers from tremendous “Survivor’s Guilt.” He is, however, inspired by the remarkable children at Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and has now made it his mission to help raise funds for a cause so dear to his heart. Continue reading The Hole Nine Yards and Much More!

Everything Third Thursday: Speed Sticks

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nOMcl_rbgk&list=PL34695342B698FC80&feature=share

Speed Stick Heated Snowboard—Go Faster!Dave Lee and the Signal Snowboards crew get back to the base-ics, experimenting with new technology to actually heat up the base of a snowboard and test out their theory that a hot base will go faster. Dave explains that the snow sliding action actually works from friction heating up the snow and forming a thin layer of water that the board slides on, but what if we speed up that process by incorporating a heat film into the base?

Oakley Goes for 30

This month marked the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web, but the Oakley Heritage Collection has reached the big “30.” To celebrate this milestone Oakley has resurrected the molds to produce a new line of classic Razor Blades and Eyeshade sunglass models.

It might be time to ride like its 1984!

SPECIAL EDITION HERITAGE RAZOR BLADES
[Via BikeRadar: Oakley Heritage Collection celebrates 30 years]

Clif’s New Mojo

This month Clif Bar & Company has some new mojo – a new line of snack bars that include roasted nuts, chunks of organic dark chocolate and fruits including organic wild blueberries. The Clif Mojo Fruit & Nut and Clif Mojo Dark Chocolate bars are made with 70 percent organic ingredients and are gluten-free. More importantly all five flavors of the new bars are 200 calories or less, and offer low glycemic, while being a good source of fiber.

“At Clif Bar & Company, we aim to create quality organic food, that people love to eat, nourishes their active lives and is good for them and the planet,” said Kevin Cleary, chief executive officer of Clif Bar & Company. “Our athletes and foodies joined forces in the Clif Kitchen to build a better snack bar by carefully selecting and combining high-quality ingredients that taste great and are nutritious.”

The five flavors are Cranberry Almond, Wild Blueberry Almond, Coconut Almond Peanut, Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond.

Cliff Bar Official Website

Innovation Shaping Snowboard Industry for Next Year

This has been a brutal winter for some, but for the snowsports industry it was a mixed affair. The long winter was able to get more people on the slopes but yet demand for products was reportedly down. Earlier this month Transworld Business released the first of its Winter 2014/15 Snowboard Product Previews & Trend Reports. It noted that “innovative shapes” could drive the design movement. Among the points touched upon were that camber could be making a comeback, while splitboards could continue to see growth.

It could be a whole new game next season – but for now, we’re just happy winter is finally winding down.

Transworld Business: Innovative Shapes Drive Design Movement

The New Iron Age

httpv://youtu.be/FpcW0Ewrnpc

Miura Golf has allowed golfers to enter a new “iron age” this spring. The company has increased production of its special Passing Point 9003 Straight Neck iron. This club, which like its “regular” Passing Point 9003, offers golfers with a “forged feel” along with perimeter weighting and a slightly wider sole.

“Initially, we weren’t intending to make a straight-neck model,” said Adam Barr, president of Miura. “But the 9003 was so popular with so many players because it’s very easy to hit and has a great flight. When some of those new 9003 players talked with us about their flight preferences, we knew there was a class of 9003 lovers who didn’t want or need all the offset of the original. So we began to make a less-offset version, and that became the Passing Point 9003 Straight Neck. We sold out the initial run so quickly that we thought we’d better make more.”

Both models of Passing Point 9003s provide marvelous forged feel, thanks to Miura’s insistence on fine-grain, void-free steel in its clubheads. The cavity in all 9003s is carefully engineered to put the mass in the right places so golfers can get the optimum contact – and forgiveness – from the club’s perimeter weighting. And the sole of the 9003s, while never out of proportion, is somewhat larger than in more blade-like models, allowing for easier turf travel through impact and overall more consistent flight.

Miura Golf Official Website

Zpack it in!

The long winter could soon give way to a long wet spring, but the small bags and packs from ZPacks will keep the contents – including mobile phone, ID, money and card cards – dry inside. These are made of a hybrid Cuben fiber material that resembles paper but is tough and waterproof! Just what we need this spring.

ZPacks Official Website

Get Insight

There are plenty of fitness monitors on the market, but BSX Athletics is looking to bring out the Insight, which it has billed as the first ever all-in-one wearable sensor that can pair with a sports watch. It includes lactate threshold technology, heart rate monitoring, cadence tracking, and can monitor pace and calories burned.

The Insight can sync at the same time with both ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0, and thus provides greater flexibility to uses. BSX Athletics has launched a Kickstarter project to bring the Insight to market. Video after the jump