Rollerblades pretty much revolutionized the concept of roller skates, and now FATblades are looking to take the skating to the snow. These mini-skis, which can be worn with traditional snowboard boots are essentially a combination of skates, skis and snowboards for the feet. The designers, which are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to bring the FATblades to the masses, say these can be used in all sorts of conditions including ice, soft snow and even heavy powder. Video after the jump
Author: KineticShift
Reflecting on Chrome
Chrome Industries’s Reflective Camo collection seems like a bright idea indeed. The company has delivered a number of camouflage bags, and the waterproof Victor compact utility belt is the latest in line to offer a camo pattern by day yet be fully reflective at night. The Victor can be worn across the chest or around the waste, and it features Chrome’s iconic quick-release seatbelt buckle that has an integrated bottle opener.
Last week ESPN addressed that there are many different safety helmets on the market and these protect the head in very different ways. It is true that a military helmet for example needs to stop bullets whereas a ski helmet is meant to protect the wearer from injury in a crash.
However, in this insightful piece ESPN noted, “(motorsport) racing helmets are designed to redistribute the force of an accident, skiing helmets are designed to prevent skull fractures, and have not been designed with potential brain injuries in mind.”
The article also added, “Brain injuries are not restricted to Formula One, yet the FIA is the governing body that has done the most research on how to reduce the impact of high-impact head injuries on its competitors.”
With this in mind, perhaps it is time that the governing bodies for various sports start to consider the research that other bodies are doing. Thus football – which has only in recent years started to take head injuries seriously – could learn something from motorsport as well as winter sport helmets and so on.
These should all do the same thing at the end of the day, and that is to protect the wearer.
Weekend Reading List (02.22.2014): Olympic Tech, Flu Recovery, Curling Tech
Olympic Tech
httpv://youtu.be/lZvJ49gJ9Tw
From Sport Techie: Three Technologies that Have Helped Define the 2014 Sochi Olympics Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.22.2014): Olympic Tech, Flu Recovery, Curling Tech
Totally Disposable Paper Board
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZRTgrrLH_A&list=PL34695342B698FC80&feature=share
While we know we live in a somewhat disposable society that isn’t always a bad thing. The crew at Signal Snowboards did it again, and this month’s Every Third Thursday project involved a totally disposable paper snowboard.
Because it was paper it should be mostly biodegradable.
The Scooter Evolved
The scooter has been rolling along ever since making a comeback in the late-1990s. We didn’t there would be much that could evolve with the simple scooter, but then the E’lution EVO came along.
This scooter features a hubless wheel system that is rugged, sturdy and looks rather high-tech – or at least as high-tech as a scooter can be. The hubless wheel has the promise of a smoother ride, which could mean that the annoying scooter isn’t going away anytime soon. The developers of the E’lution Evo are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to get this one rolling. Video after the jump
Bicycle Design Signs Off
We’ve enjoyed reading the BicycleDesign.net blog for years. It has been going strong, showcasing the latest in bicycle innovation, since 2005. However, this week James Thomas announced that he’ll be ending the postings on the popular blog.
However, he had this to say on Thursday:
For anyone interested in only the bike related posts on my new blog, I have created a Bikes and Active Transportation category. There won’t be nearly as much bike design content as you were used to here, but I do plan to post a bit of it (starting with coverage of NAHBS next month).
Seems you can’t keep a good blogger from blogging! We look forward to seeing what he has to say on his new blog at JCT Design.
Mercedes-Benz Catches the Wave
While much has been made about BMW helping develop the Team USA’s Bobsled at the Olympic Games rival automaker Mercedes-Benz has been busy developing a surfboard with Garrett McNamara. The result is the “The Silver Arrow of the Seas,” which was used to catch the massive wave breaks at Nazaré North Canyon in Portugal earlier this month.
In addition to looking every bit a Mercedes-Benz this board offers built-in telemetry system capable of measuring surfing performance. Video after the jump
SIA Snow Show: Tow Line
Last month at the SIA Snow Show in Denver the Snowmule won the ISPO Gold award in Ski Products for 2014-2015. It is a simple concept but one that could be welcome by parents. It basically is a backpack that features tow lines that could allow parents to help younger less experienced skiers navigation flat sections that could slow them down.
It probably would give Mom or Dad a bit more of a workout as well.
Tri It On
Want to try kayaking without the work of tipping over? This is where the TriKayak XS-1 comes in. It features outriggers that provide stability, while the V-hull design allows it to cut through the water. It features a raised seat with a soft yet supportive padding. The outriggers can be deployed into three positions, and can be removed so that the TriKayak can fit on most car carriers.
If you need to bring some gear with you, there is pleny of open storage in the back plus the designers also included a 13 liter compartment in the front, along with two small dry storage compartments on the sides.
The designers behind the TriKayak XS-1 have launched a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign, and plans are to deliver the first batch by May. Video after the jump
Big Fish
There is something to be said for being a big fish in a small pond, but the Fishpond Westwater Large Zippered Duffle is for those who truly think and travel big. It is a duffle that can be used for backpack-carry mode for short periods, which on the go can beat any rolling bag. It offers 5,065 cubic inches of storage, and features TPU welded fabric along with YKK #10 water-resistant zippers to keep the contents inside dry.
Fishing Sonar
While many people will simply head to the old fishing hole and cast off and hope for the best, hardcore anglers might take notice of the FishHunter Sonar, which is powered by military-grade sonar technology that can truly find the spot where they’re biting. This device floats o the water and pairs with a smartphone app that allows users to see if school (as in school of fish) is in session.
Velo Press Rides In With Children’s Book
London-based writer and illustrator Rod Waters holds the Guinness World Record for cycling between Paris and London in just over 14 hours, and now he has released a cycle-themed children’s book. Aimed at children aged 4 to 8, Eric’s Big Day: A Bicycle Race Unlike Any Other, tells the story of a boy who helps wayward bike racers as he heads out on a ride.
The book is available now from VeloPress.
Eric’s Big Day: A Bicycle Race Unlike Any Other Official Website