The right for the job can make a big difference and the Leatherman Hail Snowboard Tool is one that will come in handy on the slopes, and because it is TSA-compliant this pocket multi-tool won’t hang you at the airport. It was designed in collaboration with Signal Snowboards so it isn’t just any old tool marketed for snowboarders. It features needlenose pliers, standard pliers, wire cutters, both flat and Phillips screwdrivers, tweezers, a scraper, a lacing assistant, a nail file, a carabiner, a 10mm wrench, and even a bottle opener.
Author: KineticShift
Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time
Olympic Tech
From TechNewsWorld: Team USA in Sochi: High-Tech Gear Spurs High Hopes
While it takes years of training, determination and really good genes even to get a chance to compete in the Olympic Games, the difference between making the podium or not can come down to milliseconds in some events. At this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, new advances in fabrics, materials and designs are giving the athletes an edge as they go for the gold. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time
Table to Die For
While it is easy to think of ping pong as a game played on a rickety old table in a damp basement or garage, this one is truly steps up the game and then some. The Killerspin SVR Black Ping Pong table offers playing surface that is specially designed with the maker’s Repeat Roller Coating (RRC) process that provides a superior glare reducing finish, while the 22mm medium density fiberboard (MDF) provides consistent bounce. It also has a design that looks stylish, so much so you won’t want to relegate it to the basement.
Retro High Tech Gloves
Retro and high tech are usually not things we associate together, but Veeka has managed to provide both in its new line of cycling gloves. These look downright old school and feature handwoven cotton with a classic Velcro closure, but these also offer a non-slip silicone texture that provides grip on the handbars or a mobile phone. The company has an entire line of stylish gloves that will look like a blast from the past, yet still be ready to roll with your 21st century ride.
Heel Spur
A heel spur is something most runners fear but the LightSpur designed by Nathan Sport could be something no runner will want to be without after dark. It clips around the heel of a shoe and grips against it while providing an LED light that can help drivers and even cyclists see you at night. The LightSpurs are fully waterproof and powered by a replaceable CR2031 watch battery that should provide more than 100 hours in flashing mode.
These spurs won’t make you run faster but they’ll help ensure you aren’t run down after dark.
Printed Flyer
3D printing continues to revolutionize the world, and the Flying Machine shows just what can it can do. This “printed flyer” is actually a full size bike that offers fully 3D printed titanium lugs. The Australian bike maker has utilized advances in EBM (Electron beam melting), which allows for thicker layers of material to printed and thus results in a quicker manufacturing time.
While this is still quite a ways from a fully 3D printed bike the Flying Machine could show that the sky is the limit.
Flying Machine Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Flying Machine’s 3D printed titanium frame]
A Nutter Multi-Tool
We’ve seen a lot of multi-tools for cyclists but Full Windsor is now offering a Nutter one – make that The Nutter Cycle Multi Tool. This system is all build around the handle, which accepts various bits and transforms it into a tool you won’t want to be without. It includes spanners, hex tools, spoke keys, torx bit and even bottom opener and all of it can be stashed in a handy and stylish leather-bound case.
Reflective Cross Wear
For last months cyclocross world championships last month apparel maker BioRacer introduced a new highly reflective cycling jersey. It utilizes a material dubbed “Pixel,” which will practically glow when hit by car headlights, ensuring that a rider can be seen. What is notable about this technology is that it makes the apparel look like a solid color in normal light, but when hit by a headlight or other bright illumination it glows! We hope to see more of this fabric in the coming months.
BioRacer Press Release: Reflective warm-up clothing WC Hoogerheide – Pixel fabric
Reinventing the Wheels
Introduced at the ISPO Munich show last month the AeYO looks to reinvent not so much the wheel, but perhaps the way wheels can be used. It is part bicycle, part skates and part scooter. While the feet are placed in in-line skates, it thus allows the legs to move freely and provide forward acceleration but at the same time the handle and front wheels keep the feet stable so there is little chance of falling.
While it again won’t reinvent the wheel it could create a new way to get rolling. Continue reading Reinventing the Wheels
Myth Maker
Gerber has been a company that could rightfully be described at times as being somewhat “legendary” but now it is looking to get downright mythical. It has introduced the Gerber Myth Kit, which includes a dozen on-the-go tools for camping, hunting and just getting away from it all. This case includes numerous knives and blades, as well as a Gerber Field Dress Kit, Gerber Pocket Folder, Gerber Folding Saw, Gerber Cap Light, Gerber Shotgun Multi-Tool, Gerber Canvas Bag, Gerber Spotlight and a whole lot more. This is the one kit that truly has it all.
Camo is the New Black
We’ve seen a wave of camouflage in cycling attire and even cycling saddles. Of course Chrome had introduced camo bags last year. Now the company is releasing its second edition bags that incorporate the Swedish M90 geometric camouflage designs – but these actually work to help riders be seen.
While it looks like the traditional camo that would blend into wooded terrain these bags feature a “camo rain” glass bead print that actually illuminates from 100 feet away when hit with light. There are three new models to choose from – all American made – including the slender Victor Reflective, the shoulder bag Citizen and the backpack styled Barrage. All are ready to have you covered during your commute.
Made in America: Sneaky Move
J.Crew is now offering a limited-edition colorway of the New Balance 998. These American made suede shoes come from Showhegan, Maine and feature ABSORBZ rubber soles to provide comfort and traction.
Taking Covert
Nike Golf looks to have golfers covered this season with the VRS Covert Forged Irons, which the company claims will provide provide high-speed performance in a premium design. Nike Golf’s engineers incorporated a NexCOR face, Nike’s proprietary variable face thickness technology to deliver faster ball speed for greater distance.
In addition the new irons also offer a high-speed cavity back design with a lower, deeper center of gravity that can help golfers make longer and straighter shots.
“We focused on improving distance and off-center hit performance with the VRS Covert Forged irons,” explained Chris Savage, Nike Golf irons innovation engineer. “It’s the first time we designed a forged iron with a high-speed NexCOR face, and engineering the variable thickness really amplifies the trampoline effect off the face. We further enhanced the performance with balanced perimeter weighting via a deep, engineered cavity back design. In our testing, the VRS Covert Forged irons delivered up to seven additional yards in distance compared to last year’s product.”
“Our research shows that more than 80 percent of player impact is between the center and the toe side of an iron,” Savage added. “So another key focus on this product was to shift the center of gravity to the center of the face. By moving the true sweet spot to the area where most people hit the ball, we enhanced the iron’s feel and improved off center performance by as much as 17 percent.”
These clubs made their debut at the end of last month.