KineticShift | Evolving Consumer

Move Your Mbody

There is no shortage of shorts that provide compression, but the Mbody system from Myontec does much more than just provide some compression to the legs. These Finnish made athletic shorts are designed to get you across the finish line by helping track your muscle activity.

The MShorts as these are called are equipped with an Mcell module that plugs into the apparel and displays the processed data on a mobile device. The sensors monitor that activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings and transmitted to a user’s Android mobile device. This allows users to tell if one leg is working harder than the other and allows users to change up their activity as necessary.

Mbody Official Website

Hug On

The Hugbike from Italy looks to reinvent the tandem. This bike is designed to put a parent in the back and the child I the front – thus giving the youngster a better view. Yet it still provides the older (and arguably more experienced rider) a way to steer.

This concept is very similar to the BuddyBike, which is designed for parents of special needs children, and Hugbike has employed some autistic children through a program that teaches them a new skill.

Hugbike Official Website

Nike Looks Rather Fly(Knit) With Lightweight Shoe

Lighter is better. At least that’s the thinking that Nike designers have when it comes to running shoes. But the Nike Flynit Lunar2 aren’t just light, these are also stronger than the average running shoes. These utilize the Lunarlon cushioning to provide a responsive, fluid platform that will have you feeling like you’re running on air, while the Flynit provides a light but very supportive upper. One the company calls a “magical combination.” Video after the jump

Blow Up Boat

We’ve seen a variety of fold up boats over the years, but the DinghyGo takes a different approach. The DinghyGo 2 is actually an inflatable sail boat that the company claims is lighter, cheaper and quicker to set up than most other “portable” boats.

It comes with a sailing kit that includes a 43 square feet sail, as well as pump and repair kit. The boat isn’t exactly cheap and at $3,525 there are likely other and more affordable options for those looking to go sailing. But the DinghyGo 2 is certainly a compact boat – which is good for those who don’t exactly spend every weekend on the water. Continue reading Blow Up Boat

Shark Attack

The Nalini Shark road shoe looks ready to strike this year. This shoe features a full carbon sole with both 3-hole Look and 2-hole SPD mounting options, and the Shark further offers a seamless microfiber upper, supportive heal cup, and micrometric closure system with Nalini’s “Fly” aluminum buckle, and two Velcro straps. The insole also offers a planter arch support along with breathable air-flow technology.

Nalini at Albabici

Camo Time

Camouflage was designed to help the wearer blend into the background. It was then used to disguise items and also help them stand out less. The new bike saddle from Astute probably won’t blend into the background – even if it is used with the recent camouflage cycling jerseys we’ve seen recently. The Camo Skylite VT is rather about style and this one certainly stands out.

The new saddle is now ready for U.S. distribution via Fairwheel Bikes. In addition to its striking colors it also features Astute’s SPAS (Shock Pad Absorber System) and carbon rides to provide a comfortable ride for those who truly go the distance.

Astute Official Website
Fairwheel Bikes Official Website

GoPro to GoPublic

Rugged go-anywhere camera maker GoPro is known going places – and now it is going public. The company announced an initial public offering for Friday. GoPro had filed its IPO confidentially so that it means its financials are still secret, but this could be big for the company.

It shot to fame in recent years thanks to its Hero line of rugged cameras and this IPO could indeed make it a hero for investors.

GoPro Official Website
[Via Fortune: GoPro plans IPO]

Voombox Brings the Noise

A boombox will let you get “the party started,” but the Divoom Voombox Outdoor speak might just let you take it on the go. This 15w water resistant Bluetooth speaker is designed specifically for rugged conditions while offering a 12-hour battery life. It features a durable, water resistant design and can stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.0.

The speaker offers twin two-inch drivers along with one tweeter and two passive radiators – enough to fill a room or outdoor area with the tunes. Continue reading Voombox Brings the Noise

Run This Way

Winter appears like it could be here for a little longer, and if you’re itching for a run you might have to do so on a treadmill. One to consider is the Smooth Fitness & Health’s 9.65LC Treadmill that is designed to let the serious runner to go the distance. It features tablet-based controls, a SmoothDrive 4.0HP Continuous Duty motor, and Im-pression Shock Absorption to provide a steady and smooth run. There are also QuickChange Handrail speed and incline controls so you can make quick adjustments without breaking your stride. Continue reading Run This Way

Sole(us) to Go

Sports watch and GPS maker Soleus has introduced a fitness tracker wristband. The Soleus GO! works much like similar devices and can track daily activities as well as sleep cycles. It can tack steps taken and calories burned, while a vibration alert can notify wearers when it is time to get moving. It can sync with a mobile device, while an app can log activity, plus it even show incoming calls and messages on its OLED display.

“At Soleus, we started the company around meeting the needs of the athlete with quality performance and style at an affordable cost,” said David Arnold, founder and CEO of Soleus. “Our core values are attributed to supplying athletes the most advanced tools they need to achieve their goals. At the same time, we want to help people everywhere enhance their life with activity. We spent a lot of time and research to develop the most comprehensive activity tracker that monitors and records the most important aspects of daily life while incorporating the wearable technology features for everyone on the go.”

The device arrives in retail today.

Soleus Official Website

Taking AIMe

An action camera is great for providing a first person view of the action and it can even be used with various accessories to put the user in the action – creating a third person perspective as well. But if you want to track the action you likely need a cameraman to step in.

The alternative might be the AIMe from JigaBot, which works much like a robotic tripod. The company unveiled this product last month at CES and also took it on the road to the Outdoor Retailer Show. This device is designed to work with most action cameras and even camera phones and it features steel ball bearings inside that let the unit turn and even tilt to 240 degrees to capture a range of action. An internal sensor works with an infrared-equipped remote beacon to track the subject. No cameraman required. Video after the jump

Head Above the Rest

Every cyclist knows that flat tires suck but carrying a pump can be a pain, which is why we like CO2 cartridges and an inflator. But even these can take up a bit of space in a jersey pocket or saddle bag. The Genuine Innovations Hammerhead weights just 26 grams and it works with most threaded cartridges so there is less to carry.

Genuine Innovations Hammerhead CO2 Tire Inflator Official Website

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Pong’d

We recently were “pitched” on a new product to write about – the new “Custom Beer Pong Table.” It probably shouldn’t surprise us that a company actually makes a table – actually a line of tables – to play “Beer Pong,” but we have to file this one under a (Mis)Shift!

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.