Author: KineticShift

Schwinn’s Diamond Anniversary

SchwinnSchwinn is now celebrating its 75th anniversary and it doesn’t seem a day over 50! The company is marking this occasion with the release of its Paramount model with a limited edition, U.S.-made, steel road frame made at the former Schwinn-owned Paramount factory. Each of these will feature limited-edition 75th anniversary lugs, while options will include internal or Di2 routing, decaling and paint options. Paramounts will be available in three frame level options: the Paramount Air, Paramount front/stainless rear, and Paramount full stainless.

Only 25 of these custom frames will be made, and retail prices will start at $4,175 for the frame and fork. In addition, those lucky customers who buy one of the 25 frames will be invited to visit Waterford Precision Cycles for an in-person fitting. The Waterford factory was once Schwinn’s Paramount factory and was managed by Marc Muller, who bought the factory with Richard Schwinn soon after Schwinn Bicycle went bankrupt in the 1990s.

Schwinn Paramount Official Website

CES Preview: vFit Fits the Bill

vFit-Fitness-HeadphonesVelodyne will unveil its new-for-2014 vFit in-ear workout headphones at next month’s CES Unveiled in Las Vegas, taking place on Sunday, January 5. The company already highlighted the vFit in its blog, noting that the “vFit is my most anticipated Velodyne product release to date.”

We’ll be sure to check out the vFit and much more in a few weeks at CES.

[Via The Velodyne Voice: Work Off Holiday Excess With The vFit]

Holiday Gift Guide: One Bad Looking Jacket

Badlands-EXOBadlands have released its new EXO rain series, which includes the Badlands EXO Jacket. Designed for those who will head out to hunt in all conditions, according to the company this jacket is designed repel water better than a seasoned sea otter’s pelt. It also contains 4-X scent containment technology thanks to a Dupont Repel DWR-treated polyester layer. This stops the water from coming in and the wearer’s scent from going out.

Not a bad idea.

Badlands EXO Jacket Official Website

Holiday Gift Guide: Give the Gift of Light

TerraLuxLight can be precious this time of year, and the TerraLux allows those heading out for a hike or to hunt to not so much get extra daylight, but this headlamp will shine the way back home. The TLH-50 utilizes LED lights that deliver up to 540 lumens for up to three hours, and it offers single operation functionality that makes it easy when wearing gloves. This model offers four light levels, and even a search-and-rescue friendly strobe.

The TerraLux TLH-50 is made of durable corrosion-proof aluminum, plus it is water-and impact-resistant.

TerraLux Official Website

The Eyes Have Wiley-X for 2014

Wiley-XWiley X has unveiled its new models for 2014, including the new WX Arrow, which feature Wiley X’s patented removable, soft-foam Facial Cavity Seal that blocks out wind, dust and unwanted light. This design enhances the wearer’s vision over a wide range of conditions and provides a comfortable, climate-controlled environment for the eyes.

The WX Tobi has also been added to Wiley X’s Active Series family, and it features wraparound-style frames with soft rubber nose pads and temple grips. The WX Tobi offers superior protection, excellent field of view and a comfortable, secure fit.

Both are ideal for active users who work or play hard.

Wiley X Official Website

Spinlister Makes Snowboard Renting a Snap

SpinlisterNeed to rent a pair of skis or a snowboard? Don’t stand in line or wait on hold, use the smartphone the smart way. Signal Snowboards founder Dave Lee is helping promote the new rental service and mobile app Spinlister, which allows users to rent a board or skis from the handset. This even allows individuals to rent out their gear as well.

This Android and iOS app lets users list snowboards and rent snowboards anywhere in the world, with all listings GPS located to make it easy to find the gear near you. In addition, everything is exchanged through the app and listers are completely covered through the Spinlister insurance policy.

Spinlister Official Website

Adventure Pants

ProisWhile there is no shortage of apparel for men looking to heading out on adventure, women tend not to have as many options. However, for Próis will introduce the new line of Adventure Pants, which are ideal for a day at the range or a on safari. These are built with comfort in mind as much as function and versatility, and were created by women for women.

These aren’t baggy or bulky like downsized men’s pants, nor tight and awkward like up-sized pants for the kids. Instead these fit at a women’s natural waist with room in the hips and thighs for normal mobility, while deep front pockets and convenient back pockets with zippered closures will keep small gear and valuables like extra shells, tags or hunting licenses safe and within reach at all time. Constructed from 100 percent polyester/spandex blend, these are exceptionally lightweight stretchable athletic pants that will move right along with the wearer wherever the adventure goes.

Próis Hunting Official Website

Nike Golf Swings With New Wedges for 2014

VR-X3X-Toe-SweepGolfers know they won’t always hit the green in the most ideal conditions, but Nike Golf will help with the upcoming VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges, which can tackle rough or wet grass, difficult lies and even daunting bunkers. These were designed to be the solution for the toughest conditions golfers might face.

“We built the VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges from the ground up,” says Mike Taylor, Nike Golf Master Modelmaker. “Our Tour athletes have told us that the toe side of the sole is most critical in bunker performance. In a bunker shot, these new wedges are carefully crafted to provide bounce relative to the path of the club head. Around the green, our athletes ask for material to be ground away from the heel to aid open-face versatility – and we’ve done that with this new design.”

The VR X3X features improved groove technology to deliver a more consistent shot in all conditions, while the wider sole area toward the toe can help make it easier to hit out of the bunker. The new wedges will be available in January.

[Press Release: Nike’s VR X3X Toe Sweep Headlines New Wedges for 2014]

SHOT Show Preview: The Shirt Says it All

BuckwearIf you have a sport shooter in the family then you might know that ammunition has been hard to come by. Outdoor apparel maker Buck Wear is introducing a new line of shirts highlighting this fact at next month’s SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show). The new “Get Some” shirt features the well-recognized Buck Wear logo along with the stylish design that should appeal to hunters and sport shooters.

Buck Wear Official Website

Smart Shoes Ready to Run

Smart-RunningThere are smartphones and smart watches, but now developers at the Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) are looking to create smarter shoes. The “EU Project RUNSAFER” concept utilizes specialized running shoe packed with a micro-controller, a radio frequency (RF) module, accelerometers, GPS sensors and a battery.

The system is designed to capture biomechanical signals from the body and transmits them via Bluetooth to the a runner’s smartphone, which then evaluates the data and offers feedback to the runner on how they can improve performance.

“Pulse-rate watches and chest straps record only vital signs like breathing and heart rat,” said Dr. Andreas Heinig, a scientist at IPMS. “In contrast, our running shoe medically evaluates and moni- tors training while jogging. It informs the runner for example of incorrect foot position, asym- metric loading, or warns of exhaustion or overload. There has never been a comparable device before.”

A prototype of the running shoe has already been developed, as has a mobile smartphone app. The researchers are now working on a smaller version of the microelectronics and sensors, which remains the bigger challenge, particularly since the system must be waterproof, light, and durable.

[Press Release: High-tech athletic shoe for pure running pleasure]

Jim Beam Lights the Way

Jimmy-BeamWhile Jim Beam probably isn’t something that will help the ride home, the Jimmy Beam Down Light will help cyclists be seen at night. Designed for numerous uses including trucks and autos, the bike version casts light around a cyclists so that riders can be seen from a distance. This helps drivers better judge a safe distance when passing riders at night.

Jimmy Beam Down Lights Official Website

Holiday Gift Guide: Weighing the Options

iHealth-Wireless-Body-ScaleStaying fit is more than just watching the weight, and the iHealth Wireless Body Analysis Scale can measure, track and share nine different characteristics of a user’s body composition. It is compatible with the iHealth mobile app, and the scale can be used online or off, while supporting up to 20 users.

It allows each user to track weight, body fat, lean mass, muscle mass, bone mass, body water, daily calorie intake, body mass index and even visceral fat rating. The scale allows those looking to get fit to set goals, view trends and even organize records.

iHealth Wireless Body Analysis Scale Official Website