KineticShift | Evolving Consumer

Aero Up There

The Sky is truly the limit, and while this year’s Tour de France is in the rearview mirror you can now try to take flight with Kask’s new lightweight aero helmet. The Infinity was developed with Team Sky and ridden by the team at this year’s big show in France. It was on the head of Chris Froome when he pushed it to the limit in the two time trials and by the rest of the Sky riders in the team time trial.

The 270-gram helmet, which will be available in two sizes and three colors (for those who don’t like Sky’s blue) combines the aero advantages of Kask’s time trial helmets with the lightness and ventilation of its road racing helmets. The Infinity allows the rider to adjust the vents from open — providing maximum ventilation — to closed for maximum aerodynamics. The adjustment can be made while riding without removing the helmet.

The only downside is that it won’t arrive in the U.S. until January.

Kask Official Website

(Tre)Lock and Ride

Riding off road at night requires a good headlamp and fortunately the days of massive battery packs are a thing of the past. The new Trelock LS950 from Cantitoe Road offers six hours of full brightness of 70 lumens, but also features five power levels for those times when a little less light will still do the trick. This means up to 45 hours of run time in between charges.

It has a somewhat sinister look that kind of resembles the Alien from those Alien movies, but perhaps that will just creep out the competition. More importantly, the rechargeable light attaches tool free to a handlebar offering an easy set up and plenty of time. You do need time to sleep after all.

Cantitoe Road Official Website

Nike’s Free Minimal Approach

Nike doesn’t stop, and the shoe and apparel maker has apparently been keeping quite busy. The new Free Hyperfeel shoes are designed to mimic the working of the human foot. This was accomplished by using the pressure-mapping technology and high-speed film to analyze the foot in motion so that the Nike’s designers were able to provide padding and protection only where it is needed.

The end result is a shoe that features just seven components – so this is a truly minimal shoe in more ways than one. These new shoes will hit the road in September. Video after the jump

Shark Fuel

Some of us are like sharks and can’t sit still. Of course this requires a boost now and then and fittingly the Sharkies are just the thing. These Energy Chews were created in 2003 by a triathlete looking for some organic food that could deliver energy and fuel. The Sharkies Turbo Energy Chrews are made of organic ingredients and are completely Kosher too.

There is no gluten, wheat or diary and of course these are vegetarian, but these are packed with electrolytes and caffeine to help keep us sharks going and going.

Sharkies Official Website

Flirty Cycling Pants

We know summer won’t last forever, which is why we’re already considering attire for that cooler weather. The Novara Flirt Pedal Pusher bike Capri pants from REI are ideal for those who want to ride as the weather cools down. These feature nylon/spandex blend with 2-way stretch that allows pants to move with riders, while moisture-wicking finish keeping the skin dry. These offer a perforated gel pad to provide cushion, while the fabric provides a UPF 50+ sun protection, because as the weather cools down the sun can still be bright in the sky.

REI Novara Flirt Pedal Pusher

Rand McNally Maps the Way

While the Rand McNally name likely evokes atlases and books, the company knows a thing or two about GPS as well. The Rand McNally Foris 850 is designed not to be read at a desk, but out on a trail or while on a bike. Out of the box it features more than five million miles of roads and trails preloaded onto the device.

These include trails in National and State parks and forests, rails-to-trails routes, and of course US street and contour maps. The rugged and waterproof Foris 850 features a three-inch anti-glare touchscreen, compass and altimeter. It runs on two AA batteries and it can go where the road or trail takes you. Video after the jump

Hive Mentality

For those snowboarders who strap in boards, but hate strapping in perhaps the Bon Hiver Freebase Snowboard Binding concept from New York resident Brendan Walker is worth a look. He’s taken to Kickstarter to try to get people to strap in with his bindings the utilize neodyminum magnets.

The idea is to create strap-in binding that snowboards strap in once and ride all day. Video explains it all after the jump

Axiom Goes Modular

For those who go the distance on a bicycle it can mean packing a lot of gear, and Axiom Modular GrandTour panniers will ensure that there is space for everyone. These can transition from “everyday” to “expedition” in just seconds.

The 30-, 45- and 60-litre ultrasonically welded bags have exterior waterproof pockets and compression straps. Expand capacity with a clip-on pocket (included) and expand some more with a clip-on hip pack, toiletry kit and tent sleeve (available separately). The Axiom Modular GrandTour Paneers even come with a lifetime warranty so you know they’ll go the distance.

Axiom Gear Official Website

Topo is Off and Running

Earlier this year Tony Post, former CEO of Vibram, unveiled his new company, and now it seems that Topo is off and running. While Post helped get the barefoot running craze started it is clear that Topo will ensure that it goes the distance.

Among this year’s offerings are the M-RR (above), a barely-there 6.5 ounce running shoe. It is minimal in that it appears it doesn’t even have laces. Instead users can dial it in with the Boa Closure System for that snug fit that just feels nature.

Topo Official Website

Viva Zappos in Vegas

Online retailer Zappos has signed on as a platinum title sponsor for the RTC Viva Bike Vegas 2013 Gran Fondo Pinarello announced the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). This big ride will take place just following this year’s Interbike, and will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21.

This year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas 2013 Gran Fondo Pinarello Sponsored by Zappos.com will take cyclists on a more extensive route through Downtown Las Vegas, which has seen revitalization thinks in part to Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s efforts. Riders will even get to travel past the new Zappos’ HQ that is inside the city’s former city hall! Viva Las Vegas.

Viva Bike Vegas 2013 Gran Fondo Pinarello Official Website

Stake Some Light

We’ve seen UCO’s line of LED lights for camping and have been impressed, but this is one company that continues to innovate. The company has introduced its new StakeLight, a tent stake that as the name suggests features a built-in light.

With a 17-lumen LED light encased in the water-resistant housing the light can help users avoid tripping over a tent rope while getting up in the night to answer nature’s call. The StakeLight features both strobe and steady modes and can can for up to 24 hours from a single AAA on strobe setting. Dare we say this is a bright idea?

UCO Official Website

M.A.K. the Knife

There are plenty of survival tools out there, and the M.A.K.-1 Knife is one to add to the list of must-have items. It was designed by Canadian firefighter James McGowan, and while this knife has been on sale for years we couldn’t help but report on it.

This Multiple Access Knife (M.A.K.) is designed as rescue and rapid entry knife, and is made of rugged 3Cr13 stainless steel. It features a blunt chisel pry-bar tip for opening doors and windows, as well as a razor-sharp knife edge that can do serious cutting. It offers a textured and grooved G10 scales that provides a grip for bare and gloved hands. This one is truly on the cutting edge in more ways than one.

CRKT M.A.K.-1 Official Website

OGIO’s New Gambit

Lifestyle bag maker OGIO is betting big on the Gambit, a go-anywhere backpack that features a crush proof “Tech Vault” pocket, along with utility pockets and additional storage for virtually any gadget or gizmo you’d need to take on your next adventure. There are even dual side water bottle and accessory holders so everything is within reach. It also offers a HUB (Hybrid Unibody Backpanel), which includes increased shoulder strap foam padding for daily use or those long treks.

OGIO Official Website