When off in the wilds there is always one more thing you could use, but each “thing” means additional weight plus the chances that something will be lost, forgotten or misplaced. But Adventure Medical Kits of Oakland, California has a nifty three-in-one survival tool that is blade, light and whistle. The Core Lite features a short steel blade that is just over two-inches in length, and can be used for “notching and grooving branches, plus a small single LED light. It won’t replace any big flashlight, but the bluish light help offer a little illumination on things. Continue reading How Are You Fixed for Blades, Light and Whistle?
Author: Peter Suciu
Under(wear) Armor
The U.S. Department of Defense is often accused of casting a wide web, and not that include the “Warrior Web.” This isn’t some nefarious program to wage a secret war in some distant land, but instead it could protect those soldiers who do travel to hostile lands in the not too distant future.
Essentially the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from the U.S. Department of Defense is developing a prototype one-piece suit intended for soldier use, ala a type of armored underwear, or underwear armor. This “Warrior Web” also covers more than the privates, and certainly more than just privates. All soldiers in the field could benefit from this futuristic attire that could protect soldiers from injury, help the wearer actually sustain body energy and even keep track of vital signs, not to mention look pretty cool in the process. Continue reading Under(wear) Armor
University of Virginia Adds Bike Fixit Station
In an effort to encourage travel by bicycle on campus, the University of Virginia has installed Dero Bike Fix-It stations, which are equipped with basic tools and a hand-pump. These tools, which include various wrenches and screwdrivers, are tethered to the Fix-It stations, ensuring that these will be there for when the next user needs them.
Andrew Greene, sustainability planner in the Office of the Architect at UVA, has said he hopes that students and faculty will have easy access to specialized tools and that this will increase use of bikes on the UVA campus. So far Stanford University and University of Utah have similar Fix-It Stations, while Fresno State also has experimented with its own Bike Repair Station. The concept of remote bike repair is also taking off, as we noted earlier this year with the Bike Fixtation in Minneapolis.
[Via PSFK: Bike Repair Station At University Encourages Students To Go Green]
Kodak Ready to Play With Waterproof Camcorder
While summer fun maybe behind us for this year, Kodak is still ready to play with a new camera line fit for the surf and sun. The Kodak Playful Waterproof Camera is the latest addition its pocket camcorder lineup. This waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant camcorder can go deep, up to 10 feet (3 meters) under the water for up to two hours, and is IPX8 certified, meaning it can withstand being continuously submerged to at least one meter. It can record video in 720p (1280×720) resolution, and it features a special white balance mode to ensure proper colors when doing its underwater thing. On dry land it is IP6X dustproof compliant and can withstand a drop from up to five feet. Continue reading Kodak Ready to Play With Waterproof Camcorder
Getting Fit a Little Bit at a Time
One obstacle that keeps many people from even trying to be more fit is that there is no real motivation. Many of us think we’re active, as we walk to the store or work, or are on our feet all day. By the end we’re ready to say, “mission accomplished, I’m tired so I must have been active.” The sad truth is that if we kept track of all that movement it would likely be less than expected.
This is where Fitbit comes in, as the wearable device can keep track – to paraphrase the song by The Police – “every step you take.” The new Fitbit Ultra is like a monitor, but not the type that actually sends that information to the real police, but instead lets you know how you’re doing and more importantly what you’ve done. Continue reading Getting Fit a Little Bit at a Time
Galaxy on the Go
File this under strange tablet accessory – a holder for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which allows the tablet computer to be tucked under the top tube. But look again, that isn’t a holder that attaches to the bike, because it is actually the bike itself.
Samsung is rolling out a branded bike that puts the tablet between your legs so you can take it on the go, making it the perfect accessory for the urban hipster. Continue reading Galaxy on the Go
Are Football Helmets and Other Protective Gear Still Short of Goal Line?
Football season – including Professional, College and High School – is well underway, and beyond upsets and surprising victories, much of the talk this year continues to be about the helmets. NBC Sports noted last week that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was looking to have his helmet re-fitted by Riddell, shifting from a Schutt helmet, possibly the version he wore when he suffered a concussion against the Atlanta Falcons.
Vick reported looked to have his helmet re-fitted by Unequal Technology, which would use Kevlar to “disburse the effects of a blow to the helmet.” It was also reported that while this technology is new to the gridiron it has been used in hockey helmet and of course in the military.
This reporter, who has experience as the author of books and articles on actual military helmets, can attest that there is a difference in what Kevlar is designed to do. Kevlar is typically used in ballistic helmets, namely those meant to stop a bullet on a battlefield to save a wearer’s life (where a concussion would be preferable to death), and not for the brunt force trauma that one might experience on the playing field. Continue reading Are Football Helmets and Other Protective Gear Still Short of Goal Line?
Stylish Shades That Protect the Eyes Too
In addition to serving a purpose, which is to keep the sun out of the eyes, sunglasses are often required to look good in the process. Electric Visual accomplished the later with its new Knoxville line, and in the process actually provided a line of glasses that will block 100 percent of UV rays as well.
The glasses feature Electric’s mineral polarized lenses that utilize pure optical glass that provides visual clarity along with color brilliance and contrast. Thus the lenses are good in the sun and because of the polarized makeup, which features two glass wafers and film won’t distort image, making for improved sharpness of vision for the wearer. The design also makes these among the lightest glass polarized lenses available, and as noted they offer 100 percent UV protection. Continue reading Stylish Shades That Protect the Eyes Too
Made in America: Hard Core CrossCore Training
There is no denying that the men and women in the American military get regular workouts. Basic training and regular training makes them lean, mean fighting machines in their own right. But once they’re deployed what are they to do? The same question can be asked for those who travel a lot, or just don’t have the time to hit the gym.
This fitness product was specifically designed to deliver Rotational Bodyweight Training to our troops and keep them in combat ready condition no matter where they go. Weighing less than five pounds, the result is a versatile, total body, fitness tool. So whether you work out of an office or (as the video below shows) out of a tank, you can still get a hardcore workout for your core.
Continue reading Made in America: Hard Core CrossCore Training
ContourROAM Lets You Take it on the Go
Traveling the wilds should be dependent on where you feel comfortable taking your camera. To that end Contour has released the ContourROAM, a helmet mountable camera that will let you roam where you want to, roam around the world.
It features the same rugged cylindrical aluminum body and swiveling lens of the Contour+ and ContourGPS models, but unlike those travel capable cameras this one can be taken in the water, and it is waterproof to one meter for up to 30 minutes. So it is good for getting wet and wild but still isn’t meant for deep sea diving for extended underwater excursions. Continue reading ContourROAM Lets You Take it on the Go
Interbike 2011: Wahoo Packs a Lot in Bike Pack
“And that’s not all,” is sort of the feeling we had when Wahoo announced its new Bike Pack that features the Wahoo Bike Case along with the Wahoo Fitness Speed and Cadence sensor. These items are now offered together as a combo pack that might make iPhone users ditch their cycling computers.
Wahoo Fitness instead allows users to wirelessly connect the iPhone to an ANT+ fitness measuring device and includes the bike case to ensure the mobile smartphone can survive a spill on the road, while mounting the handset on the handle bars! The case fits iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 in both Verizon and AT&T versions.
Videos after the jump Continue reading Interbike 2011: Wahoo Packs a Lot in Bike Pack
Interbike 2011: Footbalance not Footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes, it’s time to get footloose… but loose shoes or those with poor support and cushioning might make many an athlete feel like sitting it out rather than getting loose and active. However, Footbalance, an innovator in custom footbed technology is introducing its Performance model footbed at this week’s Interbike show in Las Vegas.
The device offers a thin support with a minimalistic feel for activities where speed and performance are crucial. The footbed is an insert that is ideal for tight, low volume or performance footwear such as cycling shoes, racing flats, soccer cleats and running spikes. It is made of D-200 silver ion, high abrasion, moisture wicking and anti-microbial material that also offers 100 percent custom-molded arch support, heel cup and cushioning. Continue reading Interbike 2011: Footbalance not Footloose
Interbike 2011: Darn Tough Vermont Heads to Vegas
From Vermont to Vegas, with the heat, the casinos and the sights we hope that the team from New England survives this week, but as their name suggests they aren’t just tough. In fact, they’re Darn Tough Vermont, and this is the company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee that means “no time limits, no restrictions, no tiny type.”
The company is making this its Interbike debut, and showing its Vermont-made, lifetime-guaranteed Merino wool and Coolmax socks. The company takes part in providing the highest density knitting (1441 stitches per square inch), and that is paired with fine-gauge Merino wool yarn (21.5 micron) to create a sock that “simply refuses to quit.”
The company doesn’t quit on its friends either. Last week, in response to the devastation that has affected Vermont communities in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which included Darn Tough Vermont’s own hometown of Northfield, the company pledged to make an initial donation of 2,000 pairs of socks to those in need across the state.
“Everyone is giving what they can during this challenging time for our state,” said Ric Cabot, owner of Darn Tough Vermont. “While food and water take precedent, a new pair of socks can go a long way for a family who has lost many necessities, or for someone who is standing all day in damp, humid conditions trying to rebuild their community. I know it’s just socks, but it’s what we do.”
This isn’t only darn tough, but it is a darn nice thing to do!