Today’s smartphones pack built-in GPS capabilities that have all but demolished the need for a standalone GPS unit. But what if there was an app for outdoors enthusiasts that turned your smartphone into the digital equivalent of Bear Grylls? That’s essentially what you can expect from ViewRanger, a powerful outdoor GPS app that’s been available internationally, but is just now launching in the U.S.
The $5 app lets trailblazers plan, plot, navigate, record, and analyze their outdoor adventures straight from their GPS-enabled smartphone. It uses Open Source Web maps to provide detailed information on any popular location or alternatively, users can make in-app trail guide purchases on the fly. The trail guides (which cost between 70 cents to $1) are then pinned on the map providing trail descriptions, directions, and pictures straight out of publishers’ guidebooks. Video after the jump
What may seem to be an odd place for a knife company, Spyderco of Golden, CO, had a booth at the SIA show this year featuring most of their models. One knife in particular caught our eyes, not for any other reason than how it might help you or I our of a backcountry ‘situation’. On the surface, the Assist looks to be just a regular, single bladed knife, but it has so much more to offer. 
Designer sports bag and apparel company OGIO just released its OGIO Endurance Collection. The line has bags that address the needs runners, swimmers, triathletes, cyclists, downhill mountain bikers and other athletes in endurance sports and competitions.
It’s a case of too many initials. Or perhaps it’s a perfect match of initials. Technical sports and compression apparel brand 2XU was awarded the title of exclusive Official Compression Partner for the pro cycling team BMC.
Cycling isn’t exactly the sport of kings – and on a bicycle most riders are fairly equal. The concept of Republic Bikes is to let riders do their own thing. And while we’ve seen custom jersey makers, this company offers custom bicycles that riders can even design themselves.
Hydraulic brakes have long been a staple on mountain bikes for years, but now Magura has introduced the world’s first hydraulic braking system for use on the road. The RT8 TT is a hydraulic rim brake system that can work with lightweight time trial and triathlon bikes. 
For urban dwellers and those with tight spaces finding room for a bike can be no small task. Italian designers BYografia have introduced a solution in the form of a bookshelf designed for bikes. This allows the bike to be hung from the front wheel, while the accompanying shelves allow for storage of other bike gear – or maybe a few books!
While we were are the Consumer Electronics Show this week, across the pond – that would be the Atlantic Ocean – another trade show was happening, this would be the London Bike Show. Fortunately our friends at BikeRadar.com were there:
When we ride our bikes on the road we ride where we want to go, and while most riders appreciate some directions and even a tip or two as to where to ride, chances are everyone has that special ride. So why not share it? If your friends can come to ride with you, with Kinomap, which was shown at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show, you can record a course, upload it and then share it.