Being surefooted in the winter can be tricky. What works on ice might not work so well in slush or deep snow. Instead of changing the boots you can now change the soles with the Korkers , wading boots that can do double duty in a variety of winter conditions. Continue reading Don’t Change the Boots – Change the Soles
Category: Equipment
Sunday Q&A: Nikwax Waterproofing Without the Bad Chemicals
Making something waterproof isn’t all that hard. But making something waterproof that is free of aerosols, fluorocarbons or volatile organic chemicals is another story. But Nikwax does just that, and all of its products are fluorochemical-free, derived from nature-based ingredients, not tested on animals, and biodegradable. Heidi Allen, Marketing Director of Nikwax North America, tells us how they do it!
KineticShift: Is there a challenge to create a waterproof material that doesn’t use aerosols or fluorocarbons?
Heidi Allen: Some might say it’s challenging, but the most innovative people in the world never let a challenge get in their way. Nick Brown and the scientists at Nikwax have been making top of the line waterproofing products without aerosols or fluorocarbons since Nikwax was founded in 1978. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: Nikwax Waterproofing Without the Bad Chemicals
From the High Tech To Low Tech – Roof Rack Reminders Can Help Protect the Bike
As our friends at BikeRadar.com noted last week “Roof rack reminders could save your bike,” because we either have done it or know someone who has done it – driving into the garage with the bike on the roof of the car. The result is never pretty for the garage, the car and especially the bike. As the spring riding season is coming up, US Editor Matt Pacocha offered a piece that looked at a range of products designed to remind those with bicycle roof-racks that the bike is up there. Continue reading From the High Tech To Low Tech – Roof Rack Reminders Can Help Protect the Bike
Every Third Thursday Creates Snow/Surfboard
Don’t tell the guys at Signal Snowboards/Every Third Thursday it can’t be done. They’re created snowboards with iPads and boomboxes built in, and now they’re done what a lot of people would likely say can’t be done – a snowboard that can double as a surfboard!
Now on the surface a board is a board, right? Well, yes and no. Both do ride on water – just one is wet and the other is frozen. And while surfing has existed as long as man has tried to float, snowboarding is actually a fairly new concept. But the latter does often look to the former.
So how’d it work? Better than expected as the video below shows! Video after the jump
Make the iPad “Battle Ready”
Soldiers wear helmets to protect their heads, body armor and even special boots these days. Vehicles are getting retro-fitted with extra armor as well. And now Flying Circle Bags, a supplier of field, tactical and travel bags for the U.S. Military has introduced the Tactical iPad Cover.
This cover has been optimized to securely hold an iPad in a variety of methods including one handed and on hands-free with an adjustable leg strap. It features a removable viewing hood that can reduce glared in bright sunlight, and more importantly reduce the visual signature during no-light and low-light conditions. Video after the jump
Marquette Skis Tackle Mild Winter
Normally winter in the backcountry means deep snow – but this year it can mean patches of dirt, grass and rocks. That not only can ruin a day on the skis, but in many cases it can also ruin the skis. Fortunately Marquette Backcountry Skis, which is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has created a hybrid pair of skis that are a little bit cross-country, a little bit downhill and even a bit of snowshoe.
The Backcountry Skis are not meant to replace either cross-country or downhill skis, but as a hybrid they offer benefits from each. Video after the jump
Bison Survival Bracelet and More
Last September we heard about the Survival Straps, which were wearable paracord in the form of a bracelet. These straps basically were there when you need it, and now Bison Designs is upping the ante with the Flint and Steel Survival Bracelet, a three in one survival kit.
Rather than just offering a few yards of paracord – which don’t get us wrong, can come in very handy at times – this one also features stainless steel hidden sharp eye knife with unique 1” blade and circle handle. The toggle also works as 1-inch flint fire starter, meaning this one can do a lot more than just tie boots or act as splint. Continue reading Bison Survival Bracelet and More
Security Blanket
It is impossible to plan for all scenarios out in the wilderness, but having an emergency blanket can add a sense of security. These tend not to take up much room, and now the Blizzard Survival adds new technology that improves upon the traditional emergency blanket. Continue reading Security Blanket
L.L. Bean Reaches the Big 100
It is hard to imagine but when out retailer L.L. Bean opened its doors the Titanic was about to set sail. That may have ended badly for the “unsinkable” ocean liner, but 100 years later and L.L. Bean is still sailing along. Not only that but the retailer has some big products to help celebrate this milestone. 100th Anniversary L.L. Bean Products
Drink Up: Simple Hydration Bottle
There’s a slew of new water bottles hitting the market. Features and design make each bottle stand out. But which bottle wins? It’s personal preference. The Simple Hydration Water Bottle solves a problem experienced by many runners: how to hold the bottle while running. The solution is a 13-ounce BPA-free bottle that’s got an interesting shape.
NuVinci Harmony Shifts Gears
Just as an automatic transmission shifts at what the engine considers the optimum moment, the NuVinci Harmony intelligent drivetrain for bicycles could change truly be a shift in cycling. This first continuously variable shifting system, which was created by Fallbrook Technologies, has recently won the Bicycle Innovation Award at FietsVAK 2012 show in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The NuVinci Harmony incorporates technology included in NuVinci CVP bicycle drivetrains. The initial commercially available NuVinci drivetrain model won the Bicycle Innovation Award at FietsVAK 2007. Continue reading NuVinci Harmony Shifts Gears
Canon (Power)Shots Again
What camera company isn’t releasing a rugged digital camera? This week Canon announced its upcoming PowerShot D20, which is much more than just an update of the D10 – in fact in a way it is more because it is less. While the D10 was a large and bulky point and shoot, the D20 is a sleeker model, but still features a robust and sporty design.
The PowerShot D20 is made for those who are a little tough on their devices, and as such it is waterproof to 33-fteet and shock-proof to about five-feet, while also being freezeproof to about -10C. It is also sealed up tight to protect the internals electronics from sand and dust. Continue reading Canon (Power)Shots Again
PlayPod Brings Microsoft Tag Technology
A different type of tag is coming to the playground – not the game where kids chase each other – but rather Microsoft Tag Technology. Playworld Systems announced this week the launch of PlayPod, an innovative service that employs Microsoft Tag to provide 24/7 mobile access to useful information for both those maintaining the playground equipment and those using it.
This includes Nuts & Bolts, a way for the pros to see maintenance documents, installation instructions and even product numbers; while Fun & Play Tips is there with weekly play tips, and even the ability to “check-in” at playground via Facebook.
The family owned business has been an innovator in the playground, offering the environmentally-friendly PVC-Free Eco-Armor, and more recently NEOS, the first outdoor electronic game for playgrounds. PlayPod now shows that even in the digital age the good old playground still is a great place for kids to be kids.