When you’re in a pool, swimming from point A to B is a no-brainer. Out in open water, however, tracking your performance and location is a bit more difficult. The new Hydro Tracker GPS from FINIS is a fitness device designed for open water swimmers that tracks, maps, and records performance.
“We created the Hydro Tracker GPS to meet the needs of open water swimmers and fitness enthusiasts,” says John Mix, President of FINIS. “Our Hydro Tracker GPS and free Streamline Log allows swimmers to dig deeper into their key workout stats, providing them with invaluable ongoing feedback. This new GPS system will help maximize anyone’s results.”
The Hydro Tracker GPS can be attached to goggle straps or an included neoprene armband, and doesn’t require GPS calibration. It tracks the swimmer’s course and important, in-depth performance data, which users can review after their swim. Using the free online FINIS Streamline Training Log, “swimmers can set goals and analyze stats including splits, speed, distance, accumulated time, and elevation,” according to FINIS. Data can be shared via CSV or Google Earth files, or through Facebook and Twitter. The device can also be used for other sports, too, such as running, walking, biking, skiing, hiking, etc.
The device sells for $130, available now. Check out FINIS’s website for additional specs.
Last September we heard about the 
Mountain bike shoes are good for mountain biking and not so good for hiking, while hiking or trail shoes don’t always work so well on the bike. What’s a multi-sport athlete to do? The answer is to consider the Pearl Izumi X-Alp series.
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.
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. 
Many people claim to know a trail like the back of their hand, while others claim to have trails on the brain. Now thanks to Buff, maker of headwear, wearer’s can truly have the trail on the brain – or at least head. At the Outdoor Retailer Show they showed the new trail maps line of Buff headwear. Heady indeed!
In Finnish a Kuppi is ac cup, and for centuries Finns would warm their hands by using a “little cup” or “Kuppilka,” which held a warm beverage. It was typically low tech such as wooden cup. But now Kupilka is a new high tech twist on the low tech that is designed for hikers and campers, or just anyone who wants a cup with the look that is straight out of the wilderness.
While this week’s Consumer Electronics Show promises to offer some new products (and if you’ve been checking out the site you’ve seen CES has been loaded with stuff), those looking to go exploring will find it with Magellan’s latest eXplorist 110 Handheld GPS Device, the newest sibling to the 710 (above). The eXplorist 110, which is being officially unveiled at next week’s SHOT Show will reportedly be ready to use, right out of the box. 
Carrying on our theme of bringing light to these days of darkness, we make note of the GoMotion LiteBelt, which provides a 100 lumen CREE LED light mounted at waist level. This hands free light system offers three levels of beam intensity, can be adjusted from flood to spotlight and offers adjustable beam angle. There is also two rear LED tail-lights along with reflective trim so you can see your way and be seen!
It is almost Christmas and if you are a typical male you might be aimlessly wandering through the stores trying to cross names off of your shopping list. The outdoor industry has no shortage of products that make outrageous claims and when the pressure is on to make a decision, you are left with recommendations from the sales staff or what is printed on the side of the box. If one of those names on your list likes to spend their free time hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, boating, snowmobiling or any other activity in the great outdoors or on the high seas miles from civilization, the line of SPOT messaging devices might be for them. 
There are times when having a good extra pair of shoes can come in real handy, and the Timberland Radler Trail Camp hikers could be just the thing. At just 9 ounces (255g) each these are plenty light, but weight is just part of the issue. The problem for many of us is that shoes – even when they weigh next to nothing – are still big and bulky.