Outdoors | Evolving Consumer

2014 PGA Merchandise Show: The Xventure Begins

At this week’s 2014 PGA Merchandise Show Bracketron has unveiled its new Xventure Golf line, which includes a wide range of mounts, chargers and accessories that help tech savvy golfers use mobile devices to improve their game. The new products include the TriCaddy XL, a golf tripod that includes a tablet holder and can be positioned to record a full golf swing.

Designed for indoor and outdoor use, the TriCaddy XL provides players with a portable and easy way to record their full golf swing for analysis and review. With its four-section adjustable legs, the tripod provides easy positioning and height adjustment, offering a range of 15 to 35 inches. It features a tablet device holder for effortless, hands-free recording, and the tripod also features a dual standard 1/4″ thread and t-notch adapter for optimal flexibility plus 360 degree rotation for portrait or landscape use.

Bracketron Xventure Official Website

BUG-like Grip

One good thing about winter is that runners don’t have to deal with a lot of bugs, and while insects generally can’t get a grip on ice the ANIMA2 BUGrip shoes offer sure footing in most winter conditions. Made by Icebug of Gothenburg, Sweden these feature 19 sharp studs that are embedded into the shoe’s rubber sole.

These 1mm long studes can dig in to provide traction when there is snow and ice on the ground and provide decent traction. These aren’t fully waterproof but they provide enough water resistance to keep the feet dry in icy and snowy conditions. While not ideal for concrete or indoor use these will help runners get through the long winter ahead.

Icebug ANIMA2 BUGrip Official Website

Outdoor Retailer Show: Stridin’ Through the Snow

Can you ever be too young to want to ride in the snow? Given that winter seems in full gear and with two months (at least) to go the young ones can hit the snow with the Snow Ski kit for the Strider scoot bike. The company unveiled the new kit at this week’s Outdoor Retailer Show.

Snow Strider Ski Accessory Set Official Website

The You Pad

The Iceman cometh with the Evolv Iceman Crash Pad, a specially designed padding for those partaking in the sport of bouldering – which is one that involves short climbs without ropes or other protection. Since these can involve falls onto the hard ground the crash pad is a must.

The Iceman Crash Pad features 1000D and 500D cordura nylon fabric that can stand up to quite a bit of abuse, while the closed-cell dense foam will be able to absorb climbers in many, many landings. What goes up must come down and for those who lose a grip it is better to come down on this crash pad.

Evolv Iceman Crash Pad

Serious Tent

When we think of tents we think of a tarp that is held up by a stick. That’s probably more roughing it than we’d like, but the Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak Tent has us rethinking what one (or for that matter a dozen) can put in a tent. At nearly $1,500 this is one expensive tent, but it offers 13×27 feet of space, more than many studio apartments. It can sleep a dozen people, offers three multi-panel windows along with an attached awning. It is held up by 10 sturdy tent poles and features a waterproof polyester material to provide those inside from the elements. After camping in this tent you might not want to go home.

Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak Tent

Crash on ICEdot

There’s talk about the need for a list of ICE contacts, or In Case of Emergency contacts on your phone so emergency crews know who to contact if something should happen. But what if you need to contact your ICE list to get emergency crews to come look for you? We hope that never happens, but if you’re like us and go for bike rides, hikes, climbs and other activities in the outdoors, you may want to set up a safety net. Continue reading Crash on ICEdot

Volvo Partners With POC

Volvo Car Group announced this month that it had established a partnership with Swedish sports protective gear maker POC to develop ways to create communication between cars and cyclists.

“Communication with cyclists around the car is a possible extension of our groundbreaking Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology. Providing the cyclist with confirmation that he or she is seen by the vehicle can make interaction between cars and cyclists smoother and safer in urban areas,” said Jan Ivarsson, Senior Manager, Safety Strategy and Requirements at Volvo Cars.

Finding a way to help alert drivers and avoid accidents would come as good news to cyclists.

[Via GizMag: Volvo teams with POC for car-to-cyclist communication system]
[Via Volvo: Volvo Car Group explores new safety and design ideas by partnering with high-tech sports gear developer POC]

Razor Blade

This month Adidas launched its Springblade Razor, the next generation of “explosive energy under your feet.” These new running shoes, which are now available for pre-order, are the the first shoes to feature blade technology to help propel you forward.

The Springblade Razors feature a unique web design over sock-like Techfit technology that helps lock your feet in place and enhances breathability. The shoe’s 16 individually tuned blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy. The shoes are also available in four colorways for men, including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Tech Grey Metallic/ Light Scarlet, Metallic Silver/Black/Light Scarlet and Light Scarlett/Black/Metallic Silver, and three colorways for women including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Black/Vivid Berry and Bahia Pink/Metallic Silver/Black.

Adidas Official Website

SHOT Show: Case Closed

Whether heading to the range or out to the wilds you need to ensure that your gear and firearms are not only properly secure but that they are protected as well. The Plano Field Locker Mil-Spec Case series has you and your expensive firearms covered.

This series offers cases in six sizes and configurations, and each case is formed using Plano’s inimitable molding process, which according to the company yields a reinforced shell that will stand up to any task it’s assigned, from long and rugged travel to exposure to the elements.

Heavy Duty handles ensure that that they’ll do the job, while reinforced padlock gates will help ensure the contents in side won’t walk off. Each Field Locker Mil-Spec Case features double-density foam. Fully customizable, the foam layers can be configured to go hand-in-glove with your particular firearm.

At this year’s SHOT Show Plano has made its case. Continue reading SHOT Show: Case Closed

Nike Looks to the Summit

Last week we reported on Nike’s new winter boots, and it seems that the company has just the jacket to go with it. The Nike Aeroloft 800 Summit Jacket features a pioneering combination of ripstop nylon and 800-fill down baffles for breathability and lightweight, unencumbered warmth. It also utilizes movement-activated ventilation, which allows trapped air and body heat to escape through laser-cut perforations as the wearer’s activity level increases, but without letting cold air in.

Nike Press Release: Urban Utility: The Nike Aeroloft 800 Summit Jacket and Nike LunarTerra Arktos

Nike’s Winter Lunar Landing

Winter doesn’t look close to over and whether heading to winding down any time soon, and regardless of your activity having the right boots will help you not only endure it but you might even enjoy it. The modular Nike LunarTerra Arktos delivers a wholly invincible approach to winter according to the company. It provides the lightweight comfort of a sneaker and the durable, insulated protection of a boot, and features dynamic Nike Flywire and Hyperfuse construction, which makes for an adaptive fit.

The Nike Vac Tech molding reduces seams and, therefore, potential leaks so your feet will stay warm and dry. The midsole features Nike Lunarlon technology, which minimizes weight and maximizes comfort and mobility, whereas the outsole is crafted from a zoned sticky and hard rubber that enhances stability and agility on varied terrain/

Since getting out of the boots could become necessary when heading indoors, these feature a nickel-plated zipper with an easy-to-grab leather pull guarantees effortless release while a removable bootie helps keep the foot warm and dry—and serves as a satellite slipper.

Nike Press Release: Urban Utilitiy: The Nike Aeroloft 800 Summit Jacket and Nike LunarTerra Arktos

Ride for Adventure

We know that many people ride for the fun of it, while others use the bicycle as a commuting tool. However the Adventure Cycling Association has seen its membership hit an all-time high of 46,724 members last year.

“Adventure Cycling continues to benefit from the surge of global interest in bicycle travel,” said Jim Sayer, executive director of the organization. “We are being asked by cities, states, and provinces all over North America how they can attract more bicycle tourism and we’re hearing from many businesses that want to get more involved in this thriving sector.”

Why not make a bike part of your adventure this year.

Adventure Cycling Association Official Website
[Via Bicycle Retailer: Adventure Cycling Association membership at all-time high]

Fold in the Snow

We saw a number of innovative designs in foldable helmets for cycling, and Carrera is looking to take the concept of compactable headgear to the slopes with its Foldable Snow Helmet. It features a patented flexible frame, elastic fitting system and passive ventilation system – but most importantly all this means it can get small to fit in a bag and take less room when you’re heading to the mountains.

The new Snow Foldable Helmet comes in four exclusive colors including Hot Red, Metal Black, Alpine Blue and Alpine White. It is made of leather and carbon fiber and can be fitted with most traditional winter sport goggles.

Carrera Foldable Snow Helmet Official Website