TICKR Run to Reduce Injury

WahooFitness trackers can monitor your results and progress, while some can even track your stance, posture and form. Now Wahoo Fitness has introduced what it calls the world’s only heart rate monitor with activity tracking that provides real-time analysis of a runner’s form, helping to improve efficiency and avoid injury rates. The TICKR Run is Wahoo’s new heart rate monitor that pairs with Android and iOS  smartphones and devices.

It utilizes triple axis motion sensors along with an accelerometer that together can measure a runner’s form in three planes: vertically, side-to-side and front-to-back. Those sensors and Wahoo’s fitness app for Android and iOS produce a measurement of each runner’s form called Running Smoothness, a sophisticated algorithm that assigns varying levels of importance to each axis and combines them into a single, easy-to-understand index.

With Running Smoothness athletes can improve their form to avoid unnecessary body motion, which improves efficiency and reduces the risk of common running injuries. Using Wahoo’s app, runners can even track Running Smoothness through their workout history to see improvements over long periods of time. Continue reading TICKR Run to Reduce Injury

Made in America: Topo Down

Topo-Trail-PackIf you are hitting the trails consider being armed Topo down with Topo Designs new super minimal Trail Pack, which features a lightweight build thanks to its use of durable 500d Cordura body and sleek straps made from seatbelt webbing. Aluminum hooks keep it together while keeping the weight down.

The packs are made in Colorado and are available in Navy (above), red and sand and are ready for your next trail excursion.

Topo Designs Trail Pack Official Website

Bike Friendly States

Bicycle-Friendly-StateThis month the League of American Bicyclists released its 2014 Bicycle Friendly State ranking. For the seventh year in a row the state of Washington has lead the nation, but is closely followed by Minnesota and Wisconsin, as Utah and California have moved up in the top 10.

“We’re excited and encouraged to see real progress in states like California, Minnesota and Utah,” said League President Andy Clarke. “Overall, we still see a lot of opportunity to realize the huge potential of bicycling to promote health, economic development, and quality of life in all 50 states.” Continue reading Bike Friendly States

Special Ops App

Waterfowl-OpsMOJO Outdoors has released a GPS powered Waterfowl app for Android and iOS devices. It is a hunting app that has been created by those who claim to know a thing or two about Waterfowl. It offers MOJO Maps, Legal Shooting Alarm, Duck Identification, Weather Pro, U.S. Migratory Bird Regulations and more.

The app even contains a flashlight feature and camo mirror to help apply the “war paint.”

MOJO Outdoors Official Website

Portable Shower

Road-ShowerIf you’ve just done a massive bike ride, a long run or been out at the campsite for a couple of days chances are you might not want to wait until you get home or at least back to a hotel to shower. The Road Shower brings the shower to you – or at least to your car. It is an eco-friendly add-on that mounts to a vehicle rack and uses solar power to heat up the water. It can provide a pressurized shower that can be pumped up with a bike pump, tire pump or even a compressor (in case you are already too tired from that actual workout).

While you won’t have privacy showering by the side of the road, it could be a good way to clean up a bit, or at least hose down the gear before the long ride home.

Road Shower Official Website

All Terrain Protection

XT-Extreme-Terrain-CaseWhether you actually head off the beaten path or just like to know you’re covered – make that your iPhone is covered – the DualTek XT for Extreme Terrain will ensure that the handset will arrive at the destination in one piece. This case is Military Standard Approved for its ability to protect the iPhone in harsh conditions including: exposure to dust, sand, raindrops, or splashes of water. The protective case maintains a sleek design for easy access to power buttons and ports.

It features multiple layers of shock absorbing protection, beginning with a tight-seal and weather resistant cover with an IP65 rating provide 360-degrees of dust and splash proof protection. The outer case is fully equipped with corner impact protection along with an attachable wristlet, making the DualTek XT the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure. It also offers non-slip rubber finish and side grips reduce the risk of your phone sliding out of your hands, even when they may be sweaty or wet. Continue reading All Terrain Protection

Made in America: Travel Blade

TravelMateWhen camping you want only the right companion to come along, and the Buck Travel Mate could be a match made in heaven. This multi-tool might be your best friend at a campsite as it offers a knife, fork, spatula, scraper, can and bottle opener as well as grill scraper and even a screwdriver.

It won’t carry your gear or do the dishes but what are friends for?

Buck Travel Mate Official Website

GO With U

Urban-PacAnywhere you go can be a soccer pitch with the Urban Pac from Golme. This is a backpack that features a hidden and rapidly deployable soccer goal with shield anchoring system. There is even a water bottle carrier so you can stay hydrated while blocking those shots.

When the game or practice is over you can pac and go.

Golme Urban Pac Official Website

League of Skaters

SkateboardThe York family owns the San Francisco 49ers professional football team or about 95 percent of the team but it is a minority owner who has been making news. Mark Wan, who holds about one percent ownership of the 49ers and is also is a minority investor in the Boston Celtics, is looking not at the NFL or NBA for next play but at the Street League Skateboarding Circuit.

Given the success that the NFL and NBA have had, perhaps the next big sporting league could be the SLS, especially if Wan is seeing something in it. We’ll have to watch and see.

Street League Skateboarding
[Via Niner Nation: 49ers minority owner invests in skateboard league]

Modular Cutlery

Piltz-DesignThere have been few options for taking cutlery to a picnic or campsite. You can bring the plastic stuff or eat with a Swiss Army Knife. Now Piltz Design has introduced a line of modular Picnic cutlery that offers everything you need to enjoy a meal while camping.

The company now offers a variety of utensils that are so much better than the plastic disposable variety yet easier to actually use than a pocket knife’s spoon and fork. These are also much more stylish than the basic stamped steel version and add an air of class and elegance to the campsite

Pro Idee: Piltz Design Picnic Cultery

Camping Spoon

Nemo-Noctrurne-30We find some interesting things from Nemo Equipment and the latest is the relaxed fit Spoon Shape Nocturne 30 Down Sleeping Bag. As the company asks, “who sleeps like a mummy? If that’s not you and you like to curl up while camping this sleeping back might just be for you. The Spoon Shape allows those inside to bend the knees and shift throughout the night.

It features 15 ounces of 700-fill DownTek water-repellant down that provides a 30-degree rating, while the outer shell is made from 15D rip-stop nylon that has been treated with DWR to repel condensation. The result is a bag that will give you room to move while keeping warm and dry.

Nemo Equipment Nocturne 30 Down Sleeping Bag Official Website

Minimal Blade

BushcraftWe do live in an era where more can be less – it is called minimalism, and the Ontario Knife Company Bushcraft Field Knife truly maximizes the value of minimalist design. This hand-crafted knife is made of high-end carbon steel, with hardwood handle, and features a design that is aimed at survivalists, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

The full-tang OKC Bushcraft Field Knife measures 10.12 inches, while the five inch blade culminates with a high, off-center point. The flat-ground design allows for an increased cutting surface and a fine wood carving and meat cutting ability. The industrial grade 5160 carbon steel ensures the OKC Bushcraft Field Knife will hold its edge longer and sharpen easily.

OKC Bushcraft Field Knife Official Website

Giro Charges Up

GiroBakcountry.com has gotten charged up for its Whiskey Off Road event, and has unveiled a special edition cycling shoe, the Giro Empire MTB, which is available in Backcountry electric blue. It features the Empire’s lace up design, while the uppers are made of Tejin and have a microfiber lining. The sole is EC90 carbon fiber and these shoes are designed to tackle any mountain.

The shoes are available for pre-order online, and will be officially released starting on June 1st.

BackCountry.com: Giro Empire MTB Shoes