Outdoors | Evolving Consumer

Weekend Reading List (04:20.2013): Snowboard Sales, UCI Puts on the Disc Brakes, Marathon Hero

Snowboard Sales

From Transworld Business: Snowboard Sales Hit Three-Year High In February; Inventories Drop
While snowboard industry season-to-date sales are still down, brighter days appear to be on the horizon thanks to a healthy dose of late-season snow across the country. February saw a 12% uptick in snowboard gear sales from last year and inventory and carryover sales both shrank, leading to a positive outlook for next season. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04:20.2013): Snowboard Sales, UCI Puts on the Disc Brakes, Marathon Hero

Bell and IMBA Give Trail Grants

Mountain bike riders in Vermont, Colorado and Michigan will see some trail improvements thanks to a new grant. Bell Helmets and the International Mountain Bicycling Association announced the first recipients of its Bell Built Grants, which are awarding a total of $100,000 in trail building assistance to fund new mountain bike trail projects across the country. The winning projects were chosen from 12 finalist by public vote.

The winners are Bear River Bike Park, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in the grant’s “pump track/bike park” category; The Burke Bike Park in Burke, Vermont, in the “Flow trail” category; and the Overflow Trail in Copper Harbor, Michigan in the “Downhill trail” category.

IMBA Bell Built Grants Official Website

Armoured Strom

While running in the park the barefoot thing might work just fine, but when running on a rough and rugged trail not only might shoes be a good ideal but only the right shoes will do the job. This is where the Under Armour FTHR Sheild TRC Strom Trail Running Shoes come in. These look like something from a future battlefield, and offer off-road micro-lugs to provide stability, aCompFit ankle construction for support and a lock-down fit and MicroG cushioning that can handle rough terrain. There is also P2i technology in the upper that can repel water while still allowing the feet and ankles to breathe.

Under Armour FTHR Sheild TRC Strom Trail Running Shoes Official Website

Leather Head Above

April means the start of baseball season, at least for some players. While the pros may have taken the field those who aren’t paid to play will wait for the better weather, which is good because the Leather Head Baseball Gloves require about six to eight weeks before you can actually put it on your hand. These are made by veteran craftsman using the highest-quality materials. So even if you aren’t worthy of the big leagues your hand won’t know the difference.

Leather Head Official Website

Triple Protection

Those who partake in multiple sports know that the same equipment doesn’t always cross over, but the new Cébé Trilogy helmet might just live up to its name. This helmet doesn’t actually offer triple the protection, but it can provide protection for three sports. It was designed to meet European standards for mountain biking (CEN 1078), skiing (CEN 1077) and mountaineering (CEN 12492).

Since a winter helmet isn’t the same as a summer helmet, the Trilogy’s modular design allows it to adjust as the season’s chance. A visor can be added for summertime mountain cycling, while ear pads and vent plugs can be used when skiing or snowboarding, and with a few change outs be ready for anything in between.

Cébé Official Website

Get Focused

You should be focused on the journey, and the Westcomb Focus LT Hoody will let you have one less worry about the weather. This minimal constructed shell is anything but minimal in how it can help keep the wind and the elements at bay. It features eVent membrane, taped seams and a helmet compatible hood. It also features a single Napoleon pocket for a music player or phone. For the wet spring weather this might be a way to stay in the shell and stay a little drier.

Westcomb Focus LT Hoody Official Website

Hurricane Pants

While you probably shouldn’t play golf in a hurricane the Sunice 2013 Hurricane Collection is there to help keep you dry. The Narooma GORE-TEX Rain Pants will ensure that you’re legs don’t get soaked to the bones either. These feature a lifetime waterproof guarantee, and offer a gripper waistband, snap waist adjusters and pass-through pocket. This way a little weather won’t ruin the game.

Sunice Official Website

Thin and Light

When we think of the concept of thin and light we tend to think of a laptop computer – as that is a category in the space. But the Salomon S-LAB Light Jacket is also thin and light, weights just 2.5 ounces and folded can fit in most wearer’s pants’ pocket. Now this one has no hood, no pockets (so you can’t shove any jacket in the pocket) and it isn’t meant to be a rain jacket. It will block the wind, which can come in very handy in these cool spring days. It also has that retro Speed Racer look to it, which we find kind of cool too.

Salomon S-LAB Light Jacket Official Website

Water of Life

We all know that water is life, but there are times when finding clean water isn’t always that easy. This is where the Lifesaver Jerrycan or Lifesaver Bottle can come in handy. Ideal for a long hiking trip or where clean water just isn’t available, these feature filtration technology that can transform germ-ridden and just plain dirty water into clean H2O. This can be used for drinking, cleaning and as the video below suggests even for showering while on the go.

The Bottle is ideal for those times when you might not be able to carry enough water on a camping trip, while the Jerrycan can filter enough water to help a family of four survive for a year Video after the jump

Bike In Café

We hate leaving our bikes even for a second to grab something to eat/drink. In Zurich cyclists don’t need to leave the bike or even dismount from it. They can head to the “Velokafi,” which is a drive-in for bicycles on the outdoor terrace of the Rathaus Café. Two wooden docking stations with tabletops are provided on the terrace along the Limmat River, and these feature a slot in the front for the bike’s wheel to fit thought and helps keep the bike steady. Cyclists who rode in were even treated to a complimentary cup of coffee.

Rathaus Café Official Website

Axe to Grind

The Gerber Bear Gryllis Survival Hatchet is so much more than an axe, and so much less – as in weight. It is just 20 ounces but this 10 inch long survival hatchet can chop firewood at the campsite, help construct a shelter or in a pinch be used against a zombie or two – not that the latter is likely. But for those who have chopping to do the Survival Hatchet is one that can do that and so much more.

Gerber Survival Official Website

Road Rage

This new ebook Roads Were Not Built For Cars explores the history of what roads in the US and UK may have been built for instead. While we will have to check this one out and applaud the efforts to tell the story of cycling in improving roads, we do know that many of the roads in Europe were built by the Romans – some 2,000 years prior to the bicycle. Just saying. Continue reading Road Rage

A Bit Torrent

Winter is hopefully in the rear view mirror but given how it is trying to hang on could be reason enough to consider the Torrent 2P tent from Easton Mountain Products if you are early spring camper. This is actually designed to be a full year tent as it features a double wall construction that is hermetically sealed to keep blowing dust and even snow out. And yet it is made of durable materials that are still lightweight. Continue reading A Bit Torrent