There are inflatable pillows for camping, but the LuminAID isn’t for resting your head, but rather lighting up the tent or campsite. It is a PVC plastic light that can be used as a lantern, and features a solar panel that charges an internal battery. As a light source it offers up to six hours with about 35 lumens. During the day it can compress to a small formfactor and clip on a backpack and soak in the rays of the sun to recharge for the coming night. Video after the jump
Category: Outdoors
Road Wear
Cycling attire looks great when you’re riding a bike. However, as we’ve long noted what might look good on the bike looks anything but good off the bike, and utterly inappropriate at work. While cycling shorts have really no place at the office, neither does a team jersey.
We’ve seen some efforts to make office friendly shoes and now Giro’s New Road Apparel is a line of commuter garb that will be fine for the work place beyond casual Friday. This line features Merino wool, which is breathable and stretchy, and a design that will be good on the bike and good on the office. The lineup includes different layers as well so you can be sure to dress appropriately as you ride to work.
Ball of Energy
Imagine if playing a game could not only burn calories but create energy? This is sort of the idea behind the Soccket Energy-Harnessing Soccer Ball, which is made of a durable, deflation-proof, water-proof EVA foam that also houses an internal engine that can harness the kinetic energy from movement and store it on a battery. From a little bit of kicking around it can reportedly be used to power an LED lamp for more than three days. Continue reading Ball of Energy
Tern Returns to SXSW
Last year Tern Bicycles provided attendees at SXSW (South by South West) Conferences & Festivals with an efficient method of transportation around Austin, and now the company has announced that it will once again help attendees navigate through traffic with its SXcycles.
Interestingly this year the program is being sponsored by NBC’s Revolution – the TV series about a world wide blackout that lasted 15+ years. Tern will provide registered conference attendees (Platinum, Gold, Interactive, Film and Music badges) with a health conscious and sustainable way to get between the conference center, outside events, and lodging, at no cost to them. Continue reading Tern Returns to SXSW
Cover Up
There are times when you can’t bring the bike inside. If you have to store the bike outside consider the BikeParka, which isn’t a cover for you but for your bike. This all-weather cover is designed to fit bicycles of all shapes and sizes, and is available in two versions.
The Stash is for those who have to keep the bike outside the home, either on a balcony or in a yard, while the Urban (above) is for commuters. The latter version features panels with the option to still lock up the bike. Both versions will still provide a snug fit within the Risptop polyester fabric, which can help protect a bike from the elements.
New Turn for the Scooter
We sort of thought the scooter was so 1990s or at least so 2003. But Swiss based Cycon thought the scooter could get another turn and gave it a bit of a twist in the guise of the Circleboard, which offers curved handlebar stem that don’t rotate. The two front wheels – yes there are two – are also mounted to the internal hardware and this allows for a carving effect.
In other words this isn’t a go from point A to point B scooter – not that most scooters ever were an actual form of transportation. This is one that offers riders the chance to take to the parking lot and do tricks and other useless things. We’re not really sure why anyone would to, but it seems that this one – so maybe that’s reason enough. Video after the jump
Rain Down Because… Showers Pass
Who cares if the gray skies clear up when you have the Showers Pass’ Refuge jacket on? Designed for outdoor use, including bike commuting or hiking, this jacket utilizes Elite three-layer performance fabric to offer protection in the rain. It is waterproof yet breathable, and is fully seam-taped but also includes extra-long core vents, reinforced shoulders for use with backpacks or other gear with big and bulky shoulder straps. There are front handwarmer pockets and even a chest pocket with audio port.
It also features water-resistant Aquaguard Vision zippers, 360-degree 3M Scotchlite reflective trim and two light loops. There is a removable helmet that can stow in the jacket pocket and yet is large enough to cover a helmet. This could be the jacket for those times when it is raining or just looking like it could rain.
Minneapolis Considers “Greenway” Street Conversion
Minneapolis is already one of the best places in the country for cycling, but city planners are now considering a plan that could transform a low-traffic street in the northern part of town into a “linear park” that wouldn’t allow cars. We’re also not talking about a block or two, but rather 30 blocks running north to south.
Under the plan current home owners would actually lose access to the street and would thus have to park in alleyway or lots constructed near the green space. It would also link some of the northern city neighborhoods to downtown Minneapolis as well as offering a connection to other city trails. Map of the proposed park after the jump
Xtreme Camera Glasses
Many companies opt to use the “extreme” – or worse the “xtreme” – moniker, but the i-Kam Xtreme glasses from Hunter’s Specialties could be one that lives up to the name. These outdoor ready sunglasses feature a built-in mobile video recorder, with 4GB of internal memory for up to two hours of recording, while a micro SD card is available for extra storage.
These offer one-button operation and feature a built-in microphone so these can record sound as well. The glasses offer plug-and-play connectivity with a PC or Mac. Now when the big one gets away you can prove you almost had it.
Airbag for Olympics
Lindsay Vonn’s recent crash shows the dangerous of racing down the ski slopes. While riders are increasingly donning helmets some companies are looking at how airbags could help reduce injuries. These include French-based Helite, which offers a wearable airbag system that includes accelerometers and sensors to detect when a skier is falling and automatically inflates, covering the skiers in a protective vest.
Helite hopes to have the technology deployed in time that it could actually be deployed by racers at next year’s Olympic Games. Continue reading Airbag for Olympics
AreoHead For the Feet
The LaCrosse AreoHead boots will let you take on the wild head on one step at a time. These feature patent-pending AeroForm technology that offers a comfortable fit yet are highly flexible, durable and lightweight. The boots feature a neoprene inner sock, along with Armor Weld that crates a rubber seal to provide durability and flexibility, while allowing wearers to easily slide the boots on and off.
The result is a boot that provides support for climbing in and out of treestands, while the Brush Tuff bi-directional material on the upper supplies abrasion resistance and can protect against brush and briars. While there aren’t many “mountain men” around these days, it would be the boot they’d want to wear.
Hydration Packs For All Occasions
No matter what the adventure one thing you probably can’t bring enough of is water. Platypus, which has created a niche with its collapsible water pouches, has looked to create a hydration pack for virtually any cycling occasion and more, and its new line-up includes three primary lines: Cross Country (XC), All Mountain (AM) and the Multi-Sport (XT). The above XC line is for those who want to go out on a causal road or mountain bike ride, with just enough liquid refreshment. These feature build in pump sleeves and tool storage pocket.
Walking Tall With a Stick
While Teddy Roosevelt may have said walk softly but carry a big stick he probably didn’t mean to get in shape. However, the American Nordic Walking Association has noted that walking with poles burns more than 40 percent more calories per hour and works more muscles than normal walking. It also provides that big stick – just in case.
Swedish company BungyPump is even looking to improve on those numbers with its new springy poles. These don’t exactly put a spring in the step but these reportedly work even more muscles than static sticks. Unlike other sticks these are also gentle on the shoulders and elbows but also help relieve pressure on the knees and hips. We just wonder what Teddy R. would have thought! Continue reading Walking Tall With a Stick