Water bottle and hydration system maker Hydrapak is a bit like mythical serpent-like chthonic water beast that possessed many heads, but whereas the Lernaean Hydra had many heads Hydrapak just offers many hydration options for athletes.
The latest offerings are its new soft flasks, which include the 12 ounce SF350 and the 16 ounce SF 500. Both of these already won in ISPO’s Performance Accessories category, and expand on the company’s five and eight ounce flasks.
The new flasks, which are designed to deliver liquid, gel or a mix, can be tucked into a cycling jersey pocket or used with the optional hand strap for running. These also feature larger filling port and shut off value to ensure that you don’t end up all wet while taking them on the go.
The Nutcase Crossover helmet, which is distinctive for its glittery gold finish, will make the transition and let users cross from winter to summer. This bicycle helmet features removable fleece ear flaps, which can provide plenty of warmth during the cold winter commuters, but can also be removed as the weather turns. While it probably doesn’t offer enough ventilation for summer riding, it is ideal for those cooler days.
When out hiking or hunting it helps to have a GPS unit or compass close at hand and secure. The T-Reign ProCase retractable gear tether made in America, and is specifically designed for handheld gadgets and devices. The cases come in three sizes that can hold rangefinders, smartphones, GPS devices and even small cameras.
While many Americans ride bikes for pleasure, few actually rely on the bicycle as a primary means of transportation. In some parts of the world the bicycle can change the world. Sue Knaup, executive director of One Street, has worked for years to help those in the developing world get bicycles.
Last month saw the second annual Fatbike Summit where land managers and bike advocates talked about banding together in an effort to promote the sport of winter cycling. In recent years mountain bikers have been increasingly hitting the trails and unfortunately this has resulted in some concerns over trail usage. But the recent summit ensured that the trails can be shared by skiers, bikers and even those on snowmobiles.
We’ve seen many hydration systems for running and cycling, but Quiksilver now offers a wintertime hydration pack that puts the bladder in the jacket! The new jacket will be ready to hit the slopes – and let skiers and snowboarders have their drink in the jacket – next season.
Is it ever too early to start barefoot running? Many kids probably ditch the shoes for the summer, and not just those who live in the back hills. But now Vibram FiveFingers shoes are available in kid sizes, which will offer some protection from the cement and still allow barefoot styled running. Best of all it will let the kids get the barefoot feel and keep the feet clean in the process.
When camping in the winter no ordinary sleeping bag will do, but the Canon -40 from Nemo Equipment, which made its debut at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Show, is no ordinary sleeping bag. This one is rated (as the name suggests) to minus-40 degrees F. It is an odd looking sleeping bag, but it reportedly does the job.
When target shooting a spotting scope is essential, but the OCAT System Advanced Long Range Marksmanship System could be a game changer. This system can be used at home with a laser mode, or at the rifle/pistol range with live ammunition and can be used to up to a mile.
The military style Luminox Recon Nav SPC Watch looks like something one of Tom Clancy’s hard hitting special forces characters would wear. It is a watch that does more than just look cool and tell the time. It features a GMT function for checking time in another time zone, which is necessary for tracking bad guys as they move around the world; it offers a removable compass, necessary for finding your way in the wilds; and a walking speed tachymeter, because knowing how fast you are moving can be crucial in getting to the LZ in time. It even features a three common map scales that can be used to measure distances on maps without the need for calculations, while the watch strap also features an inch/cm measurement and comparison chart and holds a removable compass as an orientation device. 
We’ve seen many cameras that can endure the wilds, including some new DSLRs. But a little bit of humidity can still ruin a camera. So if you’re bringing that SLR to the jungles, or just outside on a humid day, have a BRNO Dri+Cap at the ready.
LED isn’t just for flat panel TV sets. UCO has introduced its new Clarus LED Lantern, a collapsible, rugged and waterproof light that can provide up to 150 lumens of diffused white light. With up to 70 hours of run time it can be used as a lantern or a flashlight, making it the one light that can do multiple jobs while out in the wilds.