We’ve seen a few wearable sleeping bags, including the Selk’Bag (one could allow wearers to look like a lifesize version of Gumby), but the latest twist on a wearable sleeping bag is the Poler’s Napsack, which is reportedly “part sleeping bag, part hoodie.” The big innovation here is the placement of zippers and kudos to the creators for taking a simple idea and creating something so unique. In this case the zipper at the bottom lets you get your feet out and since it cinches at the bottom you can wrap it around the knees and wear it like a smock. The zippers near the shoulders further let you pull out your arms. The result isn’t the most fashionable looking item but for camping and waking up in the morning before you can get a fire going it could be a welcome item to sleep in and wear.
Category: Outdoors
Clif Bar Gives Back With Community Seed Sharing
Clif Bar doesn’t just throw a handful of organic ingredients into its bars, the company believes in the importance of organic ingredients. To move things a step farther, Clif Bar Family Foundation created Seed Matters, an organization that aims to foster community seed projects. Continue reading Clif Bar Gives Back With Community Seed Sharing
Survival Knife for a Mountain Man
According to movies and TV mountain men were quite rugged individuals and the SK Mountain survival utility knife would probably be something that intrepid individual might want to carry. It is part of a collaboration between Camillus Knives and Survivorman series host and survival expert Les Stroud.
It features a 4 3/4 –inch long by 1/8-inch thick 440-stainless steel blade that offers a 3 ¾-inch cutting surface and one-inch long saw tooth blade. This makes for a handy knife for camping and general outdoor use, while the Carbonitride Titanium bonded drop tip blade is reinforced to survival serious use.
The handle is made of glass filled polypropylene, with visible green thermoplastic rubber inserts to make it easy to grip and easy to find should it end up on the ground. The knife features a large lanyard loop, and rugged steel pommel that can be used as a hammer in a pinch, while hard ballistic nylon automatic lock knife retaining sheath is like a second tool. It features a signal mirror mounted on the fold out compartment, which can also be used to hold small items like a sewing kit or matches, plus it offers an integral pull through blade sharpener, fire starter, miniature LED flashlight and signal whistle. There is also 10-feet of nylon cord that come on a built in wrap area behind the mirror and sharpener.
This might almost be too much knife for a mountain man!
Holiday Gift Idea: Airbag for Skiers
Last year the North Face announced that head developed an avalanche airbag system, and for those thinking of making a ski holiday this Christmas season the new pack is ready to lift off. It is sort of the gift that you might hope your loved one will never need, but if they do you’ll be happy they had it. The North Face Patrol Avalanche Airbag Pack ($1179) is fully serviceable, includes internal pockets in the main compartment for organization and even a large tool pocket. It of course features an ABS airbag that can be engaged with the pull of a handle.
Blaze of Glory
We first heard about Blaze back in June of 2011. This handlebar-mounted laser cast a virtual bike in front of you to provide a signal to cars that you were in their blind spot. The system was developed by University of Brighton student Emily Brooke in the U.K. That was the last we heard of it, until now. In the nearly a year and a half that has passed Brooke has launched a company, developed a working prototype and launched a Kickstarter project to fund the creation of the first batch. Video after the jump
Holiday Gift Idea: Leather Touchscreen Gloves
While out this holiday season you may notice that it is hard to use that touchscreen phone with gloves, but the Leather Touchscreen Gloves, which are made of Ethiopian lambskin and have been treated for wind and water resistance, feature nanotechnology that has been integrated into the leather. The result is that you can keep the digits warm and still operate a touchscreen device. Plus, you can keep some style as well.
Swiss Army Charger
We’ve seen a number of Swiss Army Knife related products, but Wenger, the maker of the famous blade from the Alps has introduced something completely different, namely a solar panel for outdoor use that includes a built-in rechargeable battery pack for use with smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, digital camera or GPS device. The Wenger solar charger isn’t packed with blades, but it is multifunctional and can be used while stationary or even when hiking as it can strap over a bag or pack.
Peak Designs Looks to Leash the Camera
Last year Peak Design introduced its Capture Camera Clip, which could attach to a belt and put the camera at the hip much like a cowboy’s holster. Now the company is quick on the draw with the Leash, a strap that both carries the camera and holds it as well. This was reportedly developed as a safety tether for the Capture – which we see as a good idea.
But then the company realized it could be even more versatile as it could offer several easily configured forms. It uses several anchors that can tie around any loop on a camera or piece of gear. It provides 60 inches of webbing that can adjust into a neck strap. This way it can be a sling, safety tether or even video stabilizer while on the go. There is also a smaller version that the company is developing called the Cuff. Both are now being developed via a Kickstarter project. Video after the jump
Sunday Q&A: Making Sense of Golf Strokes
While most of us may never have a swing like the golf pros, today there are plenty of tools that can help improve the swing. In the old days it just meant endless practicing but today that practice can include a digital helper in the form of a wearable sensor on the glove.
The GolfSense provides real time response, and Jason Fass, CEO of GolfSense tells us how it can improve your swing. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: Making Sense of Golf Strokes
Weekend Reading List (12.01.12): Air Out There, Good Eats, Effects of Exercise, Interval Efforts
Air Out There
Via Men’s Fitness: Does Outdoor Training Make You Dumb?
A new study looks at the effects of air pollution on mental ability. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (12.01.12): Air Out There, Good Eats, Effects of Exercise, Interval Efforts
Holiday Gift Idea: Trail Tray
When camping or backpacking you might often times find that there isn’t exactly the right place to set your plate, cup or other items. The typical option is the ground, but that often means waiting for a spill to happen. The Ozen Solo Table from Snow Peak solves the problem as it provides a nice flat surface so you can cook, and have a place to eat. The flat surface can make it easy to get organized as well.
Ti2 for Judgment Day
Earlier this week we noted that the Cell Machined Survival Baton would protect your important stuff while camping or hiking. If that aluminum survival baton wasn’t enough for you consider the Sentinel, another survival baton/rod. This one is made from grade 2 titanium and features loops that can be hooked to rings, clips, and lanyards. Currently the creators are looking to raise funds through a Kickstarter project, with plans to bring these out in a variety of sizes. As the Sentinel is titanium it is waterproof and corrosion resistant, and could be made in multiple sizes so these can hold cash, medicine or just about anything else you might need for judgment day! Video after the jump
Bag That is Ready to Go
While only spies and criminals likely need to really have a “bug-out” or “go” bag, anyone can now have one – at least in the name. The Gerber Go Bag features everything you could need – a Gerber foldable knife, a rainproof notepad, Sight multitool, Recon task light, metal water bottle, frog lube clear/lubricant/preservative and pocket reference guide. All of it is stashed in the Mexpedition Mongo Versipack, which makes it perfect for hiking – or running to the border.