Pure Bottle is Glass and Safe

A common question is plastic or paper – at least at the grocery store. In the old days there was also a choice between plastic and glass, as in bottles. However, glass can be a problem as it is prone to breaking. So most sports drinks are only available in plastic and few brave souls would consider going on a hike with a glass bottle.

But Pure might be changing the way we look at glass. The Pure Glass Bottle is a new portable, reusable glass drinking bottle that allows people to enjoy the pure tastes of beverages in glass without the worry of injury from broken glass. Continue reading Pure Bottle is Glass and Safe

Primal Expands Advocacy Support

This week apparel maker Primal announced that it was expanding its bicycle advocacy support for 2012, with new sponsorship for the annual Alliance for Biking and Walking Leadership Retreat. This event, to be held in September, see advocacy leaders from around the country meet in Long Beach to discuss ways to develop practices and campaigns that advocate for pedestrians and cyclists.

The four-day retreat features workshops ranging from issues facing community bicycle organizations to advocate staffing concerns, as well as how to diversify the pedestrian and bicycling movements. Continue reading Primal Expands Advocacy Support

Outdoor Gym Generates People Powered Electricity

We’ve seen a few examples where health clubs and gyms are getting some juice from people power. So as users hit the machines they can help power the lights and actually supply power back to the grid. But now Great Outdoor Gym Company in the U.K. has taken this concept to outdoor gyms. There are more than 250 open air exercise areas across the country, but a pilot project in Hull could be the first to create a high-tech outdoor gym.

This features weather-proof gyms feature cross trainers and hand bikes, as well as fitness and recumbent bicycles, while the TGO Green Heart center allow users to check weight and determine BMI. All the equipment in these gyms is designed to comply with the European playground standard EN1176 to make the areas safe for the users. Video after the jump

Pyle MP3 Player Brings Your Tunes Into the Deep

Water is every gadget’s biggest nemesis, and while there are plenty of specialized cases designed to keep your MP3 player or smartphone safe from mother nature, there are times when a case just won’t do. Enter the Pyle Waterpoof MP3 Player.

Waterproof for up to 3 meters (about 9.8′), the screen-less Pyle Waterproof MP3 Player (PSHWPMP3) is a worry-free way for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their tunes. It holds 4GB of music and features soft touch buttons that let you easily control your music. The included earphones are also waterproof and wrap securely around your ear ensuring they won’t slide off during rigorous activities like swimming or running.

The MP3 player charges via USB and provides up to 7 hours of playtime. The complete package is available now for $59.99.

[via The Gadgeteer: Make a Splash with Pyle’s New Waterproof MP3 Player]

Active Network Joins the Mob

Active.com's Mob portal got this photo from the Hell Run Series

Did you hear about the Zombie Run just a little too late to join the race? Active.com, a social network site that lists running events by geography, just launched a Mob portion to its site to help you locate some of the more adventurous races and runs. Continue reading Active Network Joins the Mob

Gore Bike Jacket Loses the Sleeves

In parts of the United States summer time means hot days with an unfortunate chance of rain. So what’s a cyclist to do if worried about rain but still determined to ride? A rain jacket won’t do, but a regular cycling jersey is just no fun to wear in the rain either. Gore Bike Wear has an intriguing solution, the Xenon jacket for “temperatures that don’t quite warrant a full-coverage rain shell.”

The Gore Bike Wear Xenon GT AS Jacket Short ditches the sleeves but still features the traditional waterproof GORE-TEX Active Shell fabric. It doesn’t feature a hood, so arms and head will be exposed to the elements, which in the summer heat could be refreshing. Instead it is designed to keep the core dry. Continue reading Gore Bike Jacket Loses the Sleeves

Eton Radio Can Juice Up Devices

We often wonder how the castaways on Gilligan’s Island managed not to break that small radio. We know from one episode that it had rechargeable batteries, but it still seemed to be pretty tough for its day. Today those taking a three hour tour, or deciding to trek into the wilderness might consider something more durable.

The Eton FRX3 is such a radio. It is a self-powered safety radio, meaning it can be powered with a hand-turbine or solar energy to recharge the internal Ni-Mh lithium ion battery. But that juice can also be used via a direct power transfer to charge a mobile devices such a mobile phone or iPod. We think the former might be more useful because you have the radio but the phone can be used to call for help! Video after the jump

Blow the iPhone

There are all sorts of ways to measure distance, speed and even altitude on a mobile smartphone. Now Shaka has added a wind gage, which can be useful for shooting, sailing and other sports where windage needs to be addressed. This portable accessory plugs into the iPhone’s 3.55 headphone jack of all things to gather wind speed.

It can measure and keep history of wind speed, direction and even temperature and the results can be shared and crowdsourced.

It is pre-production but should be blowing out soon.

Shaka Wind Meter Official Website

driSuit Endurance Protects the iPhone

It seems there is no shortage of iPhone cases. This week we’ve even reported on a couple, but each does something a little different. The driSuit Endurance will protect the phone from water and from drops as it doubles as a shockproof case for short drops. As with other waterproof cases this one allows users to take advantage of the phone’s touchscreen controls, even underwater. The company also sells waterproof earphones, which can be used with this case. Video of the driSuit in action after the jump

FiveFinger Shoes Gets Fashionable

While the barefoot running shoes that fit the wearer much like a glove have become increasingly popular most of these have the visual appeal of a pair of gloves for the feet. It is to the point that we’ve wondered why the companies don’t just give up and make these look like hairy Hobbit’s feet!

Apparently we weren’t the only ones to bemoan the bland colors and lack of style. Vibram FiveFingers announced this week that the Seeya LS will arrive this fall and promises the new shoes to be a “stylish streetwear cross trainer.” The shoes will add a splash of color, but beyond the style the shoes still will weigh in at just five ounces on each foot, and will feature a non-stretch polyester mesh upper and a 2mm EVA insole and grippy rubber on the outsole. Continue reading FiveFinger Shoes Gets Fashionable

Pop-Up Canopy

We’ve seen plenty of canopies that are good for use at a park or back yard, but few are ideal for large gatherings whilst camping. However the Shadehouse canopy has you covered – and likely several of your friends as well. It is available in two sizes – medium and large, each offering 100 square feet of coverage and a ceiling above six feet.

Unlike those patio or backyard covers this one can be staked down and is solid enough to provide shelter from rain and elements. While a bit heavy for backpacking it would be idea for drive-up campsites or a sunny afternoon by the lake to provide a bit of shade.

Kelty Shadehouse Official Website

Rugged Two-Way Global Communicator Goes the Distance

This week DeLorme, the maker of personal satellite messaging, track and navigation technology, announced the release of a major upgrade for its inReach two-way communicators. The latest firmware version, which is available at no cost, offers extended battery life and recharging options, as well as a newly updated Earthmate app that enables world topographic map downloads.

This builds on the satellite communicators two-way personal text messaging with delivery confirmation, SOS alerting and follow-me/find track functionally. Continue reading Rugged Two-Way Global Communicator Goes the Distance