Outdoors | Evolving Consumer

Pack it Out

Don’t pack it in, pack it out with the Arc’teryx LEAF DryPack 70, a specialized bag that will function as a pack and keep all of its contents dry for maritime operations. This pack was manufactured utilizing Composite Construction (AC2), while the DryPack is built from 725D ACT MultiCam Cordura coated on both sides with urethane.

This makes the DryPack 70 completely waterproof piece of load-carriage equipment for over-the-beach maritime special operations, search and seizure, and small boat operations. It includes a full backpack carrying system that is completely removable, which can greatly aid the user’s land mobility. Moreover, the DryPack 70 is fully taped and seam-sealed, and incorporates a roll-down top with full-width RF-welded TIZIP Master Seal waterproof zipper.

Arc’teryx LEAF DryPack 70 Official Website

Ballista Ready to Launch

A ballista was a medieval weapon that fired massive arrows and now the FBM Bike Co.’s new Ballista is ready to hit like a massive bolt! It is actually designed specifically for hardcourt bike polo players.

This tig-welded chromoly frame is based on the original FBM Sword frame geometry, but features modifications based on input from Evan George and Koyo Maeda of Seattle’s The Assassins bike polo team. The Ballista features a frame that has a taller headtube for a more upright riding position, a lower seattube for more standover clearance and a bulged seattube for more strength at the top tube/seatstay junction. The frame has optional front and rear canti mount brakes and optional front disc brake mounts.

FBM Bike Company Official Website

XBand on the Run

Tracking runners once just required a stopwatch, but today coaches have more options and now the XBand Speed Pro offers coaches as way to track speed and agility metrics through a new wearable device. A wearable body module is paired with a finish line module and smartphone adapter and can be used to interpret data and display the results in the accompanying app. It utilizes a microwave sensor, accelerometer and RF modules to precisely measures and transmits key performance data to a smartphone app as runner’s train, and with this information runners can improve their speed and performance.

The XBand Speed Pro is being developed via a Kickstarter campaign, and the designers hope to have it off and running later this year. Video after the jump

Romer3 If You Want To

Rome wasn’t build in a day, but the Romer 3 eyeglasses from Wiley X didn’t take long to join the popular Series of performance protective eyewear. This new style is aimed at hunters, shooting sports enthusiasts and others who require state-of-the-art eye protection, clear vision and the ability to select from a range of lens options to best suit environmental conditions.

These feature a full-frame, wraparound-style sunglass with Wiley X’s innovative Slot technology that allows for easy lens removal and replacement while ensuring the highest level of structural integrity and vision protection. The new Romer 3 meets stringent ANSI Z87.1 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety standards, providing occupational grade protection for all wearers and a wide range of activities; as well as the updated MIL-PRF-32432 (GL) MCEP Standard for ballistic eye protection. It also meets the EN-166F high velocity impact standards.

The Romer 3 features a lightweight, ergonomic frame for all day comfort, while the non-slip nose bridge keeps the Romer 3 secure on the wearer’s face, even during strenuous activities at work or in the field. The glasses also offer Foil Anti-Fog lens coating to ensure clear, distraction free vision in challenging conditions and a special T-Shell™ lens coating to resist scratching.

The Romer 3 is offered in two lens package options – one includes a Matte Black frame paired with Smoke Grey and Clear lenses; the other matches a Matte Black frame with Smoke Grey, Clear and Light Rust lenses. All of these lenses provide 100 percent UVA/UVB protection and distortion-free vision.

These are much more than just eyeglasses these are true stylish eye protection as well.

Wiley X Official Website

Cannondale Looks to go OverMountain Again

You can’t ride through the mountain – unless there is a tunnel – so most of the time that means going over it. The Cannondale Trigger and Jekyll “OverMountain” trail/endro bike is ready for the ride. It features 27.5 inch wheels, superMax Lefty forks and a new Fox Dyad rear shock.

The Trigger (above) is this year’s new trail/all-mount ride, which features 140/85 millimeters of adjustable travel and comes in five models — three of which are equipped with a 140-millimeter SuperMax Lefty. The Trigger will also be available in a 29-inch version. Continue reading Cannondale Looks to go OverMountain Again

Rocket Powered

When heading out into the wilds less can be more as the new Rocket Torch from Pyle Audio proves. This sleek cylinder is both a multi-functional speaker and flashlight equipped. It is equipped with Bluetooth technology, FM radio, mini SD card slot and AUX-IN jack. It is water resistant yet weighs less than a pound, while the Bluetooth technology allows users to connect to any iOS, Android or PC device and listen to music and phone calls up to a distance of 32 feet.

It also offers a bright, energy efficient LED flashlight that can be clipped to a backpack or even a bike for traveling at night. This is one rocket that will light the way and rock out the tunes.

Pyle Audio Official Website

Reflecting on a Rope

After dark guy lines, tents and other stuff around the campsite can be hard to see, but the Nite Ize Reflective Rope can offer some illumination without the need of batteries or other power. This 50-foot green rope features embedded reflective strips that light up when hit by light. You’ll still need a flashlight to see the rope, but the reflective strips ensure that you can’t miss the rope.

Nite Ize Official Website

Down and Dirty

Spring is the time that the snows melt and the roads turn to… mud. In Russia there is even a name for this condition. It is the Rasputitsa, the semi-annual time when the countryside is just a muddy mess. The Rasputitsa is also the name of this weekend’s 47 mile gravel road race through northern Vermont.

Each year in the Rasputitsa Spring Classic the race travels through Newport, Coventry, Irasburg, North Troy, Westfield, Jay, and Newport Center before ending on Main Street in Newport, Vermont. The Rasputitsa Spring Classic and sister race, Dirty 40 (scheduled for August 30th) will raise money for the Halo Foundation which helps Orleans County residents struggling with cancer costs. The two events are targeted to raise over $15,000 made available to the Halo Foundation in September.

The race departs Main Street, Newport at 9 AM on April 19th. Finishers are first expected at 11:30 on Main Street, Newport. Main Street will also serve as the location of the Apres-Velo Party with live music by Evansville Transit Authority, Lion Bastards, and The Lynguistic Civilians. Food and drinks will be available on-site. Podium awards are scheduled for 2 PM.

It is a dirty race but someone has to do it.

Rasputitsa Spring Classic Official Website

Three Feet Enforced in Texas!

Texas is increasingly becoming a more bicycle friendly place and KHOU in Houston recently reported that police started an undercover sting that targeted drivers who endangered cyclists. In Houston police have been donning bike attire and hitting the roads to go after drivers who aren’t following bicycle safety ordinance.

“What that simply means is that there are officers out there on bicycles, dressed as normal citizens, who are just riding around town,” Mark Eisenman, an HPD assistant chief, told KHOU.

This followed the March 25 announcment by Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who worked with the city and BikeHouston to create a new Bicycle Master Plan for the City as part of the Goal Zero Fatalities Bike Safety Campaign.

“As the name of this program implies, the goal is to end cycling fatalities,” Parker said. “Whether on a bike or behind the wheel, we have to abide by the rules of the road and learn how to share the road safely. Unfortunately, a spate of recent bicycle fatalities on Houston streets indicates there is much work to be done in this area. As a first step, I am dedicating $50,000 toward the cost of a Bicycle Master Plan that will guide our future decisions regarding placement of dedicated on-street bike lanes and infrastructure.”

[Via GearJunkie: Undercover Cops Sting Drivers Endangering Cyclists]
[Via KHOU: Undercover stings target drivers endangering bicyclists]

Cool Breezer

Breezer has launched a new line of of full-suspension bikes with 29-inch wheels and 120 millimeters of travel, called Supercell, which are equipped with Link suspension design Breezer introduced on its 650b Repack enduro bike last year. The MLink was designed with Sotto Group, an independent engineering firm.

“When we introduced Repack last summer, Breezer’s new all-mountain bike, it climbed and handled so well it completely changed people’s perception of what an all-mountain bike could do,” said JT Burke, Breezer product and brand manager. “And with Supercell, our new trail bike, we’re pushing that even further. Our patented MLink suspension technology is so efficient, lockouts are a thing of the past; and Breezer riders are seeing just how fast a balanced and efficient full-suspension system can climb.”

This innovative MLink design features a short-link pivot placed in the middle of the chainstay, which reportedly can balance out opposing braking and pedaling forces for an anti-squat and anti-rise ride. Breezer Supercell and Repack are currently the only bikes available with the technology.

Breezer Supercell Official Website

Double O Light

The Double O isn’t exactly something we’d expect 007 or any other British super spy to use, but these are being developed in the U.K. by Paul Coksedge Studios through a Kickstarter campaign. The Double Os put out 80 lumens up front and 45 lumens in the rear. The designers suggest that this round style uses less bright LEDs but more and that results in a more visible light – without being blinding or otherwise distractive to drivers and other cyclists.

These charge up in 90 minutes via USB and have three modes – steady, which can run for about 2.1 hours; flashing at 4.2 hours and Eco at about 10 hours. Video after the jump

Sleeping Pad

If you’re planning to go camping this spring you could still find the ground a bit cold and damp, but the Klymit Insulated Static V camping pad will keep you high and dry and have you almost feeling like you’re back home in your bed. It uses body mapping technology to provide all season warmth and comfort, while the v-chamber design limits air movement and heat loss.

It also inflates in just 10-15 breaths so you don’t get out of breath getting ready for bed.

Klymit Insulated Static V Camping Pad Official Website

Nike Golf Goes for Three

Last month saw the end of winter and while it is still cool and damp out there, Nike knows golfers are ready to hit the green. As such Nike Golf introduced three limited edition footwear styles that include hhe new Nike TW’ 14, Nike Lunar Control and Nike Lunar Clayton. These three designs blend Nike’s innovative performance technology with pops of iconic color throughout all three styles.

Nike Golf noted that each model features premium white uppers and a range of colorful design details, from the outsole to the lace eyelets to the Swoosh. Continue reading Nike Golf Goes for Three