Outdoors | Evolving Consumer

Gerber’s New Edge

We’ve seen – and will continue – to see plenty of utility knives for the trail and campsite. There are knives that could survive the end of the world and be ready for more. Knives that can cut tree limbs, ropes and tin cans; but would you want those to slice or dice the food you’re going to eat?

The Freescape Camp Kitchen Knife from Gerber is a rugged outdoor knife that is meant for cooking. Its razor sharp blade can mimic a chef’s knife and it can handle most food prep, but it features a rugged design that can handle the campsite. Back home it is even dishwasher safe – which is something most of those survival style knives likely are not!

Gerber Freescape Camp Kitchen Knife Official Website

Trail Recorders

Trail Cameras has introduced two new outdoor rugged cameras, the Browning Strike Force and Dark Ops Trail cameras and both are small enough to be virtually undetectable by animal or human eyes.

Each of these outdoor cameras is powered by six AA batteries, while offering easy set up. These feature time, date, temperature, moon phase, and camera ID on the data strip of every image, along with trigger speeds of .67 second, recovery times of 2.1 seconds, and increased power efficiency allow the cameras to capture more than 10,000 images on a single battery charge. These provide infrared images with an auto-adjusting illumination feature that prevents overexposed images in nighttime photos and videos; while the extended illumination feature brightens the field of view and eliminates dark edges.

Trail Cameras Official Website

UCI Looking at Google Glass

This week VeloNews reported that a technical commission from the world’s cycling governing body, the UCI, has taken a “look” at Google Glass.

“The equipment commission will address concerns over the outdated method of data and video capture in the biggest races,” one source told VeloNews, on condition of anonymity due to a forthcoming official announcement from Google. “Google Glass technology will take the sport to the head of technological development in major professional sports. The possibilities for entertainment, sport science, and, yes, safety, are nearly limitless.”

Google Glass incorporates a small, Internet-enabled computer in a pair of lightweight eyeglasses and provides wearers with the ability to capture and share photographs and video hands free, and even complete a number of other commands.

This move into cycling marks Google’s first major sports sponsorship as part of its Glass launch. It could mean that Google Glass could soon join such technology as race radios in future events like the Tour de France.

[Via VeloNews: UCI commission to recommend Google Glass use on WorldTour]

Fired Up

There is no reason to have to read by the campfire or rely just on the light from the burning wood. The Blackfire Clamplight Lantern, which just one a 2014 Red Dot Award in the Product Design category, will provide plenty of illumination.

It can be clamped to tents, tree branches and tackle boxes, while its pivoting head shines light in all direction. It can also double as a flashlight, and users can easily switch between low, hi, and strobe lantern mode, as well as go into flashlight mode at the touch of a button. The Clamplight Lantern is equipped with Cree LEDs, which offer 260 lumens, and yet is powered by just three AA batteries. This one will endure a trip in the wild and is even rated IPX4 storm proof.

Blackfire Official Website

Contour is Back

It has been quite the wild ride for Contour – maker of action sports cameras. The company was on a roll, and then suddenly called it quits. Earlier this month the company announced that it had completed a financial overhaul, reorganized and improved its distribution.

It made the move from Seattle to Provo, Utah and the company said its financial outlook is solid with key retailers.

“The aim is clear—we want to create a world class company to support this world class product,” said Danny Lysenko, CEO of CONTOUR. “While recovering CONTOUR’s position in the market, we’ll continue the long tradition of being at the forefront of innovation and bringing to market beautifully simple, yet ultimately professional cameras.”

Contour Official Website
[Via Transworld Business: CONTOUR Returns to POV Camera Market With New Ownership]

Weekend Reading List (04.05.2014): Bike Decline, RIP Hobie, Total 360, Old Timers

Bike Decline

From Bicycle Retailer: The single biggest issue facing the bike industry (A blog by Jay Townley)
As we finish the first quarter of 2014 the U.S. bicycle business is preparing for its April gathering of industry leaders at the Bicycle Leadership Conference and the IBD Summit. We have noticed that the U.S. bicycle business continues to separate the meetings of the specialty bicycle retail, or bike shop channel of trade suppliers from the retailers and the separate agendas for these two important annual gatherings still do not mention or pay attention to the most important single issue facing the U.S. bicycle business today!

The following chart (above) is a graphic presentation of the 18-year history of U.S. bicycle riding participation from 1995 through 2012. The data is from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). The overall trend is a slow decline, from the peak of 56 million in 1995 to flat overall bicycle riding participation at 39 million for the last three years. 2013 bicycle riding participation will be available in early April, but we don’t anticipate any significant change from the history you see here. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.05.2014): Bike Decline, RIP Hobie, Total 360, Old Timers

Halo Glow

Whether you are running, cycling or even just out for a walk at night you will want to be seen, especially in areas where there might not be a lot of lights. The Halo Belt 2.0, and update to the original Halo Belt, will offer some illumination so that you can’t be missed.

The new version of this wearable light system is being launched through a Kickstarter campaign, and it has been redesigned to be brighter and rechargeable while the designers have integrated a refined LED fiber optic system and 3M reflective elastic onto the belt. This can also be adjusted to the desired size and length to accommodate most users. Video after the jump

Aescention

Even the most serious “outdoorsman” probably wants a little creature comforts when sleeping in the wilds. After all who really wants to sleep on the cold, hard ground? If having a little cushion under your sleeping bag is your thing, then the Aescent tent, which is being developed via a Kickstarter campaign, might be for you.

This four man tent features an inflatable mattress built into the base. Instead of a being just an air mattress on the floor, this is actually a series of intertwined compartmentalized chambers, which provides a more supportive sleeping surface – and that could help leave you fresh for another day in the wilds. Video after the jump

Olympus Gets Tough Again

Olympus has risen – with a new rugged camera we mean. The new Olympus Stylus Tough TG-3 is ready to go where the adventure takes you. It is freezeproof to -14 degrees F, waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof from seven feet, crushproof to 220 lbs., and dustproof. It features a high-speed f2.0 lens, 16MP backlit CMOS sensor, and TruePic VII image processor, which are joined by 1080p Full HD video recording, a 3-inch LCD monitor, GPS, and built-in Wi-Fi.

Olympus Official Website

Mudders Leave No Warrior Behind

httpv://youtu.be/1WyzDabEvoQ

The Wound Warrior Project is ready to get dirty. This weekend a team of wounded warriors will take on a new challenge- Tough Mudder Arizona. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Alumni will travel from around the state to participate in this mud-filled obstacle course.

The WWP Physical Health & Wellness team will take a group of wounded warriors to participate in Tough Mudder events across the country at no cost to the WWP Alumni as well as training beforehand. As a team they’ll climb through mud, dive into freezing water, climb 15-foot walls and weave in and out of electrically charged wires.

While the wound warriors face this challenge, hundreds of others “Mudders” will be raising money for WWP. Each Tough Mudder participant is asked during enrollment if they would like to donate or fundraise for the organization. So far, Tough Mudder has raised $6 million for wounded warriors!

Wounded Warrior Project Official Website
Tough Mudder Official Website

True Colors

Nike Soccer has unveiled the 2014 U.S. National Team Away jersey – and it offers a lot of red, white and blue, yet still sort of doesn’t say America. A number of countries – the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Russia come to mind – as having the same colors. However, it does feature 13 red and white stripes to represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence and formed the first states on the back of the neck in a pennant tab.

Nike Soccer also noted that the “kit aids performance by regulating player’s body temperature during the course of the match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT Technology, ‘burnout’ mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling where players need it most.”

The kit also features Nike Dri-FIT technology, which pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly, while laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow across the skin.

Press Release: Nike Soccer Unveils 2014 U.S. National Team Away Kit

Half Way There

A Half-Track is a cross between a tank and a truck. These aren’t used so much today, but the notion of “half” still exists as the Halfbike suggests.

Its designers, which launched a Kickstarter campaign to help bring the device to market, see it as truly half way between a scooter and a bike. It is actually a tricycle of sorts with a big wheel in the front and two small tires in the back, but it is designed as an urban transport solution – making it easier to go from point A to point B than on a traditional scooter – but still smaller than a traditional bike.

The unique design could also give a serious workout to the glutes, quads and buttock muscles as there is no seat! But thanks to its small size it could be ideal for navigating crowded urban streets. Video after the jump

Not SOL with SOL Survival

The name might say it all: SOL Survival Kit, but the truth is that this SOL actually stands for Survive Outdoors Longer. The SOL Origin includes the most crucial lifesaving gear in one compact, waterproof kit.

Tools included are Tinder-Quik fire starters, 150-pound-test braided nylon cord, mil-spec stainless-steel wire, and an emergency sewing and fishing kit. There’s also survival instructions for more than 60 hazards, a liquid-damped compass, and, secured in a button-release slot, a folding lock-blade knife, which itself features a 100dB rescue whistle, an ultra-bright LED light in the handle, and an AUS-8 steel drop-point blade for precision cuts. The inside of the kit’s lid even doubles as a signal mirror. With this SOL kit you won’t be SOL when it hits the fan.

SOL Official Website