httpv://youtu.be/emK-qIbuJ-k
From NPR: A Human-Powered Helicopter: Straight Up Difficult
“I grew up wanting to fly,” says Graham Bowen-Davies. “I guess I just settled for being an engineer.” Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.27.2012): Human-Powered Flight, Phoning it in, Jones’in to Sled
When skydiving a whole new view of the world is opened up, so why would someone want to look at a computer screen? That’s actually not such a bad question, especially as some data could be considered crucial such as altitude for one. Now Recon Instruments, which has introduced a number of GPS-based ski goggles that provide real-time information such as speed, have re-purposed its technology for those who like the thrill of skydiving, BASE jumping and wingsuit flying.
The company announced its new Flight HUD system, which is a goggle-mounted heads-up display that uses a variety of sensors including GPS, altimeter and accelerometer to calculate and display forward speed, glide ratio and the ever important altitude. What makes this really stand out is that with the flip of a switch these same googles can be used for skiing. Perhaps this is something a superspy such as James Bond might appreciate. Video after the jump
Bamboo is a great material as it is fast growing, sustainable and can be crafted into a seemingly endless amount of products. We’ve seen bamboo bikes, clothing made of bamboo ash and even a ski pole made of bamboo. But for the 2013 snowboarding season CAPiTA’s created the new DBX board that features an RFC sustainable bamboo dual core, which promise to offer softer flex making for an easy, forgiving rides in the powder.
And with its colorful graphics by Volcom Stone this one is sure to get attention! Video after the jump
In software upgrades typically improve on what came before, and that’s true in garments as well. The Eddie Bauer BC MicroTherm Down Jacket 2.0 is more than just a new piece of winter clothing; it is a double layered shell that is waterproof but still provides a way to vent perspiration. It can be worn over base- and mid-layers without making you look like you’ve bulked up. But it will still keep you very warm; as it features micro-channel compartments that are loaded up with 800-fill premium goose down to provide minimal weight.
There are even dual chest pockets for all that extra stuff that we all seem to need to carry around, and there is a large hood that can be worn over a helmet.
One word comes to mind when seeing the new “technical” winter puffy coat from Comei & Co – extreme. We’re sure it could handle extreme cold, but it looks just so – extreme. The hood zips shut over the face, and built-in lenses mean you don’t need separate goggles. Fittingly the name for this winter coat is the Matt Nylon Hooded Jacket, but we’re not sure who “Matt” is, but we assume he might be someone in the company. Or not. We do know that Comei & Co are introducing several lens-equipped models.
Where it gets really “extreme” with the Matt Nylon Hooded Jacket is that the hood isn’t detachable either, meaning you can always go for the sci-fi look at a moment’s notice by just zipping it. At least the pom-pom is detachable. Might we suggest wearing these with the Sleestak Goves to get that truly “out there” look on the slopes?
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month Vonzipper rolled out its new Beefy Astro Chrome and Chakra Bonze Pink Chrome snow goggles to benefit B4BC (Boarding For Breast Cancer). The goal of the group is to increase awareness about breast cancer, highlight the importance of early detection and the value of an active lifestyle. A portion of the sales of the goggles – which each retail $90 – go to B4BC. Get them before it is too late.
httpv://youtu.be/UUXUSz29aDg
The guys at Signal Snowboards have made a lot of special boards, but in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month they dedicated last Thursday to making the Bra Board. The crew teamed up with Keep-A-Breast (KAB) that created a custom board that included a breast cast of Signal’s graphics leader Meg Smith.
Keep-A-Breast Official Website
Signal Snowboards Every Third Thursday Official Website
With a name like American Mountain Co. could its products be made anywhere else but in America? The company is based in Sewickley, Penn. and has a factory in Spokane, Wash. and this start-up, which launched with a Kickstarter project, looks to introduce its first products – the hardshell jacket and fleece – this winter.
The company will source fabrics and materials from U.S. mills, but more importantly each piece will be feature a hand-signed label by the person who made it in the Spokane factory. We look forward to hearing good things from this company, which has announced plans to bring out a full line of outerwear and clothing in 2013.
For those who didn’t grow up in the 1970s and (fortunately) missed the recent movie reboot of Land of the Lost, the pseudo-villains were the Sleestaks, a lizard race that communicated through hissing and had just two fingers and a thumb.
While Answer’s Sleestak cycling gloves won’t require the wearer to hiss to talk, it should keep the hands warm as these are designed to handle temperatures to 20º F. We imagine even a cold-blooded creature like a Sleestak would find that reassuring. Just don’t get lost out there in the snow.
Answer Products Official Website
[Via BikeRumor: Found: Answer’s Sleestak Winter Cycling Gloves]
Sporting footwear maker Adidas has long been known to take chances and try new things. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise when the company announced last Friday that it had reached a deal to sign several professional snowboarders to its new team.
Joining Jake Blauvelt, who signed earlier in the year, and with a soon to be released signature après shred boot launching this month, the following professional snowboarders join the Adidas team: Kazu Kokubo, Eric Jackson, Helen Schettini, Forest Bailey and Keegan Valaika. The company further noted that the Adidas snowboarding joins Adidas Skateboarding in an effort towards dedication to authentic and collaborative footwear and apparel designed by skateboarders and snowboarders, for skateboarders and snowboarders.
Sylvester Stallone may have played Rocky Balboa but the Rocky S2V Provision ($600 MSPR) is a coat that his other signature character would likely wanted to have while evading authorities. This coat can shedding moisture during cold, snowy weather while keeping heat locked in – which no doubt John Rambo would have appreciated – but we think he’d have really liked the integrated survival kit that is included that will have wearer’s ready for just about anything. Continue reading Survival Coat
Gloves are meant to keep hands warm, but the “heat” is actually the result of body heat reflected by the insulating material. This means that it can take a while to get your hands warmed up, even with gloves. But the Chaval Response XRT heated gloves will get those digits warm in no time.
And the Response XRTs are rated to last four to seven hours – depending on who severe the chill in the air might be – so not only will these get the hands warm, but will keep them feeling warm as well. These work via an alphaHEAT technology that actually reacts to automatically to conditions and the warmth of the wearer’s hands. Continue reading With Chaval Gloves You’ll Feel the Heat
httpv://youtu.be/brEmdlEwf4M
The guys at Signal Snowboards use “Every Third Thursday” to come up with something innovative in their snowboard creations. But last month they did that was both innovative and inspirational. They created a very special board for their friend and former pro snowboarder Tim Ostler, who was paralyzed from the chest down following a halfpipe accident. Using Crankbrothers Mountain bike component technology they created an adaptive snowboard so Ostler could shred up on the trails.
Check out the video above to see how it all came together
