Earlier today we noted exercises that can damage the back, so what about carrying a child? Toddlers often like the idea of hiking – at least in the beginning, but eventually they’ll need to be carried, and it seems most end up getting a piggyback ride as well. It is might be good for the rider, but it can be a pain in the neck and back.
Brothers Wayne and Jonny Lifshitsz had another idea, namely the Piggyback Rider, which provides an easier way to carry a child on your back. Functioning much like a backpack with a shoulder-mounted foot-bar to distribute the child’s weight at your core, it enables a more natural and upright walking posture, while the child stands safely on the wide textured foot-bar and can hold onto integrated shoulder handles. This harness system won the “Best New Product” award at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show last year and this year will see new expansion of the line with a system that even allows for a bit of storage too. Continue reading Get On My Back
There was a time when bicycles were still made in America, and while some high-end models are still produced here, most production of bikes has gone to China. It doesn’t look like bike production will ever return to American shores, but soon the Chinese might be facing competition from India.
There are parts of a bike that can be stolen easily and those that require tools. Bicycle light usually fall into the former category, which is a shame as these are meant to keep riders safe. Now commuters can look to the Defender, a bike light that looks tough and is quite tough for a would-be thief to remove. The aluminum clamp, as well as the battery pack require Allen keys, so this won’t stop a determined parts-pilferer but it could deter those quick grab and run crooks.
Wind power could get personal. At least that’s the idea from Joao Paulo Lammoglia, who has devised the AIRE Mask. While it looks a bit cyberpunk to us, the concept is that it takes the power of breath and converts it to electricity via tiny wind turbines, which in turn can power an iOS device such as an iPad. It could be used while sleeping, watching TV, and of course while working out.
Last week we posted about Nike’s knit shoes, and now the company has gone to the other extreme with Nike+ Basketball and Nike+ Training shoes that are digital! The shoes feature a sensor system that can sync with software to provide wearer’s with detailed information to help during training and to track performance. 
Even if the conditions reduce visibility, the Oceana 7×50 binocular from Celestron will help aid what you can see as these are specially designed for marine and land based observations in all weather conditions. These feature nitrogen purging for waterproof and fogproof use, while rubber coating provides added protection and offers a firm grip. 
It is hard not to think of the Robert Redford movie The Electric Horseman when seeing the Sporty Supaheroe cycling jacket, which features 64 integrated RGB LEDs and a stretchable and very wearable circuit board. The LED array can light up the way and display a variety of patterns.