The You Pad

Iceman-Crash-PadThe Iceman cometh with the Evolv Iceman Crash Pad, a specially designed padding for those partaking in the sport of bouldering – which is one that involves short climbs without ropes or other protection. Since these can involve falls onto the hard ground the crash pad is a must.

The Iceman Crash Pad features 1000D and 500D cordura nylon fabric that can stand up to quite a bit of abuse, while the closed-cell dense foam will be able to absorb climbers in many, many landings. What goes up must come down and for those who lose a grip it is better to come down on this crash pad.

Evolv Iceman Crash Pad

No Fake ID Here

NikeiDLast fall Nike asked consumers and golf fans to create a customized design for the Tiger Woods 14 golf shoes and we have a winter. The customization from the NikeiD is the real deal, and the Nike TW’14 has been unveiled.

The winning shoe was designed by Dane Thompson (@DaneJThompson), a big golf fan from Iowa. He create a patriotic theme for what he deemed will be a big year for Tiger, and Thompson designed the shoe with a white leather upper, blue midsole, and red Nike Swoosh, Nike Flywire and lace highlights. The shoe’s inspiration was to support team USA in the upcoming Olympics and the 2014 Ryder Cup, as well as to support Tiger in red, white, and blue at the 2014 US Open. Aside from the pride of designing Tiger’s favorite customized Nike TW’14 shoe, Thompson will have his design worn by Tiger on Tour in the early part of the 2014 season. Also, Thompson will receive a pair of the Nike TW’14 he designed.

Nike Golf Official Website

Serious Tent

Cabela-Ultimate-Alaknak-TenWhen we think of tents we think of a tarp that is held up by a stick. That’s probably more roughing it than we’d like, but the Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak Tent has us rethinking what one (or for that matter a dozen) can put in a tent. At nearly $1,500 this is one expensive tent, but it offers 13×27 feet of space, more than many studio apartments. It can sleep a dozen people, offers three multi-panel windows along with an attached awning. It is held up by 10 sturdy tent poles and features a waterproof polyester material to provide those inside from the elements. After camping in this tent you might not want to go home.

Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak Tent

Cervélo Tri’s Again

P2-triathlon-bikeCervélo is tri’ing something new. The company updated its venerable P2 triathlon bike, and this year’s new model has a wider range of fit options along with the new P-Series geometry. Sizes range from 45cm (with 650c wheels) and 48 to 61cm with 700c wheels.

The new model features Cervélo carbon, aero, rail-adjust seat post with 75mm of fore/aft adjustment. The bike also is spec’d with the Profile Design T2 Wing base bar and T4 Plus aero bar and a 1 1/8-inch steerer, which the company said allows for a wide range of aftermarket cockpit options. There are integrated storage and hydration options in the toptube and downtube accessory mounts, and even an integrated seatpost accessory receiver. The company has said that these mount specs will be shared with aftermarket makers as well.

In addition the P2 aero offers features that seem borrowed from the top-of-the-line P5 model, and these include aero cable management, a dropped down tube that reduces the gap between it and the front wheel, flattened down tube mounts to decrease wind drag on bottles, and an extended seat tube cutout design. The new P2 is designed to be stiffer than the classic version, but with no increase in weight. Head tube stiffness increases by 16.4 percent and bottom bracket by 6.5 percent. Continue reading Cervélo Tri’s Again

Rock on With the Crampon

Hillsound-Trail-Campron-UltWhile we hope the worst of winter is behind us, we know there are still two full months to go, and if you’re tired of hitting the treadmill and want to get out for a run you’ll likely end up face down or worse on an icy road. However, Hillsound’s Trails Campron Ultra could just provide the grip runners might need this winter. This is like putting snow chains on tires but for the feet. It features 18 spikes under each foot, providing serious grip on ice and snow.

Hillsound Trail Campron Ultra Official Website

Crash on ICEdot

ICEdotThere’s talk about the need for a list of ICE contacts, or In Case of Emergency contacts on your phone so emergency crews know who to contact if something should happen. But what if you need to contact your ICE list to get emergency crews to come look for you? We hope that never happens, but if you’re like us and go for bike rides, hikes, climbs and other activities in the outdoors, you may want to set up a safety net. Continue reading Crash on ICEdot

Olympic Preview: Jamaica Back on the Sled

JamaciaAfter a 12 year absence from the Olympics the now famous Jamaican Bobsleigh Team has qualified for the Sochi Winter Olympics. The team is looking to head to Russia next month and recently launched an Indiegogo project to help get it there! The team is looking to raise $80,000 to help cover travel expenses. The Indiegogo crowd funding efforts ends later today.

Jamaica Bobsleigh Team Indiegogo Site

PGA 2014 Merchandise Show: OGIO’s New Shoe

OGIO-ShoesThis week at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando OGIO is expanding its line of golf apparel with the introduction of its highly-anticipated footwear. Available in four models the line includes the Race, City Spiked, City Turf and Sport shoes, which each have unique design elements to address golfers’ needs.

The company noted that it looks to deliver three crucial features including style, comfort and performance. The design of each shoe is made to stabilize a golfer’s swing platform and improve balance to enhance the game. The shoes are constructed from high quality materials for comfort and durability, and OGIO’s golf shoes promise the most comfortable “out of the box” golf experience, while withstanding the toughest conditions in all types of climates. Continue reading PGA 2014 Merchandise Show: OGIO’s New Shoe

Volvo Partners With POC

VolvoVolvo Car Group announced this month that it had established a partnership with Swedish sports protective gear maker POC to develop ways to create communication between cars and cyclists.

“Communication with cyclists around the car is a possible extension of our groundbreaking Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology. Providing the cyclist with confirmation that he or she is seen by the vehicle can make interaction between cars and cyclists smoother and safer in urban areas,” said Jan Ivarsson, Senior Manager, Safety Strategy and Requirements at Volvo Cars.

Finding a way to help alert drivers and avoid accidents would come as good news to cyclists.

[Via GizMag: Volvo teams with POC for car-to-cyclist communication system]
[Via Volvo: Volvo Car Group explores new safety and design ideas by partnering with high-tech sports gear developer POC]

Digital Camo

Weekend-WarriorMany cyclists may be of the “Weekend Warrior” variety – as in they only get out for a ride on the weekends. Whether that is you or not, the Podium Cycling Weekend Warrior jersey will have you covered. It features a 140 gram polyester material, and offers UPF25 sun protection, has three rear pockets, and a hidden YKK zipper.

This jersey also features a digital camouflage pattern – much like the kind that the military is now moving away from – but instead of helping you blend in on the road or the trails it might help you stand out.

Podium Cycling Weekend Warrior Official Website

Winter Olympic Games: Rule Columbia

Columbia-UniformsThis wouldn’t have happened during the Cold War. American athletes are about to head to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics and they’ll be heading in style in uniforms made by Columbia Sportswear. What is unique about this is that earlier this month Columbia unveiled the Ski Team uniforms for the U.S. as well as Canadian and Russian teams!

Columbia showed these off to the press in Utah, and the uniform collection included those for moguls, aerials, half-pipe, skicross and slopestyle events. Many of these uniforms will feature the compnay’s Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective technology as a base layer to help keep the athletes warm. Many across America who have been digging out in recent weeks likely wish they had such technology.

Other features reportedly include a new waterproof zipper that is bonded to the laser-cut fabric, removable pockets and even special patterns that have been dubbed “snow camouflage.” We’ll be watching for these uniforms in next month’s games.

[Via GearJunkie: U.S., Russian, Canadian Ski Team Uniforms Manufactured By Columbia Sportswear Unveiled]

Update Your Profile

RZ2While many people might update their Facebook profile, Profile Design’s RZ2 frame-mounted bottle system will help improve the profile of a bicycle – and even improve the aerodynamics in the process. This 14-ounce bottle features a contoured shape with recessed hand grips, integrated cap that twists off for easy cleaning, an injection composite cage and is BPA free. It mounts to standard bottle cage bosses and weighs 141 grams.

Profile Design RZ2 System Official Website

The Numbers Game

Champion-SystemsRacers at all levels tend to have one thing in common – they are forced to wear cheap paper numbers! Champion Systems has introduced fabric race numbers, which are lightweight and have the potential to be more comfortable than traditional paper numbers. These are durable and wrinkle free.

“Any athlete that has worn paper numbers when competing will tell you how uncomfortable they are. While equipment and apparel have continually improved, athlete bib numbers are still in the dark ages,” said Charlie Issendorf, vice-president, Champion System. “We took what we know best, fabric and printing, to create a technologically advanced race number designed for today’s athlete. The result? Say goodbye to having a crinkly piece of paper pinned to your jersey.”

The Custom Fabric Race Numbers are fully sublimated fabric, can provide unlimited colors and are more aerodynamic. While races can only have one winner every competitor can feel a bit more like a champion.

Champion Systems Custom Fabric Race Numbers Official Website