Evolving Consumer: Happiness through shopping - electronics & fitness

Campus Cycling Shines

The League of American Bicyclists announced the second “Platinum” college campus, along with 17 new Bicycle Friendly Universities. Joining Stanford is the University of California-Davis, which is fitting as the City of Davis has been a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community since 2005.

With this latest round of applications and awards, the program has expanded to a total of 75 colleges in 32 states and Washington, D.C.

“As our Bicycle Friendly University program grows, the promise for a more Bicycle Friendly America does, too,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Colleges and universities propel our leaders of the future, and more and more of those students are choosing bicycles as their transportation option of choice. We commend universities like Bowdoin College; University of California, Davis; and the University of Montana, who are leading the way to a healthier, more sustainable future.”

Current Bicycle Friendly Universities Fall 2013 Official List

Commuter Jeans

For many commuting by bicycle might be in their genes, but it will be the jeans and much more that cover the riders. Levi’s Commuter clothing line has expanded for the fall, and includes new parkas, tees, woven tops and of course jeans. These offer performance features including water resistance, moisture wicking, reflective accents and greater mobility.

The lineup includes the waterproof Type 2 Commuter parka (MSRP $348), which offers high breathability and heat retention, odor protection tech, drop-tail coverage, touring pockets, and elongated cuffs for partial hand coverage. The 504 Straight 5 Pocket Jean ($98) is a meant for riding. It is made of performance stretch fabric and offers a raised rear yolk to prevent back exposure, while reinforced crotch gusset and utility waistband for U-lock storage make it ideal on the bike while still looking good off it.

The Commuter Pocket Tee ($38) provides a causal look that offers comfort as well. It is made from breathable cotton and has extended raglan sleeves and reflective dots on the lower back for visibility. The Commuter Work Shirt ($88) is ideal for those cool but not cold days, as it has water-repelling and perspiration-absorbing properties, extended tail for back coverage and gusseted shoulders for improved mobility.

Levi Commuter Collection Official Website

Under Armour Arms the USA Olympic Bobsled Team

Riding on a track of ice takes skill but it also takes nerves of steel. While the USA Bobsled team won’t be suited up like Ironman they’ll have another kind of armor. Under Armour has signed on to provide the bodysuits that will help reduce drag for the racers. This includes specialty clothing for the bobsled teams and the skeleton – which is probably the only sport that seems even more crazy that the bobsled!

Under Armour Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Olympic Uniforms From Under Armour]

Recyclable Hydration Pack

A hydration pack can come in quite handy, but what if you really only need one for occasional use? We also know what happens when you put sports drinks in a traditional reservoir – it never really gets clean again.

The Cenote hydration system offers a solution to both problems, as it is a recyclable bladder and it won’t set you back a C-note either. AT just $14.99 for the three liter system, and a dollar less for the two liter version, it can be used a few times and then recycled.

Cenote Official Website

Transformable Jacket

Let’s face taking a jacket in case you get chilly can be a pain. Sure it is nice to have it when you need it, but what if it actually stays warm. Then you’re stuck with a jacket you need to carry around. The Vamoose solves the problem by transforming from a backpack to a jacket, and it includes plenty of pockets so that stuff you were carrying won’t have to be left behind.

Vamoose also makes a poncho that can transform to tarp or sunshade for quick shelter! Video after the jump

Mounted Light

Whether just enjoying the outdoors or hunting, it gets dark early this time of year, and when heading out to the woods, even with an ATV or other off road vehicle some extra light can come in handy. The Larson Electronics BCML-LEDP1X10WRE High Intensity Bar Clamp Mounted LED Light will provide just what is needed when the sun goes down. This powerful LED spotlight features IP68 rated waterproof construction, a post style control handle with bar clamp mount, and a powerful LED emitter producing a tightly focused spot beam reaching 650 feet in length.

It features a rugged construction with a housing formed from extruded aluminum and an unbreakable polycarbonate lens. Sealed against water, dust and dirt, it can withstand temperature extremes of -40 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius.

Larson Electronics High Intensity Bar Clamp Mounted LED Light Official Website

CES Innovations Award: Magellan Echo

It is November and while that means Thanksgiving with Christmas just around the corner, it is also the time when we start to hear about the International CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Awards. For the upcoming show, the Honoree in the Wearable Technologies category includes the Magellan Echo, the first smartwatch dedicated to running by connecting smartphone fitness apps to the wrist. It utilizes Bluetooth Smart to wirelessly connect with a smartphone and provides users control over their favorite fitness app and displays running metrics where it can be easily seen.

Magellan Echo drives integration with the world of sport and fitness apps, and has support from Strava, MapMyFitness, iSmoothRun and Wahoo Fitness. Echo features a ruggedized design, water-resistance to withstand adverse conditions and a replaceable battery that lasts 6-11 months.

Magellan Echo Official Website

Recon Rolls out 4th Gen Heads Up Display

Recon Instruments has introduced its fourth generation of heads up display for skiers and snowboarders, the Recon Snow2, which is designed to work with goggles from leading manufacturers including Oakley, Smith, Scottt, Uvex, Alpina, Briko and Zeal. The Snow2 is also available for sale as a stand-alone unit that can replace an older Recon HUD, and it offers improved connectivity options with Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n). It even features “Made for iPhone” certification.

Recon Snow2 is power for those hitting the powder. It features an efficient dual-core processor, which results in three times the processing power and has a 35 percent increase in battery life from the previous generation of HUD. Snow2 also now offers a dedicated graphics processing unit providing enhanced brightness and contrast, and greatly increased screen readability. Continue reading Recon Rolls out 4th Gen Heads Up Display

Space Out

Many bike lights will shine the way but they have a design that will make you glad it’s dark so no one will have to see it. Fixed Bike Lights has designed a line of permanently attached lights that will look good day or night, and this includes the Space Light, which can sit below the steam in the stack of handle bar spaces. It is angled to light the path ahead, and features a double-lens and is sealed with a silicone gasket to make it weather resistant.

This is designed for both 1-inch and 1 1/8-inch steer tubes, and by sitting in the spacers this light is difficult to steal and will be there at night to light the way home.

Fixed Bike Lights Official Website

Kit to Survival

As we’ve seen from recent disasters, including Typhoon Haiyan and Superstorm Sandy, being prepared isn’t always easy. Fortunately there are ready-made kits that can provide what you need to survive a disaster. SOLKOA has long provided military-grade packages, and now it is entering the PSK (Personal Survival Kit) market through its Fast-Fire brand.

This includes 28 “top-of-the-line U.S. military-grade quality items” that will come in handy when the need arises. This package features: weatherproof fire tinder & matches, heat reflecting blanket, water filter straw & purification tabs, 4x magnifier, day/night signaling mirror & reflector, luminous compass, mini multi-tool, fishing kit, high-decibel whistle, specialized heavy-duty resealable water carry or water proof bag, and much more.

You don’t know when disaster will strike, but this one will ensure that you’re prepared.

Fast Fire Official Website

Pear One

Pear Sports has announced that its new cloud based portal has been updated for iOS7 and is now available on Android on the Samsung Galaxy S4. It allows users to access their entire workout library and schedule from their handset, as well as track and analyze results. This app utilizes typical heart rate monitor data including heart rate, calories, distance, time and more, and turns it into real-time coaching.

Pear Sports Official Website

Nike Performs

Whether your performance on the golf course is one for the ages or one to be forgotten, the Nike Golf Performance Cart Bag will be with you every step of the way. This premium golf bag can store any and every item you might need during a round. It features 19 pocket including 13 external and six internal, including the Nike Flip & Grip water-resistant pocket, which provides uncomplicated strapping to the trolley or cart and a convenient additional pocket for valuables. This also houses an easily accessible exterior range finder pocket, along with a large insulated cooler pocket for beverages as well as two apparel pockets with additional internal pouches to prevent smaller items from dropping to the bottom of the bag.

The bag is compatible with both power carts and trolleys and makes for easy organization with 14 full-length dividers and an integrated putter well. It is available now, so you don’t have to wait for spring to test out its performance.

Nike Golf Official Website

Time to Cliiiimb

Strava certainly lets users push themselves, but often times you can’t tell how you’re doing until the ride is over. But now the personal mapping and tracking system for runners and cyclists is working with 4iiii’s, which produces special glasses that can stream data directly to the lenses.

The new Cliiiimb app can now pull live segment data from Strava and relay it to the Sportiiiis heads up display. Just be sure to keep your eyes on the road! Video after the jump