Evolving Consumer: Happiness through shopping - electronics & fitness

Octoplus Has You Covered

Don’t toss that old cycling helmet just because the liner has seen better days. While we all know that helmets should be replaced on a regular basis the internal liner often wears out long before the outer shell. Italian cycling company Effeto Mariposa has shown that it reaches out in many directions and fitting has introduced the “Octoplus” a replacement helmet pad system.

The non-allergic, anti-microbial and machine washable kit – which includes a star-shaped main pad along with several smaller pads, provides a solid fit for most helmets. Video after the jump

Except No Substitute

Adidas has created the Cadillac of boots – no make that the Ferrari of boots. OK, third times the charm, the shoemaker has worked with Porsche Design Sport to come up with the Porsche of winter books. The Easy Winter Boots are designed to be a style alternative to traditional boots and feature PrimaLoft insulation, premium nubuck leather upper and protective TPU shell to help feet dry and the weather out. The rugged outsole will even help provide traction on wet surfaces.

You might not want to take that Porsche out of the garage in the winter, but you’d be glad to have these Porsche designed boots on your feet.

Adidas Easy Winter Boots Official Website

Fab FLAB

Riding a bike is meant to get you – and even keep you – in shape. But while riders do come in all shapes and sizes, clothing does not. Often time most cycling attire is designed for those ready to wear yellow in the Tour de France, so larger riders are left with fewer options.

Seeing this need for clothing for the larger set is Fat Lad at the Black – or FLAB – a new clothing line launched by three Yorkshire cyclists. Designed in the U.K. it is made in Italy and is aimed at Mamils (Middle aged men in Lycra). So enjoy the extra beer after the ride, or go back for another burrito. These clothes will have you covered – just don’t over do it too much.

Fat Lad at the Back Cyclewear Official Website

Hunt GPS

The thrill of the hunt is only thrilling so long as you aren’t lost in the woods. The new Magellan eXplorist 350H GPS for Hunters will ensure that you find your way. It features pre-loaded detailed base maps with contour elevations and Game Management Units (GMU), Digital Globe satellite imagery for virtual scouting ability, hunting specific waypoints, hunting geofences and a rugged, camouflage exterior.

It even ships with a one-year subscription to Digital Globe satellite imagery that gives hunters the ability to “virtually scout” a future hunt location from the comfort of home, where a satellite view of the area intended as hunting grounds is provided. Hunters can then quickly identify areas of interest such as game funnels, potential feeding areas, and suitable glassing locations. The areas of interest can be marked and waypoints loaded into the eXplorist 350H, ready for the field along with an area of Digital Globe satellite imagery.

Hunting-specific waypoint icons can also be used to mark animal tracks, rub marks, water and food sources while in the field and are readily accessible on the Magellan eXplorist 350H, so users won’t have to type in information. Points marked in the field can be even be uploaded back into Magellan’s VantagePoint software application on a computer, allowing any hunter to build up their own hunting specific database over time. The geofence feature of the Magellan eXplorist 350H will further automatically alert hunters when they are approaching any GMU boundary to ensure that they stay within the area that they are permitted to hunt.

The eXplorist 350H is ready for the hunt, but will you be?

Magellan eXplorist 350H Official Website

Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech

UniRider

From Gear Junkie: Man Rides Unicycle On 525-Mile Bike Tour
Riding 525 miles on a bicycle is a solid physical challenge. Grandfather of five Mark Massie made it tougher, opting to ride the entire California Coast Classic Bike Tour on a unicycle. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech

Dutch Inspired Jacket

One thing about the Netherlands is that it rains a bit and people ride bikes – hence they ride in the rain. The new Amsterdam jacket from Showers Pass would be right at home in the Dutch capital, as it is designed for bicycle commuters who want to stay comfortable and dry on the bike but still look presentable off it.

The jacket is made with a three-layer waterproof softshell fabric in a charcoal gray. It features a drop-down 3M reflective rear panel, reflective piping accents, gusseted weather-guard cuffs and adjustable hem with cord lock, hidden pit zips, side pockets and a chest pocket with audio port.

Showers Pass Official Website

PUSH It and Then Some

Salt ‘n Peppa comes to mind when we say “Push it,” but fitness company PUSH could be joining the band – well not the hip hop trio of course. The PUSH Band is an app-enabled wearable fitness tracker that can provide in-training tracking as well as analyzing strength performance.

It utilizes scientifically-validated metrics to visualize an athlete’s training performance. The Band part communicates with a PUSH App and can plan workouts, optimize training routines, review collected data and share results. Post-workout it can breakdown the metrics and wallow you know what you accomplished, while also monitoring progress in real time to help reduce the risk of injury by “over doing it.”

Users can compare performance with others view the live view feature, which makes it possible for coaches and trainers to access performance results as well. Users will be able to “PUSH” themselves a bit further beginning next spring when the devices will be released.

PUSH Official Website

Wiley X Active in Black

Wiley X knows a thing or two about Black Ops, and its collection of sun glasses now includes the Active Series P-17. This has been one of the company’s most enduring and popular sunglass models for law enforcement, shooting enthusiasts and other tactical wearers.

Wiley X P-17 combines a Matte Black frame with Smoke Grey lenses, for a look that’s professional, stealthy and understated. The Black Ops P-17 looks good while meeting the stringent ANSI Z87.1 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety standards, providing OSHA-grade protection for all wearers and a wide range of activities. These even provide wraparound-style coverage with clear peripheral vision and full protection against harmful UV rays and can help eliminate distracting eyestrain and keep tactical wearers focused on the situation around them.

Wiley X Official Website

Antigua Looks to Bright Spring Colors

Fall is often known for its colors, but Antigua Group is thinking of the colors of spring with its Antigua Spring 2014 Women’s Golf Collection. This line up promises color, style, sophisticated fabrics and a perfect mix of silhouettes, as it features bold ombre stripes, lightweight mélange fabrics and textured jacquards.

The line features more open necklines and neon colors that pop, while the Desert Dry technology will be there to absorb and wick moisture quickly and evenly. While winter is coming the spring line will be something to look forward to for next season.

Antigua Group Official Website

CHIPS it On

There are helmets with built in speakers, but the Outdoor Tech audio CHIPS make bringing some tunes with existing helmets a little easier. This wireless drop-in audio system works universally in all helmets with audio ready liners. Users can listen to music or take a quick call free of cords.

The speakers are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices with one-touch pairing, while two button control system allows users to adjust volume, change tracks, play/pause music and answer calls from outside your helmet knit without the need remove the gloves. This one features a rugged, minimal design fits into virtually any helmet designed to take audio drop-ins, and is IPX4 sweat and water resistant. It runs via a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers 10 hours of playtime and has a range of up to 30 feet.

Outdoor Tech CHIPS

CES To See Expansion in Digital Fitness Area

Fitness is on the rise – at least at the annual CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show). The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has announced that there will be 30 percent growth in the digital fitness footprint at the 2014 International CES. This will be produced in a partnership with Living in Digital Times, where the Fitness Tech will focus exclusively on the newest technologies for the sports and fitness enthusiast. It will expand to 11,500 square feet and will showcase more than 75 innovative companies.

According to CEA’s semi-annual report, the market for fitness technology is predicted to grow nearly 25 percent in 2014. CES will showcase the latest developments and discoveries across the digital fitness category. FitnessTech will feature hundreds of products, services and solutions that use technology to make workouts and outdoor activities fun, safe and effective.

The 2014 CES will run January 7-10, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

CES: Fitness Tech Official Website

ParaShoot 2.1Takes Aim

While there are a number of sport cameras on the market, ParaShoot 2.1 – which is being developed via an Indiegogo project – is a wireless HD camera that could be worn or used anywhere. Footage captured on this one could be shared wirelessly yet securely via the cloud. This camera is small enough that it fits in the palm of your hand (as shown above)( and weighs less than two ounces.

It can record 720 HD video at 30fps, and offers a 100 degree wide angle view. It runs on a 700mAh Li-ion battery and includes a built-in microphone. It isn’t being rolled out to be the most durable or high resolution camera but it is there to capture all those other moments in life. Video after the jump

Serious Ride to Work

If you’re commuting to work on BMC’s ACO1 then you are riding in style. The company introduced the redesigned urban commuter for 2014 and the AC01 borrows aero technology from BMC’s timemachine aero road bikes, and geometry from the company’s gran fondo bikes. Other features include a cutaway seattube to allow the same chainstay dimension as the BMC grand fondo GF01 (412mm) while still allowing room for fenders and wider tires. Up front, the fork is deisgned for minimal length while accepting fenders and wider tires.

The AC01 is slimmed down from last year and is 500 grams light, while the lateral and torsional stiffness was increased. Accessories also include BMC’s proprietary Curana fenders, which can be installed in seconds. Lighting and anti-theft devices also are even available from BMC. The bike is available in four colors and seven component packages, ranging from a Shimano Alfine 8-speed internal drivetrain with Gates belt drive to an Alfine Di2 group or SRAM XX1 group. It won’t come cheap to ride this one to work, and you may be brown bagging lunch as a result. The complete bikes range in price from $1,499 for a Shimano Soro-equipped model, up to $4,999 for the Alfine Di2 or XX1 bike.

BMC Official Website