Motor power can make already crazy, awesome
adrenaline sports even crazier and … awesomer. Just look at designs like
the Gnarboard and Jetboard.
Unfortunately, filling a garage with various forms of motorized gear
could quickly bankrupt a professional sports star. If an experimental
thrusting system from UK-based Dreamscience Propulsion makes it to
market, it could save some of those dollars by rolling the fun of
several types of motorized boards into one device. The electric
propulsion system lends motor-muscle to skiing, surfing, paragliding and
beyond. Read More
Spring is in the air, at least in the Northern
Hemisphere. The temperatures have warmed; the snow has melted; flowers
are blooming; and the smell of beef sizzling outdoors is once again
teasing our noses. For many enthusiasts, grilling is as much a relaxing
pastime as it is a household chore, but for those that might view it
more as the latter, one grill manufacturer is planning an easier future.
The voice-activated design of the Lynx Smart Grill lets you do more
grilling from the comfort of your deck chair. Read More
Outdoor Tech grows its sound into BIG Turtle speaker and charger
By C.C. Weiss
April 2, 2014
Outdoor Tech is no stranger to the world of crowd funding. It's used Kickstarter to get past products like the Turtle Shell
speaker off the ground. Now it's back with a bigger version of the
Turtle that it calls, quite simply, the BIG Turtle Shell. This speaker
brings more sound to the park and beach and packs enough power to double
as a portable charger. Read More
Designed to give sportsmen and outdoor explorers a
motor-powered means of reaching more distant waters, the MOKAI ES-Kape
is an innovative boat with an integrated jet drive system. It eliminates
the need for trailers and racks by breaking into three pieces that nest
inside each other, allowing it to fit inside an SUV. Read More
Inflatable tents are nothing new, with offerings such as the Wedge, the Cave and the Kelty Mach 6
built around inflatable frames to speed up pitching times. But
Utah-based start-up Aescent is turning things upside down with its
four-man domed tent that features an inflatable mattress built into the
base to provide a comfortable place to rest your weary bones after a
day's hiking. Read More
For dedicated surfers, even the colder months
aren't enough to keep them from a good swell. But if peeing in the
wetsuit isn't fending off the cold anymore, it might be time to head to
shore and the warm refuge of the Surf Sauna. Read More
Standing the test of time, and in conjunction
with rising fuel prices, the traditional teardrop camper has resurfaced
in recent years as an economic alternative to your large clunky caravan
or fully decked out Winnebago. Raising the bar with an intelligent and
modern teardrop design, Canadian company Safari Condo has recently
released the Alto R 1713 and R 1723 recreational campers. Read More
In January, Gizmag traveled around Germany to the Boot Dusseldorf and ISPO Munich
shows to take a look at the latest in everything from monolithic yachts
to tiny sports sensors. We've already covered many of our finds, but
both shows were so filled with new gear and innovation, we've combined
some of the remaining ones into one big gallery. Here is some of the
latest, most interesting hardware for enjoying water and land. Read More
Braven has announced the immediate availability
of an adventure-proof high definition wireless speaker system that could
be deserving of a place in the rugged section of our recent round-up of Bluetooth speakers. First announced at CES back in January, the BRV-X outdoor speaker is the bigger brother of the BRV-1
that impressed us back in January 2013, has a built-in battery that can
be used to charge other portable devices, and is described by the
company as "the tank of mobile speakers." Read More
Looking like a mix between a snowmobile, a dog
sled and a miniature World War I tank, Yvon Martel’s electric creation
is nothing if not versatile. With a top speed of 24 mph, the MTT-136 is
capable of pulling passengers or hauling loads through snow, mud and
grass with ease. Read More
BioLite packs its heat-charging tech into a large, wood-fire grill
By C.C. Weiss
February 20, 2014
Since it hit the market with a gadget-charging portable stove
a few years ago, BioLite has been slowly growing its line of outdoor
cooking-charging gear. Its latest product, the BaseCamp, gives campers
more power for cooking and charging gadgets. It can serve as both grill
and stove, while storing enough power to charge tablet computers. Read More
Just about everyone who's comfortable with
swimming in the ocean is at least somewhat interested in seeing what's
in the water below them. Not everyone, however, is so keen on
actually sticking their head below the surface and breathing through a
snorkel. If you're one of those people, you might like the Snorkelboard.
Read More
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High-tech cross-country skis tell you where to put the wax
By Ben Coxworth
February 13, 2014
The waxing of cross-country skis can be a tricky
business. Not only do you have to determine the proper hardness for the
snow conditions, but you also need to make sure that the grippy kick wax
and the more slippery glide wax each end up being applied to the proper
sections of the ski. Norwegian ski manufacturer Madshus has set out to
simplify the process, with microchip-equipped skis. Read More
Is Stakes the most portable BBQ in the world?
By Stu Robarts
February 12, 2014
Cooking food when in remote places can mean
having to lug a camping stove along for the journey or trying your hand
at some bushcraft to fashion a rudimentary grill. Israeli designer Roee
Magdassi has created another possibility, however. Stakes is an
ultra-light and ultra-portable grill that weighs just 300 g and takes a
matter of seconds to assemble. Read More
In October of last year, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) issued a warning
about the dangers of relying on smartphone apps that were being
marketed as economical alternatives to avalanche transceivers. But a new
smartphone app and add-on hardware component could provide an
alternative that is not only cheaper than dedicated avalanche
transceivers, but also provides additional functionality. Read More
Along with its various other activity-specific multi-tools, Leatherman currently offers models dedicated to the unique needs of skaters and surfers. Now, it's come out with a newly-updated tool designed just for snowboarders – the Hail + Style PS. Read More
Swiss camper suitcase brings a campsite around the world
By C.C. Weiss
January 31, 2014
Since we first covered the SwissRoomBox in 2012,
the manufacturer has been streamlining its design, offering products
that are smaller, simpler and cheaper. The all-new FreeTech represents
its smallest model yet, a suitcase-sized camper that you can easily roll
into the car and take on a plane. Camping in comfort is easier than
ever. Read More
In the battle between man and fish, technology
has swayed things to the humans' favor. Fish finders are probably the
most prevalent use of technology in fishing, and FishHunter takes things
one step further by incorporating Bluetooth and a smartphone into the
fish-locating equation. Read More
Powertraveller adds an ultra-versatile portable charger to its gadget charger line.
Not only does the new Powermonkey Expedition include standards like a
clamshell solar panel, AC adapter and crank charger, it complements them
with a portable wind/river turbine. Carry the kit on your adventures
and simply connect the generator component that's most suitable for the
current conditions. Read More
For those people unprepared to learn to scuba
dive, snorkeling is a great way to explore the water while remaining
close to the surface. The main problem with it is that it forces the
swimmer to breathe through only their mouth, which can feel unnatural.
Tribord's new Easybreath mask aims to solve that problem, by allowing
natural breathing through the nose or mouth. Read More
If there's one thing liable to ruin the
backpacking experience, it's being weighed down by too much baggage. The
problem is there are several things considered essential for the
serious backpacker who spends his or her day hiking and his or her
nights camping in the wilderness. One of which is a stove. The Vertex
Ultralight Backpacking Stove could solve the dilemma of traveling light
vs. eating every evening. Read More
The I.C.E. Stove puts a unique spin on the
multitool. Not only can the wood stove cook dinner and boil water in the
wild, it can saw the firewood and crack a beer. The stove then breaks
down into four panels that pack flat and weigh less than a pound (0.5
kg). Read More
Best gadgets and gear for fighting (and embracing) winter
By C.C. Weiss
January 7, 2014
Winter has officially set in across the Northern
Hemisphere, bringing with it feet of snow and record-breaking low
temperatures across the US. That doesn't mean that you have to pen
yourself indoors for the entire season and pray for Punxsutawney Phil to
go blind, however. We've got some of the latest winter gadgets and
gizmos to help you brave the cold, frost and snow. Read More
Unlike camouflage clothing, the forest doesn't
stay the same color year-round. This means that if hunters are really
serious about blending in, they have to buy both green and brown camo
... unless, apparently, they're wearing Cabela's new color-changing
ColorPhase apparel. Read More
The Cardsharp, designed by Iain Sinclair, is a
nifty, little pocket knife that folds as flat as a card. It's less
weighty and bulky in your pocket than other foldable knives, but
promises cutting power like a scalpel. When we covered the Cardsharp2
back in 2012, it was a stainless steel blade integrated in a
polypropylene body. Now, with the introduction of the Cardsharp4, it's
received a full metal jacket. Read More
"Coolest" cooler chills, blends and plays music
By C.C. Weiss
December 10, 2013
A good cooler keeps your drinks chilled during a
picnic, backyard BBQ or camping trip. The Coolest not only does that,
but it also mixes up frosty margaritas and plays music for your party.
With the docking grill, it even cooks your food. Its designer hopes to
get the feature-packed cooler to picnics and tailgates next year. Read More
ThermaCELL released its wirelessly-controlled
Heated Insoles in 2012, and I've been wondering about them ever since. A
local store couldn't keep the things in stock last winter, yet I've
also seen more than a few user reviews stating that they just don't
work. Given that I live somewhere where cold toes are a common problem
for several months a year, I really wanted to know what the case was ...
and I figured that lots of other people would like to know, too. I got
the company to send me a pair, in order to find out. Read More
Outdoor torch manufacturer Light & Motion is taking its line of multifunctional lights
to the next level. The all-new GoBe is a lightweight handheld that's
compatible with half a dozen different lighting elements. Purchase all
six screw-on heads and you create six different lights off of one
platform for diving, biking, trekking and more. Read More
EcoTrek's sturdy camper built to go off-road with aplomb
By C.C. Weiss
November 15, 2013
The Ecotrek 510 camper is designed for one
purpose and one purpose only: surviving any rugged obstacle thrown its
way so you can sleep soundly that night. That one purpose opens it up to
all kinds of uses – hunting, fishing, 4x4ing, etc. No cutesy teardrop
design, the 510 has a reinforced build meant to thrive in terrain that
would rip lesser campers to shreds. Read More
Over the years, we've seen survival gear in all shapes and sizes – traditional kits, shovels, paracord bracelets, concept snowboards, winter jackets
and more. A frisbee-like saucer is one format that we haven't seen ...
up until today. The LifeDisc isn't focused on fire, cutlery or water
purification, the way other survival kits and gizmos are. Its shape is
designed for winding fishing line and paracord around a waterproof
survival container. Read More
Vamoose jacket tucks and folds into a backpack
By C.C. Weiss
November 12, 2013
Designers seem to love convertible, multifunctional backpacks, as evidenced by designs like the Glyde Gear Fly and WalkBag. They don't mind the occasional convertible jacket, either - just look at the weird-but-real JakPak. The Vamoose jacket is both. Similar to the Xip3, the jacket transforms into a backpack when not needed for rain and cold. Read More
The Ziesel works kind of like an off-road armchair
By Ben Coxworth
November 12, 2013
How many times have you heard people say that we
should all get out of our comfy chairs, and go experience the great
outdoors? OK, maybe never, but it's certainly a common sentiment. In the
case of the Ziesel, however, you can do both. It's essentially a chair
with electric motors, suspension, and caterpillar-type tracks. Read More
Zayak Sea Sled clears the way for underwater close-ups
By C.C. Weiss
November 11, 2013
Looking like a cross between a raft and a massage
table, the Zayak Sea Sled is a new snorkeling alternative. It opens up
the same type of underwater views, only without the need to submerge
your face and breathe through a tube. You can explore the sea without
getting a single strand of hair wet. Read More
Coxa Carry reroutes backpack straps to free your arms
By C.C. Weiss
November 11, 2013
Backpacks have seen plenty of changes and innovations of late, as evidenced by the Pelican S100 and TYLT Energi+ device-charging backpack,
but most of those changes relate to the pack itself. The folks behind
the Coxa Carry system leave the pack alone and focus on the straps and
belt, creating a solution that they believe is more comfortable and
functional than the typical set of shoulder straps. Read More
It may look like a big slice of Swiss cheese, but
the Fimbulvetr snowshoe is actually a high-end sporting good product
from Norway. A series of high-tech components, including a thermoplastic
elastomer body and an innovative binding hinge, create a snowshoe that
is designed to be light, comfortable and easy to walk in – no matter how
nasty the weather. Read More
After successfully putting his NASA design skills to work on the Cricket Trailer, Garrett Finney has started on an even smaller field shelter. Similar in purpose to the Teal Tail Feather and other small campers,
the new Firefly is designed to split the difference between gear hauler
and camper. It can be mounted to a pickup truck bed, towed on a utility
trailer or choppered in to remote locations. Read More
The smartphone is like the modern day, techy
Swiss Army Knife. But it can't do everything. The Canadian Avalanche
Centre says that avalanche rescue apps can not effectively replace
dedicated avalanche beacons. Read More
Surfboard manufacturer Hydroflex is turning its
expertise to the creation of boards intended for surfing the streets.
What started out as using the leftover materials from the surfboard
building process to create composite skateboards for the Hydroflex team
is now expanding with the company aiming to bring its honeycomb
skateboard to the market. Read More
Last year, Pelican launched a line
of backpacks, rolling its hard-case protection into comfortable,
shoulder-harness form. On paper they look like a great way to protect
laptops and tablets, but how do they hold up in the real world? We took
one of the packs around the globe, from the 2013 New York Auto Show, to the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon, and finally to the IAA show in Frankfurt. Here's what we learned. Read More
Gerber's Impromptu Tactical Pen is designed for danger
By Dave Parrack
October 11, 2013
While the chances of being caught up in a
dangerous situation are thankfully low, having something about your
person for such an eventuality isn't a bad idea. The Impromptu Tactical
Pen from Gerber, with its glass-breaking steel tip, is one option for
those who want to keep themselves safe. It is, as its name suggests, a
simple writing implement with a hidden extra that could mean the
difference between life and death. Read More
For skiers and snowboarders, nothing can ruin a
good day on the hill faster than an equipment malfunction. Enter the
CL!CK Carabiner, a handy tool designed for winter sport enthusiasts to
fix binding issues without having to go back to the lodge, or even
worse, stop riding completely if out in the back country. Read More
We're constantly seeing inventors attempt to create new and interesting ways to charge our cell phones. VOTO is one product we've seen that uses fire
to charge our smart devices, and now a new take on the idea is hitting
the scene. Called FlameStower, it utilizes very similar technology, but
with a few twists. Read More
20-something small, portable campers for backwoods living
By C.C. Weiss
September 27, 2013
Perhaps it's just that we've been paying closer
attention to the segment lately, but we've seen a surge of innovative,
small camper hardware over the past few years. From utility trailer
build-ups like the Teal panel kit, to car conversion "campers in boxes" like the SwissRoomBox,
to more permanent van and Jeep conversions, these small campers let you
escape in your everyday vehicle without the bulk and cost of larger
motorhomes and RVs. Our recent trip to the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon
revealed that there are dozens upon dozens of small camper designs to
choose from. Read More
Vohringer's Speed-Wagon camping trailer sleeps two + motorcycle
By C.C. Weiss
September 24, 2013
With removable, modular living equipment, camping trailers like the Teal
seamlessly switch between sleeping people and hauling toys. At the
recent Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, German materials manufacturer
Vohringer showed a trailer concept designed to do both at the same time.
The Speed-Wagon uses a hydraulic lift system to open up space for a
motorbike while still sleeping occupants comfortably. Read More
The 2013 Dusseldorf Caravan Salon was stuffed
hall to hall, wall to wall with RVs, camping trailers, pop-ups and
mobile living equipment of all kinds. Perhaps it's the timelessly
romantic appeal of conquering anything the Earth puts in your way to
enjoy its bounty, but we were particularly impressed with some of the
rugged, off-road-capable campers. We've put together a tour of every
off-road model we found, designs that range from tented gear haulers to
full-blown tactical 8x8s. Read More
After a day spent hiking, biking, climbing or
otherwise exerting yourself outdoors, a shower sure feels nice. Climbing
into your car and driving home all sweaty in order to take
said shower, however, can be quite a drag. That's why Colorado native
Joel Cotton created the Road Shower. It's a pressurized water tank that
mounts on your roof rack, allowing you to grab a quick shower beside
your car – just look out for Peeping Toms. Read More
The recently unveiled GoSun Stove is a portable,
tube-shaped solar oven that's billed as being powerful enough to cook a
full meal, even on cloudy days. Much like the Solar Kettle,
this solar cooker uses parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a
glass cylinder and cook the contents inside. But while the Solar Kettle
was built for heating up beverages and boiled eggs, the GoSun Stove
sports a slightly larger set of mirrors and a stainless steel tray for
food, allowing it to act as a portable convection oven for baking,
frying, boiling, and more. Read More
Selk'bag wearable sleeping bag gets removable booties
By C.C. Weiss
August 19, 2013
The Selk'bag wearable sleeping bag
just got a little cooler. The newly introduced Patagon version includes
a set of removable booties. You can zip them off and then wear your
usual hiking boots or camp sandals while enjoying the warmth and freedom
of the Selk'bag suit. Read More
There are those for whom ditching the modern
comforts of home and roughing it is one of the main attractions of
camping. For such people, the traditional tent will likely do. But there
is another breed of campers that can’t stand to be separated from their
technology, be it digital music, videos, tablet computers, drink
blenders, etc. For them, there's a new generation of high-tech tents
wired to power all the latest portable gadgetry. Read More
Trimble TopoCharger converts an iPhone into an outdoor GPS
By C.C. Weiss
August 12, 2013
Smartphones have all but replaced standalone GPS
units for basic car and foot navigation in cities and on highways, but
without apps like the ViewRanger,
they aren't equipped to guide you around forests, mountains and trails.
The new Trimble TopoCharger brings another such app, along with a full
set of topographical maps and a full-sized back-up battery. Pop this
case on, and the iPhone transforms into an outdoor GPS. Read More
Recently unveiled by Australian design collective
Sibling, Walking Shelter is a sort of tent designed to be stowed away
in netted compartments on the backs of your shoes. Read More
FOR MORE SEARCH "Outdoors".. OR @GIZMAG
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