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Dreamscience and Jamie Barrow take snowboarding horizontal
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
Lynx plans to put the Internet-connected Smart Grill on the market in 2015
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

April 2, 2014
The latest Outdoor Tech wireless speaker
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
The Mokai ES-Kape
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
Aesent's 4-man tent features an inflatable base
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
Surf Sauna was built by a group of surfers and craftsmen based in Portsmouth, New Hampshir...
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
Canadian company Safari Condo has recently released the Alto R 1713 and R 1723 recreationa...
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
Some of the highlights from Boot Dusseldorf and ISPO Munich
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's new BRV-X outdoor wireless speaker
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
The MTT-136 (short for 'My Track Technology' and the 136 inch snowmobile tread) is capable...
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 shows the BaseCamp at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market
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
The Snorkelboard – it's like a glass-bottom boat, except a tad smaller
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

The new microchipped skis are designed to take the guesswork out of waxing (Photo: Madshus...
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
Stakes is an ultra-light and ultra-portable grill
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
The Galileo-SmartLVS hardware (prototype pictured) coupled with the LawinenFon app transfo...
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
The Leatherman Hail + Style PS combines two multi-tools in one
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
SwissRoomBox presents the new FreeTech at ISPO Munich 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
FishHunter uses sonar, and displays fish-finding data on a smartphone
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
Expedition users can switch between the turbine, solar and hand crank power
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
Using the Easybreath snorkel promises to feel more natural than traditional snorkeling
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
The Vertex Ultralight Backpacking Stove is small, light, and folds away flat
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
One of the stove's panels opens cans, pops bottle tops, cuts wood and 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

We take a look at a few gadgets and gizmos to help you through the cold winter months
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
Cabela's ColorPhase Insulated Hooded Jacket, in its 'warm' phase
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 nkd AQUA POD is claimed to replicate water sourced from mountain springs
Companies such as Vapur and Camelbak tout the health and environmental benefits of their water bottles over bottled water. NKD Aqua toes that line but targets the luxury bottled water market by claiming its Pod replicates mountain spring water.  Read More
The Cardsharp4 is built from aluminum and stainless steel
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
The Coolest's ice-crushing blender makes drinks on the spot
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
Gizmag reviews ThermaCELL's Heated Insoles
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
GoBee 700 Spot
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
The 510 weighs about 1,100 lb empty, making it possible to tow with a variety of vehicles
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
It looks like a simple frisbee, but it's much 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's jacket and poncho are designed to quickly fold into a 3-liter backpack
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 takes to the snow
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
The Zayak provides a look at fish, plants and other sea life
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
The Coxa Carry compared to traditional pack straps
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
Fimbulvetr snowshoes combine a thermoplastic deck with a patented 'all-direction hinge'
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
A Photoshopped rendering of the Firefly in beautiful Joshua Tree National Park
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 iSis Intelligent (Mountain) Rescue System was one of the apps that CAC looked at
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
The new skateboard from Hydroflex uses a honeycomb design and construction process borrowe...
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
The Pelican ProGear S100 Sport Elite includes a hard, watertight laptop case in the back
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
The Impromptu Tactical Pen is designed for danger, as a pen suitable for the police and ar...
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
The CL!CK Carabiner is a tool designed to let skiers and riders make repairs on the hill
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

The FlameStower – where there's fire, there's electricity
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
Campers of the 2013 Dusseldorf Caravan Salon
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
The hydraulic lifts seen on the side lift the sleeping 'penthouse' up
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 had off-road campers of all shapes and sizes
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
The Road Shower uses the Sun to heat its matte-black water tank
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 GoSun Stove uses parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a glass tube and cook ...
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
The new Selk'bag gets more mobile than ever
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
Goal Zero/Eddie Bauer Katabatic 2
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
The Trimble TopoCharger provides iPhone users with extra battery life and color topographi...
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
Sibling's Walking Shelter (Photo: Sibling)
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

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1 comment:

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