KineticShift » Apparel

SIA: Magnets Make Goggle Lenses easily Swappable

Enid Burns — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:02:49 +0000

Ski goggles aren’t what they used to be, they’re better. Several models have interchangeable lenses so you can swap them to suit the conditions on the slopes, but those interchangeable can be difficult to handle. Burton introduced a new pair of Anon ski goggles, which will be available in fall 2012, that use magnets to secure lenses and allow for an easy swap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BeKI95T5zI

Lenses have six magnet connection points that secure the lenses in place so you don’t lose them on the slopes, or on the lift. Burton claims the goggles have been tested on impact of over 75Gs without having any problems.

Burton Anon Optics Official Website
[via Gizmag: Anon ski goggles use magnetic lenses for easy swapping]

SIA: Lazer Sport Ski Helmet

Enid Burns — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:38:55 +0000

Ski helmets came into prominence on the slope only within the past several years. Yet adoption is growing. Ski-Injury.com reports that in the 2009 – 2010 season, 57 percent of the total population on the slopes wore helmets.

The popularity and safety aspects are drawing helmet manufacturers to the category. Lazer Sport, a Belgium-based company established in 1919, is known for bicycle, motorcycle and leisure helmets. This year at SIA the company had a rather large booth to mark their entry to ski helmets. This year Lazer has seven adult-size ski helmets including the Mozo, Tempted, Dissent, Effect, Lexi, Hoodie and Revert plus Jinkz and Noiz for kids.

Helmet models have different shapes, but the core of the brand is in the fit and ventilation systems. Fit is due to the Lazer Rollsys system, which lets you adjust the size with the turn of a dial on the helmet. The dial is connected to a fit system throughout the helmet and ensures a snug fit.

A ventilation system uses Adapt Vent, a vent system that takes cool air in the front vents, and sends heated air out the back so you don’t get overheated. When the cool air gets to be too much, a slide knob lets you close the vents to take in less air so you can warm up.

A few more details include X-Static antimicrobial and temperature regulating padding. This padding is found throughout the helmet, but also over the ear flaps. A soft padding is also on the chin strap for a softer fit.

A throwback to the bike category, some helmets in the line feature Snow-Bike Crossover. This allows you to use the helmet for multiple sports and not look out of place on the slopes or the trails.

Lazer Sport Official Website

SIA: Lodgesoxx for After Skiing

Enid Burns — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:30:10 +0000

Last week at SIA Snowsports Show we saw lots of products for activity, but also a few post-workout goods that are worth mentioning. LodgeSoxx is a pair of socks designated for wearing around the lodge or other areas you want to take off your ski boots, but you don’t want to walk around in just your socks.

These are a thick pair of socks with a rubbery layer at the bottom that gives you traction, but also a barrier so when you step in a puddle that was previously snow on someone’s boot, it doesn’t get your feet wet. These socks are easy enough to put on over your socks to have a nice double layer to hang out by the fire while your boots warm up.

Two people from LodgeSoxx showed us the socks with lots of enthusiasm. One said she likes to take her boots off as soon as she comes in from the slopes. She doesn’t like to walk around in her boots. The two were inspired to come up with a solution.

Lodgexoss are mainly black with the toes and cuffs, plus some logo placement, in a secondary color. Those colors are very bright including orange, hot pink, turquoise, yellow and lime green. Lodgesoxx come in a nylon bag that can hang from a hook, strap around your arm or leg, or simply slip in a pocket. This way you can keep Lodgesoxx on you when you’re out skiing and have easy access to them when you need them. Lodgesoxx sell for about $45 with the nylon bag.

Lodgesoxx Official Website

Suit Up After Un-Suitpack’in

KineticShift — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:44:57 +0000

What do you do if you cycle to work but need to “suit up” at the office? Well, you could try riding the bike with a suit on, or you could jam said suit in backpack. There is also the option of leaving the suit at the office – but the Cambridge Design Partnership has another solution – introducing the Suitpack, a special rucksack deisgned to provide a crease-free solution for cycle commuters. The still in prototype design allows for clothing to stay neat and clean as you ride to work. Shower not included, but if you have a way of getting cleaned up, you’ll have a suit that is ready to wear.

Cambridge Design: Suitpack rucksack design provides crease-free solution to cycle-commuting

SIA: The Sights of the Snowshow in Denver

Enid Burns — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:51 +0000

It snowed at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver during the SIA Snowshow.

Last week KineticShift headed to SIA, the Snowsports Industries America Snowshow, to check out winter sports gear coming out this year. Here are some of the highlights from the show. Click on the images for a larger view and more detail.

On display were ski patrol uniforms from a number of mountains and ski areas presented by the Backshop+Rental+Uniform booth as part of SIA.

SIA Snowsports Backshop+Rental+Uniform page on SIA

Skis are truly a work of art. In Icelantic's line, an artist creates the design on canvas.

Icelantic Boards Official Website

Exhibitors displayed socks in every pattern to get a leg up on each other.

Wrong Gear displays costumes to show off its Warrior Mask.

Wrong Gear Official Webiste

Newcomer LodgeSoxx offers a solution for those of us who like to take off our shoes to walk around the lodge.

LodgeSoxx Official Website

Redfeather Snowshoes displayed new designs in snowshoes.

Redfeather Snowshoes Official Website

SIA: Coffee Beans To Heat Up in Winter

KineticShift — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:09:59 +0000

Sometimes it takes a cup of coffee to get moving in the morning and sometimes a cup of coffee can be used to warm up. But what about using the coffee beans, not for drinking but for clothing? We’ve seen recycled bottles turned into clothes and we’ve seen bamboo used for bicycle jerseys, but now California sports clothing company Virus is on to something different with its StayWarm line that uses “Coffee Char,” or coffee charcoal to produce fabric.

The company showed off its new line of garments at last week’s SIA Snow Show in Denver, and in addition to providing UV shielding and anti-odor properties, the clothing should help wearers stay warm. Unlike bamboo, which provides a breathable fabric, Coffee Char can be used to trap heat close to skin, making for an excellent base layer when the weather outside is frightful.

Virus Official Website
[Via Gizmag: Keeping warm with recycled coffee beans]

SIA: Get on the Helmet Band-(It) Wagon

KineticShift — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:09:24 +0000

Over the years we’ve encountered many people who won’t wear helmets for cycling because they think they look cooler with their hair blowing in the wind – at least until a crash. Today many cyclists see a helmet as part of the style of riding. On the slopes, where fashion remains part of the sport, many skiers simply avoid the helmets because they won’t sacrifice style for safety.

But now Helmet Band-Its could be the answer, as the company offers an easy way to accessorize helmets, offering style whilst retaining the protection.

The patent-pending Helmet Band-Its, which are being shown at this week’s Snowsports Industry America’s trade show in Denver, are just as the name implies, fashionable bands that can be worn over and around a ski helmet. These are made of European faux and premium furs (sorry PETA), as well as high-quality cotton and even novelty materials for more whimsical designs. It allows skiers to look chic while skiing it safe!

Helmet Band-Its Official Website

OGIO Designer Bags Goes for Endurance

Enid Burns — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:41:14 +0000

Designer sports bag and apparel company OGIO just released its OGIO Endurance Collection. The line has bags that address the needs runners, swimmers, triathletes, cyclists, downhill mountain bikers and other athletes in endurance sports and competitions.

The seven-bag line is built to provide organization, protection and comfort for athletes taking part in high-intensity workouts and competitions. The line is made with lightweight yet sturdy materials that protect gear, yet make it light enough to carry to a race or location to workout.

OGIO’s flagship bag, the 9.0 Endurance Bag, has several features to keep any athlete organized. The bag includes two molded and lined compartments that provide protection for goggles, sunglasses, heart rate monitors, other electronic devices and fragile goods. Several other compartments include a wet/dry pocket with built-in 360-degree ventilation gussets for wetsuits, swim suits and soiled clothes to keep them separated from the rest of the bag. Shoes get their own ventilated compartment big enough to carry two parts of shoes. Dirty clothes also get their own ventilated compartment that maintains good airflow to keep post-workout clothes from developing that locker room stink.

Six other bags, the 8.0, 7.0, 5.0, 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0, each have similar compartments for organization. Each bag offers advantages for size and sport-specific features. Bags are designed with adjustable shoulder straps that can be worn backpack-style and an integrated carry handle for options when traveling with the bag.

Expect to find the OGIO Endurance Collection in specialty bike, running, and multi-sport stores starting in February.

OGIO Official Website

Team BMC to Wear 2XU Compression

Enid Burns — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:52:36 +0000

It’s a case of too many initials. Or perhaps it’s a perfect match of initials. Technical sports and compression apparel brand 2XU was awarded the title of exclusive Official Compression Partner for the pro cycling team BMC.

The Australian-based sports clothing manufacturer will outfit 2XU Compression garments for training and recovery. This lets them realize physiological benefits such as improved circulation, heightened agility and reducing muscle fatigue and damage.

Recovery is important and if compression clothing helps cyclists recover in less time, that’s crucial throughout the season, but especially during a grand tour such as the Tour de France.

“Compression technology is becoming increasingly important in endurance sports, making our partnership with 2XU critical to the performance of our athletes,” said BMC Racing Team General Manager Jim Ochowicz.

2XU is already the official supplier of compression garments to the Australian Institute of Sport, Rowing Australia, Triathlon New Zealand, international triathlon teamTBB, GreenEDGE Cycling, the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, the Real Cyclist Pro Cycling team and other teams and organizations.

2XU Official Website

Meet the Down that Doesn’t Like Water

Enid Burns — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:21:01 +0000

Down feathers are great for outdoor gear. It’s loft provides warmth in a lightweight form for jackets, sleeping bags and other garments. Yet when it gets wet, and that can easily happen outdoors, it loses its loft and therefore warming properties. Water might just be the downfall of down.

Down Décor, a company producing DownTek, hopes to change all that. DownTek is a water repellant down. Hydrophobic properties are given to down through nano technology and a proprietary application process. This makes water repellant to the down feathers. To the extent they do get wet, they dry much more quickly.

The company says the nano chemical used to treat the down is made by a company in Belgium that follows strict environmental-friendly criteria in its practices.

DownTek can be used in premium goose down fills that are 700 Fill Power or higher. Expect to find the fill in fall/winter 2012 garments and gear from Marmot, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, REI, Brooks Range and LL Bean.

DownTek Official Website
[via SNEWS: DownTek Introduces Water-Repellent Down]

Kettlebells on Guard

KineticShift — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:18:39 +0000

Kettlebell workout is one that’s been on a low boil for a few years. It has the makings of a trendy workout, but remains primarily among insiders. Perhaps that’s because as much good as kettelbells are for toning muscles, the wrists take a beating.

Strain on the wrist joints, plus occasional bruising when the weight comes in contact with the wrist, are downfalls of the workout program. Ice Chamber Athletic aims to prevent those wrist pains. The KettleGuard wrist band is a slip-on band that shields and supports the wrist during a session.

The KettleGuard wrist band is a one-size fits-all wrist band that’s machine washable. It’s sweat absorbent, and has an impact shield so you can adjust the padding to the area that comes in contact with the kettlebell without excess bulk.

The KettleGuard is available at Amazon.com and the KettleGuard.com website for $24.99.

KettleGuard Official Website
Ice Chamber Athletic Official Website

SIA 2012: Quicksilver Makes a Play for the Mountains

Enid Burns — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:16:57 +0000

Quicksilver, a brand known among surfers, watermen, skateboarders and snowboarders, is prepping its fall 2012 line for a newly launched mountain division. The line will be on show at Outdoor Retailer and SIA this month.

The fall line includes 16 pieces including insulator jackets, down parkas, fleeces, bombers, windbreakers and shells that range in price fom $80 to $250. In an early look Quicksilver revealed a photo of its Ghost Tree jacket, shown in orange.

Quicksilver Official Website

SHOT SHOW 2012: Under Armor Controls Smells

KineticShift — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:59:46 +0000

There is no denying that when heading to the great outdoors most people will come back home smelling worse for it. This is part of the outdoor experience, and in a way if you don’t smell bad you probably didn’t do enough. That’s true for fitness, but sometimes a strong scent won’t just have your loved one sending you to the shower, for hunters it can keep the prey away.

At SHOT Show in Las Vegas Under Armor, a leader in athletic performance apparel are introducing new Zeolite-based UA Scent Control Technology in its 2012 Whitetail Collection. This helps hunters remain undetected when in the field via a silver anti-microbial that promises to last 10 times longer than commonly used carbon-based technologies. There is a saying that some predators can smell fear, but now the hunted won’t smell the hunters!

UNDER ARMOUR UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE GAME-CHANGING SCENT CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

The Performance Brand Introduces Revolutionary Zeolite-based UA Scent Control Technology in 2012 Whitetail Collection

Baltimore, MD (January 9, 2012) – Under Armour, Inc., a leader in athletic performance apparel, footwear and accessories, debuts a new game-changing technology for the 2012 whitetail hunting collection, Under Armour® Scent Control. This exclusive technology revolutionizes the way hunters remain undetected in the field with an innovative Zeolite-based scent control system with silver anti-microbial that lasts ten times longer than the commonly used carbon-based technologies.

Under Armour has partnered with industry leaders to utilize an exclusive dual technology. Under Armour Scent Control uses a specifically engineered formula that effectively traps human vapor odor using synthetic zeolites and suppresses odor causing bacterial growth by employing a silver antimicrobial system. The anti-microbial is encased in the custom-engineered zeolite carrier, a synthetic lava far superior to carbon, to create the ultimate odor control material. Under Armour Scent Control not only captures more odor than traditional odor absorbers, but it also lasts longer, maintaining 99% effectiveness after 50 washes.

Under Armour Scent Control technology is integrated into the whitetail hunting apparel collection from baselayer to outerwear, but what about your gear? Also new for 2012, Under Armour delivers a total scent control program with the introduction of Under Armour Scent Control Spray. This spray formula contains the same game-changing zeolite technology, designed for use on all the necessary gear associated with the hunt. Use Under Armour Scent Control Spray on items like your bow, tree stand, backpack, and footwear to remain undetected and lethal in the field.

For more information on Under Armour Scent Control Products and Under Armour’s complete selection of performance apparel, footwear, and accessories, visit www.UA.com or www.alwayslethal.com.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand’s moisture-wicking fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.UA.com.