As football season starts here in America, it’s still worth thinking about the sport the rest of the world calls football, what we call Soccer in the U.S. Just in time for fall ‘futball’ Nike introduced its Total 90 Tracer ball. The new ball is designed for consistency, accuracy, touch and visual acuity. The ball has hand-sewn seams, improved bladder tension and the surface texture you expect to kick around the field. The surface texture is actually a micro-textured casing, which regulates airflow equally across the ball’s entire surface. The ball is then less prone to wobble, and takes a more direct, arrow-like flight.Nike tested the ball among many of the prominent leagues including the Barclays Premier League, Spain’s LFP, Italy’s Serie A, national teams including Portugal and the United States, and confederation matches throughout South America and Asia. The company also tested the T90 Tracer Ball at the Nike Equipment Innovation Test Lab in Oregon. Nike claims the ball works well with the beginner player, amateur leagues and pro-soccer (or football) teams.

This isn’t the first new soccer ball to hit the field in a while. Adidas introduced a new ball, the World Cup Jabulani Ball, early in the summer before the World Cup. The question will be whether the new design and features will be adopted by teams and leagues, and whether the ball will filter down into schools an kid’s teams. The pricing may be a factor as much as playability for the latter. Nike has a large presence among teams worldwide, and introduced new uniforms for World Cup, which could supply an in for the new T90 Tracer Ball.

The Italians take fashion seriously; there is simply no denying that fact. And although it is also a well-established fact that the Italians really like to keep their hair well styled, they also are taking safety on the mountains quite seriously these days. But just because you need to protect your eyes and your noggin on the slopes doesn’t mean you can’t look good at the same time.

This is especially true with Carrera’s new line of ski products that include new helmets with eye-catching colors, fine details and exclusive graphic effects. Among the new products for the 2010/11 ski season are the Bullet Rosso Line of lightweight, but still durable fiberglass ski helmets that ensures users an excellent fit with an aerodynamic design. The helmets feature a special “dry wave” inner lining that will absorb moisture and provide better comfort – unfortunately it can’t promise unkempt looking hair after a day in the powder, but that’s probably why the Italians eat dinner so late.

For the ladies there is the Vanity ski helmet – as if there could be any other name – a product that offers a glamorous yet refined look, along with leather-lined ear pads for fit and comfort. The helmet even has a matching bag made in white patent leather with brown trims. There is also the matching Beatch SPH Lace goggles, that feature a “lace” effect floral design on the front and on the elastic straps.

For the racers, there is the new “Bullet” ski helmet, as well as the “Carrera Steel” and “Carrera Steel X” goggles. These feature minimalist design along with technical innovation. Those models, along with the “Crown” helmet and “X-Change” goggles are meant to provide a combination of style and safety for the upcoming winter ski season. 

The Bullet Carrera Steel goggles will have you zipping down the runs faster than a speeding… OK, we won’t say it. But we will note that this line of goggles features a “zero resistance” for aerodynamic performance, along with “seal ring” technology to provide a thermal barrier, ensuring that these won’t fog.

The Crown helmet also solves a common problem for skiers, as in where to put money if you’re wearing a tight ski suit instead of a bulky coat. This helmet features a special “money holder” in the ear pads, plus it offers the AFS Fitting System for precision adjustment, which also for on-the-fly adjust to fit to absolute perfection – probably better than a king’s or queen’s actual crown.

The whole line of new Carrera products will be available later this year, and just in time to hit the white stuff. 

 [Via Fashion & Runway: Winter 2010/2011 presents new ski helmets, goggles and sunglasses by CARRERA]

 Carrera World Website

While true “Water Music” is the work of composer George Frideric Handel, whose three suites were first performed on a concert for King George I of England in 1717 on the River Thames, today any type of music can be water music thanks to the new Wavetooth headset from Brando.

This is actually the first waterproof Bluetooth headset, and it can be used near and around water. Users need not worry about being tethered to a headset cord, and this wireless headset can be used with an iPhone, smartphone or any Bluetooth compatible music player.

It is IPx8 certified to be waterproof up to three meters and for 24 hours. The package includes a waterproof bag case for the actual device, plus waterproof stereo earphones that work with a rechargeable battery, which promises to offer 13 hours of talk and music time.

The waterproof system, along with “noise rebound” technology means you can talk on a phone while poolside without fear of damaging your handset. When the call is done you can get in your water workout.  While we don’t think this device will let you take part in a conference call as you do laps – it might be hard to do talk and do most strokes (even the back stroke) – it will let you listen to music while you swim.

Wavetooth Waterproof Bluetooth Headset at Shop.Brando.com

Basketball is almost synonymous with hi-tops. That’s due to the tendency for players to sprain their ankles with running, jumping and cutting moves typical of the game. Even with the added support of a higher shoe, injuries are still common and can rack up to $3,000 to $5,000 per sprain, and downtime from the season. A new company, Ektio, wants to reduce the number of injuries due to sprains with its two models the Wraptor and Post Up, which will be available in November for the early days of the basketball season.

The Wraptor is a traditional high top with leather, quilted stitching, perforated leather details and patent leather toe and ankle accents. The Post Up is a three-quarter top shoe with mesh walls to keep cool. The defining feature of both shoes in the Ektio line is built in straps within the wall of the shoe to anchor the ankle and prevent rollover injuries. The shoe’s design incorporates “anti-rollover bumpers” on the outside of the sole as well.

Ektio's high-top Wraptor.

Ektio’s design was developed by Dr. Barry Katz and his medical team. The doctor was inspired to create the new design after his son fell prey to the sprained ankle while playing basketball. The shoes have undergone testing and clinical trials at Drexel University and the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Studies find that despite the anchoring of the ankle to the shoe, useful ankle motions in movement such as running, jumping and cutting, typical to an average game of basketball, were not inhibited in comparison to the standard basketball shoe.

Ektio's Post Up three-quarter top shoe.

Ektio has behind it a team of experts including Thomas Nordstrom, M.D., orthopedic surgeon; Steven Dribben, doctor of podiatry; Sorin Seigler, Ph.D., director of Biomechanics Lab at Drexel University; and Howard Hillstrom, Ph.D., director of Gait Lab at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. The new shoe line even has the support and involvement of former NY Knick John Starks, who wants to get Ektio shoes on the feet of all NBA players.

Ektio’s official web page

Teams will have an advantage with a lighter uniform. The padded base layer allows for specific pad placement to suit each position, which adds a customized element to the new cloth. The base layer’s fabric and padding also allows for critical protection and greater mobility over traditional pads for unencumbered speed.

The uniform's blue details reflect the infamous blue artificial turf at the Bronco stadium at Boise State.

Integrated padding in the base layer lightens the load and the outer uniform continues with that trend. The top clothing is a lightweight, breathable fitted sheath. The jersey and pant are constructed from a four-way stretch twill. That fabric sheds water and sweat, and even wet is still lighter than standard-issue uniforms when completely dry. The uniform, in total, is 37 percent lighter than what’s currently available.

While the construction is the same for each team, Nike delved into each team’s history past, present, and visions for the future to design the look for each school.

These design elements include:

• Alabama: Houndstooth check pattern incorporated into the uniform in tribute to legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
• Boise State: Reflective, Game Royal Bronco head on the uniform echoes the famed blue turf of Bronco stadium.
• Florida: Alligator-skin motif used in the jersey numbers, pant, gloves and footwear inspired by menacing Gator mascot.
• Miami: Tonal Fir palm-frond print emblematic of South Florida incorporated into the jersey numbers, pant and footwear.
• Ohio State: Stylized script numbers, a replica U.S. flag on the jersey sleeve and the camouflage-print base layer honor the WWII-bound Buckeyes, National Champions of 1942.
• Oregon State: Retro design revives a look worn by the victorious 1967 “Giant Killers.”
• Pittsburgh: Notched Team Gold jersey numbers and stencil stripe on the helmet evoke steel I-beams in reference to Pittsburgh’s steel industry.
• TCU: Icy lizard-skin pattern used throughout the uniform inspired by the scaly body armor of TCU’s horned frog mascot and a memorable quote from celebrated coach Leo “Dutch” Meyer.
• Virginia Tech: All-black uniform references the cadet gray-and-black regalia worn by Virginia Tech’s original football team and honors the school’s current Corps of Cadets.
• West Virginia: A headlamp-like line running front-to-back on the helmet and smudged Black pattern on the uniform pay respect to the region’s coal mining industry.

Teams plan to wear their uniforms for select games including the University of Alabama (Nov. 13), Boise State University (Sept. 6), University of Florida (Oct. 30), University of Miami (Nov. 20), The Ohio State University (Nov. 27), Oregon State University (Dec. 4), University of Pittsburgh (Nov. 26), TCU (Sept. 4), Virginia Tech (Sept. 6) and West Virginia University (Nov. 26). Additional games may be added as the season progresses.

Alas, summer is behind us – but that doesn’t mean the time at the beach, pool or on the trail is completely over for this year. And if you’re heading to where you might get wet for an early autumn vacation, the Ricoh G700 waterproof camera will let you snap photos without fear.

This digital still camera can go deep too; up to five meters underwater in depth, and it can handle different types of spills on land as well. With its new shock resistance frame it can survive a drop of up to two meters and it is resistant to chemicals such as ethanol, which allows the camera to be disinfected while you travel. It can handle various weather conditions so this is truly a camera for all seasons. The G700 can keep snapping in cold weather conditions up to -10C, and it offers JIS/ICE dustproof protection to grade 6 to guard against infiltration by dust and sand for that next gaunt to the desert.

The Ricoh G700 isn’t short on functionality either. It features a 12megapixel sensor, 3-inch LCD display and 5x optical zoom. Other features include support for the SanDisk SD WORM (write once read many) card, with password lock, which essentially is good for those times when you don’t want a photo to be erased or viewed without access. The 28-140mm non-extending optical 5x zoom lens allows for wide range shots that would be impossible with a standard 35mm lens, and it can also tackle telephoto shots as well.

It would be ideal for a trip to Asia , which could be necessary if you actually want to purchase one. This camera is hitting the Japanese market on September 10^th, but a U.S. release has not been announced.

We hear Japan is very nice this time of year. Send us a picture!

Ricoh G700 Official Website

Photo: Casey Rodgers / AP Images for Nintendo of America

Today marks the end of summer for many people, but Nintendo made sure to have one last summer weekend bash with the Labor Day Wii Games: Summer 2010 Competition championships in the Los Angeles area. The X-Games it was not, but it did show attendees that video game doesn’t have to be a completely sedentary activity, and that gamers can (and we think should) get off the couch from time to time.

Approximately 200 finalists from around the country, who were joined by family, friends and spectators, took to the field in Redondo Beach, California to get in the game. Tournament play included game sessions with Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, as well as the new Super Marios Bros. Wii and Mario Kart Wii. Olympic Gold Medalist and Wii Games: Summer 2010 Ambassador Shawn Johnson was on hand to help with a warm-up session with “Hula Hoop Activity” from the Wii Fit Plus.

Wii Games Summer 2010 Official Site

Schlek and his brother Frank, who was unable to finish this year’s Tour de France after crashing out early in the multi-stage race, had previously announced that they would be leaving the Saxo Bank team to start their own team based in their native Luxembourg for the upcoming season. This team has yet to announce its full roster or title sponsor.

Trek will join Specialized Bicycles in being a company that will provide cycles to more than one team, as this year Specialized had provided the bikes for Alberto Contador’s Team Astana. Contador, who won the tour, has made the move to Saxo Bank, which was the other team riding Specialized this year. It was also the first time that a Specialized bike was used by a tour winner. Contador and Team Astana had previously ridden Trek, but the company followed Lance Armstrong to the Radio Shack team for this season.

It was announced that Trek would continue to provide bikes for Radio Shack next season, despite the fact that Armstrong has announced that he will be retiring. It isn’t clear if Astana will be in the Tour next season, or if the company will be using Specialized bikes.

Trek Bicycles

Specialized Bicycles

Research shows men kick the soccer ball differently than women. The study, published this month in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, finds males activate certain hip and leg muscles more than females during the most common soccer kicks – the instep and side-foot kicks. While men activate more muscles, the data may explain why female players are twice as likely as male players to sustain anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

“By analyzing the detailed motion of a soccer kick in progress, our goal was to home in on some of the differences between the sexes and how they may relate to injury risk,” said orthopaedic surgeon Robert H. Brophy, MD, the study author and assistant professor of orthopedics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.To conduct the study Dr. Brophy and colleagues from Motion Analysis Laboratory and Sports Medicine Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York used 3D video-based motion analysis and electromyography to examine the differences between 13 male and 12 female college soccer players. The researchers used eight to 10 video cameras, 21 retroreflective markers and 16 electrodes simultaneously to measure the activation of seven muscles. Those were iliacus, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, hamstring, and gastrocnemius. Movement was measured both in the kicking and supporting legs. The hip abductors and tibialis anterior muscles were also studied in the kicking leg.

The conclusion is that male players activate the hip flexors, muscles inside the hip, in their kicking leg, and hip abductors on the outside of the hip in the supporting leg during a kick. In the kicking leg, men generated almost four times as much hip flexor activation as females. In the supporting leg male subjects generated more than twice as much gluteus medius activation and vastus medialis activation as female participants.

The findings may explain a higher proportion of injuries in female soccer players over male. Research can also work towards better equipment and prevention of such injuries.

Even with protective sleeves the mobile smartphones aren’t exactly designed for those with more active lifestyles. But Motorola is looking to defy what the traditional handset can do, and that’s where the Motorola Defy comes in. This is actually the company’s second rugged Android smartphone, and it promises to be waterproof and dustproof.

The Defy has a 3.7-inch 480×854 Corning Gorilla Glass Display, along with a 5megapixel auto focus camera that offers video recording, LED flash and most notably image stabilization, so you can capture the thrill of victory as well as your personal agony of defeat. The Defy also includes A-GPS, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth, MotoBlur 1.5, a microSD card slot, and it runs on Android 2.1 OS.

That all sounds great, but there is some bad news, you’ll have to head to Europe to get one, when the Defy is released in Q4. No word on pricing or when this handset will arrive in hands in North America.