Welcome to the Weekend Reading List. We moved the list to Saturday to give our loyal readers something new for the weekend, and as a way to catch up on stories that they might have missed. This week we being with Sh*t Barefoot Runners Say (video above).
Enjoy the list and be sure to check back every Saturday. Read the rest of this entry »
Redfeather Snowshoes - Vapor
This week’s Made in America post appears on a day when the Colorado Front Range is finally getting pounded with its first winter storm of 2012. If the weather forecasters are correct, we may see up to 18-inches of snow by the time the storm is done. What better day to feature a company that has its roots in Colorado and may actually help me get out and around. Redfeather Snowshoes was founded back in 1988 by another Colorado resident who too was snow-bound, but that individual was a triathlete who lived up in Leadville, Colorado at 10,000-feet. His original design utilized an aluminum frame with a ‘V’ shaped tail that reduced the chance of a tail from one shoe from hitting the other shoe, especially while running and overall improved maneuverability while snowshoeing. This simple change to the shape has lead to the modern sport of snowshoeing that we know today as noted by Jim Tucker on the United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) website. Read the rest of this entry »
While not exactly brand new, this week Sennheiser let it be known that ultrarunner Karl Meltzer tones up and tunes out with the Sennheiser/adidas PMX 680 Sport headphones. There are a lot of audio choices out there, but Sennheiser has a point. If Meltzer, who regularly runs 100-mile ultra-marathons, uses the headphones then they probably are something the rest of us might consider.
According to Sennheiser Meltzer runs two to three hours with music playing, and says he appreciates the support of the neckband, which also includes a reflector at the back to provide a little safety.
The PMX 680 also allows him to make volume adjustments without stopping or reaching for his audio player. He can adjust the volume from a clip on his shirt. So for those looking for a new set of headphones, think of it this way, if it works for Karl Meltzer it probably is good enough for the rest of us!
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.
Mercury ran like the wind with wings on his shoes. These days wings aren’t required, just some advances in construction that allow for lighter and lighter shoes. This week adidas unveiled the new adizero Rush, which weighs 7.5 ounces. At that weight, you could shave a few seconds off your training run.
This week at the Consumer Electronics Show Magellan announced it was switching things up, and is entering the fitness market with the launch of its first two products, the Switch and Switch Up. These new series promises to be powerful, adaptable, and customizable for those looking for GPS watches that can meet the needs of runners, cyclists, and multisport athletes. And with a Magellan fitness website and third-party integration, users can easily analyze and share their activities.
For runners there is the Switch, which is packed with innovative features including nine customizable sport profiles, easy to read high-resolution display, eight hours of battery life, a high sensitivity GPS receiver, 50-meter water resistance, and compatibility with ANT+ sensors. The Switch Up offers the same features as the Switch plus additional features designed for true multisport athletes, including a barometric altimeter for precise elevation data, a thermometer to capture outside temperature, vibration alerts, and an innovative quick release mounting system to easily transition between sports. The Switch series will launch this spring. Press Release after the jump
This past December saw record smartphone sales, and some of you may be getting used to this new gadget in your pocket and the features it offers. There are a number of music options for these phones and countless apps to track your walk or run. But do you want to be hassled with carrying this device in your hand, or worse see that expensive new phone in pieces after you drop it? A running belt from iFitness may just be what you need to safely and securely carry your new iPhone or Android phone with you while out on your walk or run. Read the rest of this entry »
Whilst creatures of the night such as vampires can see in the dark, those not of the undead are (dare we say) blind as bat after nightfall. We’ve noted many products that help shine the way, and another option is the “Sprinter Headlamp” from Black Diamond. This is an LED light that is worn as a headband and offers 75 lumens of light.
But unlike other lighted headbands this one also includes a red rear blinky light to let those behind see you as well! After all, you wouldn’t only want to be seen by the vampires!
Black Diamond Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: 'Sprinter' Headlamp Made for Runners of the Night]
In an effort to provide fit and performance, many workout clothiers forget one thing, we have devices we take along on our run. Kickstarter project Underfuse is a pocket you can attach to your workout gear with an iron.
Underfuse is a performance iron-on pocket sized to fit a typical iPhone or other smartphone, plus an ID or keys, so you can bring it along on your workout. The pocket attaches to any garment on three sides, making it stable and secure for your device. The maker suggests you attach it to tight-fitting clothing such as a form-fitting top or compression shorts that hug your body. If you iron this pocket on to a pair of loose gym shorts, your phone or other pocket contents will jiggle around when you move.
As this is a Kickstarter project, Underfuse is looking for people to pledge money. For an $8 pledge, you get one Underfuse, for $20 you get 3 Underfuse pockets. Other pledge packages apply.
This week Netpulse, Inc, a provider of personalized interactive media for fitness centers and active lifestyle consumers, announced that it has acquired San Francisco-based Virtual Active. As a part of the acquisition, the entire Virtual Active team will be joining Netpulse, also based in San Francisco, to develop engaging exercise media experiences for active people.
This will see Netpulse expand its platform, which provides consumers worldwide with engaging content and data regarding their fitness experience, outside health clubs via mobile devices and home fitness products. Additionally, Netpulse has partnerships with seven of the leading commercial fitness equipment manufacturers, accounting for over 73 percent of global fitness equipment sales to health clubs. Read the rest of this entry »
Winter might be upon us, but it is still hunting in many parts of the United States. You may live near or enjoy hiking on trails that are close to legal hunting grounds with your four-legged ‘best friend’, and EzyDog wants to help your canine stay safe in the woods. Especially if your dog likes to run off-leash.
Their solution? “Blaze Orange” for your pooch!
Read the rest of this entry »
Click image for a closer view
Since the early 1990s, I have been an avid user of the Oakley Mumbo and M-frames with the Sweep lenses for all forms of cycling. They have protected my eyes from tree branches, sun, snow, mud, rocks, flying insects and anything else thrown my way. I never ride without them. They fit my head well and provide excellent coverage keeping the wind out of my eyes during fast descents. I have tried many other types of glasses and yet I keep grabbing my M-frames every time I ride… until now.
At Interbike this year, there were numerous eyewear companies and a number showing off photochromic lenses. Photochromic lenses darken when exposed to ultraviolet rays (UV) and fade back to lighter tint in low light areas or indoors. Shortly after the show, I received a pair of the Bollé Tempest glasses with their version of a photochromic lens, the Modulator, to try myself.
Click image for a closer view
The fitness monitor market seems to be growing as Garmin announced the upcoming release of its FR70 fitness watch, which can tracks users’ time, heart rate, calories burned and when combined with one of Garmin’s accessories even track pace and speed. The FR70 is available in both a men’s and women’s version.
“A lightweight, comfortable and stylish watch that helps users accomplish their goals is what the FR70 is all about,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Wear it as an every day time piece and keep it on during walks, runs or fitness routines to monitor these activities and progress.”
The device is meant for indoor and outdoor training, and at the heart of its success is FR70′s wireless ANT+ technology, which allows FR70 to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices, such as the included heart rate monitor, optional foot pod, speed and cadence sensor or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment like treadmills, spin bikes, elliptical trainers and more. Read the rest of this entry »
