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Vest offers inflatable protection for bicyclists
April 1st, 2019
If you fall off your bike, you want to make sure you protect your thorax, back and neck. A vest that takes its cue from automobile airbags can do just that. B’Safe features an airbag that inflates instantly in the event of an accident. Developed by the French airbag technology company Helite, B’Safe features a […]
Extreme sports, tough textiles
March 1st, 2019
Fabricators go to great lengths to make sure every piece of material they produce or distribute will be up to difficult tasks. But sometimes the task is so specialized—or so extreme—that production requires a truly exceptional level of care, expertise and, often, regulation. Products such as the ropes that firefighters use to rappel from helicopters […]
Sports and fitness wear market growth
January 9th, 2019
The global sports and fitness wear market is expected to post a CAGR of over five percent during the period of 2019–2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. A key factor driving the growth of the market is the rising number of sports tournaments. The growing interest in sports activities globally has […]
Upward mobility: on-the-go hot air ballooning
January 1st, 2019
Who doesn’t wish they could just fly away once in a while—especially at the sight of hot air balloons gracing the horizon? But expense, equipment and accessibility can make hot air ballooning prohibitive for the average person. FlyDOO, a start-up company based in southeast France, is aiming to change all of that. Founder Leandro Corradini, […]
Sports bags double as life rafts
January 1st, 2019
Tough, waterproof, multi-purpose—that’s the standard for outdoor bags these days. Design company Subtech Sports has taken things to a new level with version 2.0 of its rugged Pro Drybags. Subtech Sports was founded by Eric Lyth after an experience with kayaking in Australia’s Sydney harbor. He witnessed an eight-foot shark break the surface of the […]
Smart wearable tracks sports performance
September 1st, 2018
A new device puts a “coach” on the back of elite aspiring athletes, enabling them to track their performance and improve their game. PLAYR is a smart wearable vest designed by Benjamin Hubert of LAYER, an experience design agency, for Catapult, a sports analytics and tech company. Catapult works with more than 1,500 elite sports teams […]
Adaptive cooling technology for clothing
August 1st, 2018
We all have the ability to regulate our body temperatures by sweating through our skin. As the moisture we produce evaporates, the skin cools naturally. But our clothing hampers this process. Swiss Textile innovator HeiQ has solved this problem with cooling technology applied to textiles that complements the natural perspiration process. It works like a […]
Hit the road with a canvas surfboard bag
August 1st, 2018
So what is the best way to carry your surfboard on the go—especially when your car or motorcycle has limited space? The answer lies in the childhood memories of one of the artisans at No Excuse Co., who recalls seeing his father, a military man, carrying a huge duffle bag on his shoulder as he […]
Playing it safer: performance and protection for sports and recreation
June 1st, 2018
Today, people of all ages are embracing active lifestyles: playing team sports, hitting the slopes, biking, climbing and hiking in all kinds of weather conditions, testing their mettle in boxing rings and martial arts classes or going for the gentler forms of exercise, like yoga. People are on the move, including retiring baby boomers who […]
A tent for the trees
June 1st, 2018
Hammocks are popular once again as people realize they provide a great way to relax effortlessly outdoors. For hikers and campers, they offer a lightweight way to rest with ease. But how about a hammock that is also a tent? Tentsile, the London, England-based manufacturer of tree-camping tents, has introduced a solo tree tent that […]