Several years ago when I was in Europe with a girlfriend, the young woman weighed down with a massive backpack looked at me through foggy glasses, hoisted an encyclopedia-sized tome with both hands, and said, “This is a great guide book because it tells us how to blend in like locals.”

This new AARP Filson Travel Vest costs $165. If you’re going to wear this thing, expect to be treated like an American.

Last year it was decided Pluto was to be demoted, and now children in schools all over the US don’t learn what My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us… and last week, the briefly named “Pluto Platter” (after six months it became a “Frisbee”) turned 50 with very little fanfare. The inventor, Walter “Fred” Morrison, sold the marketing rights to his flying disc in 1957. In honor of the anniversary, Wham-o is selling limited editions of the original Pluto Platter as well as other celebratory discs.

via MSNBC News

Burton’s iDiom 2007 line is already appearing in some shops, but based on the iDiom gear leftover from last year, you probably don’t need to buy your new snowboarding jacket in June. The Burton iDiom sub brand from designer Hiroshi Fujiwara looks pretty good, definitely some Woolrich influences in the yellow plaid. Â

via SlamXHype

I like dogs, I would even go as far as saying, “I’m a dog person.” I hope the woman who quit her office job to start the Doggles company has some kind of backup plan, because in spite of my liking dogs, I cannot possibly imagine a scenario in which I’d put a pair of goggles or sunglasses on my dog.

Actually, on second thought, if Spuds McKenzie came back to life, I would get him some sunglasses.

You knew this was going to happen. It’s the same potential energy at the start of every Critical Mass ride that manifests itself when someone puts their head through the back window of a minivan. From all accounts I’ve heard, there was a pretty big turnout for Go Skateboarding Day with local shops organizing group rides. This funny/disturbing video of an awkward, mustache-free cop choking two 13-year-olds at the same time could’ve been shot anywhere. It sucks for the kids who went to jail, but at least now they’re legitimate outlaws in violation of city ordinances. If you want to hassle the cops in the video, go here.

via Snowboard Mag

At least one kayak next year will be made from the Moldable Fabric Technology developed by Milliken & Company that turns body armor into boats. The company uses triple-layer polypro woven, heat bonded, and pressure molded material for a light, stiff boat that’s easy to fix. If the kayak made of the same thing as your fleece gets a hole, you can just put a flame on the problem and melt it back together. Liquid Logic is selling their MFT Sojourn 14 Kayak (pdf) for $3,200 next year—it’ll be the lightest 14-footer without a Graphix sticker on the market.

via GetOutdoors

If there’s a job worth doing, it’s worth giving it a half-hearted attempt with the CRKT Guppie multi-tool. The money clip has a small adjustable wrench that’ll give you just enough leverage to crank tiny bolts slightly beyond hand tightening. The non-load bearing carabiner is strong enough to tear out your belt loop, but not hang your laundry bag. If a mugger demands your wallet, you could try to pop the 2-inch blade out when handing him your wallet and risk taking a bullet in the chest to defend your four bucks.

Some middle school must have given the winner of their invention fair a grant because the Indicatears managed to make it on the market. The red lights clip to your ears where they would be visible to traffic behind you, and you control the turn signals via a handlebar-mounted button. The Indicatears don’t have a hazard flashing mode, but I’m sure people will know to stay out of your way.

via The Piton

Pack the Sierra Summits Trail Healer for the next backpacking trip you’re dreading. With any luck, you’ll be allergic to one of its multitude of natural balm ingredients and require an immediate trip back to civilization. Worst case scenario is that the mix of organic hemp seed oil, rosemary extract, shea butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, wetiver oil, and several other hippy ingredients will actually soften your skin and make those quarter-sized blister not hurt so much. Sierra Summits sells it alongside their sunblock, it’s $8.25.