The crew that made it possible for anyone to update their Facebook status from the backcountry (or call a rescue helicopter when they thought their water tasted too salty) is now launching a satellite phone. The SPOT Global Phone will sell for $500 out of the box and you’ll pay $0.25 per minute to chat [ more... ]

Seattle-based Sqigle is trying to bring the rugged, solar-powered Earl tablet to the backcountry market hoping it will appeal to a generation that’s come to rely on their phones to find their way from work to home (I am among this group). The startup is attempting to crowdsource funding, asking for contributions of $249 to [ more... ]

We all have luxuries that we don’t like to give up when we’re on the trail whether they’re a bit of whiskey or shoes. Mammut is catering to the ultra light crowd with their new 39g inflatable pillow. I’m not sure how much it sells for, but if it’s more than a box of Franzia, [ more... ]

The U.S. cycling industry sells approximately $6 billion worth of gear each year, and among all those companies, brands, and corporations, there’s just one person fighting the wave of counterfeit frames and apparel — Specialized’s Andrew Love. Bike knockoffs are a big deal — $5.2 million known in 2012 — and worse than that, dangerous. [ more... ]

Seattle developers have created an iPhone app called Bugle that they hope will help when people get lost in the backcountry. It’s pretty simple: you write up your trip plans and when you’ll be back, then post an emergency contact in case you don’t make it. If your trip goes well, you (have to remember [ more... ]

Let’s hope the road is smooth. Paul Component Engineering is selling a GoPro Camera Mount that replaces your threadless stem cap so you can shoot several hours of headache-inducing vibrating video of your ride. Or, I suppose, you could spin it around and shoot video of your face while you ride to make a video [ more... ]

GPS maker TomTom is back in the news, and this time not for being partied to the disastrous Apple Maps technology. The company accounted they’ll enter the sports watch market with the goal of bringing simplicity to wearable GPS units. Hopefully they also bring very low prices considering the GPS training options that are widely [ more... ]

These are difficult times for the noble brassiere. First there was a report by a French, er, scientist who determined that wearing support in no way makes breasts healthier or less prone to sag — going without is just fine. And now comes warning from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland that underwire bras can interfere [ more... ]

Dust off your captain’s hat and gold-buttoned blazer, the McLellan Jacobs Kayak 1 is a luxury yacht for one. Built from carbon fiber, teak, and ash, the accents are gold-plated brass. And what’s the price you ask? Unlisted, it’s one of those if-you-have-to-ask-you-can’t-afford-it situations, but think of the cash you’ll save on gas. Plus you [ more... ]

Want to ride your bike across Antarctica but can’t afford the cost of entry? Well, you can save a little money on the hardware now that Walmart has moved into the fat bike business with a $199 offering. The 26” Mongoose Beast Men’s Oversized All Terrain Bike is a single-speed that runs a coaster brake [ more... ]