Gear Patrol

Copenhagen, like many congested metropolitan areas, has a strong bike traffic presence. It’s also a pretty dark place come winter. Add a few Danish problem solvers from Copenhagen Parts and the result is the Magnetic Bike Light — a simplistic, functionally driven version of your everyday bike torch. Each LED light attaches to the bike…

“Try, try again” is easier said than done when you’re racing against a massive, imposing canyon. That’s why we love watching South African ultra-marathoner Ryan Sandes attempt to master Namibia’s harsh 84-kilometer Fish River Canyon trail. In The Beauty of the Irrational, Sandes poignantly reflects on his unsuccessful record attempts in 2009 and 2010 before…

While WD-40 may be good enough for your squeaky hinges and removing grease, it’s also about the worst thing you can spray on your chain shy of white truffle oil. WD-40 Bike Lubricants aim to change that. Specially formulated over the last year, the new WD-40 Bike line up (available mid-November) is the result of…

Ah, it seems like only yesterday that your little tyke learned how to ride a bike. Wearing his huge helmet and knee pads, nervously pedaling and nearly in tears, what man wouldn’t swell with pride watching his tike tame the two-wheeler. But now he wants a new bike and all you can do is think…

The Australian electric bike company, Stealth, has a Mad Max penchant for design. Such is the case for their post-apocalyptic (but environmentally conscious) Stealth Bomber electric bike. Okay, so the name choice lacks some originality, but the design and practicality are nothing short of genius. Combined with your own leg strength, the Bomber uses 4.5kW…

Of all the sport cross-pollinations we could think of, tennis and skateboarding aren’t at the top of the list, but then again football players are doing yoga, so all bets are off. As an avid tennis player and fan of the sport, Nike Skateboarding team rider Gino Iannucci had always been inspired by the original…

Next time you’re on the mountain, count how many times you see “Burton” plastered across the slopes. There’s a good reason for that, and the Mystery Snowboard ($1,500) gives boarders every reason to keep on loving. The first flagship board out of Burton’s Craig R&D facility, the Mystery maintains the visual sexiness of the brand’s…

The idealism of commuting by bike meets reality in the upper latitudes, where induced wind chill can quickly turn digits into frostbitten pink popsicles. 45Nrth, denizens of the great white north (Minnesota), enshroud your feet in veritable toasters with their Wolvhammer Cycling Boots ($325), allowing you to hammer winter rides like a Minneapolis metal band….

Cycling helmets often look space-age goofy, but they’re also badass (they show you’re into hurtling down hills, don’t they?) and absolutely necessary to keep you alive. The POC Sports Tempor Helmet (~$570) incorporates incredible aerodynamics and ventilation for time trial cyclists while maintaining the utmost in safety — and a unique look to boot. We’ve…

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If the Mizuno Pro Limited Edition Glove ($500) proves anything, it’s that we’ve come a long way since Topps cards and home run derby — fond memories of insane break-in methods come to mind. And yes, while it still functions as a leather mitt to catch baseballs, the Mizuno Pro comes with a vast complement…

GEAR PATROL SPONSORED POST As running continues to grow in popularity both in the US and worldwide, so too do the variations on it. Marathons, ultra marathons, team relays, obstacle course races, and costumed 5ks are just a few examples. There truly is a run for anyone. One of the simplest and probably the oldest…

Helmets save lives at the “expense” of what some misguided cyclists think of as “looking cool”. They’re also bulky, and a pain to schlep once the ride is over. Two female Swedish design students spent seven years researching crash data and over $10 million developing a new form of head protection that avoids both of…

Our favorite season is right around the corner and it’s finally time to ditch the old gear without breaking the bank. Wintersport technology has come a long way since skiing in jeans and few companies are leading the way like Burton. Their new Jet Snowboarding Boot ($150) packs the tech in without the credit card…

Custom bikes are all the rage these days. Heck, we’ve even put our own version together. This latest Duke Harper No. 1 Bike Build is so slick, it might even qualify as a mobile work of art. Built in London, this custom bike is about as fancy as it gets. Essentially, everything about this fixie…

Golf, a game steeped in heritage and tradition, has been plunged into full-blown athletic competition in the 21st century, and most apparel has been pulled along with it. Martin Golf founder Rick Martin preserves golf’s timeless legacy through the use of natural fibers like cotton and wool to design full-cut duds that are sharp both…

In the film short “40 Years in Paris” shot and directed by J.C. Pieri, Frenchman Alain Massabova pirouettes through the City of Light in a visual tribute to both flatland BMXing and one of the world’s greatest cities. Massabova, a 40-year-old father, dances easily atop his orange bike, using skills gained over 27 years of…

Building upon their popular Sortie 26″ platform, Diamondback recently entered the 29er field with the Sortie 3 29 ($3,500), full suspension trail bike packed with technology and features. The larger wheels obviously contribute to the bike’s slightly larger size, but with the extra inches come several advantages — 29″ wheels have a larger angle of…

Confidence has long been considered a key component to a solid golf game — if you’re bold in your approach, the rest will take care of itself. For some, that assuredness is found through long hours on the range; for others, it’s in knowing that the boom stick coming out of their bag is Rickie…

When it comes to style, nobody rivals the Italians and when it comes to cycling, the same holds true. Where the two overlap though goes back to the days of the debonair campione, Fausto Coppi, laboring over the Alps on his Bianchi in a collared wool jersey and immaculate hair. While modern cycling is all…

Golf is a game that takes all of your concentration, while still demanding that you relax. You don’t need another task, like figuring out if you got your own ball mixed up with someone else’s — unless, of course, their shot happens to be in the middle of the fairway. The stainless steel Restoration Hardware…

Maybe it started for you the first time you watched a set roll in, before you knew what a set was, and gazed in open-mouthed amazement as the locals made it look oh-so-easy. Or maybe you just caught 30 minutes of Blue Crush on late night TV. Regardless of how you first fell in love…

“We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” These were the hopeful words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a man born on the tail end of the industrial revolution, where we as a species first grasped the true, constructive, and destructive…

Surfboard wax sure doesn’t sound sexy but it’s a surfers most important tool, next to his board. Well, it’s high tide time someone took it to the next level. The Todd St. John designed Indoek Wax Kit is made from beautiful teak wood and replicates the shape of surfboard shaping planes and holds most circular…

Looking for a unique piece of sports memorabilia for your office or mancave? You could plunk down some serious paper for a rare, yet dubious collectable or you could go with something guaranteed to raise some eyebrows. Papafoxtrot, maker of those model cargo ships we love, have now partnered with design firm PostlerFerguson to create…

Everybody knows Nike. How could you not? The global sportswear company is ubiquitous, thanks to decades of developing gear and sponsoring athletes competing in every sport imaginable (seriously, they even sponsor Curling). But while marketing savvy has unquestionably assured the brand limitless time in the spotlight — there’s an equally innovative half to Nike’s success…

Now there’s officially a headlamp for every scenario. The Black Diamond Sprinter ($54) is designed for low-light runs departing from a consistent base of operations (a.k.a. your home) and perfect for twilight or dawn workouts. As the first headlamp to tout a lithium rechargeable battery, you won’t have to deal with swapping out AAs, but…

It’s hard to believe the 2012 summer Olympics are already upon us. While this year’s events will feel familiar, the athletes and venues have unquestionably evolved. The same holds true for the technology used to capture, record and share their feats with the globe. Long gone are the games of stark naked athletes, replaced by…

Fly casting is an art form. To non-fishermen, it may look like flailing a bullwhip — but in reality developing an effective cast is a continuous struggle. The Orvis Practicaster ($39) is a silly-looking 4ft rig that’s been dutifully scaled down for practice casting in smaller spaces, including the great indoors. It can’t offer the…

Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic’s new racket won’t send you to any Grand Slam events anytime soon, but the all new Head YouTek IG speed MP 18/20′s string pattern and increased strength without increased weight (only 315 grams) should improve your game, especially at the baseline where feel is crucial and where Djokovic excels. With…