How could we visit OR and not stop by Liberty Bottleworks? We love their American made aluminum bottles. We also love that they are Mil/LE friendly.
OR – Liberty Bottleworks
January 24th, 2013OR – PowerPot
January 24th, 2013We haven’t mentioned PowerPot since their Kickstarter campaign but when we ran into them here at OR Winter Market we had to give you an update. They’re a local Salt Lake City company and assemble the PowerPots right here in town. A standard kit comes with the Pot, light and charging tips. As long as your are applying heat to the Pot, the system produces up to 5w and charges your devices via USB. The secret to success is in the tips which include circuits that tell the device to draw the maximum amount of power from the Pot.
In addition to the PowerPot they’re working on a cool new item. This simple bar meter shows you how much power you are sending from the PowerPot to your device. They built this using a DIY 3D printer!
One thing I love about PowerPot is that almost everyone in the company are Eagle Scouts!
OR – Leatherman
January 24th, 2013Leatherman has introduced two new snowboard-centric tools – the Rime and Hail.
Leatherman has integrated pictograms into the design so that you know the function of each tool. Both have a flat #3 screwdriver heads as well as wax scrapers for the board. Additionally, both can store your headphones as well as bottle openers and lace pullers.
The Hail also has a 10mm wrench for the bolts on straps and bindings. Additionally, you can nest a Style PS tool into the body of the Hail.
Silent Magnetic Closures Patent Has Just Arrived
January 24th, 2013I just received this news. The silent Velcro magnetic closure we wrote about last August has been issued a patent. Congrats to designer FIGHTER DESIGN and their distribution partner Velcro USA.
Today was a big day for FIGHTER DESIGN in Austin, Texas. US Patent number 8,316,515 arrived in the mail and is now on their wall following a brief Budweiser fueled ceremony. This patent protects the Silent Magnetic Closures for Velcro® Brand Fasteners being made by FIGHTER DESIGN. The product instantly converts any Velcro® Brand Fastener into a Silent Magnetic Closure. FIGHTER DESIGN is an inventor group that collaborates with some of the greatest minds in the industry to create and deliver innovative products.
Silent Magnetic Closures for Velcro® Brand Fasteners are now available for purchase online at www.FighterD.com
Models are available to fit all military uniforms and other models are coming soon for certain backpacks, bags, and pouches. Manufacturers are being told that custom models can be made for any size and strength of hook-loop closures. Retailers are encouraged to contact Fighter Design online.
Visit www.FighterD.com for more information.
*Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro® Industries
Under Armour Snow Camo
January 24th, 2013
The Premier of the New Beyond Approach
January 24th, 2013Outdoor Retailer Winter Market is the first emergence of a rebranded Beyond Clothing. From the get go, you can’t think of this new brand in terms of the old Beyond Clothing and Beyond Tactical lines. Rather, they have postured themselves as simply Beyond. I was so blown away with what they showed me that I had to think about how to share it with you. We didn’t even talk product. It was all about how Beyond is going to interact with its customers rather than what they are going to see them.
This is Beyond’s booth. The centerpiece is a four-armed, eight foot tall man. They took the measurements of the manikin before it was shipped to OR from the vendor and then custom tailored the clothing in their shop in Seattle over a two day period. It indicates what they can make but he individual 1:1 size manikins along the edge of the booth show customized clothing solutions for a variety of climate challenges. Those displays show what Beyond can do.
They are turning traditional outdoor on its head by focusing on customization for the individual. In the Beyond model the customer is the pro athlete, regardless of his background, requirements or goals. The customer is the participant in the process, a partner if you will, and his needs are the focus of the solution provided by Beyond. For SSD readers that may well be what we consider tactical. But it could just as easily be a hardcore outdoor garment or more of a lifestyle piece. Regardless of the clothing solution, it will be tailored in form, fit and function.
One of the things I like about what I am hearing is that Beyond is transforming to become more than just a site to purchase cool gear. Although in its infancy Beyond is building a community where customers become members and can interact with one another. Granted, Beyond will still have a bench of pros to go to for inspiration and to help answer those interesting questions that pop up. These men and women will be called Guides and will be a part of the community, there to help their fellow travelers.
They’ve already launched their new ecommerce site, but that’s just phase 1. We’ll see more and more content added over the next few months. It’s important to start at their site to see what’s going on.
OR – Mystery Ranch
January 23rd, 2013
I’ve been after Mystery Ranch to let me run their IFAK. It’s been under development and refinement for awhile and it’s almost ready to order (Kent says 60 days). As you can see it is a butterfly design that opens up to reveal your medical equipment.
It features a PALS attachment on the rear so you can attach it to your equipment.
It’s also available in a larger VLAK (Vehicle Litter Aid Kit) that is basically double the size of the IFAK. Mystery Ranch will also offer them kitted with medical supplies from North American Rescue.
OR – Smith Elite
January 23rd, 2013
The Prospect Tactical is another mil-spec eye pro piece from the guys at Smith Elite. It is offered in a variety of lens colors including my favorite, the ignitor lens. Additionally, you will notice that the logo has been blacked out so that the wont be any run-ins with the Sergeant Major. Additionally, not only are the lenses ballistic but the temples are also made from a ballistic nylon material that is designed to take a beating. The Prospect Tactical also incorporates a rubberized material on the nose and ear pieces to prevent slippage. In fact, if you’re wearing sun screen the frames will actually be grippier.
