UVEX has been in the goggle game since the 50s when they pioneered UV protection in goggle lenses and today is no different. The Univision Magic implores LCD technology to eliminate the need to carry around two different sets of goggles when you’re hitting slopes. The Magic features a VALiD lens that was originally developed for the US Air Force by AlphaMicron. If you find yourself in a lowlight situation then the light lens does the job, but if the sun suddenly blinds you as make your way around the bend then simply hit the switch and the light lens instantly tints dark when the liquid crystals sandwiched between the double lens is jolted with a little juice from the on-board electronics. A single AAA battery is good for over 200 hours of use and that should definitely last you more than a season. I saw these at the SIA show last week and they’re pretty sweet. The Univision Magic ships in September for $230. Product Page → Read More
Sessions is from the old school, circa 1983, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to action sports gear. So pay attention. They’ve teamed up with RECCO, Skullcandy and Gore-Tex to bring you, the consumer, the best gear your hard earned dollars can buy. The SSC Co-op jacket, pictured above, has an integrated Skullcandy mp3 player sleeve switch that hooks up with, you guessed it, your mp3 player. While this particular jacket doesn’t have a ‘Surround sound collar’, other jackets in Sessions’ Skullcandy line do. d3o also makes an appearance in Sessions’s Thermatics base layer top and bottom. And don’t forget about RECCO because it’s all over the Summit Series. → Read More
Bern is a small time outfit doing big, big things in the helmet world and CrunchGear always roots for the little guy. Bern made a name for themselves at the Torino Olympics when team rider Seth Wescott won the Olympic Gold in Snowboardcross. Umm, OK? He was sporting a Bern lid that had a baseball-cap-like bill that is so damn cool. What’s great about Bern is that you only need to get one helmet for any sport you like to dabble in and just replace the lining when you’re going from the kayak to your skateboard, for example. You can choose from a wide variety of linings for cold weather or warm weather that includes a baseball cap bill, a beanie, bandanna and a few other choices. But that’s not why a Bern helmet will be the only one you’ll ever need. → Read More
I took a few minutes to talk to the folks at Orage and I’m glad that I did. The gear coming out of the Canadian Ski outfit is cutting edge and stylish. Team Rider TJ Schiller’s custom jacket is decked out with some neat features that let you stash your goods instead of lugging around a pack or renting out a locker. There’s enough room in the front zip for just about anything you’d need to take with you. The design alone makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd, half-tweed is pretty rock star and I dig it. All of Orage’s jackets come with the standard features you’ve grown accustomed to from other ski jackets like a snow skirt, being water proof and fully breathable, but Orage has some little tricks you might like and not find elsewhere. → Read More
Spyder, as they usually do, had some pretty wicked stuff on display, but I was drawn to the d3o ‘liquid armor’ suit. I know the technology isn’t new, but it’s still cool to see it being integrated into performance clothing like the ladies d3o Freeryde armored suit, picture after the jump. If you’re a racer then the d3o suits could save your forearms from nasty bruises when you’re mashing through gates. Heck, anyone could use a little d3o in their daily life. The stuff is downright awesome. → Read More
RECCO is an avalanche rescue system that’s used by more than 500 rescue organizations around the world. The RECCO reflector, pictured above, is fully integrated into the latest snow/ski gear, and in the unfortunate case you’re trapped under an avalanche you’ll e rescued a lot sooner. The RECCO system utilizes harmonic radar between the detector and reflector, which gives you swift directional pinpointing of victims within 200 meters. The working depth through snow is 20 meters. While it won’t replace transceivers it acts as a complementary search tool, so rescuers can you find you faster. The work done by dozens of volunteers to find victims may take hours, but a single person using the RECCO system can find you in about 20 minutes. RECCO can be found in most of your favorite winter gear manufacturers like Salomon, Oakley, The North Face, Rip Curl, Helly Hansen, Nike ACG, Vans, Quiksilver, Sessions and a whole lot more. → Read More
The SIA show is something I’ve been looking forward to for a few months, while it isn’t the Surf Expo, the Summer Snowdown will quench my outdoorsy action sport needs. There was a ton of cool stuff that I’ll be throwing down as quickly as my phalanges will let me, so stay tuned because there’s something for everyone ranging from gear bags to liquid armored suits. We’ll start the SS coverage out with a couple OGIO gear bags that any camera/video guy will appreciate as well as a classic with some added flare. First up is the Ty Video bag. It has more room than you have gadgets to fill it with. The main compartment includes a plethora of space and padding, which are removable to suit the needs of your gear. There’s even an exterior tripod carrying strap, so ALL of your gear is covered in one bag. → Read More
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