The best sustainable outdoor gear for Earth Day and beyond
Take some time to clean up the trash on a highly-used hiking trail for Earth Day, but don't stop there. Take the next step by choosing only sustainable gear for your outdoor adventures. We've compiled a list of our favorite eco-friendly gear that'll truly help you to leave no trace.
Geoengineering is risky and unproven, but soon it might be necessary
From light-scattering aerosols in Earth’s upper atmosphere to artificial chemical sponges created to suck carbon-dioxide out of the air we breathe, geoengineering aims to purposely change the world's climate using technology. Here's why its proponents think it must happen.
Burgers are just the beginning: Embracing the future of lab-grown everything
You’ve almost certainly heard of the 'farm to fork' movement, but what about 'lab to table'? Welcome to the world of lab-grown meat: the fast-evolving dream of bringing customers their favorite edible dead animal without actually having to kill any animals in the process.
Get cooking with a Masterbuilt meat smoker, now $230 off
For many people, warm weather means it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors, but all meat lovers know that spring and summer are also prime cookout season. The Masterbuilt meat smoker – now on sale from Walmart for $230 off – is an excellent way to prepare meat like a pro.
Puma is looking for volunteers to test its self-lacing sports shoe
Puma unveiled its high-tech self-lacing shoe at the start of the year, and now it's looking for volunteers from around the world to try it out and offer feedback so it can finalize the design prior to its 2020 launch. The footwear will compete with Nike’s BB Adapt self-lacing shoe, which hit the market in February.
Adidas has created a running shoe that’s made to be remade
Adidas has unveiled the Futurecraft Loop running shoe that it claims is the first performance footwear to be 100% recyclable. The shoe is part of a growing list of green initiatives by the sportswear company and will be tested over the next 18 months before hitting stores in 2021.
Lyft pulls thousands of ebikes from three U.S. cities over safety issue
A brake problem affecting 3,000 electric bikes operated by Lyft-owned Citi Bike, Capital Bikeshare, and Ford GoBike has prompted the company to take the two-wheelers out of service until the issue is resolved. The app-based bikesharing services operate in New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco.
The best fitness watches for 2019
The terms smartwatch and fitness trackers are nearly interchangeable as companies like Apple or Fitbit release wearables that so deftly accomplish both skillsets. To help narrow the field of the best smartwatches for fitness, we sorted through the market to find those worthy of a spot on your wrist.
Pick up an affordable waterproof Bluetooth speaker for under $75 at Amazon
The best Bluetooth speakers can get pretty expensive. You don’t have to pay out the nose for a good waterproof speaker, though; here, we’ve rounded up a handful of the top-rated cheap waterproof portable speakers on Amazon, most of which ring in at less than 30 bucks.
Latest version of Closca’s collapsible bike helmet is made for urban explorers
The Closca Loop Helmet is a redesign of the company's earlier model that is lighter and more compact than the original, while also being better for the environment. The helmet has the ability to collapse down to reduce its volume by 45%, while offering a comfortable fit and excellent ventilation.
Competitors question Trek’s claims about its new bike helmet tech
After announcing a new type of helmet technology that is allegedly 48 times safer than regular bike helmets, treks competitors are calling those numbers into question. MIPS and Koroyd both claim that the new WaveCel helmets are not appreciably better than the technology that they use in their own helmets, which have been available for awhile.
Gore’s Innovation Center is a powerful ally for Silicon Valley start ups
The Gore Innovation Center, located in Santa Clara, California, was created in 2017 to give the company an opportunity to work more closely with Silicon Valley start ups, bringing Gore's vast catalog of materials and technologies to wearables not just in the outdoor space, but in health, medicine, smart fabrics, and more.
The hubless, carbon-fiber Cyclotron bike looks straight out of ‘Tron’
Futuristic carbon fiber bike features hubless wheels that light up in the dark, just like the Light Cycles in Tron.
AbleChair wheelchair switches from seated to standing — and everything between
AbleChair is a smartphone-controlled wheelchair that’s able to transform into a range of different positions and configurations -- it's like the accessibility version of Optimus Prime. This could mean a regular seated position, a more elevated position, a standing one, or something else entirely.
Need a ride? Amazon is slashing prices on popular electric scooters
If you’re not much of a cyclist or if you’re looking for a lazier way to zip about town, a good electric scooter should be right up your alley. Two of our favorites, the foldable Glion Dolly and the eco-friendly Razor scooter, are now on sale from Amazon for more than $200 off.
REI drops deals on Garmin Fenix 5 and Vivoactive 3 smartwatches
Garmin's great activity trackers offer a lot of advantages for health-conscious individuals and outdoor adventurers, and with spring finally here, now’s a fine time to jump on the smartwatch bandwagon. REI’s Garmin sale is the perfect chance to grab one and save hundreds.
A $20 lifetime REI Membership gets you exclusive deals, money back, and more
REI is a great one-stop shop for everything related to the great outdoors, but REI member rewards can give you even more. For just $20 for a lifetime membership, you can get access to exclusive sales, members-only deals, REI Adventure discounts, and much more.
Under Armour cuts prices on waterproof backpacks with this outlet sale
Under Armour built its name on athletic clothing, but this maker also offers great bags and backpacks for everyday carry. If you're looking for a waterproof backpack to keep your stuff out of the rain, then Under Armour’s ongoing sale might have just what you’re looking for.
Under Armour HOVR is more than a running shoe, it’s a fitness tracker
Under Armour HOVR running shoes bring more to the table than just a comfortable fit. With UA's Record Sensor technology, you can track distance, duration, and even the path you take as you run. So before you buy an expensive fitness tracker, you should take a look at these high-tech sneakers.
Yamaha’s Wabash ebike takes on gravel, single track, and more
With its new Wabash ebike, Yamaha has catered to the two fastest growing segments of the cycling industry: Electric and gravel bikes. The do-anything, go-anywhere Wabash is built to take on pavement, gravel, mud, single track, sand, and more. It's 500-watt battery and motor has plenty of range for all-day adventures.
REI cuts prices on Osprey, Patagonia, and The North Face backpacks
Whether you're hiking, camping, or traveling, you're always going to need a decent bag to carry your things in. And with REI's Outlet sale going on right now, now is a perfect time to pick one up for cheap. Brands like Osprey, The North Face, and Patagonia are all offering some great discounts.
Hyperlite’s new 2-person tent weighs slightly more than two bags of marshmallows
With experience designing Dyneema shelters, packs and stuff sacks, Hyperlite is broadening its scope with the Dirigo 2 tent, the company's first self-contained, three-season, two-person shelter. Not only does the pyramid-shaped tent look awesome, but it also is light weighing less than two pounds.
App schools fishing fans on the best time and place to hook that dream catch
Fishbrain, a fishing social network and forecasting app, has introduced BiteTime, a new feature that takes the guesswork out of when and where you are most likely to catch a certain species of fish. Using its own data and some machine learning, it leaves you to get on with the fun part: Catching the fish.
This ebike is so good it won a prestigious design award
The new Arroyo C8 Elite ebike from Gazelle picked up accolades from the prestigious IF Design Awards, taking home a trophy for its balance and comfort. The bike features extended range, classic good looks, and an affordable price, making it a great option for urban commuters looking to ditch their cars.
Shimano’s trail-ripping eMTB tech will make you ditch analog bikes altogether
Shimano makes some of the best electric bike tech in the world, and its new MTB components flex that technological muscle in a big way. Between the intelligent motor, the electronic shifting, and the incredible amount of rider data, the company has everything you’ve ever wanted on the trail.
Topgolf’s new driving range tech tracks ball trajectory just like they do on TV
Using the same technology shown during PGA tournaments, Topgolf's Toptracer ranges are looking to make the driving range a more modern practice and party facility by offering statistical insights, along with plenty of games for more casual fans. Birthday parties will never be the same.
The world’s most eco-friendly shoes are made of algae, cork, and bison fur
The Jasper Wool Eco Chukka claims to be the world's most eco-friendly shoe. Designed as a collaboration between Sole and United By Blue, the shoes use recycled wine corks, foam made from algae, bison fur insulation, and other recycled materials, which has earned them more than $100,000 on Kickstarter.
Volkswagen offers a pair of cool scooter designs for zipping around town
Volkswagen has unveiled a couple of nifty scooter concepts for zipping around town. The smaller, sleeker Cityskater can reach speeds of 12 mph and has a range of 9 miles, while the heftier Streetmate can hit 28 mph and travel 21 miles. Both designs will be shown off at this week's Geneva Motor Show.
Smart city planners are rethinking parking by getting rid of it
What will parking look like in smart cities of the future? Will we even need parking spaces? With the rise of autonomous cars, it’s anticipated that fewer people will own cars in the future, forcing planners to reimagine concepts for parking — or getting rid of parking lots and structures altogether.
This zippy electric trike is about to join the ridesharing revolution
Electric rideables that we share with others are changing the way we get around cities. Bikes and scooters are the main options offered by app-powered services like Lime and Jump, but a lesser-known outfit based in South Carolina is about to add nifty little trikes to its fleet.
Google Maps adds Lime bike and scooter feature to more cities globally
Google Maps recently added a feature that helps you find Lime bikes and scooters more easily. Following a limited launch, the company has rolled it out to more than 80 cities globally. The feature also offers information such as how long it’ll take to walk to the two-wheeler, ride cost, and journey time.
Walmart drops prices on Garmin Vivofit 3 and Fenix 5 smartwatches
Walmart is currently dropping prices on select Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers. So if you're looking to add some tech to your wrist, these savings make it slightly more affordable for you. With prices as low as $58, now is a great time to pick up a new watch.
Google has found a way to use A.I. to boost the usefulness of wind energy
Google and DeepMind have developed a deep learning artificial intelligence that's able to predict wind power output 36 hours ahead of the power being generated. The results could prove useful for strengthening the business case for the use of wind power. Here's why that's the case.
This tent is versatile enough for ground, air, and water
The Tentsile Universe is finally available, giving campers a true "all-terrain" tent that allows them to camp on the ground in traditional fashion, in the air suspended from trees like a hammock, or floating out on the water. The Universe runs $1800 but is large enough for a small family to use comfortably and safely.