I'm not exactly a penny pincher, but I'm definitely not a free spender either (I write for the GoBlog...think about it, money is not exactly growing on a magical tree in my living room). I do however, dream about being rich someday, like any good American. And I think about all the gear I'd buy with my riches, again, like any good outdoor, sports loving American. New ski setup - check, new lightweight backpacking pack - check, stand up paddle board, kayak, tents, cameras, clothes - check all. What I would not ever buy, even if I were Warren Buffet rich, is a pair of $1100 ear buds for my 2nd generation iPod. Thanks, but I could buy 220 pairs of the $5 ones I just got at T.J. Maxx last week.
Seriously, who are these being marketed to? Most people I see using ear buds are well under 45 years old. If they have enough money to buy $1100 ear buds than I'm pretty sure whatever they're doing for work is probably not good for you, me, their kids, or anyone's grandkids. Unless of course they're a doctor or something. But then shouldn't they be charging less to keep people from so dieing or staying violently ill.
Learn more about the ridiculous AKG's K3003, stainless steel, 3-way, premium ear buds at GizMag.
Just when you thought in-line skating was officially dead, some wacky inventor comes up with a brilliant idea to revive the sport - or do they? Introducing the FlyRad - billed as a motorized unicycle (in that it has one wheel) - the FlyRad is the type of contraption I love to come across whilest searching the interwebs for random toys to tell you all about.
Because there is no way to self-balance on the FlyRad, you've got to wear in-line skates and either sit on it, stand on it, or let it pull you along, making it that much cooler. You can even ride no handed. Woo-hooo. It's not light, and not cheap, weighing 53 pounds and costing...well no costs are available yet, because it's not available yet, but I'm sure it won't be cheap...my guess $1800.
For the serious zoomer, the adult version (there's a teen and kids version too) of the FlyRad hits about 25 mph and runs for about 31 miles on a battery charge, after which, you'll be in-line skating with a rolling, 53 pound anchor to haul behind you. Invented by a German (ok it's starting to make some more sense now), Thomas Rank, the product has been around for several years but is finally (almost) ready for actual sale. Or at least that's the rumor floating around the motorized unicycle forums I spend a lot of my workday trolling for hot unicycle ladies.
I don't know about you, but I'm totally gonna get one, totally. I just have to remember to bring along shoes, 'cause once I get where I'm going, I'll still be wearing my 'blades.
If you're still on the fence vis a vis soft shells for your kids, the $35 price tag should make it a bit easier for you to make the jump. That's about half what you'd pay to outfit your kid with a soft shell anywhere else. On the other hand, the last thing your kid needs is a specialized piece of gear that is somewhere between a fleece and a waterproof shell, doing neither (keeping you warm or dry) that well, but doing both at an acceptable level. Did that make sense? That being said, I use my soft shell every day on my bike commute into work and here's what it does well; keeps you dry in light rain, works as a decent wind breaker to keep you warm, and is more comfortable than a shell to wear. So yeah, I'm considering picking up a soft shell for my kids. These on sale at REI are for girls, but you can get away with the green for your boys. Buy the Marmot Summerset for $35 at REI. Good deal, believe me.
No longer content with making energy bars and gels, Clif Bar has launched a new product line. While it makes sense that Clif would move into a similar type of product, that's not exactly what they've done. You won't find Clif granola, or Clif freeze-dried meals, not even Clif energy drinks. What you will find is Clif Wine.
Apparently the company has been producing wines in a small vineyard for while now, but this the first time the wines have been offered for sale.
Clif is selling two varietals - Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon - and of course, they're packaged in an eco-friendly, camping friendly, 1.5-liter pouch. Either varietal runs you $16.99 and is equivalent to two bottles of vino. The "Climber Pouch", in addition to being eco-friendly, makes for a convenient package to bring into the backcountry. There's even a hole at the top for hooking a carabiner up and hanging the pouch. Not sure how the wine tastes, but if it's anything like the carrot cake Clif bar I thought sounded good in the store and bought 5 of - it's going to go down pretty damn slow.
Editor's Note: Sweet jesus, does nobody fact check anymore? Including us? Lets be a little more clear Stephen and GoBlog, that Cliff family has been making wine for years. In fact, we first posted about way back in 2007. Only thing that has changed is they're putting it in an wine pouch, something you could have done with any wine and a PlatyPreserve years ago. Com'on boys, step it up a bit.
If you're still on the fence vis a vis soft shells for your kids, the $35 price tag should make it a bit easier for you to make the jump. That's about half what you'd pay to outfit your kid with a soft shell anywhere else. On the other hand, the last thing your kid needs is a specialized piece of gear that is somewhere between a fleece and a waterproof shell, doing neither (keeping you warm or dry) that well, but doing both at an acceptable level. Did that make sense? That being said, I use my soft shell every day on my bike commute into work and here's what it does well; keeps you dry in light rain, works as a decent wind breaker to keep you warm, and is more comfortable than a shell to wear. So yeah, I'm considering picking up a soft shell for my kids. These on sale at REI are for girls, but you can get away with the green for your boys. Buy the 
