Outdoors | Gear Diary

City Turf Shoe from Ogio Lets You Go Golfing at a Moment’s Notice

One of the problems I used to encounter when I worked in a real office instead of from home was getting busted for sneaking out to play a round of golf. That glove hanging out of my pocket was a dead giveaway. I wish I’d known about OGIO’s new line of golf shoes back then, particularly the City Turf Shoe. I’m already a big fan of OGIO’s gear with several of their backpacks and my golf bag prominently featuring their name. I bought their golf bag because I didn’t want to associate my mediocre golf game with any particular club…

Health and Fitness, News & Features, Outdoors

Blast Golf is Like a Golf Pro in Your Pocket

Of course a real golf pro in your pocket would interfere with your swing, but the new Blast Golf product is the latest addition to Blast Motion’s suite of sports and active life motion capture solutions that pair with your iPhone to deliver real-time motion metrics and smart video capture. Attach the Blast Motion precision motion sensor and go play! The sensor itself is the size of a quarter and weighs less than an ounce, but paired with your iPhone and the Blast Golf app data about your putting and swings is transferred via Bluetooth and can even be overlayed…

Outdoors, Reviews, Travel

Altego Lunar Mirror Messenger Bag Totes the Load

When selecting a messenger bag, especially to actually use on a bicycle like they were originally intended for, balance is everything. It’s important to maintain a proper balance between being big enough to hold your stuff and not too bulky to ride with. And the actual balance of the payload is critical. The Altego Lunar Mirror Messenger has it all!

Health and Fitness, News & Features, Outdoors

Patchnride Might Just Save Your Tail on a Bike Ride

As the resident Gear Diary bicyclist, I usually get the first crack at investigating bike gear. Since I live and bike in an urban environment, flat tires are an unfortunate frequent reality of my cycling experience. That’s why I was excited to hear about the new Patchnride bicycle flat repair kit that promises quick and easy emergency rescues from flats.

Outdoors, Reviews

The Pill Might Just Cure What Ails Your Golf Game

Like gearheads, fishermen, and cooks, golfers can’t ever seem to have too many gadgets, especially if they promise to help lower his or her score. The Pill is a new training aid that has a novel design to improve your game all the way from tee to green. Lord knows I need the help, so I gave it a try.

Health and Fitness, Outdoors, Reviews

Whistle, the Fitness Tracker for Dogs, Is Useful and Helpful

Have you ever wished you had a Fitbit for your pet? Something to track just how active they are during the day? I mean, not as they move from lying under the table to on the couch, but actual high-intensity activity? That is the premise of Whistle, and based on going from winter to spring to summer – it works!

News & Features, Outdoors

Stinger, Because the Best Bugs Are the Dead Ones

We recently received almost 5″ of rain at our house, and although we desperately needed it, the tradeoff was made in bugs, bug, and more bugs! No problem, though, as I had recently received a package from Stinger. Inside were their No Touch Fly Trap and their On-the-Go Zapper Racket. Bugs beware; I am now on the prowl!

Crowdfunding, Health and Fitness, News & Features, Outdoors

Amp Up Your Workout With TITIN Force Shorts

Professional couch potatoes can skip this one, but if you’re serious about your workouts and are interested in weighed wearables to improve performance, then keep reading. TITIN Force weighted compression shorts add five pounds of weight to your workout routine, focusing on your hamstrings, thighs, and glutes. Sounds like fun huh?

Gear Bits, Outdoors

Kyocera Hydro Vibe: The Waterproof Android Smartphone for Busy Moms

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Sprint is launching the Kyocera Hydro Vibe. Perfect for busy moms, this Android 4.3 Jelly Bean smartphone is waterproof up to one meter for 30 minutes, and it also has an impact resistant 4.5-inch qHD touchscreen. No more worries about sticky fingers, spilled milk or bath time destroying your smartphone!

Outdoors, Reviews

Rayovac Virtually Indestructible LED 3D Lantern Review

I recently reviewed the LED Spotlight from Rayovac. Luckily I got the opportunity to review the Virtually Indestructible LED 3D Lantern, also from the Virtually Indestructible family. The lantern boasts some of the same great features usable in a different format. Will the $29.99 lantern need to be added to your outdoor gear list? Let’s take a look.

Outdoors, Reviews

The Nyne Bass Bluetooth Speaker Impresses in the Great Outdoors

The Nyne Bass Bluetooth Speaker is a wireless, 20-Watt portable that’s designed for outdoor use. It’s powered by Bluetooth 4.0, has NFC pairing capabilities, and it has a built-in 10-hour rechargeable battery which can serve as a power bank for smaller devices; the Nyne Bass can also be used as a speakerphone. You can purchase yours for $149.95.

Outdoors, Reviews

Rayovac Virtually Indestructible LED Spotlight Review

Being an outdoorsman can be taxing on the gear I use. Everything I carry is subject to being dropped and knocked around, as well as the elements. I usually go through several lights a year due to them breaking or getting wet. Rayovac may solve this issue with the Virtually Indestructible LED Spotlight. Can the $39.99 spotlight hold up?

Outdoors, Reviews

Secur Dynamo Spotlight Lantern Review

Hopefully the use of emergency lighting is reserved for camping and outdoor activities, but sometimes inclement weather and other events leave us in the dark. Either way, having lighting options with multiple charging possibilities can help keep us safe and comfortable. The Secur Dynamo Spotlight Lantern is a $35 product that will bring light and help charge your devices.

Outdoors, Reviews

First Impressions of the Merrell AllOut Fuse Trail Sneaker

Last year the folks at Merrell let us check out their new M-Connect line of running shoes, and I for one was utterly smitten. The Road Glove has been my go-to shoe, but now that I’ve had the new AllOut Fuse sneakers for a weekend, there may be a new shoe love for me!

Outdoors, Reviews, Yum Log

Vortex Blender from GSI Outdoors Lets You Create Your Own Polar Vortex

As cold as it’s been, it’s hard to imagine doing anything outside. But it won’t be long until it’s warmer, and you’ll be using the search box here at GearDiary to ask “What was the name of that cool outdoor blender that Chamberlain was going on about?” The answer to your future query is the Vortex Blender from GSI Outdoors.

Outdoors, Reviews, Yum Log

The Grill Daddy Pro Cleaning Tool Works Great Inside, Too

As cold as it’s been lately, it’s difficult to get too excited about grilling outside. But recently, I found a great use for my Grill Daddy Pro cleaning tool, that frankly I’m kicking myself for never thinking of before. Read on to find out why you might want to get one of these for your indoor kitchen:

Gear Bits, Outdoors

Moultrie Panoramic 150 Is Like Three Cameras in One

A good game camera is important for any hunter. Understanding the number and age of the deer in a herd is important to aid in making good management decisions. The problem is getting accurate photos when not present. The Moultrie Panoramic 150 utlizes a 150ft radius, and at $254.99 does the work of three cameras. Check out the video below.

Gear Bits, Health and Fitness, Outdoors

Lifestraw GO Delivers Clean Filtered Water Wherever You Are!

Imagine you are someplace where you need water but have none, and the only source is of questionable quality. Solving that problem is the basis of LifeStraw, a portable water filter technology used in third world countries and places with compromised water sources, that you can now buy for personal use in the form of the Lifestraw GO water bottle.

Gear Bits, Outdoors

Lighten Your Hunting Pack with the Lansky BowSharp

Being a bow hunter means carrying tons of gear and small gadgets. I have to hike about half a mile or so to my hunting spot, so weight and space is a big issue. Lansky BowSharp saves space and lightens my load by combining a broadhead sharpener and wrench with a bow tool kit for only $16.99.

Outdoors, Reviews

Heaven Golf Shoes Will Get You and Your Game Noticed

Sometimes a product comes along that is so bizarre-looking that you just have to take notice. Heaven Golf Shoes are just such a product, and they promise to be a revolutionary development in the game of golf. If nothing else, they’re sure to distract spectators from your duck hook into the wrong fairway.

Gear Bits, Outdoors

Here’s Why You Always Ski with a Buddy in Avalanche Country

This December 2013 YouTube video of skiers at Utah’s Alta ski resort shows the importance of skiing with a buddy within avalanche prone areas – and proceeding downhill separately. This GoPro footage shows a skier spotting his brother becoming engulfed in an avalanche leaving him buried to the very top of his ski helmet. All caught on video.