Muscles Not Motors Gear Review – March 2010
By
Ryan James Leclerc
Posted February 24th, 2010
I just got back from the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City, UT, where 40,000 or so outdoor industry types like me converged for a week-long gear summit. By the last day, I was dehydrated from drooling. Here are just three of the items that I found particularly tasty.
GSI OUTDOORS VORTEX HAND CRANKED BLENDER
Crank up the good times on your next camping trip with this marvelous two-speed, hand-cranked blender. If you’re like me, you’ve sat around the campfire pining for a delicious frozen drink to wash down those toasted marshmallows or s’mores. With a powerful two speed gear system and pour-through locking lid, you can create your evening concoctions with the skill of a true drink-slinging master, and in the morning, you can use it to scramble your eggs or whip up some pancake batter. The GSI Vortex Blender attaches to a picnic table, or any flat surface, using a C-clamp to keep it steady while you blend up your strawberry margaritas, pineapple daiquiris, banana smoothies, or pina coladas. As an added benefit, the sounds of ice being crushed will ward off Sasquatch if he happens to be wandering through the area. When it comes time to wrap the party up, the base unit nests perfectly inside the durable, BPA-free, 1.5L pitcher for easy storage. $89.95. www.gsioutdoors.com.
HIGH GEAR SOLARPOD SOLAR CHARGER
Sticking with the “who needs electricity anyway?” theme, the HighGear solarpod is a portable solar charger that can charge pesky electronic devices, such as your cell phone, digital camera, or media player that love to die on you at the most inopportune times. You may be one to shun the use of any such device while enjoying the outdoors, and I won’t argue with you, especially when it comes to the phone. Nevertheless, there are some folks who may enjoy listening to some tunes while on a multi-day hike, or who want their camera charged and ready in case there’s a Sasquatch sighting, or who may need to call for help if they get lost while running for their lives after a Sasquatch sighting. The SolarPod’s environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in eight hours using direct sunlight, or, if necessary, in less than four hours using your computer USB. At 4.3 by 3.7 by 0.5 inches and weighing only 68 grams, the SolarPod can be easily attached to your pack, belt loop, or messenger bag with its handy integrated carabineer clip. $50. www.highgear.com.
ZOOT M COMPRESS RX SOCKS
I’ve always associated compression socks with older folks who, among various other issues, are combating poor circulation. As a young child, I remember hearing my Grandpa yell to my Grandma, “Beth, where in God’s name are my compression stockings?!” But the benefit of causing more blood to return to the heart, versus pooling to the lower legs and feet, can be appreciated by anyone, especially athletes, travelers on long flights, and workers who stand still for prolonged periods of time. Zoot M Compress RX socks offer graduated compression to improve blood flow to the heart, meaning they are tighter at the ankles and become less constrictive as they work their way up. For non-active use, they can prevent circulatory problems and leg cramps. After working out, biking, or running from Sasquatch, they can help to speed your recovery. The Compress socks also have padded soles, Achilles support, moisture management, and temperature regulation. $60. www.zootsports.com.
