For this winter’s Outdoor Retailer show in Denver, Digital Trends teamed up with The Manual to crown the greatest outdoor gear as our Best Of Show winners, along with four awards going to the most innovative products. Head on over to The Manual to see the complete Outdoor Retailer Awards.
Who said 3D printing was just for prototypes?
Snowboard manufacturer Capita is using a 3D printing approach called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) to craft snowboard sidewalls that are stronger and less wasteful than the old approach. The process allows the snowboard manufacturer to essentially cut a single piece of sidewall with a custom machine and connect it to the board’s wooden core. Capita’s new core tech — which will first appear in its Spring Break line of snowboards — could represent a major shift in the company’s construction philosophy. And one that nabbed a Digital Trends Innovation Award.
The technology is a significant detour away from long-standing techniques which required milling a wood core and attaching four separate pieces of ABS plastic — a process that takes time and creates a large amount of waste. Although a few companies have attempted to address the issue via urethane resin sidewalls (which indeed streamline the process), the durability of the cores was typically sacrificed using this method.
Capita’s new patented technology — dubbed “FUS3D” — uses an exceptionally strong recyclable thermoplastic sidewall that increases the board’s durability when connected to the wooden core. Additionally, the tech makes the core more flexible and responsive, giving it performance benefits on top of extending the life of the board. For riders who log 80 or more days on the mountain in the winter, this aspect is critical.
Look for FUS3D sidewalls in Capita’s uber-popular Spring Break powder series this year, and all of them next season. And exxpect other snowboard companies to adopt a similar 3D-printed approach to sidewall construction in the wake of Capita’s success.
The limited-edition Current LTD comes loaded with premium upgrades, powerful motor assistance, and features designed for serious trail riding.
Aventon is taking things up a notch with its latest electric mountain bike. The new Current LTD is a full-suspension eMTB packed with high-end components, plenty of power, and some impressive technology. There's one catch, though. Only 99 are being made, and each comes with a $7,999 price tag.
INIU has launched the Rugged 10000, a $54.99 power bank with 45W fast charging and IP67 dust and water protection. Its 10,000mAh battery supplies power through two USB-C ports for phones and outdoor gear.
It’s the first product from the company’s new INIU Outdoor division. Weighing roughly 196g, the silicone-armored battery is designed for hikers who need backup power but want to keep their pack light.
Keeping devices charged and a campsite lit takes a little planning once wall outlets disappear. These four Amazon offers cover portable solar power, satellite communication, and two different approaches to camp lighting. The BigBlue, BioLite, and LuminAID prices require Prime membership.
BigBlue 28W solar charger - $50.97 (15% off)