Oru Kayak plegable 1495 US$ / Bionic runner US$745

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Oru updates its foldable kayak into the new Bay+

By C.C. Weiss December 4, 2014

The Bay+ has added deck rigging and a new graphic
Many foldable boat designs have passed through the pages of Gizmag over recent years – the Quickboat, the Foldaboat, the Adhoc and others. The Oru origami-style kayak seemed to be the one to make the biggest splash (yeah, bad pun), raising close to $450K (5x its goal) on Kickstarter and earning all kinds of media and industry attention, including a 2014 ISPO Product of the Year award. Rather than resting on its accomplishments, Oru has been listening to feedback and tweaking its foldable design, resulting in the all-new Bay+.

The Oru Bay+ is a bit heavier to carry than the original Oru kayak thanks to upgraded comp...The Bay+ features an adjustable seat with high back The all-new Bay+ retails for $1,495 The Oru Bay+ with split paddle and backpack (both sold separately) ready to hike to the wa...View all
As the name suggests, the Bay+ incorporates the same basic construction and 12-foot packaging as the original Oru, now renamed the Bay, adding a couple of "plus" features. The headline feature is a new adjustable seat with heightened backrest designed to make on-water time more comfortable, especially on extended, cramp-inducing trips. Ratchet buckles make the estimated five-minute assembly even smoother. Storage capabilities are enhanced with more deck rigging and a waterproof day hatch. A new custom-print graphic adds a little extra visual appeal.

The Oru Bay+ with split paddle and backpack (both sold separately) ready to hike to the wa...
Outside of the extra comfort, carry capacity and cosmetics, the Bay+ is the same Oru design that's been earning attention and accolades. It's made from pre-folded, double-layer Coroplast that folds down to become its own carry case. The idea is that you can store your kayak in a cramped apartment, slide it in the trunk of your subcompact and shoulder it to water's edge, where you set it up and get paddling. The foldable design also makes the kayak far more portable than other vessels, allowing it to travel easily via airplane, bus, foot and other means.

The 28-lb (12.7-kg) Bay+ is 2 pounds (.9 kg) heavier than the Oru Bay and its 32 x 29 x 13-in (81 x 33 x 71-cm, L x W x H) case is an inch (2.5 cm) higher.

We're not sure the new Oru's upgrades warrant a US$300 price bump, but if you don't mind spending a little extra for the best boat the company offers, the Bay+ is available now for $1,495. If you'd rather save the money, Oru still sells the original Bay for $1,195.

Source: Oru Kayak
http://www.orukayak.com/

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SPORTS
Bionic Runner offers a low-impact take on traditional running

By Ben Coxworth

December 4, 2014

2 Comments
3 Pictures
It may look like it's made for cycling without sitting down, but the Bionic Runner is desi...
It may look like it's made for cycling without sitting down, but the Bionic Runner is designed more for running without receiving impact injuries
Image Gallery (3 images)
Running may be a great source of exercise, but it isn't exactly a low-impact workout – in fact, many runners are injured by the repeating jarring of their feet against the ground. That's why Australian startup Run4 developed the Bionic Runner. It looks like a seatless bicycle and is designed to replicate the motion of running, but without the "hard landing" at the bottom of every stride.

When first seeing the Bionic Runner, many people may think that it's more or less the same thing as the ElliptiGO – which is essentially a two-wheeled elliptical trainer. According to Run4 co-founder Dr. Henry Thomas, however, there's a key difference between the two.

"We discovered that running was a four stage process of leap, recovery, impact and drive," he says. "The existing cross trainers were all elliptical in nature or step machines. None captured the motion a runner's leg makes when they move."

As a result, the Bionic Runner was designed to guide users through a mid-foot running gait, allowing them to engage the same muscles that they would when running on the ground – while also protecting their joints from over-exertion. Additionally, it provides a bit of lift at the "toe-off" of every stride, plus users are able to increase or decrease resistance by shifting it into higher or lower gears.

The device itself has a folding aluminum frame for transport in the back of a car, along with features such as dual mechanical disc brakes and an 8-speed Strumey Archer rear hub transmission. It weighs 18 lb (8 kg).

Thomas and co-founder Steve Cranitch are now raising production funds for the Bionic Runner, on Kickstarter. A pledge of AUD$890 (about US$745) will get you one, when and if they're ready to go. The planned regular price is AUD$1,490 ($1,250).

You can see it in action, in the video

http://run4.com/en/

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1032540393/the-bionic-runner-run-harder-land-safer

http://www.gizmag.com/bionic-runner/35078/