Author: Julia Herrick

Categories
Winter Sports

Scion sled brings childlike wonderment to adults

For kids, sledding is the ultimate winter activity. For adults, skiing and snowboarding rule, but no one ever forgets how fun sledding was.

Now, people can enjoy the speed and agility of snowboarding with the relaxation of sledding. Scion is a sled designed aerodynamically, making speed and steering possible. Coming in either white or black, the rider sides on the back and places their feet on the runner in the front. A cord attaches the rider to the sled so that it doesn’t skitter off down the hill in case of a crash. Scion is made with the luge style in mind. Hands are used on either side for balance, but steering is done by leaning the body either left or right.

Scion seems like lots of fun, but definitely a toy for adults rather than for kids. Safety is always a concern, but if riders stick to the bunny slopes they should be okay. One will cost backers a high donation of $449 for delivery in July of this year. Scion is looking to raise $40,000 in funding on Kickstarter by March 11.

Categories
Organization Travel

McChi Luggage offers convenience for those on the go, makes airports more bearable

It’s been said that it’s not about the journey, but the destination. Well, most seasoned travelers would have to disagree. Actually trying to get somewhere, especially when air travel is involved, can be a huge pain.

McChi Luggage is a way for travelers to experience a bit more convenience than the airport has to offer. These bags not only hold stuff, but also convert into tabletops. This is especially useful, since airports always seem to lack flat surfaces to put stuff down on. McChi also features its very own USB charging station, perfect for phones and tablets. The luggage is made from either black or silver aluminum, and features two different table heights.

The creators of this luggage line, also the makers of the McChi Lock, have thought of two very important conveniences for travelers: tabletops and chargers. Both will surely make long trips much easier. This product is especially useful for sales or businesspeople who must remain organized in order to appear professional. Hopefully, the bags aren’t too heavy for travelers.

One will cost backers $240 for the carry-on model, and $260 for the mid-size model, with an expected delivery in July of this year. McChi hopes to raise $15,000 on Kickstarter by March 9.

Categories
Lifestyle

Pandle protects the germophobe from public handles

For the germaphobes of the world, going out in public can be a scary thing. Every door, bathroom, surface and public mint bowl contains bacteria and germs that could cause death! Or at least that’s what extremists think.

Pandle is a product for any such fearful person. It fits over any handle—whether it’s a door, car, or toilet handle, Pandle is there to cover it up. It’s made from rubber silicone infused with nanosilver. It can withstand extreme temperatures, and comes in five different colors: black, blue, red, purple, and green. A strap goes over the knuckles of the hand while the bendy part below covers the surface in question.

Oh, how so many products cater to the germ-obsessed. It’s okay to be clean, but an oven mitt for the outside world seems a bit extreme. Kids especially need to be exposed to germs in order to build up their immunities. Still, for those who can’t resist, one can be had for a donation of $10, expected to be delivered in March of this year. Pandle is looking for $10,000 in funding on Kickstarter by March 6.

Categories
Fitness

WalkSlide fitness device provides low-impact workout for older folks

Many people choose to engage in jogging in order to stay in shape. However, some of the best workouts come with aching joints. For older folks, it’s important to stick with low-impact activities to stay healthy and avoid injury.

patent-claimedThe WalkSlide was created for older fitness buffs. This product is a treadmill, cross-trainer and Nordic Skier in one. To use, one must stand on the foot pads and grasp the handles on either side. The product can be used to either go uphill or downhill based on which way the WalkSlide is facing.

The WalkSlide joins scores of similar workout products that we’ve seen on Backerjack. It seems like a useful product, especially for those who need a low-impact workout, but doesn’t come with any kind of display of calories burned or time elapsed. In addition, it looks a bit unstable, like someone might be able to lose their balance easily.

For a donation of $129, backers can have one by July of this year. WalkSlide is looking to raise $50,000 in funding by March 6.

Categories
Connected Objects Games

Juggglow adds glowing balls to the mix, makes juggling easy for beginners

Juggling is a time-honored art; a feat of balance and grace featured at many circuses. Clowns do it while teetering atop a unicycle or walking a tightrope. Even as a simple talent, juggling always manages to dazzle.

Juggglow brings juggling into the 21st century with LEDs and Bluetooth, which allows one to control the balls from the accompanying smartphone app. They can easily choose not only the color of the balls, but also the effects that they display, such as a rainbow spectacle for up to seven balls.

In addition to aesthetics, the app lets users track their juggling accomplishments. They can watch their progress over time, and engage in different challenges that the app offers. It also lets them compare their accomplishments to other Juggglow users. With tips and games, it makes juggling not only attainable, but fun.

As a luxury item, Juggglow brings all of the different dimensions of juggling to the masses. Its tutorials, challenges, and effects make it a great toy for beginners and experienced jugglers alike. Those wanting to dazzle their friends or an audience should look into purchasing their own. A donation of €89 (~$101) is rewarded with a Juggglow, which is estimated to be delivered in July of this  year. Juggglow is looking to raise €10,000 (~$11,300) in funding with the help of Indiegogo.

Categories
Apparel Health and Wellness

Vivir clothing uses heat to burn calories, increase metabolism; makes the wearer look and feel hot

Many go to saunas in order to relax, enjoy the heat and burn some calories while they’re at it. Heat is good for the body, after all. Not only does it get blood flowing, but it can also increase one’s metabolism.

Now, all of those heat benefits can be had by just wearing clothes. Vivir is a battery-powered top/pant combo that delivers far infrared heat directly to the body. With such an outfit, one can do hot yoga at home, as the campaign shows. It’s also possible to gain heat benefits by just taking a walk around the block. Vivir’s clothing line is black, features the Vivir logo, and comes in both men’s and women’s styles. The lithium-ion battery seems to be worn directly on the person, but the campaign doesn’t make this too clear. On its highest setting, the battery only lasts about an hour. Both the pants and shirts are hand washable—upon removing the battery, of course.

Vivir joins the market of products that claim weight loss and crazy health benefits by just sitting on one’s butt. Much like the Cold Shoulder, a vest that uses cold exposure to burn calories, Vivir elicits some skepticism. If it actually works, great. If not, though, it seems a little unsafe to be wearing a high temperature outfit. In addition, the battery doesn’t even last very long.

Everyone wants to look hot, but not actually feel too hot. Unfortunately, the photos of guys in lab coats on the campaign page aren’t enough to convince. One pant/top set will cost backers a whopping $489 for delivery in May of this year. Vivir is looking to raise $22,500 on Kickstarter by March 4.

Categories
Home

Pon hangs stuff on the wall without puncturing artwork

Hanging up photos and objects at home is a great way to make any room pop. Most use tacks, nails or tape to hang their stuff. The only problem is that tacks can damage posters, nails require expensive frames, and tape can peel paint off of walls.

patent-claimedPon is a hanging system designed for the more thrifty decorator. These metal coils puncture the wall and then grip onto anything from posters to CDs. The object fits snugly inside the coil, which is strong enough to hold a myriad of cool stuff. Pon is made of heat-treated stainless steel, meaning that it will hold its shape even after several uses.

While not the most exciting product in the world, Pon is a nifty little invention, great for college students or young adults who haven’t quite figured out frames yet. It’s made well and can be used in nearly any room in the house, or even at work. One set of 20 will cost backers $7 for delivery in April of this year. Pon hopes to raise $10,000 by March 4.

Categories
Fitness Health and Wellness

Pitt Sportbelt lives on the waist, offers suspension training wherever

Suspension training is the latest thing in fitness. Basically, a series of cables and handles let the user harness their own body weight for resistance.

patent-claimed Pitt Sportbelt is one such suspension training system. With adjustable straps, the Pitt actually lives around the waist. So, when one is out running or cycling, they can whip the Pitt out whenever they choose. The campaign video does a great job of showing how this product mimics gym equipment, but can be used outside instead. It’s made from black nylon with orange handles and is completely washable. The system also comes with a door anchor to make working out at home easier.

As stated above, the suspension training trend is at an all-time high. People are looking for ways to get that kind of workout, and Pitt is one such method. It’s especially excellent for those who abhor the gym. Backers can have their own for a donation of €129 (~$146) with delivery in July of this year. Pitt Sportbelt is looking to raise €25,000 (~$28,200) in funding by March 3.

Categories
Nutrition/Hydration

Tornado Blade disposable protein shaker gets used once, then thrown away for those who hate doing dishes

Protein shakes are an important part of any fitness and health regimen. Those who partake usually carry theirs around with them all day, making the clean up a bit gross.

Tornado Blade is a disposable protein shaker kit. This product consists of a small piece of plastic that is curved with holes in it along with cups and lids. The idea is to insert the curved piece into the cup, add the lid, and shake the liquid. Once finished, just recycle all of the products.

The whole premise behind Tornado Blade is that doing dishes sucks. Well, yeah, but that’s not really a reason to make all dishes recyclable. Most adults have gotten over complaining about dishes and would rather do that than spend money on disposable products. Even so, those who want a Tornado Blade kit will have to donate $10 for seven of the blades, cups, and lids for estimated delivery in May 2015. This disposable protein shaker is looking for $60,000 in funding.

Categories
Health and Wellness

Diabeto makes diabetes easier to manage by syncing glucometer with smartphone

Diabetes affects many people, but the way to manage the disease is fairly basic. Those afflicted must constantly watch their glucometer to make sure they’re safe.

Now, like many other afflictions, diabetes can be monitored with a smartphone. Diabeto is a small device that transmits readings from a glucometer to a smartphone app, Web app, or Pebble smartwatch. That information is then stored in the cloud to make the data accessible from anywhere, which can be “useful for remotely monitoring children’s diabetes by parents or [a] healthcare practitioner,” as the Indiegogo page notes. The app allows one to track their mood, activity, carbohydrates, insulin levels and blood glucose. It was designed to be easy enough for children to use, and is small enough to look almost like a children’s toy.

Backerjack has seen many smart devices that focus on health, such as the Wishbone and Fever Smart. Diabeto joins a successful market and will certainly be useful to those with diabetes. Of course, as with all such devices, accuracy is super important, and if Diabeto errs, the result could be dangerous. Still, Diabeto’s compatibility with both Web apps, smartphone apps and the Pebble watch set it apart from similar products that only work with smartphones. For their own, backers must donate $59. Diabeto is hoping to raise $10,000 on Indiegogo.