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SPORTS
REPORT
Whatever your sport of choice, our guide to new gear will ensure you’re at the top of your game. By Elaine Glusac
FASTER, HIGHER, BRAVER. Those words aren’t just Olympic jargon. They define modern sporting gear, now engineered to be faster, selling at volumes approaching $60 BILLION at wholesale in the U.S. and, in fusing hardware and software, going where gym shorts have never gone before. Celebrated Living looks at the latest and greatest in EIGHT SPORTS this season.
1-CYCLING
Cycling is one of those sports with a steady following, practiced by more than 40 million Americans according to the National Sporting Goods Association. Design-centric bikes, green options, and street style are big in the category this spring.
 A Nathan Sports, maker of gear built for and tested by endurance athletes, just introduced the Stealth 1.5-liter bicycling hydration pack in a streamlined, backpack-style fit. $75.
www.nathansports.com
B Rubber hits the road fashionably in SweetskinZ’s Reflective Tires, attention-grabbing by day and perfect for night riding in patterns like snakeskin or flames. $35 to $40, depending on size. www.sweetskinZ.com
C Triathletes can keep their gear together with the Transition Bag from TYR with shoe pockets, removable waterproof bag, and mesh water bottle pockets. $64. www.tyr.com
D Clock your sprints on the raciest-looking watch on the market, the new Zenith Defy Xtreme. From $21,000. www.zenith-watches.com
E The EC Extreme Contrast Lens in this Slip model by Tifosi Optics was developed to help cyclists distinguish terrain details by filtering out the blue light spectrum that causes blurring on those single tracks. $50. www.tifosioptics.com
F Ridden by the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, Trek’s new Madone SSL 6.9 has a frame made of Defense Grade High Modulus carbon fiber. It’s as durable and stiff as the 2005 Tour de France-winning Madone SSLx which preceded it, but almost 200 grams lighter. $8,250. www.trekbikes.com
G Biomega bikes from Denmark bring smart industrial design to bike paths. The new Biomega Amsterdam is a great town bike, sporting plump tubes and an upright seat as well as shaft-driven technology (meaning no greasy chains). $1,100. At Sporteve, (310) 838-6588, www.sporteve.com
H Commute on Schwinn’s new lightweight hybrid electric bike, the 35-pound Continental. Its lithium battery mounts under the bike rack, eliminating bulky hub motors, and lasts for 60 miles. The Continental comes commuter-ready with fenders, a rack, and even a bell. $2,000. www.schwinnbike.com
I Swiss Army’s new Victorinox women’s apparel collection includes this smart performer, the L/S moisture-resistant cycling jacket with ventilating jersey. $285. www.swissarmy.com
J Street bikers dig the new men’s organic cotton J-Mak Knicker from Swobo, a loose-fitting, old-school knicker with cargo pocket and internal snaps to secure Swobo’s more traditional cycling liner. $95. www.swobo.com
2-RUNNING
Perhaps the least gear-dependent sport, running has lately seen an enormous amount of attention from engineers, blazing a sci-fi streak down the road in apparel embedded with running computers and music players.
 A Reebok touts a custom fit of its new Pump Paris Trainers for men and women, featuring a form-fitting air chamber around the foot designed by NASA- and MIT-trained engineers. $100. www.reebok.com
B XGO, the company that has provided base layers to military specifications, offers its extraordinary wicking technology — wicking sweat three inches in three minutes —
to runners in its Phase 3 T-shirts. $30. (800) 552-8585, www.xgotech.com
C The new men’s Vega Short from New Balance is a seamless brief with a non-
chafing waistband that feels barely there. $42. www.newbalance.com
D A new line of running apparel merges Adidas with Polar, maker of heart-rate monitors. Adistar Fusion Shoes work in conjunction with the Polar RS800sd Running Computer, enabling you to record speed, distance, and heart rate. $120. www.adidas-polar.com
E Track your heart rate, calories consumed and burned, and split times with the road-ready Mio Shape Elite Watch. $130. Available at The Sharper Image, (800) 344-4444, www.sharperimage.com
F Go the distance with the new Marathon Trainer Left/Right No Show Sock from New Balance, with arch support for comfort and a second-skin fit to eliminate blisters. $10. www.newbalance.com
G Combine entertainment and sun protection in Oakley’s Thump PRO in which an MP3 digital music system takes a ride on the UV-filtering sunglass frames, allowing you to run cord-free. $299. www.oakley.com
H GoLite Footwear’s new Sun Dragon Trail Runner inverts the traditional running shoe to adapt it to rugged trail conditions, resulting in a cushy outsole to absorb rocks and sticks and rigid midsole to stabilize your foot. $95. www.golite-footwear.com
3-GOLF
After fitness machines such as treadmills, golf is the biggest category in sporting goods, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Little wonder then that all the heavy hitters, if you will, are rolling out new gear to get you to drive farther and putt more
precisely, not to mention look better on the course.
 A Play smarter with the GPS Caddie from iGolf, which provides premapped and downloadable GPS distances to the greens from golf courses around the world. $230. www.igolf.com
B Wilson’s newest 2007 products include the Staff Fifty Golf Ball, comprised of an extremely soft Nano-core and breakthrough ionomer outer blend which gives the ball more “bite,” a better trajectory on drivers and irons, and more direction on wedges and putters. $18 per dozen. www.wilsongolf.com
C Who needs a coach when you’ve got the Suunto G6 Golf Swing Monitor & Watch? The watch monitors your tempo, rhythm, backswing length, and clubhead speed to help you perfect your swing. $400. Available at The Sharper Image, (800) 344-4444, www.sharperimage.com
D Nike Power Platform Technology with better balance, smoother weight transition, and stronger push at impact purportedly added 10 yards to Tiger Woods’ drives at the PGA Championship. Some of Nike’s PGA Tour players are wearing the SP-6 this spring. $155. www.nikegolf.com
E To stabilize your club at impact, and maximize your distance on off-center hits, the new generation of driver heads is maxing out on the U.S. Golf Association’s standards of five-by-five inches and three inches high. Nike’s new SasQuatch SUMO2 square driver head claims to be the most forgiving on the market, with the highest MOI (moment of inertia). $479. www.nikegolf.com
F Tag Heuer’s Panorama Lenses approach X-ray vision on the course, providing expanded lateral and downward visual correction, an aerodynamic fit, and feather weight. From $950. At Oculus in Las Vegas, www.oculusltd.com
G Nicklaus Dual Point Driver boosts ball speed with a lower and deeper center of gravity designed to align with the most flexible part of the driver face. $299. www.nicklaus-golf.com
H Minimal seaming and an easy fit that moves with your swing distinguishes the PLAY DRY PERFORMANCE BODY MAPPED POLO from the Greg Norman Collection. $64. www.shark.com
I The new GOLF-SPECIFIC SUNGLASSES from Silhouette promise maximum UV protection in a tinted lens that heightens the contrast between ball and green. Lightweight 1.8-gram frames range from $230 to $280 depending on your size and gender. (800) 223-0180, www.silhouette.com
J For the phattest looks on the first through 19th holes, don apparel from PAHR, a kicky new clothing line for men and women that brings back loud golf pants in a funky way. From $50 to $80. www.pahr72.com
4-KAYAKING
Kayaking and rafting have boomed in the last decade, rocketing up from 2.9 million participants in 1997 to 7.6 million in 2005, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. Paddlers will find more customized gear on the market, from oars you feather yourself to gender-specific boats.
 A Scotland-based boutique paddle maker Lendal just introduced the carbon fiber
Archipelago Paddle with the patented Paddlok System, allowing boaters to mix and match blades to create a paddle ideally suited to any paddling activity. $380. www.lendal.com
B For day-trippers, Necky just released its popular 14-foot Manitou 14 in lightweight fiberglass composite, perfect for serious paddlers who want a responsive boat. $2,300. www.neckykayaks.com
C Casio’s new Pathfinder features a built-in digital compass, barometer, altimeter, and thermometer in a water-resistant wristwatch. $350. www.casiousa.com
D Montreal-based outdoor footwear company Kamik introduced the water-to-land Adrift Sandals with athletic outsoles for both men and women. $30. www.kamik.com
E I/O Biocompatibles is introducing its new merino wool base layering system to the U.S. market. It’s ideal under dry tops for wicking and warmth that’s itch-free. Wool Hoodie, $130. http://iobiocompatibles.com/
F Get a grip and protect your hands from wind and sun with the new summer-weight fingerless gloves, aka Hand Jackets, from Kokatat. $21. www.kokatat.com
G Buoyancy specialist Extrasport recently debuted the Solstice PFD, with a mesh lower back that provides extra comfort on high-back seating and an ergonomic design that allows paddling without pulling. $110. www.extrasport.com
H For warm-weather paddles, pull on these sporty, water-absorbent Swedish Board Shorts from Ailin, with roomy pockets for essentials. $90. www.ailin.com
I In serious spray, protect your vision with the Aquashield II Above Water Sport Glasses from TYR, with a comfortable foam gasket grip and UV protection lens. $50. www.tyr.com
J When the going gets rough, don Kokatat’s new Storm Cag, a sea kayaker’s one-piece spray skirt and jacket sold in either Tropos light ($189) or Gore-tex Paclite ($299) fabrics. www.kokatat.com
5-HIKING
Hiking gear is getting smarter. Shirts wick away sweat faster, packs hold more ergonomically to your body, boots breathe better, and electronics record every step you take in the latest batch of goods to hit the trail.
 A Scarpa’s new ZG Low Oxygen Light Hikers increase the breathability of its low-profile day hiking shoes with mesh uppers and softer, cushier midsoles without giving up on traction in the undersole. $99. www.scarpa.net
B Wenger’s G-3 Navigator Swing-Out Compass Watch hides the path-finding device under the watchface in water-resistant casing. $200. www.wenger.com
C Get your first aid and emergency needs prepacked with Life+Gear’s Wings of Life Backpack, which includes a rain poncho, thermal blanket, whistle, compass, magnifying glass, gloves, and other life savers. $99. www.lifegearcompany.com
D The new Sprint XR Photochromic Sunglasses from Ryders Eyewear change with the brightness of the light and feature wrap styling with strategic lens vents to prevent fogging. $60. www.ryderseyewear.com
E The new Onix 200 GPS Receiver from Bushnell Outdoor Products allows hikers to download satellite images, aerial photos, and topographic maps of the backcountry. $250. www.bushnell.com
F The quick-dry Trail Grinder T-shirt from Columbia wicks away sweat and still looks fresh over an après-trail beer. $30. www.columbia.com
G The EPA recently awarded prAna for its use of sustainable energy, proving the outdoor lifestyle specialist lives its convictions. Its durable men’s Prana Katek Convertible Pant bridges frosty dawns and sweltering afternoons. $75. (800) 557-7262, www.prana.com
H Snap a shot from the summit with the new D-Lux 3 Point And Shoot Camera from photophile-favored Leica, featuring a 2.8-inch display screen and 10-megapixel clarity. $599. www.leicacamera.com
I Turn your Nalgene or other wide-mouth water bottle into a camp lantern with Firefly, a lid design embedded with an LED light that makes the bottle glow. $22. www.guyotdesigns.com
J Combining sports and sophistication, Allrounder by Mephisto’s Men’s Slip-On Arto goes from trail to town. $215. www.allrounder.com
K The new Icarus Daypack from Gregory holds your gear close to the body with a winged waist-belt for easy movement, while sporting pockets to keep you organized. $89. www.gregorypacks.com
L The limited edition Biformeter Watch from Switzerland’s Linde Werdelin features a removable databank that acts as a timer, barometer, altimeter, compass, and heart-rate monitor. $6,010 for both watch and databank. www.lindewerdelin.com
6-TENNIS
Fashion mavens the Williams sisters and cover girl Maria Sharapova have brought glamour to the professional courts. Now their styles have trickled down to the consumer market, while racquet and shoe makers customize their gear to your level of play.
 A Tennis ace Venus Williams was personally involved in the development of Wilson’s W5 Divine Iris Racquet. The powerful women’s racquet features a very large headsize (111 inches) and Wilson’s exclusive nCode technology, and is Williams’ choice on the WTA pro tour. $250. www.wilson.com
B Color-blocked Visors from Hat Attack provide excellent UV protection. $28. (800) 982-1569, www.hatattack.com
C Make an on-court smash in fashion designer Stella McCartney’s Spring/Summer Collection for Adidas, including this white skirt, $100, and vest, $95. Pair them with her chic tennis bag, $140. www.adidas.com
D Moisture Absorb Moisturizer from By142 dries sweaty palms, providing better racquet grip. $30. www.by142.com
E The new O3 Speedport Racquets from Prince claim to make recreational players faster thanks to rectangular holes on the racquet frame modeled on air intake valves of sports cars and fighter jets. Choose from two models, the O3 Speedport Red ($259) for competitive players and the O3 Speedport Silver ($269) for players with a shorter backswing and less power. www.princetennis.com
F The classic styling of the men’s rib-knit-collared, three-button Burn Polo from New Balance’s tennis line belies its technical skill in a quick-dry fabric with antimicrobial finish to reduce odor. $47. Wear it with the new Verocity Short with SPF protection and deep pockets for storing practice balls. $35. www.newbalance.com
G Working on your tennis game? Strap on Wristassist, a training device that tethers a taut line between your wrist and your racquet, forcing you to swing clean and building muscle memory for matches. $70. www.squarehittennis.com
H Wilson’s new lightweight Evolution Footwear Tennis Shoe features ventilating panels on the top, the sole, and at the heel, and cushioning designed in iterations including beginner, intermediate, and the advanced Open model (shown, $130). www.wilson.com
7-SWIMMING
Second only to walking in terms of popularity, swimming has fans from master racers to weekend waders. Gear designed for swimmers follows those parallel paths, from high-tech suits and cover-ups embedded with MP-3 technology to fashionable footwear.
 A Triathletes can shorten their swim-to-bike-to-run transition times with Speedo’s FSII Zip Front Tank ($120) and FSII Male Race Short ($100). This Fastskin swimwear is the most advanced and lowest-drag racing swimwear in the world to date, and features fabric that mimics rough shark denticles to reduce drag in key areas. www.speedo.com
B Re-hydrate with the coolest-looking water on the strand, SEI Water, sold in hip and easy-to-tote flask-shaped bottles. $29 to $36 per case. www.seiwater.com
C Toss those flimsy $10 flip-flops for a form-fitting thong from Mephisto. The ALOA sports a suede-lined footbed and two shock absorbers in the heel. $125. www.allrounder.com
D For outdoor swimmers, MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross recently launched Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Packettes, individually packaged sunscreen sheets that slip easily into your pool bag. The dermatologist-designed lightweight sunscreen has sun protective ingredients including vitamins A, C, and E; lycopenes; and green tea extract. $42. www.mdskincare.com
E TYR’s Racetech Metallized Goggles protect swimmers’ eyes from the elements, with low profile, wide angle anti-fog and anti-glare lenses along with UV protection. $16.50. www.tyr.com
F Perfect for post swim: Quiksilver’s new training line, Quiksilver EQPT, is embedded with “soft switch” technology that allows you to hook up your iPod and play music via buttons in the fabric without digging out the device. Short sleeve jersey, $75. www.quiksilver.com
G Make a splash and then lap the onlookers in the new Starsearch Reversible Diamondback Tank from TYR that bridges fashion and function. $72. www.tyr.com
8-FLY-FISHING
The 1992 movie A River Runs Through It helped to make fly-fishing the popular sport it is today. Angling’s timeless allure — man’s communion with nature in the rugged wild — helps sell everything from Teddy Roosevelt tribute clothing to portable fishing kayaks.
 A Panoptx Velocity Series Eyewear boasts a removable eyecup feature that protects serious outdoor sports enthusiasts from sun, glare, wind, and water with 100 percent UV protection. $125 to $250. www.panoptx.com
B The pedal-driving system of Hobie Cat’s new Mirage Revolution Fish Kayak gets you to that sweet spot quickly in a maneuverable hull that comes SUV-rooftop-ready at 13.5 feet. $1,749. www.hobiecat.com
C Winston’s exquisite handcrafted Bamboo Rods, each of which can take up to two years to build, give anglers a truly great experience. They’re slow-action rods with an incredible touch and feel, and superb line and loop control. $1,800 to $3,000. www.winstonrods.com
D The new Z-Axis Series Fast Action Fly Rods from Sage purport to be lighter weight, stronger, and easier to cast for anglers of all levels. Nine-foot rods available in line weights 3 through 10. From $585. www.sageflyfish.com
E Fashion watch line Drops, an entirely new brand from Ritmo Mundo, goes sporty with this water-resistant model shown in orange. $200. www.shopintuition.com
F Columbia’s Performance Fishing Gear line includes the functional Tamiami Long-Sleeve Shirt with built-in UPF 40 sun protection and a rod-holder tab. $60. www.columbia.com
G The Orvis Company celebrates an iconic outdoorsman with its new Theodore Roosevelt Collection, including a Rabbit Fur Felt Hat ($149) and the Canvas Adventure Vest (shown, $198), with a portion of sales donated to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partners. www.orvis.com
H Redesigned for 2007, Patagonia’s Watermaster II Wader goes softer and lighter with reinforced knees and seat in breathable waterproof material. $335.
www.patagonia.com
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