Can Tire Chains Be Cool?

Yes!

Our friends at Left-Hand Thread offer exhibit A as proof. The new K-Summit snow chains from Thule.

Fitting under the vehicle’s lug nuts the clever design allows for fitting with no need for reaching behind the wheel. A ratcheting device allows you to set the tension for most any tire size and folding arms make it easy to carry them in the trunk.

More details available here…

Camp, Cook & Charge

New Camp Stove Goes Off the Grid

One of the most clever camping gadgets we’ve seen since the Noah Tarp by Kelty is this awesome little camping stove from BioLite.

The stove burns wood but uses a thermoelectric generator to run a fan that makes the fire ultra efficient. Think of it like a miniature blast furnace. The electrical energy can also be used to charge small electrical appliances- like a phone or MP3 player.

Weighing only 33 ounces the makers claim a liter of water can be brought to a boil in only 4 1/2 minutes using less than 2 ounces of wood. A home version is also in the works.

Clever Camera Curio

Ever broken a camera?

Kinda’ sucks. But if you’re clever you could recycle that broken lens and create some spiffy jewelry. That’s what Australian photographer, Craig Arnold, did.

Bracelets made from camera lens parts!

Available online from Oye Modern.