Ski Mojo Personal Shock Absorbers
The "Ski Mojo" is a wearable shock absorber that cradles the upper thigh, alleviating some of the stress the comes from skiing. MedGadget has a snotty quote from a "wintersports editor" at The Times of London about how these sorts of things are "in the same category as heated chairlift seats" which I think pretty much sums up my opinion on them: they sound great.
The Ski Mojo clips run around $600 a pair. Too bad they aren't less expensive. I'm sure they'd be most useful to those just learning to ski who haven't yet built up their stamina.
Product Page [SkiAlLDay.co.uk via MedGadget via Gizmodo]
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There needs to be a new tag on BB gadgets;
"Stuff that will make it easier for you to be Batman."
This tech could also be useful for old folks with hip problems. The sports market will product test it and make it cheap, then the geriatric market can benefit. Win-win.
Considering how many of my friends and co-workers have had knees surgically replaced/rebuilt due to years of skiing, anything that reduces stress on the knees should be considered necessary, not just a convenience...
As someone who has a surgically repaired knee, I'd love to get back on the slopes. However, I need to surgically improve my bank acct, given the cost of gear and the like.
However, this seems a bit over designed for taking stress off knees, if that is ones goal. I've thought that a simple flexible spring (sorta like a single-leaf spring, maybe) behind the knee would do nicely as a shock absorber - though not much for lateral stress. It wouldn't cost $600 tho.
these are a triumph!
I'm making a note here, huge success!
Brought to you by Aperture Science.
Sweet!
might be useful if your parachute fails to deploy, too!