Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
US military commits millions to 500-kW super laser weapon
July 16, 2026
| David Szondy
It looks like laser weapons are going to get a major power-up. The US government has awarded contracts worth US$86 million to develop new Joint Laser Weapon Systems (JLWS) capable of outputting up to 500 kW to take out next-generation cruise missiles.
New Balance's 3-in-1 hiking boot zips and strips down to camp slippers
July 14, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
Just in time for the heart of summer, New Balance has released one of the most versatile shoes you'll ever see. The new Niobium Concept 1 bridges the huge gap between waterproof boot and cozy slipper ... with another stop along the way.
Piercing off-road teardrop camper grows wings bigger than Red Bull can
July 16, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
One of the fiercest, sharpest go-anywhere teardrop trailers roaming the Outback has gotten an upgrade. The 2026 Stockman Rover 2.0 takes on a new power system, new multi-awning setup, stealthy black-out look, and available entry-level trim.
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The Redwood tiny house makes downsizing easier with a spacious interior that's suitable for full-time living. The home opens up to the outside with two glazed entrances and has plenty of storage for everyday life.
With its substantial size and lack of wheels or trailer, the Evergreen XL isn't a good fit for nomads. It trades portability for a remarkably spacious interior that's closer to an apartment than a traditional tiny house.
The brand that helped innovate the entire pop-up camper van category is redefining the space. With its latest camper van, Westfalia has determined to offer the space and luxury of a high-end Class A motorhome inside a very average Fiat Ducato van.
After disappearing from the lineup in 2023, the Jeep Cherokee returns for 2026. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, the new Cherokee embraces everyday practicality with enough Jeep DNA to make weekend adventures more than just marketing copy.
One of the appeals of paddlesports isn't just being able to look across the water, it's being able to look below its surface. With that in mind, an inventor has made an underwater lamp that lets him observe the seabed while paddleboarding at night.
With a changing climate, wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive. Engineers from California have developed a house that can temporarily disappear underground until the danger has passed.
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July 16, 2026The best productivity software is often the one you don’t have to think about. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus keeps the familiar Office experience intact with a lifetime license, now $54.99 (reg. $249.99). -
July 16, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalWe knew the 849 Testarossa Spider – the convertible version of Ferrari's new plug-in hybrid hypercar – was coming. It's similar in many ways to its coupe sibling. What we didn't expect is just how much more mojo this variant would bring to the table. -
July 16, 2026 | Omar KardoudiThe Mediterranean is getting hotter and drier, pushing scientists to look for water even in the air itself. A German team has now scaled up a porous material that does exactly that, even when the air feels bone-dry.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
A newly developed antibody has halted the growth and spread of aggressive prostate cancer in preclinical tests, raising hopes for a more targeted way of treating metastatic disease.
In a rare study looking at cultural engagement and biological aging, scientists have found a potential link between spending time at the theater, visiting museums and galleries and watching movies on the big screen and living healthier for longer.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued its first comprehensive guide on how psychedelic drugs should be studied in trials, signalling a shift toward recognizing the potential of these therapeutics and what's needed to see them approved.
At a time when more than one billion people are living with obesity,GLP-1s are widely viewed as among the biggest advances in obesity treatment. But one important question is becoming harder to avoid: what happens when people stop taking them?
A new study proposes a likely suspect: Little Red Dots, which were discovered by the James Webb Telescope a few years ago.
It seems we may not be the only ones to experience what has come to be called an “uncanny valley” – rhesus macaques also treat semi-realistic avatars of themselves with no small amount of suspicion.
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July 15, 2026 | Maryna HolovnovaAn emergency whistle is one of the simplest safety tools for the outdoors, and gear makers are trying to rethink the classic concept. This new whistle features a 3-in-1 design and claims to be heard through wind, traffic, and over long distances. -
July 15, 2026Why learn to code with beginner tools when you can start inside a professional IDE? This bundle includes Visual Studio Professional 2026 plus lifetime training in Python, C++, JavaScript, SQL, AI, and more for $40.97 (reg. $1,999.99). -
July 15, 2026 | C.C. WeissCinch Outdoors has moved off the ground and onto the vehicle, bringing Wild Land RV gear to the US market. It launches the Wingman as what's sure to be the US' largest, wildest pickup camping topper yet, available at a lower price than most toppers. -
July 15, 2026 | Simon HeptinstallAlpine offered a first look at its new high-performance electric sports car at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend – all thanks to a pioneering new process for developing a new car platform. -
July 15, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteXGIMI says that the newly expanded Elfin Flip series "ends the trade-off between portability and performance." Leading the triple-laser charge is a 4K model with optical zoom, GTV, and low-lag gaming, with a cheaper 1080p model sliding in below it. -
July 14, 2026 | Bronwyn ThompsonChina's eastern coastal region is associated with lower obesity, cardiovascular risk, and higher life expectancy. It's also where, for generations, market stalls selling fresh leafy greens, lotus seed pods, vegetables, tofu, and freshwater fish have shaped the diet of those living there. -
July 14, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodDucati is no stranger to supermotos. The Hypermotard is perhaps one of the most recognizable names in the category. What the Italian bikemaker was missing in its ranks, though, was a proper “racing Supermotard.” Lo and behold, here it is!
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Editor's Picks
The X1 Pro laser welder isn't just for pros. It's so easy to use even a beginner can start laying perfect beads in no time. It doesn't just weld either, it also takes off rust and slices through metal like butter.
Chinese humanoids are starting to move with extraordinary grace and agility, but Boston Dynamics is the OG in this field, and fresh video of its swivel-jointed Atlas robot running, cartwheeling and breakdancing shows it's still at the bleeding edge.
Fumbling with bindings is nobody's idea of a good time, especially in the cold and the snow. That's why snowboarder Brendan Walker created the Machina MagIC Ride System, which replaces traditional snowboard bindings with magnets.
The most egg-shaped of all the egg campers, the Barefoot Caravan has been wowing RVers with its shapely fiberglass for over a decade. Prices have risen quickly during that time, but now Barefoot offers the Bothy as a lighter, cheaper entry model.
A bacterium from the gut of Japanese tree frogs has "exhibited remarkably potent" tumor-killing abilities when administered intravenously, outperforming current standard therapies and paving the way for an entirely new approach to treating cancer.
There are knives, good knives, great knives, and classic knives. Then there are the knives that are flat-out legends with remarkable stories behind them. One of these is the instantly recognizable Puma White Hunter that redefined the hunting knife.
Researchers have discovered a new way to potentially treat liver disease. By blocking a key inflammatory pathway it could be possible to reduce liver damage and improve blood vessel function in patients suffering cirrhosis.
While the topical application of minoxidil is one of the most effective and popular ways to combat male pattern baldness, it is poorly absorbed by the skin. Looking to improve its efficacy, researchers have turned to an unlikely but very sweet ally.