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This article was first published in the December 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Get more of WIRED's annual round-up of the best gadgets, design, accessories, rides and sports gear in our Gear of the Year 2015 special .
CANNONDALE SLATE
This year's most hyped bike is designed for racking up the miles on and off paved roads. Built around smaller 650b wheels, the Slate has allowed Cannondale to create a frame with regular road-bike geometry while running voluminous 42mm tyres. The aluminium frame with internal cable routing is paired with Cannondale's new asymmetric (30mm travel) carbon-fibre "Lefty Oliver" fork.
The 2016 Slate comes in three build options, from Shimano 105 to SRAM's new 1 x 11-geared Force CX1. The bike has a smaller 650lb wheel with 42mm tyres that has the same circumference as a regular 700c road wheel and tyre set.From £2,500 cannondale.com
HEIMPLANET NIAS TENT
Supported by Heimplanet's inflatable diamond grid (IDG) exoskeleton, this 10m<sup>2</sup> tunnel tent can be constructed in a single inflation process. A pair of removable cabins offer flexible accommodation for up to six people, or a combination of sleeping space and equipment storage. The exterior fabric is available in Heimplanet's new Cairo Camo design -- a geometric camouflage print inspired by traditional Arabic patterns. €900 heimplanet.com
ENKO RUNNING SHOES
Each Enko shoe comes with two coil-sprung shock absorbers with 2cm of travel, to deaden impact, conserve energy, then release it progressively as you lift your heel, to give your stride an additional boost. The springs are interchangeable to allow for fluctuations in the runner's weight, and each is guaranteed for over a million "cycles". €359 en.enko-running-shoes.com
TTROBOTIX SEAWOLF
Opening up ocean exploration to those lacking James Cameron's deep pockets, the SEAWOLF ROV comes with a waterproof GoPro mount, allowing it to live-stream video for first-person-perspective piloting. Although the 10 metre maximum depth rating may not be sufficient to probe the floor of the Mariana trench, its 5,000-mAh battery will provide ample time to scope out the local coral reef -- around 50 minutes. $999 ttrobotix.com
PARROT HYDROFOIL DRONE NEWZ
When attached to this trimaran hull's vertical mount, the Parrot mini-drone's four rotors effectively transform it into an airboat, propelling the combined vehicle across water at speeds of over 9kph, with up to 6cm of elevation on its three hydrofoils, permitting impressively tight turns. When detached from its hull, the mini-drone can fly at 17kph for seven minutes per charge. £140 parrot.com
TAYLORMADE DADDY LONGLEGS 2.0
Constructed from 16 individual pieces in eight materials -- including stainless steel and polycarbonate -- the Daddy Long Legs 2.0 golf putter delivers an extremely high moment of inertia (MOI) to resist twisting at impact. Taylormade claims a 60 per cent improvement in stability over conventional putters. £169 taylormadegolf.co.ukhttp://www.taylormadegolf.co.uk/
Photography: Sun Lee and Dave Lidwell
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
