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This article was taken from the December 2012 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 <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Welcome to Wired's roundup of the hottest products for the coming year -- from hi-tech toys to thousand-year stopwatches.
Here, Wired takes you through a selection of jet skis, powerboards and sportswear.
Aerodynamic ariflow running suit
Nike Pro TurboSpeed (above)<span class="s1">
This skintight suit is subtly textured to reduce aerodynamic drag on athletes seeking an edge. In the same way the dimples in a golf ball help it travel faster and further, patterns spread across key areas of the suit assist airflow over the body. Informed by over a thousand hours of wind tunnel testing, the surface architecture is subtle, but wearers were 0.023 seconds faster over 100 metres than in Nike's previous suit.
Currently for pro athletes only
Beach fit
Venom Design Jet Ski
The Venom design team will take your boring jet ski and tailor the design with custom paintwork, decking and bespoke bodywork. This Sea Doo ski, currently available at Harrods, has been given the works, including a silver spray-job, body kit and real leather upholstery. You can specify crocodile, alligator and ostrich finishes, should you so desire.
From £27,995
Power board
ZBoard Pro
The powerful battery in this electric board means you can now "skate" up hills. Acceleration and deceleration are done via pressure-sensitive control pads at the front and rear, so there's no need for a remote handset; lean in to speed up, or step back to stop. The Pro can cover 16km on one charge, and has a top speed of nearly 30kph.
$549
Aerodynamic tech
BMW Airflow 2 Helmet
This streamlined carbon crash-helmet is aerodynamic both inside and out. Its contoured shape improves airflow over the shell, while ducts at the side are located to draw in the slipstream for ventilation. A series of channels circulates the air through the inner lining, so the rider keeps a cool head. The vents can be adjusted on the move, as can the tinted visor, which can retract fully inside the helmet. BMW Motorrad's ingenious solution scooped a Red Dot award for design excellence.
£300
Hydration to go
Salomon XT Advanced Set Backpack
Designed for comfort and practicality, this minimal hydration pack is suitable for intense trail-running and is made from breathable stretchy material. It allows runners to carry up to five litres and the skeletal design weighs just 640g without water. £113
Flexible protection
Dainese Ultimate Jacket
Ideal for snow-boarders, this smartly designed body armour gives high-end protection for your torso, including chest, spine, elbow and shoulder, in one clever piece of clothing. The back protection features a lumbar band for a more supportive fit, and the breathable fabric keeps it comfortable and lightweight. £194.99
Wearable data
Adidas Micoach Elite System
Used by all US Major League Soccer teams, this data-tracking technology provides coaches with real-time performance metrics such as speed, distance, field position and heart rate. It transmits more than 200 data records per second to a central computer. Stats appear on the trainer's iPad.
Currently for sports pros only
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
