Baseball, football, hockey, soccer. These are all standard sports. Even things like golf, running and exercise, and swimming are pretty standard. They all have wearables available, but you can’t classify them as “unique” sports wearables. They’re all common.
Believe it or not, those aren’t the only sports that exist. There are a ton you wouldn’t expect to see a wearable for, like racquetball, tennis, skiing, and more.
It’s not that these sports are unheard of, they just fit into a niche that you wouldn’t expect wearables for. But that’s wrong, there are unique sports wearables and we’re going to take a closer look at some of the best.
6 Amazing and Unique Sports Wearables You Can Get Right Now
Ever heard of racquetball? What about polo, tenkey, or omniball? No? Well, they’re real sports.
What you might not know is that there are unique sports wearables that can be used to track your activity, fitness levels, and more while you play some of them.
1. Racket Sports – Pulse Play
The best part about the Pulse Play is that it is designed to be used while playing any type of racket sport. So, it works for racquetball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, and much more.
This is one of those unique sports wearables that fits a niche that would be tough to accommodate otherwise.
Pulse Play was designed by Grand Slam champ, Andy Ram, so it’s been created by someone who truly understands racket sports. Anyone – from amateurs to professionals – will be able to take advantage of the platform.
It records live scores, match history and personal stats, and league data (for those that want dabble in the world of racket leagues).
The Pulse Play is a smartwatch, and it started shipping in mid-April for $129. There’s a compatible app for both Android and iOS app.
If you already own an Apple Watch, you can download an app for it (with an Android Wear version coming soon). You don’t need the Pulse Play band to take advantage of the same features, just your smartwatch.
2. Kiteboarding – PIQ
Chances are, you probably have no idea what kiteboarding even is – unless of course you are a boarder, but that’s a given.
Essentially, it’s a mix of windsurfing, wakeboarding, and several other sports.
It makes sense that such a wholly niche sport would be lacking in the technology and wearables department. Well not anymore.
PIQ has teamed up with North Kiteboarding to create one of the most unique sports wearables you’ll ever see.
It’s called PIQ, and it’s a multi-sport sensor (it also includes support for golf, tennis, and skiing). The device tracks a ton of performance stats and metrics which is reported back to the wearer, as you’d expect.
For kiteboarders, it can track things like the height of jumps, total air time, the G-force at landing, and more. This data can be used to improve both your performance and technique out in the field.
Seriously, how awesome is that? Speaking of unique sports wearables, it doesn’t get any more niche than kiteboarding!
3. Cycling – Solos
Okay, so admittedly cycling isn’t that unheard of. Yet, the unique sports wearable we’re going to talk about next is definitely niche!
It’s called Solos, and it’s described as a bio-inspired smart eyewear set. But what does it do?
Glad you asked.
It works like Google Glass and offers a HUD – or heads up display – for cyclists during their trip. All performance stats are displayed on a small screen that dangles in front of the wearer’s eyes.
It’s essentially a hands-free information system for cyclists. How cool is that?
Currently, you can pre-order the Solos on Kickstarter, which should be available to backers in October 2016.
At launch, the Solos headset will cost $500 so Kickstarter is a great way to buy-in for a cheaper price!
4. Climbing – Whipper
There are many different types of climbing. There’s mountain climbing, rock climbing, and out-of-chair climbing (that last one was a jest).
For those activities there’s the Whipper, a “smart climbing tracker” and personal coach. It’s a lightweight clip-on tracker, that attaches to your clothing and monitors your performance.
It can track information like total feet climbed, difficulty, incline size, location, and even falls. Of course, all this information pings to a smartphone companion app.
There, you can analyze and review your personal stats, and share them with friends and family.
Ultimately, it works like any other health and fitness wearable with the added focus of climbing – any type you can think of.
The first shipments will go out in November 2016.
5. Boxing and MMA – StrikeTec
Boxers, kickboxers, and MMA fighters can look to unique sports wearables like the StrikeTec sensor.
Designed by Elliot Fight Dynamics’, the StrikeTec tracks performance stats and helps fighters train.
It can record details like the speed at which a punch is thrown, the force of a punch and the total number of punches. This data is transmitted to a companion app on smartphones for personal review later.
There are a variety of accessories depending on the sport you want to focus on, such as boxing gloves for boxers.
Give it a look if you want to track your fighting stats, especially while you practice and train.
To order, you’ll have to get in touch with the company directly through their official site.
6. Skiing and Cross-Country Skiing – SKIIOT
Skiing has the reputation of being one of the most difficult strategic sports in the world. It requires total control of both the mind and body to maneuver all while traveling at breakneck speeds. Well, unless we’re talking about cross-country skiing, but even that takes a lot of effort and skill.
The EXIOPS SKIIOT is a small, clip-on wearable that can make things a bit easier for skiers – including professionals. It attaches to the heel of a skier’s boot and monitors a variety of personal and environmental data.
For instance, it tracks weather, track conditions, and personal stats – like distance traveled. This information is all recorded for review later.
All this information is pinged wirelessly to a smartphone companion app to the skier’s can watch their progress.
If all that sounds interesting to you, then you can pick one up for €349.00, which is roughly $394 USD. You’ll need to import the wearable, because it’s only on sale in Europe currently.