Stay Connected During Summer Adventures

Rock climbers turn to ropes and harnesses and mountain bikers rely on helmets, forgiving shocks and sturdy tires. What do they both have in common? These outdoor enthusiasts need devices that can keep up with the inevitable bumps, drops and accidental -- or inevitable -- encounters with water.

The Casio G’zOne Commando 4G LTE is just such a device. Users not only stay connected during their journeys, but can participate in their favorite activities knowing the rugged Commando meets military standards for water resistance, shock and dust, and can withstand the rigors of even the most daring adventures.

Cameras also need to hold up against the elements and capture the grandeur of Mother Nature that adventurers seek. The GoPro HERO3 is a durable camera that can be worn or mounted on to equipment for a hands-free experience and features a waterproof casing ideal for surf and ski seasons. When used with the GoPro app, the camera can be controlled by a smartphone with live views to help frame shots.

Even if it’s not ruggedized, a smartphone, in a protective case such as the Otterbox Defender, can still be a valuable tool for aficionados of the adrenaline-rush with the help of a few apps. For example, the Best Session Ever app allows extreme sport athletes to record, geolocate, statistically track and share their sessions with friends or join an online community where they can share experiences with other users. With similar features for tracking stats and geo-tagging pictures, audio, videos and personal notes, the Trimble Outdoors Navigator app also offers a GPS compass for routing adventures and providing detailed maps.

To see how extreme sport enthusiasts are putting rugged products to the test, watch this interview with junior amateur snowboarder and freestyler George McDowall.