Best New Kickstarters For April 12, 2018

6 Spectacularly Smart New Kickstarters You Probably Missed This Week

Kickstarter is a magical place — or it can be, anyway. Worst of all, though, is when great ideas go unnoticed. That means a great product that could have changed lives never gets the funding it deserved — and often for no good reason.

To help avoid those great ideas falling through the cracks, each week we're bringing you handpicked Kickstarters you should know about. Some may have blown through their funding goal already, and some may be struggling, but they're all producing awesome gear that could make your life that much better.

NanoDri Sweatproof Polo Shirts

Polo shirts are my go-to attire in the spring and summer, but piqué cotton isn't exactly ideal for hot weather. It holds onto sweat, making it obvious to everyone how hot you are. Worse, they tend to stain over time, so you don't get more than one season's worth of wear out of lighter colors. The NanoDri solves all of those problems, and then some. The inner layer wicks away sweat, keeping you dry. But because the outer layer is hydrophobic, it doesn't get absorbed and isn't visible from the outside. Instead, it vaporizes and evaporates, which also keeps you cool. As a bonus, the shirt is liquid and stain-proof, so spills are no problem.

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SwiftPaws: Capture the Flag for Dogs

Most dogs love to chase stuff, but throwing a ball not only gets tiresome for you, but it also gets boring for your dog after a while. Instead, SwiftPaws works by running a "rabbit" along a string connected to a pulley system. It's battery operated making it hands-free for you, and because it randomly changes direction it's a lot more fun for your dog. You can use any number of pulleys in virtually any space, so it's an option for indoor dog (and cat!) owners as well.

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The Nomad Grill: The World's Most Portable Grill

I don't know if it's the most portable grill -- I've seen grills on Kickstarter that rolled up small enough to fit in a backpack -- but it's definitely the largest portable grill I've seen. The components all fold flat enough to fit in a very slim carrying case, but once assembled, the grilling surface is just as large as any backyard rig. And unlike most portables, this grill gives you the option of cooking over charcoal, as opposed to just a campfire.

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Curious: Multi-Function Shoes

Most lightweight shoes aren't waterproof, and most waterproof shoes will turn your feet into swamps once the temperature climbs. But the Curious shoes manage to be both waterproof and breathable, using a material that's not all that different from the one used in the NanoDri shirts. Combined with a rugged (yet comfortable) athletic-style sole, they're perfect for rainy days or hikes that take you near shallow water.

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COMBAR™: An Incredibly Rugged Heavy-Duty Multi-Tool

There are hundreds of multitools and "EDC" gadgets on Kickstarter, but none as badass as the Combar. It combines a hatchet, hammer and spade into a large, durable handle that gives you plenty of leverage and swinging power. Inside that handle is room for both the Combar knife and saw, or a specially designed magazine to hold whatever else. I'd think twice before heading out on a hike or camp without one of these.

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The Voyage Chair: The Beach Chair Reimagined

Everyone trying to REIMAGINE or REVOLUTIONIZE everything on Kickstarter is a little tiresome, but you have to admit that there hasn't been a lot of thought put into beach chairs. The Voyage Chair improves them significantly, however, with a few thoughtful upgrades. You have the option to carry it either as a backpack or via the carry strap, for starters, and once in place you can choose multiple back positions for comfort. The seat is made of fabric that will both dry you off quickly and allows sand to fall through, while the back bar acts as a drying rack for towels and clothes. Also on the back are a couple of insulated pockets that just so happen to perfectly hold six frosty beverages. It's not so much reimagined as it is perfected, and I think that's more important.

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