Wool and Prince Micro Merino Button Down Oxford Shirt
Product: A micro merino button down Oxford shirt that Wool and Prince put a tester in for 100 days. According to the company, their shirt won鈥檛 wrinkle, smell or look dirty, even if you wear it for 100 days without washing. And it鈥檚 temperature regulating, so great all year round, not just in winter.
Why the world needs it: Gentlemen鈥攊magine how this could save space in your wardrobe, not to mention time doing laundry and dry cleaning bills. Wool is a sustainably harvested fiber, and requires less water and pesticides than cotton to grow, plus eliminating dry cleaning is a service to your wallet and the environment. And, wool lasts six times longer than cotton.
Jury Says: We love wool, and the Wool and Prince shirt fills a niche that hasn鈥檛 been nailed by any of the leading merino wool companies yet. The 100-day challenge was playful and poignant, and the shirts look gorgeous. In fact, we can鈥檛 wait to get our hands on one. Clearly we鈥檙e not the only ones. This campaign raised ten times its goal before it closed. $98,
Stash Waterproof Pocket Pants
Product: Stash Incorporated is developing and patenting a waterproof pocket to incorporate into its clothing and gear鈥攊ncluding swimwear, life vests, waders, backpacks and jackets. The Stash Pocket allows you to safely take your cell phone, wallet, and keys with you wherever you want.聽
Why the World Needs It: Who hasn鈥檛 dived into鈥攐r been thrown into鈥攁 lake or ocean, with pocket contents being an afterthought. Who has been on vacay at the beach, jonesing for a swim, and unsure if leaving your phone and wallet on your beach towel is really the best plan.
Jury Says: With just a few hours left, this campaign doesn鈥檛 look like it鈥檚 going to succeed. Are too many waterproof cases already on the market? This one seems unique, but limited in that the pocket being developed is for Stash鈥檚 own apparel鈥攊t鈥檚 not a universal solution. $79,
Night Runner LED Shoe Lights
Product: A pair of clip-on rechargeable lanterns for your running shoes, each Night Runner unit has four 45-lumen white LEDs in a durable and water resistant housing. These flashlights for your feet claim to illuminate your path sixty feet out and make you easily visible to motorists鈥攊deal for dawn and dusk runners and those who run at night. The lights attach to your shoelaces, and turn on with the push of a button.
Why the World Needs It: The Night Runner inventors say headlamps create glare and prevent a runners pupils from properly adjusting to low light. The low angle of Night Runner鈥檚 light beams is better at illuminating irregular pavement, roots, and potholes.
Jury Says: It鈥檚 hard to know if these lights are an improvement over existing products without trying them. The but backing is lagging. The inventors aren鈥檛 offering any particularly personal incentives, like a night run with the inventor, entry into an after dark marathon鈥攜ou know, the extra special bonus programs that get you emotionally involved with the product. And at any level of support, Night Runner is charging $8 shipping for a set of its lights, which sponsors might interpret as being nickeled and dimed. $58,