Inline Skating Newsletter Article

The Orbit Index

Oboy, a new toy!

I love sharing new skating accessories with others, and this year I've found the LookInBack multipurpose rear view mirror to be a great safety accessory for road and trail skating. At $20, it makes an ideal gift for your favorite fitness or commuting skater. Designer Phil Hampton spent months getting evaluations for skaters who tested his prototypes and contributed to the final design. Evolving from a functional if slightly clunky prototype, the LookInBack now sold is stylish (available in four colors), easy to put on over your wrist guard, and comes in two strap sizes. The most thoughtful touch is that these well-crafted features are available in both right- and left-hand models.

The LookInBack mirror's field of view really is optimal for "lookinback." My own home-made version (using a convex mirror from the car parts store) so distorted the objects behind me that I could hear vehicles approaching long before they appeared in that mirror! I wear my LookInBack on my left hand because that displays the best view when skating on the right side of trails and roads. When strapped on with the adjustable Velcro closure, the mirror is tilted slightly to minimize the distance I need to raise my arm to catch a glimpse behind. There is an undocumented benefit, too--you can use it as a vanity mirror. Now I know that the reason so many other trail users smile at me is that I wear a constant grin when I skate!

Tooling along in an upright stance, it's easy to raise my left wrist to check behind me. When I cruise in a tuck with both hands behind my back, the mirror rests comfortably against my spine. To use it without losing my aerodynamic posture, I bring my hand forward and raise it to the best position for a quick glimpse. An easily adjustable, strap-on rear viewing device could be handy for other sports, too, such as biking, jogging or horseback riding. I have seriously considered wearing mine on the ski slopes to keep track of out-of-control snowboarders creeping up from behind.

The LookInBack mirror can be purchased online from the Nett Racing web site. Use the online form or call the toll-free order number to order from this speedskating web site.

The Orbit Index

Comments or questions? Ask Liz.