Is anything safe from digification? Thankfully, no. By pairing a Zippo-size digital audio player with an elegant interface built into a pair of top-shelf cycling shorts, Pearl’s Vertex makes the otherwise unwieldy (and unsafe) task of managing music while pedaling as easy as shifting gears. The flash-drive player tucks neatly into a rubberized port in the middle of your back, with integrated push-button controls on your thigh. That means no more Twister moves when you reach for your rear jersey pocket. The shorts are Bluetooth-enabled, so you can pack your phone and toggle between tunes and calls. Good luck explaining to your boss why you’re working in a wind tunnel. 512MB, $500;
Pearl Izumi Vertex MP3 Bib Short
