The appeal of the Esla kicksled ($256) isn't hard to understand. Sturdy, fast, and versatile, it's both a toy and a cargo mover, and it's "perfect for hauling an eggnogged uncle across the snow with ease," says Wired. The current edition isn't that different from the ones that Finnish builder E.S. Lahtinen made when he committed to the business in 1933. His grandson eventually added a hinge to make the seat collapsible, but the frame is still made of solid birch and the runners are galvanized spring steel. "Twist the handles and the steel bends, turning the boxy frame with surprising agility."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
5 cleverly clashing cartoons about the presidential debateCartoons Artists take on a deepfake debate, winners and losers, and more
-
The Pélicot case: a horror exposedTalking Point This case is unusually horrifying, but the misogyny that enabled is chillingly common
-
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: pure 'nostalgia bait'Talking Point Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder return for sequel to the 1988 cult classic
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
