May 21, 2009: Bionic Digitigrade Legs

Stilts are cool. Stilts that give your legs the "backwards knee" look are very cool. Kim Graham's digitigrade leg extensions -- which add 14 inches, weigh less than 7 pounds per leg, and have optional hoof-like attachments -- are very, very cool.

(Digitigrade: a form of locomotion in which the animal walks only on its digits; e.g., dogs. This gives the impression that the knee is actually bending backwards.)

Right now, there's a 60-day backlog for orders, but heck, Halloween isn't for five months. You've got plenty of time to order and then procrastinate building the rest of the satyr or werewolf costume.

-- Paul Chapman