Admittedly, I’m very picky about my footwear and socks. Let me re-emphasize this… my pickiness legendary and well-known to all my friends. Very rarely do the let any of my feet habits go unmentioned–I’ve heard it all. I can only tolerate the right thickness and type of socks for my activities, but once I’m done running, hiking or biking, the first thing I grab is a nice pair of sandals so my feet can breathe and remain cool and comfortable. For years, my trusted pair of flip-flops has been the Teva Mush Sandals. About the Teva Mush Sandals On the surface, there’s not much to mention...
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With so many mountain bike manufacturers eliminating water bottle mounts, the ubiquitous hydration pack is a necessity. I find myself hauling the hydration pack on short and long rides because of this very thing. Sometimes it feels like overkill while other times it comes in handy as trailside repairs become a part of the adventure–at that point, you’re glad you stashed away the extra tube, toolkit and shock pump. I also dig having the ability to stash away extra layers without filling up the back pockets of my jersey (which sometimes has pockets but other times does not). I’ve now had enough cycles on the Dakine Amp 12 hydration pack that it’s time to deliver the verdict....
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Finding the right shorts for outdoor activities can be a tricky challenge. Do I go with the old-school short shorts for ease of movement and light weight, or do I go with something a little longer for the greater good (because nobody needs to see that much thigh)? Whatever your flavor, there are plenty of options in the world of outdoor shorts. My recent experience with the Cloudveil Journey Trail Shorts has been a great opportunity to try something a little longer, yet still comfortable for trail running, hiking or even casual wear. About the Cloudveil Journey Trail Shorts Built with a combination of...
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I am new to videos, only having started shooting and editing videos this year. I have no aspirations to produce professional quality videos–my efforts are limited to short snippets uploaded to the web via Vimeo. During the ski season I became interested in point-of-view (POV) videos after having seen some fine efforts from a friend who, among other things, skied off the iconic Vancouver mountain landmarks known as the Lions. Until my recent interest in POV videos, I had been shooting videos with a Canon G10, then with a Panasonic Lumix FX-35. I started researching POV cameras. I wanted something simple, that could be operated without many controls, without wires and that was robust. Because I didn’t know whether...
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Wool has come back into fashion lately–not only because it is sustainable, but because its natural characteristics lend itself to year-round temperature and moisture management. Believe it or not, wool used to be the standard for road cyclists and now summer warriors of all disciplines are discovering its outstanding qualities in a number of garments designed for use in the beat-down heat. Ibex is one of the market-leaders in sustainable clothing with the majority of it being of the wooly variety. Up for review is the Ibex Wool Peak Sport Zip with its simplistic styling and zippered front. Here’s how it fared in action....
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After only a few years on the market, Oboz continues to deliver high-quality, no-frills footwear for a variety of outdoor pursuits. Last year, I tested the Oboz Ignition trail runners and really liked them overall. This year, I’ve had the new Oboz Burn trail runners. They are built on the same last as the Ignition, but with a revised upper for increased breathability and lighter weight. With sufficient miles on the Burns, lets see how they fared. About the Oboz Burn Trail Running Shoes Built with running in mind, the new Oboz Burn is a lighter-weight version of last year’s Ignition....
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I try to stay away from cotton shorts at all cost. Not only do they seem to wear out quickly, they don’t cut it for all-around use. The new Merrell Meridian shorts offer softshell nylon fabric for versatility and comfort combined with excellent styling, but how did they fare in my tests? About the Merrell Meridian Shorts The Merrell Meridian shorts are an all-day pair of shorts made for outdoor or urban adventures. Quick-drying fabric ensures they won’t get bogged down should you wear them hiking or trail running and the subdued styling fits in with any adventure–no matter the location. A few more feature...
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It’s Chaco season and time to work on the classic Chaco tan. With so many Chaco fans out there, it’s not hard to find someone in a tan competition to see who has the best strap lines. I’ve now jumped into the fray and am well on my way to my first award-winning Chaco tan. The Zong EcoTread® sandals have been my companions now for a few months. With the versatility of a slip-on combined with the classic Z/2 performance, the Zong EcoTread is a great sandal option for summer. About the Chaco Zong EcoTread Built for flexibility and performance, the Zong sandal...
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While there’s no doubt that trail running shoes come in all shapes, sizes and flavors, the new 9.81 Escape (made by Garmont) trail running shoes are without question some of the most unique trail shoes I’ve worn. At first blush, they look more like low-top baskeball shoes than trail runners. The softshell uppers and simple, low-profile treads will make you scratch your head in wonder. It’s with that impression that I embarked on my adventure, or maybe I should more aptly say escaped on my Escapes on the local singletrack trails for a trail running beat-down. I showed no mercy and found where the Escapes shine and where they fall short–alas, no shoe is perfect. Lets see how it...
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La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear announced the lineup for this year’s 2009 La Sportiva Mountain Cup, presented by GORE-TEX® and Fleet Feet Boulder. The Mountain Cup’s first race of the 10 race national series is the Rock2Rock 10k in Asheville, North Carolina, set for Friday May 29. Unlike the rest of the races on the 2009 Mountain Cup schedule, the Rock2Rock is special because it takes place on a Friday evening, kicking off Asheville’s Ashland Sports Festival weekend. “No one can run the entire course,” says Race Director Jay Curwen, in speaking about the Rock2Rock. “The name Rock2Rock originated because the course literally climbs two rocky outcroppings with...
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