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Gear ReviewsGo HikeGo Outdoors

First Look: The New Vasque Snow Junkie UltraDry

posted by gumptiongear April 5, 2012 0 comments

 

Freshly fallen powder can get thick and heavy… but the design team at Vasque figures that’s no reason for you to slow down your winter pursuits.

Built for winter ambles, snowshoe rambles and cold-weather commutes, the Snow Junkie UltraDry from Vasque is set to debut in Fall 2012.  But before the Snow Junkie hits the shelves, the good people at Vasque were kind enough to provide the Gumption Gear squad with an advance pair to put through the paces and report back with a comprehensive review this fall.

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Gear ReviewsGo HikeGo Outdoors

The Women’s Vasque Talus UltraDry

posted by gumptiongear April 4, 2012 0 comments

 

Whether you’re a wife, mother or daughter you know that life as a woman places different demands upon our time than our male counterparts.  So when the window of opportunity opens offering an escape from the daily routine, you need to be ready.  You need a hiking boot that won’t let you down or allow a little wet weather and muddy terrain stand between you and some well-deserved trail time.

Just like your new Spring wardrobe offers a nod to tradition infused with modern flair and sensibility, the Talus Ultradry™ from Vasque embodies the authenticity and ruggedness of classic hiking boots while utilizing the very best of modern technology and comfort.

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Gear ReviewsGo OutdoorsGo Run

Patagonia’s Fore Runner Trail Shoe

posted by gumptiongear March 30, 2012 0 comments

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”

In the past, many trail running shoe designs have incorporated the “more is better” philosophy of design – if some cushioning and support is good, then more must be better for the life on the trail. At times the result has been stiff and chunky trail runners that seem better suited for long hikes meandering fire trails rather than running across trails carved by Mother Nature.

Marking Patagonia’s entry into the minimalist-shoe market, the Fore Runner stays true to the company’s steadfast approach to design – simple yet utilitarian accented with enigmatic color schemes that are in harmony with nature instead of adverse to it. The Men’s (and women’s) Fore Runner, new for 2012, continues this tradition of simplicity of design, while also marking the company’s entry into the minimalist-shoe market.

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Gear ReviewsGo HikeGo OutdoorsGo Pack

Mountainsmith Scream 25L: Your New Travel Companion

posted by gumptiongear March 28, 2012 0 comments

“It is not down any map; true places never are.” – Herman Melville

Whether you are a weekend warrior, or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast looking for a getaway from your getaway, there’s no greater joy than making your way deeper into the woods;  further along the canyon’s edge; closer to the waterfall….

If you’re a fan of moving light, fast, and unencumbered, then Mountainsmith might have just introduced your new best friend for the outdoors. The Scream is a member of the all new Mountainlight category in 2012.  A perfect secondary bag for light travel and summit hiking.

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Gear ReviewsGo Outdoors

Patagonia Men’s Maui Smooth

posted by gumptiongear March 26, 2012 0 comments

Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
Breakin’’ up the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign – Tesla

The world seems littered with signs from ‘the man’ telling you what you can and cannot do.  Perhaps the most infamous is that “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.” Well my friend, slip on the Men’s Maui Smooth shoe from Patagonia, your favorite vintage Hawaiian shirt, and waltz right in to get your fair share of service.

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Gear ReviewsGo HikeGo Outdoors

The Chaco Vade: Not Your Grandma’s Trail Shoe

posted by gumptiongear March 21, 2012 0 comments

Our Gumption Gal admits she identifies hiking shoes as being clunky, unbreathable and lacking in grace. In fact, back in the nether regions of her closet, alongside the assortment of other unused equipment lies such a pair of hiking shoes  – she has worn them maybe twice in the last ten years.

It’s not that she doesn’t hit the trails. She just prefers to do so in trail running shoes, whether she’s running, hiking or just meandering. Then, with the arrival of Spring, came the fashionable yet utilitarian Vade hiking shoes from Chaco.
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Gear ReviewsGo Outdoors

The kigo drive

posted by gumptiongear March 15, 2012 0 comments

Just beyond the drab grey walls of your office cubicle, there’s a world waiting to be explored.  Whether your adventure involves scrambling alongside the mountain stream, or simply taking a new route to your local convenience store, there’s an ever increasing number of barefoot styled shoes for the minimalist adventurer to choose from.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, eco-friendly option, the minds behind kigo are working hard to create minimalist footwear that is attractive enough for everday wear, durable enough for athletic endeavours all while being constructed in a way that makes them as good for the Earth as they are for your feet and body.

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Gear ReviewsGo HikeGo Outdoors

Flare: Wolverine’s Low-Cut ICS Hiking Shoe

posted by gumptiongear March 7, 2012 0 comments

Flare [flair] verb, flared, flar·ing, noun: to start up or burst out in sudden, fierce activity, passion, etc.

As winter begins to loosen its grip on the nation and dirt and rock-laden trails begin to reemerge from their snow-covered slumber, it’s time for the outdoor adventurer to start planning the first outdoor excursions of the year.

For that moment you prepare to burst out onto the trail, you’re going to need a solid shoe to take you off the beaten path and back. The Flare from Wolverine might just be that shoe.

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Gear ReviewsGo Outdoors

Kuru’s Aalto Chukka

posted by gumptiongear March 1, 2012 0 comments

Whether you are traveling halfway across the world running from one plane to the next, taking a long drive along the coast or simply walking around town – wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes can ruin your trip.

Enter the Aalto Chukka from Kuru. The Aalto Chukka is Kuru’s travel and walking shoes featuring an anatomical last that allows your feet to splay naturally; a patent-pending custom orthotic midsole for arch support and an upper covered in soft leather giving it a retro-stylish look.  Nominated as a Finalist in About.com’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards for the best Comfort Shoe, we were excited about the opportunity to put the shoe to the test.
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Gear ReviewsGo Outdoors

Darn Tough Vermont Socks

posted by gumptiongear February 29, 2012 0 comments

More than ever athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike are realizing that the quality of their socks are just as important as the quality of their shoes. Deciding which pair is best for you, however, can prove to be a daunting task.

As with most gear, finding the “right” pair of socks – the ones that work best for your activity, weather conditions, and your feet – has as much to do with personal preferences as it does performance. Select the “right” pair and your feet will happily take you through your training session or outdoor adventure. However, if your feet aren’t comfortable, then you won’t be comfortable nor will your excursion be as sweet. That being said, having had the opportunity to spend many a mile in both running and hiking specific socks from Darn Tough, your normal sock choosing preference might be about to change.

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