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Vasque Taku GTX: Master Your Mountains

posted by gumptiongear August 28, 2011 0 comments

Light-footed, slender and clever, Hermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology. An Olympian god, he is the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them – the god of all those who must move quickly or make fast getaways.

While the crew at Vasque has not yet confirmed the rumor… we feel confident in saying that Hermes himself was charged with crafting the light weight Vasque Taku GTX.

With the wisdom of Athena, the Vasque design team (aka Hermes) crammed a slew of mountain-mastering features into this waterproof, breathable, mid-high boot without weighing it (and you) down when the going gets rough.

Waterproofed, 2mm thick nubuck leather uppers with air-mesh nylon panels at the collars keep boots light and breathable in warm temperatures aiding your quick pace on the trail. This is especially helpful for those moments you hear the Sirens song seducing you into setting up camp before reaching your destination.

When Zeus attempts to dampen your day with thunder and rain, take heart knowing the Taku GTX utilizes the power of breathable Gore-Tex, shedding water. The fully breathable Gore-tex boot means you need not dread crossing Poseidon controlled creek beds.

The design of the Taku GTX not only ensures a light, agile and blister free boot, but was crafted to promote comfort and durability. Beefed up rubber toe bumpers help protect uppers and feet from abrasion and premature wear meaning even the Greek god of time, Kronos, won’t outlast these boots.

The Taku’s molded EVA midsoles offer lightweight cushioning and flexibility that is so comfortable that you’ll never want to return to your chariot. Thermoplastic urethane plates help control flex, reduce ankle strain, enhance stability and protect feet from rough terrain.

Vasque’s Arc Tempo Last construction creates an agile, athletic fit that promotes quickness and agility over technical ground and has an asymmetrical curve that’s great for higher arches. The additional benefit of the Arc Tempo Last is that it directs more power to the toe during foot push-off ensuring an efficient transfer of energy with every stride resulting in greater ease for rocky, barely-there trails.

The Taku GTX rides on a Vibram® sole keeping your feet on the trail whether you are eating up miles on a week-long trek or picking your way through shale slides as you shimmy to the top of Mount Olympus. This confidence-inspiring traction is not only durable but is engineered with an athletic stance that’s ounces lighter than a typical hiking sole. The result: if you can handle the terrain so can this boot.

The Bottom Line…
Responsive and snappy, the waterproof Vasque Taku GTX Hiking Boots are as easy on the eyes as Aphrodite, yet tough enough to get you to the top of Mt. Olympus for your tangle with the Greek gods.

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

KEEN Has One Question: Got SOX?

posted by gumptiongear August 26, 2011 0 comments

As an outdoor enthusiast you have high expectations for your footwear. You demand that your shoes provide a comfortable and secure fit while delivering the nimble support needed for all of your outdoor escapades. Why then have we lived through our journeys with lesser expectations from socks?

If you want socks that will keep your feet comfortable, dry, blister-free in every activity then KEEN may have your answer.
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Gear Reviews Go Outdoors

In Search of the Perfect Summer Sandal: SOLE™ Casual Flips

posted by gumptiongear August 24, 2011 0 comments

If you’ve spent your life strolling around on the traditional one-size-fits-all flip flop then you’ve been living your life on little more than a flat cardboard platform. While you thought you’re feet were gaining freedom, the reality is that you’ve been forcing your body to work harder to keep those flips on, aggravating any existing biomechanic problems you may have.

Enter SOLE™, a footwear company out to shatter the traditional one-size-fits-all flip-flop paradigm.

SOLE understands that like fingerprints, your feet are unique. As such the’ve created a casual styled flip flop that provides custom support and cushioning courtesy of the SOLE Wear Moldable™ footbed which molds to your unique foot shape, providing unmatched comfort and support.

On Style and Performance…
Who knew that living an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle would also allow you to look so chic? A gender-specific strap is composed from 50% hemp and 50% recycled polyester. Both the men and women’s version come with patterned/embroidered straps that give these flips the definitive “sweeeet” factor when you first pull them from the box.

The magic ingredient of the SOLE casual sandals is cork. Yup… cork. SOLE has been researching cork and working on developing products with it since 2008. Through their research SOLE discovered that they could replace some petroleum-based foam with cork and not reduce the performance of their footwear. Using 35% cork in the footbed and midsole, the Casual Flips reduce impact on your feet and the environment. Our field testers were truly impressed by give and natural shock absorbing qualities of the cork footbed.

More than being stylish and environmentally friendly, the SOLE casual flips are a great sandal for your tired feet after any adventure. The full and roomy shape, contoured cork footbed and deep heel all combine to holistically support your feet in their natural and free form. It’s this free and full support that shapes and molds to your foot over time supporting the body and allowing your feet to recover. In other words, this flip not only wows at summer BBQ’s, it’s the perfect post workout sandal for runners and weekend warriors alike.

And when the rubber hits the road, the non-marking rubber outsoles boasts tremendous traction. In fact the traction on these casual flips exceeded that of some “performance” based flips we’ve tested. The grip smooths out your step on gravely roads, uneven boardwalks, and unexpectedly rough cement steps outside your local organic grocery store.

Room for Improvement…
The SOLE casual flip is changing the way that people view the traditional flip flop for the better. The design team at SOLE deserves a great deal of credit for the craftsmanship of this flip, although our testers felt that there was one foible: the double stitching on the underside of the strap. The 50% Hemp/50% Recycled Polyester strap was comfortable, and wicked away moisture like a shammie, however the double stitching proved to be unforgiving on the back end of the toes. As a result we were left with tender tootsies and dubious dorsals until these flips were fully broken in.

Bottom Line…
You have certain requirements of flip flops. For one, you like a polished, sophisticated look, and the stylish upper and cork wrapped footbed fit that bill. You also demand comfort and support; the SOLE casual comes through with a first class moldable footbed that cradles and supports your body. Like your favorite baseball glove or a fine wine these flips will only get better with time. So whether you’re a fellow outdoor enthusiast or a flip flop connoisseur, you’ll revel in the SOLE line up of casual sandals.You can get them from the SOLE store for $70 by clicking here.

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

Platypus Hydration Re-Imagines the Hydration Pack

posted by gumptiongear August 18, 2011 0 comments

The Dictionary defines “variety” as (1) The state of being varied or diversified; (2) a different form, condition, or phase of something.

We can’t prove that Cascade Designs, Inc., had this definition in mind then they set out to redefine the hydration pack, but it wouldn’t surprise us if – like when Rocky trained for his fight with Drago – they had it stuck in the frame of their mirror keeping them ever mindful of the task set before themselves.

Drawing on years of expertise in the hydration category, Platypus Hydration (part of the Cascade Designs family) set out to re-design and re-imagine the traditional hydration pack. When they put pen to paper, there were no rules, no boundaries, just a vision of what a Hydration Pack could, and more importantly, should be.

The result is a series of low-profile and highly efficient packs fit for a variety of athletic undertakings. This post reflects our initial impressions on both the Origin 3 and Origin 22 after spending a few short weeks with the packs. Over the next five to six weeks our team of outdoor experts will continue putting the packs to the test to see if they truly offer the best performance, comfort and customization available for your outdoor endeavors.

First Impressions…

A lightweight, puncture-resistant, Platypus Big Zip™ SL reservoir is the cornerstone of every pack in the Origin lineup. The designated hydration compartment is constructed to easily accommodate both the two-liter and three-liter sizes without affecting the capacity of the pack itself. Platypus utilizes unique toggle mounts for the Big Zip SL reservoir. These mounts take a bit of getting used too, but they make for a more stable, secure fit.

The leak proof antimicrobial reservoir keeps water fresh and taste free and opens as easy as a bag of chips for stress-free filling and cleaning. Another quality feature is the on/off position on the bite valve which helps ensure that the water stays in the reservoir and not all over your shirt, jacket, or car trunk.

Equipped with the cool BioCurve ventilated back panels and SoftTouch stretch-woven harness, the Origin packs are constructed to attack the most demanding trails while comfortably supporting the weight of your water and whatever else you carry with it.

The ergonomic shoulder straps are a soft, stretch-woven surface stretched over a ventilated foam padding. Over the course of our long term field testing, our team will give distinctive attention to the design of these straps www.generikaonline-de.com/pille/cialis/ because we are interested to see if they effectively compare to the more standardized mesh straps used on comparative hydration packs.

One thing that separates the Origin series from other hydration packs is the variety of hydration hose options which allow the wearer to find the most effective placement for their chosen adventure.

When it seems that an increasing number of brands are moving towards the integration of raincovers for their packs, the Origin series again splits from the pack by sporting waterproof, 10,000mm-coated fabrics, welded, all-weather zippers and heat-taped seams. These materials contribute to an overall minimalist sleek design that is easy on the eyes and sure to draw attention.

Everyone knows the importance of a good first impression and after our first few dates the Origin 3 and 22 packs left us with the warm fuzzies. Next step we’ll put this relationship to the test through the literal peaks and valleys of our relationship to make sure the Origin packs have gumption necessary for a long-term relationship.

Gear Reviews Go Outdoors

In Search of the Perfect Summer Sandal: KEEN Waimea H2

posted by gumptiongear August 10, 2011 0 comments

Eight years ago Keen made one simple yet visionary design change from the traditional sandal that has reshaped an entire outdoor industry and re-imagined the way people approach their own outdoor adventures. Since introduction of the Newport, Keen has continued crafting innovative products that are not only functional but inspire the individual to get outside and let their outdoor soul thrive.

So when KEEN decided to take on the traditional flip-flop, rest assured they added their own unique style and attitude.

Here’s the deal, too often the summer months seem to force an unwanted decision upon us. The comfort of flip-flips or the more rigorous summer adventures of hiking, biking and just general exploring. If you’ve ever found yourself in that position, then fear not for the KEEN Waimea H2 Sandal perfectly blends the worlds of comfort and adventure together in one seamless package.

This flip-flop uses KEEN’s patented rubber toe protection and quick-drying polyester webbing straps so you can wade through the river without a worry. This lightweight sandal includes a shaped EVA footbed for comfort and support. And speaking of comfort, the Waimea’s EVA midsole absorbs shock with ease relieving pressure on your heels, back and hip joints.

Both the midsole and neoprene liner are treated with the Aegis Microbe Shield for odor resistance. In other words, your sandals won’t smell like the roasted pig at your next Luau which is a good thing when you’re trying to meet that little hula dancer.

It was once said, “the place where you lose the trail is not necessarily the place where it ends.” For those moments when the trail goes on this is the flip that you’ll want to have with you. Like its namesake, the Waimea offers kick around style along with tremendous support and protection for roaming wherever your trail may take you.

Our Gumption Crew’s favorite feature? The Waimea’s multi-directional lug pattern on the non-marking rubber outsoles. Simply put, it provided the best traction in any flip tested to date ensuring solid footing on slick shoreline rocks and boat decks alike.

The only critique from our field team about the Waimea was a belief that the heel cup errs on the narrow side, but otherwise this flip felt true to size in every other aspect.

With little doubt the Waimea is one of the most versatile and adventure ready flips the Gumption Crew has had the pleasure of testing. Add to that the comfort, stability and sticky grip and the Waimea H2’s ensure that no longer will you be forced to choose between summer comfort or adventure. The Waimea H2 from KEEN ensures that you get both in one great package.

Gear Reviews Go Outdoors

In Search of the Perfect Summer Sandal: The Sanuk Roots

posted by gumptiongear July 11, 2011 0 comments

As our search for the perfect summer sandal continues we stumbled across a quote from Caskie Stinnett who once noted “I hate having my life disrupted by routine.” If, like Caskie, routine is your own personal arch nemesis then you’re going to love Roots from Sanuk. Continue Reading

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