Valentine’s day. A holiday that celebrates love and passion. The week of cupid having arrived, we felt it appropriate to begin our latest review with a short poem of new found devotion.
An Ode to Sockwell….
Life without you was fine, was okay.
It was spent aimlessly, roughing it through each new training day.
Now that you’re here, comfort and relief I foresee,
Each blissful moment filled with sweet recovery.
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In life some of our most rewarding journey’s are also the most difficult. Far away from the neatly groomed ski runs rests snow covered regions that few will ever have the privilege of experiencing. For those journeys into the unknown winter landscapes, the Summit Trekker from L.L. Bean offers an ideal all around snowshoe as proficient on long flat terrain as it is traversing deep untouched powder in the tranquil winter back country.
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Historians trace the origin of snowshoes to Asia sometime between 4,000 and 6,000 B.C. As recently as the 1950s, snowshoes were still constructed from wood and rawhide. I share this historical note because as I stood surrounded by the white washed world of the snowy Sierra Nevada Mountains and strapped on the Artica Hike from Easton Mountain Products one thought stood solemn in my mind….
Those poor souls of yesterday would have killed for a pair of these shoes! Featuring ergonomic efficiency and a wide variety of technical innovations to keep your strides competent and comfortable, Easton’s Artica Hike™ is built to handle a wide variety of terrain.
Trails come in different shapes and sizes; that is the great beauty of trail running – every trail presents its own unique sets of obstacles and challenges.
Conquering these trails requires the right kind of shoe. As diverging philosophies – traditional cushioned versus minimalist – drive shoe design, selecting the shoe that fits your particular needs can be challenging. How much cushioning do I need? What type of tread will provide the best traction under most conditions? Which platform – traditional or minimal – fits best?
Fret no more. The ProGrid™ Peregine trail runner from Saucony® may have made your search for the optimal trail shoe a little easier. By successfully integrating the cushioning and protection of traditional shoes with the benefits of a lower profile, more minimalist design the ProGrid Peregrine will have you taking the long loop on your next trail run.
Running socks are nearly as integral to a runner’s performance as a decent pair of running shoes. Choosing the wrong pair of socks could lead to an uncomfortable run, with hot feet leading to a difficult experience and detracting from the enjoyment of your run.
Although some runners prefer thin minimalist socks for a “lighter” feel, others prefer a slightly thicker sock for additional cushioning. If you fall into that second camp, then the Sedona micro (men’s version is the Taos Micro) from Goodhew has a touch more cushioning for longer runs while offering the breathability and comfort to to urge you on that extra mile.
As trail running continues to gain traction new and experienced runners alike are asking some of the following question: What makes an ideal trail shoe? Is it a lighter shoe that travels faster over rough terrain? Is it a more minimalist approach that doesn’t interfere with the relationship between runner and trail? Or, is it a more aggressive tread that propels you forward while keeping you upright? All worthy questions that deserve careful consideration by the consumer.
If these are the questions you ask, then the X TALON 190 by INOV-8® footwear may be the answer you seek. As the lightest shoe in the INOV-8 “Off Trail” line, the X TALON 190 is a minimalist trail shoe offering elite-performance in a comfortable package.
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Jeb Dickerson once said, “Morning is when the wick is lit. A flame ignited, the day delighted with heat and light, we start the fight for something more than before.”
We know that the rhythm of our day is often determined by the morning hours… a fact even more important for those outdoor enthusiasts who don’t simply want to live the day, but rather attack it head on.
Your closet is chock-full of high performance technical gear for the outdoors, why shouldn’t your indoor morning (and evening) casual gear be any different? Enter the Self Employed House Shoes from Freewaters.
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“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” Thomas Merton
As athletes we are constantly seeking the perfect balance… that moment of harmony in which passion, energy, training and effort all meld seamlessly into performance. When your feet are uncomfortable, it’s difficult to perform at the top of your game. After all, your feet propel you forward, stabilize you, and put power behind your movements. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a sock that not only unites performance and comfort, but does so by utilizing environmentally-friendly materials, sources and methods of production and packaging? That my friends makes for happy feet.
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The last few years have seen a huge growth in the number of people moving away from more traditional running shoes and transitioning to more minimalist designs. Minimalists shoes offer flatter profiles, far less cushioning on the whole, and a design that encourage a mid-foot strike and enhanced ground feel, minimalist shoes arguable foster a more efficient running form. It’s a movement that has gained widespread acceptance in the past year prompting multitudes of runners to consider making the transition.
With a heritage of design and innovation spanning over 100 years, New Balance has established itself as a player in the minimalist market crafting an extensive lineup of minimalist shoes for both the road and trail. This award-winning, closer-to-barefoot line of footwear features the New Balance MR10. A minimal road running shoe that combines barefoot running benefits with traditional trainer protection. Continue Reading
As shoes become more advanced and jam packed with technological innovations, more companies claim their products can conquer all things – from city sidewalks to mountain highs. Yet the reality is that not all “multi-sport” shoes are designed for the expanse of life that carries us from urban realities to more remote retreats. As such, there are certain expectations I have for my multi-sport shoes:
1. They cannot suffocate my feet on the drive to the trailhead;
2. They must be nimble enough to carry me swiftly and securely from from stumps to boulders;
3. And yes, I would like for them to look as good at the mountain tavern as they do on the trail.
Enter the Vasque Juxt – the multisport shoe where versatility is the name of the game. Continue Reading
