Trail Running Life - Wilderness Running

Archive for the ‘Gear Reviews’ Category

Review: Montrail Mountain Masochist

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Many trail runners are at least passingly familiar with Montrail’s recent history. The conventional wisdom is that a great brand was victimized by its acquisition by Columbia in 2006. This perception is especially common when it comes to Montrail’s most popular shoe ever, the Hardrock. Naturally, the whole truth is a bit more complicated than this version of the story — at least according to my sources — but it is fair to say that the Montrail brand lost a bit of its luster in the year or two after the change in corporate ownership.

Well, the end of that chapter in the Montrail story seems to have begun no later than last year with the release of the Mountain Masochist, a shoe which in the ensuing months has won the devotion of rank-and-file runners and professional gear testers (e.g. iRunFar and Outside Magazine) alike. After testing the shoe myself, I agree the Mountain Masochist is the epitome of a balanced, all-conditions wilderness running workhorse.

Let’s first review the Masochist’s design, then I’ll share my experience with the shoe in the “lab.” (All photos are expandable for better viewing of details.)

Design Overview

Last

The Masochist is built on Montrail’s VEL last, which offers a medium-volume fit and roomy toe box. As you can tell from the photo above, the VEL last also has the slight “banana” shape typical of shoes built for neutral, normally arched feet.

Midsole

The midsole of the Masochist is single-density EVA with instep posting (the blue portion of the midsole in the above photo). The midsole also integrates a flexible, lightweight rock plate. Heel/toe drop is 10mm (20mm heel/10mm toe).

Outsole

The outsole of the Mountain Masochist has large, angled blades in the forefoot and deeper lugs all around the perimeter.

Upper

The upper offers good protection without going overboard. Overlays are limited to functional features like the five canvas strips (inside and out for 10 total per shoe) which secure the lace cage for a uniformly snug midfoot.

Weight

Per the WRC scale, the actual weight of the Masochist is 11.1 oz for the men’s 9.0 and 9.6 oz for the women’s 7.5.

On The Trail

Based on the specs of the Masochist, I expected the shoe to feel nimble and fairly low to the ground. In testing, the shoe more or less lived up to expectations, but with caveats.

First, some runners may find the heel a touch “wobbly.” As best I can tell, this is due less to any narrowness than to the shape of the outsole. In the photo below, note the slightly rounded edges (fore-aft as well as side-to-side) where the heel greets the ground.

I can’t say I personally experienced a significant sensation of instability on the trail, but there was also certainly no confusing the ride of the Masochist with that of, say, the Vasque Mindbender. (In the event you’re a regular reader and this observation has you wondering if the Masochist is the smoking gun behind my recent ankle mishap, the answer is “no.”)

Second, the midsole of the Masochist is primarily single-density EVA. Being a softer compound means a bit more cushioned ride than shoes with denser (double- or triple-density) midsole compounds. I personally prefer a very firm midsole, but many runners like this bit of additional shock absorption. The other implication of a less dense midsole is that it will tend to collapse into itself with the miles. Notice below the telltale creases beginning to form in the midsole of my Masochists. (The photo was taken after roughly 150 miles.)

Neither of these caveats are universally problematic; they are more a matter of preference than anything. And even though these two elements of the Masochist run counter to my personal preference, I still look forward to lacing them up. The reason is that while I like some other shoes in my closet better for one particular application or another, there are few that are as versatile as the Masochist. Whether the question is fit, traction, durability, or weight, the Masochist just works.

Ideal Application

The perfect match for the Masochist is the trail runner who likes the smooth, cushioned feel of mainstream road running shoes, but wants a bit more protection than is provided by road shoes or hybrids (e.g. Montrail’s Rockridge). It is not particularly well-suited to flat feet. (If this describes you, Montrail’s most suitable offering is the new Sabino Trail.) The Masochist is relatively light, but entirely capable of standing up to harsh trail conditions.

Bottom Line

For neutral runners who want to do substantially all their trail running in just one pair of shoes, the Mountain Masochist is one of the better options available.

***

Posted in Gear Reviews | No Comments »

Gear Review: Icebreaker Baselayers

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

As with all things, there can be a bit of a learning curve when discovering the most appropriate gear for comfort and performance in the outdoors. For instance, it took me a few years of avid backpacking before deciding that down sleeping bags are far superior to synthetic. Around that same time I realized how much better my merino wool socks performed than all my others, not to mention their soft, cozy feel. Upon making such discoveries, a backpacking buddy and I used to take up the cheer, “Go Nature!” (Yes, we were dorks, and possibly hippies, but that was nearly 15 years ago. I’m sure things have changed. A little.)

Given such insights, it was only a matter of time before I discovered the benefits of merino base layers over that of synthetic. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I learned for myself the very best of these woolen mavericks, Icebreaker.

Jeremy Moon and Friends

Icebreaker is a New Zealand based company started in 1995 by Jeremy Moon. He discovered the soft feel and high performance of merino wool, and wanted to create clothing that was both natural and high-performance—something that could compete against, and provide an alternative to, the petroleum based synthetics that dominated the market.

Aside from the luscious feel of the fabric and beautiful fit, the first thing I noticed was a little thing on the tag called the baa code. No, that was not a typo, and yes it’s a cheesy pun. Brilliant, no? By entering the baa code into the Icebreaker website, I found the group of farms raising the sheep that grew the wool for my particular shirt. It turned out to be from a group that included, among others, Irishman Creek Station. I loved that I could click around and see pictures of the station, the workers shearing the sheep, the location and the family who owned and operated the farm. There’s something pretty awesome, and humbling at the same time, about having that much knowledge of exactly where your clothing comes from. It feels like the next best thing to making it yourself, except of course the quality and performance is far superior to anything I could ever make.

In fact, the Icebreaker website is packed with information about exactly how and where their garments are made. From the sheep station to the ethics on manufacturing to their philosophy on animal welfare, the company gives you the opportunity to see the ins and outs of everything they are doing. Not only does this clearly display the ethics of the company, but it also makes you feel a little bit closer to the people creating the clothes that you love. When I see a photo of three generations working the family farm that produced my merino, I can’t help the warm smile it elicits. (But, as we’ve already established, I’m kind of cheesy that way.)

I tried out two different tops from Icebreaker, both from the Bodyfit 150 line. This is an extremely light weight merino, suitable for running in all seasons. My highlights for both tops can be summed-up as follows:

comfortable and flattering fit
wide range of temperatures for which they are suitable
the “no stink” factor

The Dash Crewe

My short-sleeved shirt was the Dash Crewe. The moment I put this shirt on, I knew I was going to love it because (and here’s where I display my utter vanity), it looked great! I am truly picky about fit, and often find myself frustrated with “unisex” style clothing. The Dash was made to fit an athletic woman (thank you!) but with plenty of stretch in the fabric for those with a few more curves. It was also incredibly comfortable – as in, I barely noticed its existence while running. Could there be a bigger compliment for a piece of gear?

GT150 Shortsleeve Dash Crewe

This shirt was comfortable in temperatures ranging from 45 to 65 degrees, depending on the intensity of the workout. It also worked well as a layering piece under a jacket or windbreaker on colder days.

The Atlas Half Zip

The long-sleeved shirt I tried was the Atlas Half Zip. Normally I’m not partial to zip-necks in my running tops, but I found this one to be extremely effective in adding versatility to the top. Having the zipper up or down made quite a difference in heat loss or retention, and made the comfort range quite wide –about 20 degrees to 55 degrees, again depending on the intensity of the workout. I also loved this top for other aerobic pursuits in cold weather, like back-country skiing and skate-skiing.

My standard complaint about long-sleeved tops is that they are never long enough in the sleeves or torso. Have you ever run with a shirt that allowed a stripe of skin to appear between the bottom of your glove and the end of your sleeve? Those shirts go straight to the Goodwill. No such problems with the Atlas, though. Both sleeves and torso were a comfortable, practical and flattering length.

Here I am posing while totally trying to look like I'm not posing.

One of the biggest selling points for merino as a base layer is the fact that it doesn’t retain odors. If you’ve never had a merino shirt, you probably don’t understand how true this is. I mean it really doesn’t smell. At all. Do I smell? Yes. Does the shirt smell? No. This is great news for people like me who sometimes end up in stinky running clothes because we’re such laundry procrastinators.

In fact, have you ever read one of those high-end outdoor clothing catalogs where the product description says something like “wear it from climbing to clubbing,” and then they show the sexy-yet-athletic girl sending a V10 in her stretchy skirt and then having drinks with friends later? I hate that kind of marketing silliness. But still, I always wonder, does anything really work that way? So yeah, you guessed it – I tried it with the Atlas. Post-run, no shower, I traded the tights for jeans and headed off to a party. Good thing it doesn’t stink, right? And did I mention it looks good? The only comment I received was from my husband who felt that the neck could have zipped down a bit farther. (Yeah, I’ll be sure to pass that feedback on to the company: “not sexy enough.”) But aside from the lack of décolletage, it totally works for a night out if you live in a casual mountain town.

Possibly the one barrier to owning an entire closet full of Icebreaker clothing is the price tag. (The Atlas generally retails for $70.) Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “you get what you pay for”? The clear reason to me for the higher-end pricing is that they are putting out an amazing product while trying to follow the highest ethical standards. The truth is, these shirts will last, and in the end that makes them much less expensive than a lower-priced item of inferior quality.

For myself, I love having a product that looks good, feels good, performs, and makes me feel good about how it was produced. Go nature!

***

Posted in Icebreaker | 2 Comments »

Long Term Test: Vasque Celerator (Momenta)

Friday, February 26th, 2010

The bulk of my miles in 2009 were done in La Sportiva Fireblades. The shoes that I used second-most were probably the Vasque Celerators pictured here. The Celerator — and the women’s version, called Momenta — were “the other” shoe in the Vasque performance lineup last year. I’m referring, of course, to the long shadow cast by the shoe’s slightly older sibling, the award-winning Aether Tech. After its 2008 launch, the AT quickly won over many trail runners as the very epitome of a willing, versatile shoe. A true all-rounder. The Celerator/Momenta is in essentially the same mold.

Fraternal Twins
(Full Aether Tech review here.)

In my recent review of the La Sportiva Raptor, I expressed surprise at how much difference in trail manners there can be between two shoes that appear, at first glance, to be almost exactly alike. With the Aether Tech and the Celerator, the reason for surprise cuts the other way: the two shoes look dissimilar yet behave almost identically.

In fact, the only differences between the two shoes are, by and large, cosmetic. Essentially, the Celerator is the Aether Tech for runners who prefer traditional laces (at a lower price point). Click here to see what I mean. See many differences there? Same last, same sole. The only differences are in the upper: the Celerator is a bit more airy; the AT has the Boa system. The end.

This is not to say the difference between the Boa system and traditional laces is insignificant. I personally like the way the Boa system applies an even, uniform hug to my foot. Some people still prefer traditional laces. Different strokes and all that. But the main point remains the same: the Celerator performs almost exactly like the Aether Tech.

My Opinion

These are a “baby bear” shoe for many runners: juuust right. The Arc Tempo last is a true medium fit, neither snug nor spacious. The Aether Tech sole offers middle-of-the-road cushion and protection, neither very firm nor spongy. They are light enough for race day and tough enough for everyday. When I run in them, I rarely think about them at all, which is a pretty high compliment.

We Barely Knew You

For better or worse, the lifespan of the Celerator/Momenta turned out to be only slightly greater than that of the mayfly. As so often happens, the younger sibling seems to have suffered in comparison with the flashier older sibling and hasn’t gained widespread adoption in the market. With the launch of the Transistor, the Celerator is likely to fade even further into the background. So it came as little surprise when I learned that this is the last season the Celerator/Momenta will be produced.

This puts WRC in a bit of an awkward position. On the one hand, we really like the shoe and still have quite a few of them in stock (especially the men’s Celerator). On the other hand, we fully understand the reluctance on the part of most runners to start up a relationship with a shoe when they know it will only be for the short term.

One way we attempt to be different from the GGGs (Giant Gear Generalists) is to always be mindful of this sort of thing — to always take into account the best interest of real trail runners, rather than just throw a bunch of SKUs out there and let the chips fall where they may. As a trail runner, I understand the frustration when a good shoe comes and goes this quickly. There’s no point in sugar-coating it.

So we’ve decided the best way to resolve the dilemma is to offer our remaining inventory at a low price. By lowering the bar this way, we hope the shoe is viable (1) as an introduction to the world of trail-specific shoes for beginner trail runners, and (2) as a secondary (or tertiary) shoe for the trail runner who, for whatever reason, likes to own more than one shoe at a time.

Specifications

Vasque #s 7586, 7587 & 7588
Width: Medium
Actual Weight: 362 grams / 12.8 ounces (men’s size 10.0)
Upper: Synthetic nubuck, TPU weld, Airmesh nylon
Midsole: EVA w/ high rebound heel and forefoot inserts
Outsole: Vasque Aether
Footbed: Dual Density EVA

Celerator Store Page (Men’s) >>
Momenta Store Page (Women’s) >>

***

Tags: vasque celerator, vasque momenta, vasque trail running shoes
Posted in Vasque Celerator/Momenta | No Comments »

Review: La Sportiva Raptor

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

La Sportiva Raptor

I’ll admit it: this one surprised me.

When I was first introduced to the Raptor last summer at Outdoor Retailer, I immediately thought of it as Wildcat’s Evil Twin. The similarity between the two shoes was obvious. It seemed like the Raptor looked a bit meaner than the Wildcat and, as I became familiar with the details of the Raptor’s design, I expected it to act a bit meaner than the Wildcat. Still, they look so much alike and have so much common DNA I wondered how different they could really be. You might say I expected the differences between the Raptor and the Wildcat to be more than cosmetic, but not much more. That isn’t really how it turned out.

The Same Platform
(Full Wildcat review here.)

The Raptor is built on the same last, called the Tempo, as the Wildcat. La Sportiva accurately calls out the fit of this last as medium/wide. As a point of comparison, both shoes are considerably more spacious, especially in the heel and midfoot areas, than Sporties built on their Racing last (i.e. Skylite, Crosslite, and Fireblade). So both the Raptor and Wildcat are better choices for runners who have wider feet and/or like to provide for more in-run foot swelling.

The Raptor and Wildcat also have the same basic midsole specs, in terms of both thickness and density. Neither of these are low, flat shoes. Rather, they are built to absorb plenty of shock, especially in the heel. This level of shock absorption can come in handy for some of us all the time (heel strikers), and for pretty much all of us some of the time (during descents, especially long, steep ones).

TPU Heel Stabilizer

The final similarities worth noting are relatively minor: both the Raptor and Wildcat have a TPU heel stabilizer cup and a debris guard between the laces and tongue.

Things Get Interesting

The Raptor differs from the Wildcat in three significant ways.

Upper (f/ TPU Lace Cage)

1. Instead of a very airy (and somewhat delicate) mesh upper, the upper of the Raptor is made of a more rugged mesh with synthetic leather overlays along the sides of the shoe. These changes add significant protection and durability while sacrificing a bit of breathability. The overlays also provide a solid anchor for the TPU lace cage.

2. The Wildcat has a 2.4mm EVA cushion in its footbed, which is one of the main sources of the shoe’s relatively plush ride. In designing the Raptor, La Sportiva dropped this element. The result is a significantly firmer, and slightly lower, ride. (Click here to view a cross-section of the Wildcat midsole, including the layer of EVA cushion.)

Outsole

3. The outsole of the Raptor is made of Frixon XF, whereas the Wildcat — and the rest of Sportiva’s mountain running lineup — features Frixion AT. What does that mean? If you are familiar with any of Sportiva’s other trail running shoes, you already know that an outsole made of Frixon AT equals a very sticky shoe, befitting the company’s cross-disciplinary expertise in climbing shoes. Well, the XF compound is even stickier. It is the same compound Sportiva uses in their approach shoes, and is just one category short of what they use in their flat-out climbing shoes. In other words, the Raptor outsole is seriously sticky.

Trail Manners

In many respects, the Raptor actually behaves a lot like shoes in the “tank” category: its chassis offers a very firm, stable ride, while its upper offers enough protection for even the nastiest trail conditions. The medium-wide fit provides plenty of room for swelling, which the TPU lace cage balances out by enabling a very snug fit all the way around the mid-foot.

This profile is (obviously) very different from the Wildcat, which is more of a plush, lightweight cruiser that really shines on fireroads and other lower-leverage terrain. Where the Wildcat is one of the more pavement-friendly trail shoes around, you won’t really appreciate the Raptor’s virtues until you put it through the ringer. The hairier the trail, the happier these shoes are.

And then there’s this: unlike most tanks, the Raptor is a very, very light shoe, weighing nearly the same as the Wildcat, which is roughly the same as the racy Fireblade and only slightly more than the even racier Crosslite. Interesting twist.

My Opinion

Under most conditions, I personally prefer “less shoe” to “more shoe.” As in, relatively flat and relatively firm. But sometimes I want a bit more heel cushion for long, hard descents. And sometimes, when the outing is likely to include a serious dose of bushwacking, I like a bit more protective upper. On those occasions, the Raptor is quickly becoming my shoe of choice: it’s everything I want from a burly shoe, but significantly lighter and more nimble than what I usually expect from such a rugged shoe.

The Raptor has the same roomy foot environment as the Wildcat, but the lace cage allows me to all-but-eliminate any squirreliness that might come from quick, twisty steps over very technical stuff. Adding considerably to the confidence-inspiring feeling of the Raptor is the XF outsole compound. The Raptor is easily the stickiest trail running shoe I’ve ever laced up — an absolute joy on any trail surface where grip is at a premium. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself wondering if it’s possible to literally climb walls in them.

My go-to “test lab” includes a semi-long, extremely technical descent on slickrock. In the Raptor, I find myself throwing caution to the wind and taking dicey sections faster than I’ve ever dared before. I just point ‘em downwards and hang on tight!

Wear Note

This was not a long term test (only about 50 miles) so I cannot say anything definitive about the Raptor’s durability, which has been one of the few criticisms I’ve heard of the Wildcat with any consistency. (This should really not be terribly surprising, since the Wildcat design is optimized for relatively low-leverage terrain.)

There is little doubt in my mind that the upper of the Raptor will withstand serious abuse. Less clear, in my mind, is how the midsole will hold up.

Generally, a less dense midsole like that of the Raptor/Wildcat will break down noticeably more quickly than shoes with very dense midsoles (e.g. Fireblades). Less dense midsoles feel “cushy” out of the box, but lose that feeling with the lost “dead space” that comes from repeated impact. This phenomenon is especially noticeable with most road shoes.

So it might seem the loss of “that cushy feeling” should occur with the Raptor at about the same rate as it does to the Wildcat. However, remember that the Raptor does not have a 2.4mm EVA footbed, as the Wildcat does. It’s entirely possible that the breakdown of this particular feature represents a significant part of what Wildcat owners experience when they notice a loss of cushion as the miles accumulate. For that reason, I suspect that the Raptor midsole will retain, over time, more of its cushion (or lack thereof) than the Wildcat. But it’s too soon for me to say for certain.

Manufacturer’s Specifications

Price: $110
User: Unisex
Claimed Weight: 12.28 oz/ 348 g
Last: Tempo 2
Fit: Medium/Wide
Upper: AirMesh/ Synthetic Leather/ TPU Lacing Harness/ TPU Transkinetic Heel Stabilizer
Lining: Mesh (back half and tongue only)
Midsole: MeMlex/ Nylon Molded Flex Transfer shank
Midsole Height (MM): Heel: 28 mm Toe: 16mm Delta: 12mm
SOLE: FriXion®XF/ Impact Brake System™ X-Axis™

***

Raptor Store Page (Unisex) >>

***

Tags: La Sportiva Raptor, la sportiva raptor review, trail running shoe review, trail running shoes
Posted in La Sportiva Raptor | No Comments »

RecoFIT Compression Calf Sleeves Review

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

By Gretchen

If you’ve looked around the starting line at a race recently, you’ve probably noticed at least a few people running around in what appear to be funny looking knee-socks. These are not merely runner-fashionistas. No! They are runner-fashionistas with very practical, performance-enhancing, recovery-aiding, compression tights.

Apparently compression technology in clothing has been around for quite some time. This was news to me, as I had never heard of it until last year. The idea that a piece of clothing could aid in recovery from an athletic event seemed laughable to me. A number of my friends and family are in the medical field though, and they all met the concept of compression clothing as a well-known fact.

“Yes,” said one doctor, “a little vaso-return could certainly help your muscles recover.”

Vaso-return? What the heck was that? So, I decided a little more investigation was called for.

The system of veins, valves and muscles in your calf and foot are sometimes referred to as the “second heart.” They work together to return de-oxygenated blood to the heart and lungs. As the muscles contract, the veins are squeezed and blood is pumped upward. The valves prevent the blood from going back down toward the foot. I actually found all of this to be quite fascinating.

Compression tights have what is called graduated compression. They are tighter at the bottom, on the foot and ankle, and gradually looser as they go up the leg. The tights act similarly to the muscles, compressing veins even while the legs are at rest, and helping to return blood to the heart and lungs.

RecoFIT Calf Sleeves

As my friends indicated, and a little internet research immediately confirmed, compression tights/hose have been at use in the medical industry for years. They are recommended for minor to serious leg swelling in order to help prevent deep vein thrombosis. They are worn by post-op patients, pregnant women and many people who just spend a lot of time on their feet. Hmm, time on their feet? The benefits to the ultrarunner were becoming quite obvious to me at this point.

I thought of it this way: What do we do when treating minor injuries? RICE, right? (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) And don’t we do these things as well to aid recovery, even if uninjured? I know I’m a fan of putting my feet up the wall for 20 minutes or more after a long run. If I was smart, I’d climb into a bathtub full of ice after a pounding workout, like many of you do. (I do this occasionally, but it takes WAY more self-discipline than I normally have.) And I’ve certainly been known to engage in the “rest” portion of the equation quite happily. So why not compression as a recovery aid too, right?

Elevation + Compression = Recovery!

The RecoFIT (which stands for Recovery Fitness) line was developed by Boulder, CO runner Susan Eastman Walton as an answer to her own shin splints and aches endured from running. As she puts it, “RecoFit Compression Components are the result of whining, and I’m the whiner!” They offer calf sleeves and arm sleeves, and I was lucky enough to test out a pair of the calf sleeves.

The calf tights feature a gradient compression and Resistex carbon yarn. I had to look up Resistex myself to find out what that was all about, and the product website gave some intriguing information. Resistex carbon yarn is a continuous filament made of conductive material based on active carbon and textile fibers. The fibers have an antistatic and dissipative effect and protect from electrical interference. Is this helpful for an athlete or a person in general? I’m really not sure. But, here’s where it gets really interesting: The Resistex site also claims that results from athlete-testing with the fabric show a lower temperature variation in the body, a decreased oxygen need, lower respiratory rate, lower heart rate, and decreased lactic acid concentration. So, there you go.

Miracle fabrics or not, I found that I loved my RecoFIT calf sleeves! They have a wide range of sizes so that you can get an accurate fit. They are left and right specific for maximum compression benefit, and the flatlock seams don’t rub.

I mostly wore them after long runs or races to aid in recovery. I found they were so comfortable that I not only enjoyed wearing them, but I happily slept in them at night. (My husband thought this was weird, but I’ve long since gotten used to his quizzical responses to my behavior.) It sounds silly, I know, but I sort of felt like I was getting a gentle hug on my legs. Very comforting.

I finally decided to wear them in a race when it was time to hit the roads. I hadn’t done much road running all season, so I put these on for the Lake Tahoe Marathon in hopes of staving off some of the pounding that roads always put on my legs. They turned out to be the subject of much conversation during the race. (So, ladies, if you’re looking for an excuse to talk to the cute runner next to you, you might consider wearing some of these to your next race.) It seemed like everyone had a comment or question about them! The best feedback I could give fellow runners during the race was that they made me feel “springy.” And in case you’re unsure, I can tell you that springy is great way to feel in a road marathon!

I definitely felt good in these both during and after the race. I couldn’t really come up with any scientific way to determine how much they aided in recovery, but I can tell you that I loved wearing them and I definitely felt like they helped ease some of the seemingly-permanent knots in my calves. I didn’t have any soreness after the marathon. I also wore them during the Helen Klein 50M (which is all paved), and a number of days following the race in order to help recovery.

Crossing the finish line in RecoFITs at the Helen Klein 50

Something else I found to be impressive was the versatility of the fabric. They added warmth on cold days, but they never made me feel overheated while running on hot days. Maybe it’s all that fancy technology! They fit well, and since they were sleeves instead of socks, I could wear my preferred socks while running.

As you may have realized, I have become a compression clothing convert. I think the calf sleeves probably offer the most versatility (over compression socks or full length tights), but I see the benefits of all these components for runners or other athletes. Since they aid in recovery, I can especially see the benefit for stage-races, or anyone doing multiple races close together. If you haven’t tried compression sleeves yet, I strongly suggest giving them a shot!

Cross-posted at Daily Adventures.

***

RecoFIT Calf Compression Sleeve Store Page >>

***

Tags: recofit calf sleeve review
Posted in RecoFIT Calf Sleeves | 4 Comments »

Black Diamond Icon

Friday, January 29th, 2010

The more I learn about all these outdoor companies, the more fascinating their stories become. They’re also becoming more and more interconnected.

Case in point: remember when I profiled the Patagonia company for a review of their Release running shoe? Well, it turns out that the whole Patagonia thing was really just a side business for founder Yvon Chouinard; his primary enterprise was manufacturing equipment for rock climbing and skiing; a company that eventually (after a roundabout process – see here for the whole story) became:

During its 20 years of existence, Black Diamond has stuck to its guns in terms of the outdoor activities that inspire them – or, as the company’s own website will tell you, “It’s all about climbing and skiing.” It’s a testament to their product quality that Black Diamond’s prominence among trail runners exists not because of an aggressive marketing push to rebrand itself as a running company, but because athletes have actively sought out their lighting systems for reliable performance.

While the Spot lamp is the company’s most affordable (as well as most popular) option for trail runners, its brightness is somewhat lacking for taking on highly technical trails in the dark. For those conditions, the Icon is Black Diamond’s recommended model. And it is still a pretty affordable option ($60 MSRP).

Black Diamond Icon

Like the Spot, the Icon features separate bulbs for spot or flood, modes that are alternated by scrolling through the power off position (this inability to switch from spot to flood without turning the lamp off remains my biggest pet peeve about Black Diamond lamps – but it’s becoming less of an issue the more I use it). The spot bulb is a 3-watt LED that can shoot 100 meters, and the flood mode uses 4 high-powered LEDs that give off 100 lumens of brightness.

That’s the strength of the Icon, or any of the larger (non-compact) headlamp models out there — they throw plenty of light to see all the rocks, roots, lumps and bumps on the trail. The tradeoff is that the necessary battery power requires an external pack in addition to the lamp casing. The difference from one brand to another becomes one of efficiency: how long the batteries last, how much the overall unit weighs, and how comfortable the whole contraption feels on your head after the sun comes up, because they’re generally too large to tuck into a small pocket.

From a comfort standpoint, the Icon performs pretty well. At 6.6oz (187g), it’s not the lightest headlamp of this variety out there, but it’s on the low end of a category where lamps often weigh in at 8oz or more. If you’re really hammering the pace, you’ll certainly notice the weight difference between this lamp and the much lighter (85g) Spot – but if you’re logging your miles more casually, the weight doesn’t seem overbearing. Everything stays in place fairly well with the adjustable headband strap, but there’s an additional top strap if necessary for added stability.

The Icon casing features a single on/off button on the bottom that, like the Spot, is large enough to be used with gloved fingers. Both the lamp and battery pack have IPX4 water resistance for good protection against rain from any direction. The casing ratchets to project the beam downward and holds it in place at any angle within its range.

Where the Icon shines (pardon the pun) most prominently is the area of battery efficiency. It uses 3 AA batteries, which can last up to 80 hours on the highest brightness setting, and is compatible with rechargeable batteries; an integrated circuit board recognizes the type of batteries used, and automatically calibrates the battery meter to regulate the charge accordingly. An indicator light tells you when you’re below 50% (yellow) or 20% (red) battery life, so you know when it’s time to replace or recharge.

NRG Rechargeable Battery Kit

Black Diamond also makes a rechargeable NRG battery pack that fits the Icon, so you’ll never have to buy batteries for this lamp again. This is an especially attractive feature to me; with all of the eco-awareness stuff I’ve been writing about lately, the thought of wasting piles of alkaline batteries year after year grows less and less defensible. The NRG battery pack is especially cool in that you don’t have to remove it from the case to recharge it – the Icon and NRG have an integrated charger port system that plugs directly to a wall outlet. The NRG pack is sold separately and retails for $30.

Bottom line: with the Icon, there isn’t a trail around that darkness will prevent you from conquering.

Cross-posted at Running and Rambling.

***

Icon Store Page >>

NRG Battery Kit Store Page >>

***

Tags: black diamond headlamps, Black Diamond Icon, Gear Reviews, running headlamps, trail running headlamps
Posted in Black Diamond Icon | 1 Comment »

Ultimate Direction Wasp

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

I have noted before that the hydration pack count at ultras seems to be a two-horse race between Nathan and Ultimate Direction, with a slight edge to Nathan.

Well … remember the 2009 Kentucky Derby, when Mine That Bird stormed back from about 30 lengths behind to cruise to victory in the homestretch? That’s the analogy I’d use to describe the Ultimate Direction Wasp right now – making enormous strides on the field, poised to charge ahead at any moment. Whether or not the lead has officially changed hands is still up for debate, but regardless – this product has caused quite a stir in the world of ultrarunners.

The Wasp

Perhaps it shouldn’t be so surprising that Ultimate Direction is a leader in this market; they’ve been in the hydration game as long as anybody. According to their history page, “Ultimate Direction designs the first water reservoir and begins incorporating them into back packs, 1992”.

Ultimate Direction is also a leading innovator in hydration equipment, responsible for creations like the screw-top flask, gel flask, quad buckle (for hip packs), race belts, and the kicker valve (which is almost too erotically shaped and textured for me to use in good conscience … but that’s a separate story).

In that regard, the Wasp pack might be considered a combination of every feature that works well in other packs, with a few added tricks to distinguish it from others in this category. The end result is a very solid entry that’s tough to find any fault with (but of course, I’ll try).

One distinguishing characteristic of the Wasp is evident as soon as you put it on: namely, the hydration reservoir sits higher than any other model of hydration pack I’ve tested. The Sport Vest harness system keeps the fluid pack between the shoulder blades regardless of how much weight it carries, and prevents it from sliding down to the mid-back area. I found the positioning of the pack to be ideal, but this might be a personal preference issue for other folks.

The harnesses of the Sport Vest system are ergonomically contoured for improved comfort, and there are two strap adjustments on the front of the pack to help with variable positioning, with lateral straps that can be adjusted if necessary (I didn’t need to). The overall result is that the pack feels comfortably snug, like you’re wearing another layer of clothing.

In field testing the Wasp, I was quite impressed with how stable the fluid pack sits during long runs, no matter how full. The Sport Vest managed to virtually eliminate any bouncing or lateral movement on all kinds of terrain, even when running downhill. This is clearly one of the product’s strengths.

Better still, pack stability doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. The back panel features 3D AirMesh pods which create an air channel for ventilation and moisture transfer. Basically, despite the snug feel of the pack, it sits slightly raised off your back to dissipate heat and improve comfort. This is the pack I wore at the Quicksilver 50M last month; over the course of 9 hours, I had absolutely no complaints or discomfort from the pack on what grew to be a fairly warm day. The overall weight of the pack is 1 lb, 5oz, which is middle-of-the-road against the competition, but light enough to not be a problem over long distances.

Cool and comfortable at Quicksilver

The hydration reservoir uses Ultimate Direction’s patented rolltop open/close system. The opening is very effective for creating a tight seal, but it might take an extra second or two to close effectively compared to screw top reservoirs. In particular, on one occasion when I was trying to fly through an aid station quickly, I wasn’t paying close attention and rolled the top crookedly; a few minutes later, I felt my drink leaking from the top, and I had to stop and re-roll it. (This story probably speaks more to my ineffectiveness at aid station transitions than the pack itself, but I thought it was worth noting.)

Fluid volume of the reservoir is listed at 64 oz, which places it slightly below the 70-oz standard for this category – but honestly, I couldn’t tell a difference. On a few occasions, I filled the pack a little bit past the 64-oz line without any major repercussions (you know … as long as I closed the rolltop properly).

Two other features of the reservoir are worth noting: first is a grab loop that keeps the top of the reservoir positioned at the top of the pack, no matter how much fluid is drained. In other words, the pack doesn’t compress downward as it gets empty. Better still, you don’t have to disconnect the loop in order to refill the reservoir.

Another unique feature of the Ultimate Direction reservoir is the neoprene insulation that runs the length of the drink tube. It’s a unique feature among the competition in this category, and works remarkably well. During the Quicksilver race, whenever I dumped ice into the reservoir, the fluid that came out of the tube was immediately cold – I didn’t have to sip through a few ounces of warm drink that had been exposed to the sun before reaching the contents of the main pack. This is one of those “why doesn’t everybody do this?” features that is simple but highly effective.

The Front

The front of the Wasp has four mesh storage compartments: two smaller elastic holsters, one zipper pocket, and one drawstring pocket. The larger pockets are angled slightly laterally, and at first glance, I was worried that my arms would brush against them when they were full. My worry proved to be unfounded — I’ve used the drawstring compartment for my camera, and had the zipper compartment filled with gels and snacks, and never had any issue with my normal arm swing. And since they’re all in the front of the pack, convenience couldn’t be any better.

The Wasp provides 390 cubic inches of total storage space in a variety of locations. Two large compartments on the back of the pack – one in a full-length compartment that sits above the fluid reservoir, another in a separate lateral compartment that also contains a key-holder pouch – are big enough to stash extra layers of clothes. The outside of the pack has a large mesh elastic compartment, and a bungee cord to secure bigger gear. There are also Velcro straps for trekking or ski poles – but not being much of a pole user, I can’t say I got excited about those.

It’s really hard to find a drawback to the Wasp pack; thus far it has met every demand I’ve asked of it. Some summary bullets:

Strengths:

Higher positioning of fluid reservoir
Virtually no movement of fluid reservoir or pack in general
Comfortable, ergonomic fit of vest and harness system
Front storage areas provide quick access
Ample rear and lateral storage areas
Insulated drink tube
Gender specific models (see below)

Drawbacks:

Rolltop opening may require a couple extra seconds of attention if you’re in a huge hurry to get through aid stations – but unless you’re trying to keep up with Scott Jurek or Nikki Kimball, you probably shouldn’t be worried about this, anyway.
It only comes in one color scheme: gray and “paprika.” And I’m more of a blue/black person.

OK, so that last one is nitpicking — but like I said, it’s difficult to find any complaint with the Wasp. This is an outstanding product on all counts, and it’s easy to see why it’s gaining in popularity among the ultra crowd.

Ultimate Direction makes a women’s version, called the Wink, with a slightly different harness and strap system. MSRP for both models is $82 (MSRP for Nathan’s HPL 020/Intensity is $85).

Cross-posted at Running and Rambling. (Originally published June 3, 2009.)

***
Wasp Store Page >>

Wink Store Page >>

***

Tags: hydration packs, Ultimate Direction, wasp hydration pack
Posted in Ultimate Direction Wasp | 1 Comment »

Black Diamond Spot

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

By Donald

black diamond spot

With a retail price of just $40, the Black Diamond Spot is a very affordable option for the dedicated trail runner. It features a 1-watt LED direct beam that penetrates 70m, or 3 high-power LEDs that produce a floodlight of 47 lumens across a wide field of vision. The entire unit weighs 85g (3.0 oz) including the 3 AAA batteries for operation.

The Spot’s casing is ultra-compact, measuring just 2.27” x 1.7” x 1.4″, with sleek curvature and a stylish black-and-silver color scheme. Atop the casing is the only button you need to use: the simple all-in-one control that’s big enough to use even with gloved fingers. The entire unit has IPX4 water resistance, so you can use it in any harsh conditions you encounter.

Pressing the top button repeatedly scrolls you through 3 brightness levels as well as a strobe. This can be done in either the spot or flood mode, so in total the Spot gives you 6 different brightness levels and 2 strobes between the two settings. The beam can be angled for precise placement by the ratcheting tilt mechanism of the casing.

Battery life for using the LEDs (the most efficient mode) on the high setting is 100 hours, which is outstanding. One potential drawback about the Spot lamp is that it’s not “officially” compatible with rechargeable batteries. Although both the company webpage and the user’s manual indicate to use alkaline batteries only, I’ve heard reports of people using rechargeable batteries in the Spot without problems. Fortunately, even if you stick with regular alkalines, they’ll last you through several long-duration runs before needing replacement.

Spot’s candle power is more than adequate for paved roads or smooth trails, but like most other single-casing headlamps, is probably not quite enough for highly technical trails. Another potential difficulty for hardcore trail running is that changing from spot to flood mode is impossible without turning the bulb off, which might make footing tricky if you’re trying to switch on the fly. Otherwise, the Spot is a very solid, durable multi-purpose headlamp that is small enough to tuck into a pocket once the sun comes up.

spot 2

***

Black Diamond Spot Store Page>>

***

Posted in Black Diamond Spot | No Comments »

Nathan Vest Battle of the Sexes: Intensity vs. HPL

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

By Gretchen

Hey there, Gear Girl here. Today’s topic is the Nathan Intensity Race Vest.

More and more these days, manufacturers of outdoor gear are tailoring products to the specific needs of women. I love this! Gone are the days when I must wear men’s mountaineering boots or a climbing harness built for someone with big thighs but no hips. However, at 5’10 and a race weight of 135, I don’t always fit into gear designed for the average woman. I sometimes find myself wondering if women’s is just a translation for smaller. (And when that turns out to be the case, I frequently end up wearing ill-fitting men’s gear.)

It was with this thought in mind that I set out to test Nathan’s race vest designed specifically for women. The manufacturer describes the Intensity has having women’s specific shoulder straps and torso length. It also claims to fit a woman’s body in all the right places. Well, that sounds great to me! It also sounds rather vague.

In order to test out the features of the vest, and to see if there really were any important differences from the men’s version, the HPL, I tested both packs. I felt it was important to get the feedback of some women more on the petite side of the scale than myself, so I also enlisted the help of some friends to do some comparison testing. I made the assumption that one of the intentions of the women’s specific fit was to keep the pack straps out of the way of the runner’s boobs. (Makes sense, right?) But since, frankly, mine don’t get in the way of much, I also enlisted the assistance of friends who were more-qualified to test this aspect of fit.

If you’re looking for a detailed review of the HPL, you can read an excellent one here by Donald. I’ll focus primarily on the Intensity, and the differences that my testers and I discovered between the two vests.

To begin, here are the basic features of the Intensity:

2-liter hydration bladder with Slideseal closure and bite valve. The bladder was easy to fill and clean, and the valve was totally functional without any leakage issues.
3-way propulsion harness. This carried the weight very comfortably, and encompassed two straps on each side attached to the shoulder straps. This allowed for a lot of adjustment of the overall fit of the vest, and specific placement of shoulder straps.
2 front pockets on the straps. One was a mesh pocket with drawstring, the other a zippered pocket. One of my favorite features of the Nathan vests was the front pockets, allowing for easy access to camera, gels and other necessities.
One main rear compartment holding the bladder, and an additional small compartment for food, maps, etc.
Sternum strap that slid easily up or down the shoulder straps for comfortable placement under the boobs.
Lightweight breathable mesh on shoulder straps and on the side of the pack that rests against your back. I tested this one out thoroughly on both the Intensity and HPL with a few long runs in sports-bra-only mode. Plenty of fabric-on-skin contact, and zero chaffing. Very impressive.
Lightweight, at 5.5 oz.
Shock cord for strapping extra clothing to the outside of the pack. This was a key feature, as there is little room inside the pack for extra storage.

The actual size of the packs is the same, which I like. I want to carry 2 liters of water, and I want to carry just as much stuff as the guy running next to me. The main difference is in the size and shape of the vest straps.

The front straps of the Intensity are narrower. This makes sense to me, since women in general are narrower. I also noticed, upon donning the HPL for the first time, the distinct sensation of being groped. Very strange, but once I adjusted the straps the sensation abated somewhat. I also found that I just got used to it. Truth be told, I had the same feeling about the Intensity until I adjusted the straps. Still, I think the narrower straps help avoid the boob gropage, and that can only be considered a good thing while running!

The straps on the HPL are positioned for a longer torso. This also makes sense to me, since men tend to carry more of their height in their torso, while women have longer legs. On me, the HPL rode lower on my back, but both vests were equally comfortable in this sense.

I know it’s impossible to tell from these pictures, but the Intensity (above, in blue) really does ride a bit higher on my back than the HPL (below, in gray). If you enlarge the photos, you can also see the difference in how the straps adjust on the side. (But you have to promise not to look at my butt!)

Another difference between the two packs was the ability to adjust the straps. There were two side pulls on each strap, running to the harness, allowing the runner to adjust the tightness and ride of the vest. In my opinion, the Intensity was the clear winner here. With a simple tug on each side pull, the pack was easily tightened or loosened while in use. The HPL had an additional plastic piece on each strap to keep it from dangling, but made it essentially impossible to adjust while wearing. I had to take the pack off and re-adjust, try it on again, and make sure it was even on both sides, re-adjust again, etc. I’m not sure why there was this difference between the vests, but my suspicion is that the Intensity is simply a newer design.

The front pockets were also different. The Intensity had one less pocket, and both were smaller due to the narrower aspect of the front straps. I felt the zippered pocket was not the best shape, and would be better off sitting flatter against the chest. (When it was stuffed full, it had occasion to get in the way of my arm swing.)

The other big difference was, of course, the name. HPL stands for Human Propulsion Laboratories, and I totally get that marketing campaign: Nathan tests their products on real people in real conditions. Very cool. But seriously, who wants a pack called the HPL? Intensity is way cooler. Hands down.

My experience with both of these packs was excellent. I loved the comfortable, adjustable fit, with no waist belt. I was impressed with the total absence of chaffing, even against bare skin. The packs are light, to be sure, but I was able to fit into either one everything I needed for a long day in the backcountry: 2 liters of water, sandwich, 2 bars, 3 GU’s, map, water purifier, long sleeved shirt, jacket, e-caps, and camera. They were a vast improvement over my previous two packs, and I’ll definitely be getting much more mileage out of them.

I think the difference in fit between the HPL and the Intensity is subtle, but important to many runners. I felt very comfortable in both packs, but all of my testers preferred the Intensity. (The smaller women had the straps on the HPL cinched down as tight as they would go.) Everyone said the Intensity had a better overall fit, and the straps seemed to ride more comfortably on the shoulders. I can’t imagine anyone not loving either of these vests, but for a medium to small woman, or a slightly bustier woman, I think the Intensity is the way to go.

***

We are currently running a ‘private’ Nathan sale. Apply coupon code ‘nathan20′ for 20% off any Nathan product. Think of it as a little ‘Easter Egg’ for reading the blog. The sale will run through January 15, 2010.

Shop Nathan>>

***

Posted in Nathan Intensity/HPL 020 | 5 Comments »

RecoFIT Armcoolers

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

By Stuart Barrington

October seems a bit late to be reviewing a ‘heat’ thing but seeing as temperatures topped out yesterday at 93f it looks like we had autumn, winter and spring earlier in the week when it rained and was cloudy for three days! That being said these sleeves are something you could easier wear in the cooler months as they do have some warming properties. Anyway onto the review.

The good folks at Wilderness Running Company sent me a pair of the RecoFIT Armcooler Compression Sleeves earlier in the year to review and if you were reading my training posts from July and August that you’ll remember that (a) I went to Las Vegas and (b) we’ve had an endless summer and the temperatures were frequently above 100f. So I was happy to try something — anything — that would cool me down. First here’s the product info from RecoFIT’s website:

“Features light compression, 50-plus UV protection, anti-microbial properties and the cooling quality of Icefil fabric — great for triathletes, golfers, tennis players and anyone outside under the hot sun.”

I thought that this was a bit light so I did a quick Google search on “Icefil fabric”, here’s a synopsis of the results:

Descente introduced a new ‘Icefil’ fabric to its top range of clothing for 2009. Descente claims the fabric’s Xylitol treatment absorbs heat from your body and also blocks IR rays from the sun, thus supposedly reducing surface temperature by up to five degrees Fahrenheit as compared to untreated fabrics. Icefil is not a permanent treatment but is said to retain 70 percent of its effectiveness after 70 washes. Source.

Icefil fabric works not just by absorbing body heat but also by preventing solar energy from reaching the skin — it’s neither cool nor clammy to the touch. Source.

So as you can see the fabric’s practical application has been aimed at cyclists, there are also quite a few golf shirts available and even an equestrian line. Surprisingly I couldn’t find anything for runners.

I am pretty used to wearing armwarmers during cool morning or evening runs and so how they felt came as no real surprise. The compression is uniform and not too tight. They are held in place by a combination of the compression and a strip of tacky rubber at the upper arm opening — basically relying on friction to stay put. My arms are best described as average and there was no issue with the fit. (They come in three sizes.) In terms of color selection, they come only in white, as this contributes to the reflective qualities of the fabric.

I can’t really categorically say that the Icefil kept me cool or cooler than being without it, but I am sure there was some benefit. While in Vegas I was popping into McDonalds to refill my handheld bottle with ice and would stuff some ice inside the sleeves and surprisingly it did not instantly melt so there must have been something going on, also when the ice did melt the wet took a while to evaporate (fyi if you keep the ice on your wrists it will cool you down quicker as the blood is closer to the surface of your skin, that’s why running your wrists under cold water cools you down) so the slow evaporation helped with the cooling.

I also wore them on several long runs through the Santa Monica Mountains. One benefit that you’ll not see on any of the marketing is their protective qualities when you’re rolling down the side of a mountain. Not something I planned but they save most of the skin on one elbow!

Finally I wore them all day and night…and the next day at 100 in the Hood without issue and they kept the chill off during the night.

Not the cheapest thing that you’ll add to your running closet, but I would say that for the extreme heat they’re definitely worth trying. Their use can also be extended by using them for a touch of warmth in the cooler months and for cross-training (i.e. cycling).

***

RecoFIT Arm Cooler Store Page >>

***

Tags: recofit armcooler review
Posted in RecoFIT Arm Coolers | No Comments »