Over the past few years, it seems like both the amount of ski binding manufacturers have decreased while a slew of others are hitting the market as re-badged Tyrolia bindings. I suppose that’s not too out-of-the-ordinary given the fact that 1) the manufacturing technology is expensive to develop and tool and 2) Tyrolia makes a solid (but sometimes heavy) binding.
The reason this is coming to mind is that after thumbing through the Powder Magazine Buyer’s Guide, I kept wondering why half of the ski bindings listed were even on there. Of the 12 bindings listed, 3 of them were Tyrolia (4Frnt Deadbolt 15, Head Mojo 18 and Fischer X17), Two of them were Look (Rossignol Freeski2 180 and Look PX 14 XXL Legend) and two were Salomon (Atomic FFG 16 and Salomon Sth 12 Oversize). So, in reality, there are only 8 ski bindings to feature, not 12.
I suppose this is really not much of a surprise or a big deal, just a gee whiz moment on my part. But, just be aware as a consumer when shopping for ski bindings. You may be able to get the exact same binding at a lower price because it’s not branded as a Marker, Salomon, Tyrolia or Look. And, another suggestion… if you don’t know how old your ski bindings are, it’s probably time to pick up some new ones. With surefire killer deals this Winter, now is a great time to shop.
The Gerber Flik Multi-tool is like no other when it comes to a functional smooth tool. Smooth meaning it doesn’t jam when you are trying to collapse or expand the tool. I am not sure if Gerber joined up with the producers of Transformers but that is the first thing I thought of when I saw the Flik. So maybe there are more to this tool than meets the eye?
The needle nose pliers are truly unique. I was tightening up a medium sized phillips screw the other day and it looked like the needle nose could fit inside. Instead of searching for the phillips tool I just jammed the needle nose and twisted. Worked like a charm. Best thing was, I didn’t even have to take it out of the case as there is an opening at the bottom of the Gerber case.
When I use a multi-tool I am probably more hard on it than it is made for.
Examples:
Using it for a hammer.
Pulling off metal grates where a crowbar would be used.
*The Flik has survived my multi-use beating but I don’t recommend it. Not that the tool can’t withstand it, but you can really hurt your hand.
Moving Parts
The slide to expand the tool is very smooth. It rarely jams compared to other multi-tools I have used. The patented Saf.T.Plus™ locking system works in two ways:
1. Obviously locks the tools in place when in use.
2. NEW! When you engage the locking slide it slightly pops up all the tools on that side of the handle. This prevents hurting your fingernail when trying to pull out that tiny little flat head screw.
To pull the large knives out you use the pad of your finger rather than your fingernail. Each knife has an opening to grip on to the finger. The scissors aren’t spring loaded until the scissors are open and than you put the blade against the spring.
My one gripe about the tool is the heavy weight. On the hip I constantly feel it. I wish the case had a little more gusto so it didn’t slide on the belt. With weight comes a tough industry standard tool, but something to keep in mind. Overall the hinges are very well built and I’m a big fan of the tool opening system.
I just got this press release from Garmont about their new 2009/2010 ski boot lineup. While things have only been refined for this year (e.g. new colors and tweaks here and there), the lineup continues to impress both inbounds and in the backcountry. We’ve been big fans of the Garmont Radium, Endorphin, Axon and G-Ride for years. Now with their no-nonsense alpine boots, like the Shaman, you can ski Garmont boots tele, backcountry or at the resort.
August 28, 2009 – Backcountry, Skiing, and Powder magazines have hit the newsstands with their gear guide issues. Among the three magazines, Garmont ski boots have been awarded Backcountry Magazine Editor’s Choice Awards, Skiing Magazine Official Ski Test Selection, and Powder Magazine Skier’s Choice Awards. Totally 14 awards for the 2010 ski season, Garmont won awards in all of their boot categories – Alpine Power Performance, Alpine Freeride, Ski Mountaineering, and Telemark.
The most award-winning boot in the Garmont collection is the new Prophet NTN Telemark ski boot. “Outstanding tester response, exceptionally high scores, and category-leading overall performance contributed to our selection of the Prophet and Voodoo as 2010 Backcountry Magazine Editors’ Choices,” said Backcountry Editor Drew Pogge. Paul Parker comments, “When we decided to develop an NTN boot, we weren’t going to modify existing boots. We committed to a completely new telemark boot design, using what we had learned from our new a.d.d.™ Overlap AT boot design, and the unique anatomic fit of our newest Alpine and AT collection. We were committed to taking telemark skiing to the next level. It’s gratifying to have that effort acknowledged.”
The new Voodoo and the softer flexing, lower-cuffed Kenai Telemark boots, built for the 75 mm bindings system, feature the same award-winning a.d.d. Overlap design. One tester’s comment on Voodoo was, “Smoooooth flex… It fits great out of the box, and drives like a European sports car on the Autobahn.” Voodoo won Backcountry Editor’s Choice and the Skiing Official Ski Test Selection. Women’s Elektra also won Skiing’s award.
Skiing magazine complimented Garmont’s powerful Alpine model Shaman saying, “Bravo to Garmont for not messing with a good thing” and “Testers universally admired it.” Skiing Magazine comments “Garmont did its homework here, drawing from veteran designers with years of successful race-boot engineering.”
Garmont focuses on designing ski boots for skiers who seek adventure and extraordinary experiences. Garmont boots have skied many noteworthy lines on the feet of ski mountaineers Chris Davenport, Kim Havell, and Dave Watson. Earlier this month, Dave Watson skied the Bottleneck on K2 from 8350 meters to Camp 3. In June, Kim Havell skied from the summit of Denali as part of the “Electric Eels,” all female expedition. Last Spring, Davenport completed his quest to ski four of the highest and most famous peaks in the Alps: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Eiger.
Look forward to the new Helly Hansen Trail Lizard HT for all your winter running and snowshoeing. The 15K waterproof material attracts 4-season trail runners establishing itself as a true trail runner hybrid. I’ve been kicking around in the shoe for a couple weeks now and here are my findings.
Comfort
You know when you put on an uncomfortable shoe and you find yourself looking at them a lot wondering if you installed the batteries wrong? I probably could have slept in the Lizards because of how they feel. I really had no idea I was wearing them on the couple trail jaunts I have been on. Superb comfort.
Sole
I noticed the sole near the toe has extra support under the curl of the toes. Almost as if it is has bump under the toes giving more power in your stride. The heel cup is similar to the Oboz Ignition in that it holds the heel in place but is more forgiving than the Ignition. The Lizard sole is lower to the ground than the Saucony Guide TR-2 which I like because I feel like it doesn’t weigh me down.
Material
Matching the 15K waterproof material is a 15K breathability rating. Backpacking anyone? I am always nervous taking out low profile shoes backpacking but it looks like the Lizard is stable enough. Anytime a shoe can keep my feet dry for long hikes I am a happy hiker. The rubberized grid outsole seems like a great idea. Instead of caking on the rubber Helly Hansen has put down a grid to keep the shoe burly but low profile.
So far my favorite part about the shoe is the mesh-like sides that keep the top of the foot cool. Is it mesh? Is it nylon? It’s down right functional. Looks like the Helly Hansen Twitter is all ready for ski season, stay tuned for more of their apparel and footwear gear recipes.
I imagine that most of you have had a chance to lust after Wenger’s gorgeous Swiss watches. Wenger is the Maker of the Genuine Swiss Army Knife, and for years have also produced Wenger Swiss watches with a quality and style that is unquestionably upscale but also very wearable. Wenger watches are the real man’s Patek Philippe.
In that same vein — rugged but upscale — Wenger has now released a solid new line of outdoor footwear under the Wenger brand. I had the opportunity to use my new Wenger Eiger hiking boots last week on a hike up Grandeur Peak in Utah, and I have to say that I am quite impressed with the performance. For a freshman boot, it comes with a new angle that I think lots of consumers will appreciate:
Nubuck uppers instead of full-grain leather, meaning it is ‘broken in’ from day one. No blisters (for me, anyway).
Red polyurethane midsole reinforcement (see pic of sole) instead of a heavy steel shank — reducing weight.
That same red midsole reinforcement still provides significant reduction in foot-flex compared to less burly sport boots, which means less foot fatigue (but still lighter weight than a steel shank).
Rivet-style lace eyelets (durable, holds laces in place).
Soft enough outsole for immediate good grip when scrambling over rocks.
Beautiful style that many other boot manufacturers are just plain missing. Though the ‘Pine Green’ color that I got is actually more of a sky blue, as you can see from the pictures. My favorite color for the Eiger is the black and red version.
I usually don my Asolo boots when hitting a hike, but this time I opted for the Wenger Eigers and I was immediately taken with how comfortable they were from the first step. Also, the finish on the boots is exceptional — so there are no rough edges to the leather or stitching that create hot spots or require filing or other mods to ‘break in’ the boot to your foot. However, the toe box is quite a bit roomier than my Asolo boots. While I appreciate not banging my toes against the top or front of the toe box when hiking downhill, I thought the Eiger tall height of the toe box left me with little toe control over my steps. But then again, I also prefer most of my shoes to have a low volume toe box so that I can feel the top of the shoe lightly skimming the back of my toes and metatarsals. It makes me feel like it is a glove fit. So if that is not the sort of fit you prefer, you may like the larger volume of the Eiger boot’s toe box. NOTE: I usually wear a size 10 Nike running shoe, so I got the size 10 in the Wenger Eiger. But it turned out to be sized a bit large — I should have gone for the 9.5, and that may have improved my perception of the toe box volume. Also, I was wearing a single light hiker sock from Teko, not a heavy trekking sock with a liner. That may have made a difference.
The boots do a great job, performance-wise, for their category. They keep debris out of the top of your ankle without cutting off circulation, and they can hold up for a solid 3-day backpacking trip. They are light and comfortable, with enough of a sturdy sole to last a couple of days in a row of hiking without too much foot-flex. But do not mistake them for a long-trip trekking boot. It is evident that after 3 days or so of heavy hiking, the flexible nature of the sole would indeed lead to some degree of foot fatigue. These are intended to be a hiker — not a trekker. And they are not crampon-compatible, so don’t buy them thinking you will use them as your go-to mountaineering boot. Instead, they are a very solid hiker with a distinctly upscale style and brand. The Wenger Eiger is a very welcome boot in the rugged and upscale footwear category.
Facing stiff competition in the trail running market, The North Face is stepping up their product offering and styling for their Spring 2010 trail running lineup. One notable change throughout is the new swooshy waterfall logo treatment on the side of every shoe. Gone is the subtle red square in favor of a swooshy thing–not sure how I feel about that, but the brand experts must have weighed in and spoken.
Refinements and/or new trail running shoes in the Spring line include the following:
North Face Singletrack
North Face Fire Road II
North Face Devil’s Thumb GTX
North Face Sentinel Boa
I don’t have much detail on these shoes, but what do you think about the new styling? Good, bad, indifferent?
I’m a sunglasses junkie and have been drawn to the performance of Kaenon sunglasses of late. Having flogged the Kaenon Kore sunglasses for over a year and subsequently wearing the Kaenon Jetty sunglasses now for about 6 months, I’m sold on the lens technology and the function of these killer optics.
From Kaenon, here’s the skinny on the Jetty:
JETTY™ is an oversize, tall and boxy performance frame with plenty of street attitude which embodies the company’s Luxury Performance™ design and engineering mantra. A unisex frame that can be worn by men and women everyday, JETTY is also built to perform for the active lifestyle.
This style features tall temples and a rectangular face shape with clean and smooth surface design; plus functional details such as recessed Variflex™ rubber nose pads for secure fit and heavy duty, non-corrosive, five-barrel stainless steel hinges for added comfort and durability. JETTY is finished with the polished Kaenon jewel icon that marks the authenticity of a Kaenon Polarized original design. JETTY comes with a protective metal case.
Kaenon Jetty Sunglasses Review
While the Kore’s are built for athletic performance (cycling, skiing, running, etc.), the Jetty’s are built with style and performance in mind. So, you do give up some of the pure performance features in favor of a little more street or beach style.
By no means do you give up anything when it comes to the lenses as the polarized SR-91 lenses offer crystal clear optics and durability not found on other non-glass lenses on the market. Another note about the polarization technology used by Kaenon… I’ve worn these side-by-side with other polarized lenses and the difference is dramatic. With some of the others I got rainbow artifacts while mountain biking–not so with these.
While I really appreciate the clarity of the optics, the Jetty does have its limits when pushed hard, but they still performed surprisingly well. I wore them on several mountain bike rides and even on a few long-distance trail runs just to see how well they’d work. Surprisingly, they stayed put and were quite comfortable–even when I was sweating buckets.
For true athletic activity, I’d prefer the Kore, but these are amazingly-versatile while still being super-stylish. I always love to share my Kaenon’s with others when at the river or the lake to show them just how effective polarization is at cutting down glare. I’m a believer.
Model Tested: Black with G12 Lens, MSRP $208.95
The Good
Top-notch polarization
Scratch-free performance
Stylish design around town and on the trail
Feels very comfortable
Rubber nose pads keep them in place
The Bad
Wide frame design doesn’t sit well on top of the head (flush carefully!)
While at Outdoor Retailer last month, I made a stop at Osprey to see what they had up their sleeves for the coming year. Looks like on top of some of the great stuff I’d already seen (Osprey Kode Pack and Osprey Flapjack Pack), they introduced a nifty hydration pack lineup called Hydraulics.
Available in 4 sizes (6, 10, 14 and 18) and sporting what’s called an Airscape Suspension (accordion-style back for torsional stiffness, breathability and conforming fit), the new Osprey Hydraulics hydration pack line consists of the Mantra line (for hiking) and the Raptor line (for mountain biking). I’m stoked on the Raptor line and the Raptor 6 in particular as it provides a streamlined form-factor, optimized fit for minimal “pack bounce”, an integrated and customized Nalgene bladder that features a solid back that locks into place inside the pack and a simplified helmet holder.
MSRP will range from $79-$119 based on size and I’m told these should start hitting the shelves this Fall.
Small tweaks and a full zipper makes the Arc’teryx Accelero Jacket a welcome improvement over the Accelero Pullover (one of my personal favorites). This lightweight and breathable material sheds water extremely well and breathes like a mesh shirt. Wind resistance is minimal–just enough to keep the chill off, but perfect for a cool morning or a light rainstorm. I love my Accelero Pullover, but the full zip should make this jacket that much better.
Back-to-school doesn’t necessarily mean “back to school”, but for those who are you have my condolences. For those of us who are not, it’s time to look closely at that beat up and useless backpack you haul back and forth to work or up and down the mountain. Is it the same Jansport pack you overused in college? Does it lack enough storage for a quick business trip? No laptop sleeve? Worse yet… does it smell of bunghole (thanks Beavis)?
If so, search around here on GEAR.com for a new backpack, or check out Mountain Hardwear’s Pack-a-Day Give-a-Way where you have a chance to win a pack every day between now and September 17. All it takes is a name (hope you have one) and email address (you’ve got mail) and you are entered to win.
With more and more people bike commuting, the market is ripe for cool innovations like the Merrell Spokes polo shirt. On the surface, this shirt seems like any old polo shirt, but don’t let that fool you, it’s got some great features for bike commuters and loungers alike. Take the plaited Opti-wick material used in its construction, which mates soft cotton outside fabric with a polyester inside for moisture and odor management, add on top of that a grippy material on the back hem that prevents plumber’s crack and a small zippered pocket for lip balm or keys and you’ve got a solid shirt for the town or the trail.
It’s not cheap at $69, but it’s got some unique features not found on other shirts. Look for it in Spring 2010.
Building on the ultralight MSR Carbon Reflex 1 and 2 tents, it’s time to have a Carbon Reflex 3 tent for ultralight (as MSR deems it hyperlite) performance. Carbon fiber is stronger and lighter than aluminum–thus shaving precious pounds from your pack compared to similarly-sized tents. For example, the new MSR Carbon Reflex 3 has a minimum weight of 4 lbs. 7 oz. while the Mutha Hubba tips the scales at 6 lbs. 9 oz. A savings of over two full pounds! Even though it’s lightweight, the Carbon Reflex 3 is still liveable with plenty of room and two vestibules.
The major setback here is price. This tent will cost a pretty penny at $600 (but did I mention how light this is!?!?!). Look for it to hit retailers in January 2010.
These flexible hydration bottles kick the whole plastic vs. stainless bottle debate to the curb by utilizing a soft, durable and BPA-free water bottle material that packs well and reduces volume as you use it. New for Fall 2009, the new Platypus SoftBottle will be offered in two, ultra-portable sizes (0.5 L and 1 L) with either a HyperFlow bite valve or a standard closure cap. This bite valve has a simple 1/4-turn locking system to prevent accidental spillage. With the bite valve, water flow is excellent and it easily doubles as a water gun to keep the kids cool on a hot summer day.
Bottles stand up on their own and the 0.5 L version is made to fit into standard cupholders. Each size will also come in three colors. Platy Bottles are available now, but expect the SoftBottles to arrive at retailers in September 2009 with prices ranging from $7.95 to $12.95 depending on size and cap option.
It has been nice to slip back into a pair of New Balance shoes. It’s been several years, but my feet haven’t forgotten how well The Big N’s feel. I’ve now had the 875’s on-trail for several weeks and about 50 miles of mixed trail and pavement (80/20 split), so it’s time to spill the beans.
The 875’s have been super-comfortable for my feet from the outset. I simply slipped a pair of standard Sole footbeds inside and never looked back. A full day of walking the halls of Outdoor Retailer followed by miles of demanding trails in American Fork Canyon has shown the versatility of the 875’s in the all-around competition.
Construction of the 875’s is solid with huge vents on either side of the forefoot, which act like wind-tunnels expelling midsummer moisture. My feet are always hot, but these shoes run comfortably at high temperatures. My sock of choice has and typically always is the Lorpen Ultralight, but I also wore a pair Bridgedale X-Hale Speed Demon socks during the course of the review. Both socks worked well, but I always prefer the minimalistic design of the Lorpen’s.
On rugged and rough trails, the Rock Stop forefoot protection in combination with Abzorb cushioning is superb. Honestly, this is the best trail running chassis I’ve worn this year. I feel like I’ve got enough protection to run all day in the rocky terrain so common to Utah without fear of bruising.
My favorite feature of these shoes is the Lockdown Liner. Just as the name suggests… it locks down your foot for a precise and predictable feel on all terrain. This is definitely a unique system that puts the fit over the top.
Traction throughout the stride is solid and confidence-inspiring-except for extreme toe-off where the minimal toe treads lose traction on occasion.
I tried Dansko clogs about a decade ago and was impressed with the comfort, but a clog didn’t necessarily seem to fit the bill for a more outdoor and active-friendly shoe. I just could not get into it with the standard clog designs. Fast forward ten years–my Danskos have become my favorite pre and post run/spin/hike/you-fill-in-the- blank shoe.
Dansko’s Acadia collection combines the best of both worlds…Danko’s famously comfortable and well-constructed clog base with state-of-the-art materials for an “exceptionally comfortable shoe designed specifically for activewear.”
I wasn’t sure how much I would be wearing my Dansko Kelsey clogs from the Acadia collection when I first got my feet in them, mainly because it was July and the clogs struck me more as a winter shoe. However, because of the DRI-LEX sock lining with anti-microbial and anti-odor treatment, I was able to wear my shoes sans socks and didn’t have to worry about clearing out the room when it came time to remove them. So I decided to give them a try in July instead of waiting for the first flake of snow, or at least the first crunchy leaf underfoot.
I figured a week in the Park City mountains would be an ideal place to try them out. Once finished with a game of tennis, I immediately put my Dansko Kelseys back on. They came off again for a mid-day run, but were immediately replaced when I returned home. I was impressed with how great they felt on my tired feet, and found them suitable for both a walk up a gravel road in the Park City mountains and then a walk up Main Street.
Some other fantastic features about Dansko’s active inspired collection are the slip resistant outsole, removable triple density EVA molded footbed, steel shank for built in stability and control, polyurethane midsole for additional cushioning, and leather linings and uppers to make sure functionality doesn’t inhibit comfort or style.
Thanks to Dansko’s stellar line of active inspired shoes like the Kelsey, I’ve now found my perfect pre/post outdoor activity shoe, plus my perfect “hanging out” shoe, and my ultimate travel shoe for adventures both near and far. Can`t wait to see what Dansko dreams up next.
Bridgedale’s socks are pretty much well… legendary. For thousands of years (well, not really, but next year the mill celebrates 100 years of making durable and comfortable socks). I’ve had a variety of Bridgedale socks at my disposal over the past few months and am typically drawn to the thinnest socks in the lot. In this case that’s the new X-Hale Speed Demon socks.
Here are a few details on the Bridgedale X-Hale Speed Demon socks:
Fit & Function: Mapped impact cushioning, cooling ventilation.
Construction: Light and highly breathable. T2 double loop cushioning for impact protection.
Features: Light, fast wicking Tactel mesh removes excess perspiration. WoolFusion® combination of Merino Wool and Endurofil™ is mapped for maximum support and heel retention.
These socks have been great performers for trail running, road running and casual use. Though I typically prefer something even thinner than these (some would question my sanity), the Speed Demon’s provide ample light cushioning to help cushion every footstrike.
Durability of these socks has been great… I’ve been not-too-kind to them, like usual. A walk across the street to get the mail or in the backyard to track down a lost child has been typical for these socks.
The blend of fabric on the Speed Demons is excellent–providing comfort next-to-skin and support in just the right places. Looking at the blended yarns and materials on these socks and its no wonder they have been making socks for so long.
The only major downer is the lack of colors… everything is mostly white with either black or red accents. I’m not much of a fan of white socks. (It looks like they have introduced a grey/black option now… much preferred.)
If you’re looking for a solid pair of lightweight socks for running or trail running, check out the Bridgedale X-Hale Speed Demon socks.
Upon arrival, the Mojo had a set of Crank Brothers Iodine wheels, a 2010 Fox 2010 32 TALAS fork and a complete SRAM X.9 group waiting in the garage to complete the build–solid parts to adorn this carbon beauty. I ended up with the clear black color frame (after waiting a few weeks for the Guiness Foam), which in the end looks to be the best choice in combination with the burnt orange wheels.
The complete build was performed by the crew at Timpanogos Cyclery in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Not only did they do a great job, but they turned it around in an afternoon in rockstar fashion. The mechanics were stoked to build up the Mojo and had the final weight waiting for me upon arrival… 26.5 lbs.! I knew it would be light, but not that light! I’m confident if I carbon this thing out, it would easily drop below 26 lbs.
After looking through the included Owner’s Manual (yup, I actually read parts of it) for suggested rear sag settings, I settled on 15mm sag for my weight (175 lbs.) and riding style (everything, everywhere, all the time). That put me at 140 psi., which has turned out to be perfect for both XC and AM riding. The front fork took a little more fiddling to find the right air pressure, but in the end I’ve settled on 80 psi. For the first few rides, you may want to be sure and take a shock pump along as you fine-tune the suspension to your liking.
Above all, I keep coming back to the light weight of this bike as built. My goal was not to build the lightest bike, but this is by far the lightest all-mountain bike I’ve owned and it is absolutely amazing how much of a difference dropping a couple of pounds can make.
OK… once I got past the ooo’s and aahhh’s of the bike and its light weight, I was bent on finding its weak spots on the trail. I’ve now ridden the Mojo on a variety of nearby trails–from high-energy XC burn-fests to thousand-foot climbs and on down fast and technical descents. Nothing fazes this thing.
In all conditions, the DW-Link suspension provides super-efficient pedaling performance. Climbing traction is awesome in all conditions with the only weakness shown in the tire traction at times on steep, rocky pitches. The entire rear-end stays steady and smooth under occasional hard pedaling and digs in for fast power transfer throughout all types of steady climbs. The occasional standing climb does blow through the travel a bit more, but traction is maintained.
When pointing this bike downhill, the suspension really shines. I love how well it soaks up obstacles and adapts to varied terrain. Rock drops and jumps are no match for this bike as it launches with ease and lands with bottomless comfort. The suspension ramps up well with consistently smooth resistance–making the 5.5″ of travel feel like more. I’m sure the new 2010 Fox RP23 with Boost Valve that I’ve been riding improves the downhill performance over the 2009 model, but I didn’t have a 2009 model shock on this particular bike for a direct comparison. All I can tell you is the new 2010 RP23 is perfect on this bike.
I’ve found the 2010 Fox 32 TALAS 150 with 15QR to be the perfect fork for this bike. Without question, the adjustability of the TALAS system makes this bike even more versatile, but if you’re running short on cash and have to settle for a 140mm or 150mm fork without travel adjustment, you won’t be sacrificing much. At full 150mm travel mode, this bike climbs with minimal wander and descends with confidence. Dropping it to 130mm slightly reduces front-end wander and makes for a little speedier handling (excellent for XC-style romps).
I’ve had more fun on the Mojo than on any other bike I can recall to date. It’s versatility is really unmatched (adding an adjustable-travel fork adds to that) and its overall efficiency just screams to be ridden and ridden hard. I love pounding out XC terrain and flying through twisty singletrack one day and then pushing the limits of my lungs and the Mojo on high-altitude climbs the next day. It is a consistent and comfortable performer when gravity takes over and always seems to glide through all types of sketchy terrain.
The Good
The most confidence-inspiring bike I’ve owned in a long time
Amazingly-light and fast up and down
Super stiff frame feels solid
Very flickable
Drop-dead sexy looks
Smoothest-climbing bike with 5.5″ travel
Climbs straight with 150mm fork–even without reducing travel
Built-in seatpost QR is smooth to use
No weight limit on the frame
2-year warranty
Absorbs drops and soaks up rough terrain
Hauls tail equally well in XC or rugged AM terrain
The Bad
Difficulty in getting certain frame colors
Location of single water bottle mount is a waste
I have heard complaints about clearcoat chippage–just got to take care of it like a $5000 bike
Some people just won’t believe carbon fiber can be this capable (their loss)
I got to scope the Saucony Guide TR-2 at Outdoor Retailer and have been wearing them for a couple weeks. So far I have been liking the ‘walking on clouds’ feel and the loud Godzilla green design. Everyone I have talked to about Saucony always rave about their comfort and quality. Now it’s my turn to give them a test drive.
Guide TR-2 Breakdown
The Guide TR-2 is unique by catering to on and off road conditions. Unless you live in a cabin and can hit the trail at the drop of a hat, you may want to consider a hybrid like the Guide. I think this shoe would be great for recreational runners who want to keep up their running skills on the road and trail. The Guide TR-2 offers ProGrid technology which is meant to absorb impact and to give your feet a smooth transition.
A Dual Density EVA is going to increase response and more importantly durability. That way your not having to buy as many shoes saving you green. From other shoes I have been wearing this summer I can already tell the Guide TR-2 is a bit bulkier but with that comes a lot of stability and comfort. The padding on the tongue is quite generous as is the sides of the shoe.
The toe box has more room than other trail runners I have noticed. The tread is multi-directional which is meant to decrease slippage on rocks. So instead of having to wear knee pads, the Guide TR-2 has you covered. Hopefully.
I look forward to trying out this gaiter compatible antimicrobial trail runner hybrid over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for my final review. In the mean time, check out Saucony shoes and apparel.
I thought I’d pass this along for those looking at buying Merrell shoes for back-to-school. If you spend $90 or more at Merrell.com, not only can you enjoy your purchase for years to come, but over the next year, you’ll receive Outside Magazine too! Not a bad combo.
Simple and functional, Merrell footwear and apparel has just the right product to suit any activity. As we head into Fall, you might want to check out the Merrell Geo LS Shirt made of Opti-wick (I’ve enjoyed the Geo short-sleeve this Summer) for comfort during any adventure you can throw at it. And, did you know that Merrell makes running shoes for road and trail? Check out the Merrell CT Stamina running shoes for a great long-distance pavement pounder.
To receive the complimentary subscription to Outside Magazine, simply make any purchase of $90 or more on Merrell.com between August 15 and September 15.
Another great promotion from the folks at Merrell: Become a Fan of Merrell on Facebook, tell them your best, most fun National Park story and enter to win Merrell gear! Winners are drawn monthly.
I had the chance at Outdoor Retailer to see what Columbia was up to. Aside from a totally hip style of winter outerwear coming soon, this new Mobex Trail pack made me do a double take. Is it a tent? Is it a pack? Does it come in my size?!? First Impressions
The clamshell opening is great for eying all your gear to organize and get to a bite to eat on the trail quickly. The lycra outer pockets always win me over. I fit about 5 PROBARs in the one pocket and I wouldn’t be surprised if my rain jacket fits in there also.
The pack straps are lightweight with a breathable design. The hip strap has a pouch that could fit a gel, cell phone, and most likely a bar. I wasn’t quite sure what the tent poles do to help the pack. I’ve only used the pack a couple times and I find that having the pack ‘already open’ is actually pretty sweet for throwing stuff in.
I’ll put some miles on the pack and get back to you on how well the tent poles do. I see rock climbing, day hikes, farmers market, and urban use in this backpack’s future. The Columbia Mobex trail pack comes to you in Spring 2010.
Pretty interesting concept actually… I can see buying a pair of boardshorts, but a bikini might be a stretch (ladies are pretty particular on fit). Maybe they will have a bunch of sample shorts and bikini’s strapped to the side of the machine for everyone to try on? That might be interesting.
And, for those of you dying for a one-stop-shop, you can buy a Twix, a bag of Dorito’s, a Diet Coke and a string bikini all at the same time (that’s a joke… you really can’t, but you do get a nifty map showing the nearest Starbucks).
Here’s the skinny:
Quiksilver reached an agreement to sell co-branded, board shorts and bikinis available pool side in automated dispensing machines at Standard Hotels, which has locations are in downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, New York, and Spa Miami.
The product dispensing machines will be set up and managed by AVT, Inc., formerly Automated Vending Technologies.
Each design has a “Quik City Guide” on the inside waistband, with addresses of local places of interest. The vending machines will also dispense zines and $10 works of art from local artists. Four men’s retro-inspired men’s styles will be available as well as a classic black string bikini for the ladies.
“AVT has been so successful in introducing the automated retailing concept that almost half of our sales are now product dispensing solutions, which are PC-enabled just like these Quiksilver/The Standard models,” said James Winsor, AVT CEO.
GearJunkie.com announced today the launch of its second “Choose-Your-Adventure” Sweepstakes. The contest, run and administered on GearJunkie.com, will award one winner and a guest a multi-day, all-expenses-paid adventure vacation this autumn in the Alleghenies, a mountain range in the southeastern United States.
Officially named the “Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure” Sweepstakes, GearJunkie.com has teamed with the Alleghenies Tourism Council to launch the contest. It starts today and runs through September 15, 2009.
In addition to airfare and the all-expenses-paid trip, the winner will be outfitted with gear from sponsor companies. The winner and a travel companion will pick between one of five adventure trip itineraries, including mountain biking, hiking, fishing, paddling, and road biking in the Alleghenies.
Joining the winner and guest will be The Gear Junkie, Stephen Regenold, a nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist and founder of GearJunkie.com. The trip will be chronicled daily on a blog at GearJunkie.com. Video and online slideshows will be produced.
For Official Rules and more information, visit www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09
Rocky Mountain Bicycles is proud to announce the launch of the new 2010 Flatline WC downhill race platform at Crankworx, Whistler August 12-16, 2009.
2009 marked Rocky Mountain’s return to World Cup downhill racing competition and the first year of the Maxxis-Rocky Mountain team. Working closely with the team over the off season, Rocky Mountain developed the first prototype of what would become the 2010 Flatline World Cup.
The team riders and staff were extremely particular about what they needed in a World Cup capable bike and the Flatline WC was built to their exact specifications. Rocky Mountain’s product manager Alex Cogger states:
“We knew we needed to create a new bike for the team, and who better to give input on the design than Sabrina Jonnier, Luke Strobel, and Cameron Cole? They knew exactly what they needed and our engineers and frame builders in Vancouver created it.”
In only its second World Cup appearance, the Flatline WC was piloted to victory by Sabina Jonnier who has since won three more World Cups on it. Cogger continues:
“Since the first prototype, we tweaked the geometry, suspension rate, shaved weight and the final result is a pure World Cup race bike. The LC2R suspension is an extremely efficient pedaling design and anyone who has ridden a Flatline knows the suspension just swallows bumps.”
At Crankworx, Rocky Mountain will be displaying both the Flatline WC and Flatline Pro models which share the same frame. The Flatline Pro features a SRAM X9/X7/Elixxer kit with Rock Shox suspension and the Flatline Pro features a full Shimano Saint kit with Fox suspension.
I got the rundown on the upcoming Merrell shoe lineup while at Outdoor Retailer last month. The all-new Merrell CTR Cruise caught my eye, so here are a few highlights of this model.
Built for athletic trail running, the new Merrell CTR Cruise utilizes Outlast temperature management technology combined with breathable mesh uppers. On top of that, the tread pattern is as burly as they come for no-nonsense traction in all conditions. On this shoe, the “M” logo isn’t just for show, it’s an integral part of the lateral support system and the lower tongue features a scree guard to keep the… well, scree from entering the toebox.
The CTR Cruise will be offered in regular and Gore-tex versions for $110 and $120 respectively.
At Outdoor Retailer, I stopped in at the New Balance booth to get a rundown of the latest trail runners. As one of the staples of the trail running market, New Balance will offer two updated styles: The 876 (replacing the current 875) comes out in Jan/Feb 2010 and the race flat 100 comes out in Oct 2009.
New Balance 876 Trail Running Shoe
The New Balance 876 features an all-new design from top-to-bottom featuring a debris-free tongue design, Absorb cushioning, N-lock heel and an entirely new, lower-profile tread pattern. As you can see in the 2nd picture, the tread pattern has been drastically changed for the better (top is new 876 and bottom is current 875). Tipping the scales around 20 oz./pair, the new 876 looks to be a solid everyday trainer for warm weather. MSRP will be $99.95.
New Balance 100 Racing Flat
The New Balance 100 is a race flat with a few really cool innovations. While it’s not as low-profile as some race flats, it appears to provide just enough cushioning and support for longer races (hence the 100 name for 100-mile endurance races). It does feature a Rockstop Plate and is built to wear with or without socks–all in a svelte 7.7 oz (each) package. MSRP will be $74.95.
Hello gear.com readers — I just got notice that one of our merchants, Altrec, is having a big sale from now until the 10th of August. The sale is up to 50% off — click here to check out everything in the summer clearance sale. There are North Face jackets for under $80 bucks, Mountain Hardwear gear for cheap, and almost every other brand you can think of. Go find yourself some killer gear while it lasts!
While at Outdoor Retailer, I stopped by to see my old friend Greg “Chopper” Randolph from Smith Optics. The guy is the real deal and loves to show the goods coming down the pike from Smith. This year, the story was in refinement with several new polarized options and the all-new ultralight Pivlock V90 and V90 Max interchangeable lens sunglasses.
This all-new minimalist shield design from Smith offers a super-lightweight design with solid wraparound protection. The V90 and V90 Max differ only in the size of the lens, otherwise all other features and interchangeable lens designs are the same. Trying them on, they are extremely lightweight and comfortable–I can’t wait to try them on the trail as I imagine I’ll forget I’ve got them on. The lens design not only eliminated frame interference in your line-of-sight, but it also reduces material usage. Throughout the entire Smith line, you can expect solid optics, polarization options and Eco-friendly materials with the Evolve lineup.
The V90 and V90 Max will be available soon with an MSRP of $119 for a single lens and $139 for 3 lenses.
We admit that we are so stoked on camping, skiing and biking that we sometimes neglect the other outdoor sports we enjoy like hunting and fishing. But whether you are camping or hunting, you are bound to need an excellent knife. Check out the press release below about the finest knife of 2009 — the 585 Mini-Barrage from Benchmade Knives.
585 Mini-Barrage Wins Knife of the Year
July 30, 2009, OREGON CITY, Ore. – The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence presented its 2009 Knife of the Year Award to Benchmade Knife Company for the model 585 Mini-Barrage™. The awards were presented at the Shooting Industry Masters event on July 24th in Windsor, Connecticut.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive such a prestigious award” says Les de Asis, CEO and Founder of Benchmade Knife Company. “Benchmade prides itself on manufacturing high-quality, American-made products. To have our standard of excellence recognized is extremely rewarding and gratifying.”
The 585 Mini-Barrage features a patented AXIS® Assist Locking Mechanism, combining speed and strength in one complete package. Other key features include 100% ambidextrous function, reversible carry clip and 154CM blade steel. For more information on the 585 Mini-Barrage, please visit: http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=585
Benchmade has won Knife of the Year eight times since 1998 and remains committed to designing and manufacturing world class sports cutlery and superior-edged tools. Knife of the Year winners include 610 Rukus (2006), 425 Gravitator (2005), 921 Switchback (2003), 556 Mini-Griptilian (2002), 690 Elishewitz (2001), 720 Mel Pardue (2000), 710 McHenry & Williams (1999), and the 910 Stryker (1998). For more information on previous winners, please visit: http://www.benchmade.com/shooting_industry/recap/
