Montrail, Nitrus - you son of a hardrock!

for three months there has been a box in my bedroom. the contents of which has been called "the son of the hardrock". well the hardrock and i have a long standing relationship, we are very close... so i've been waiting patiently to take her son, the nitrus, out for a real trail run.

today... (after three months of injury) was that day and we got along swimmingly. this shoe could be my go to shoe. however i was open and honest with the nitrus. she knows i'm seeing other montrails (including her mother the hardrock - kinda weird). so we'll just have to see how the relationship developes. the first thing i noticed was the nitrus is very torsionally rigid and has a super protective sole called the terraflex (which is a three component system combining a high-traction outsole, a protection plate and a shock-absorbing midsole). it's designed for "high mileage hammerheads" (perfect!) so it's very supportive, stable and cushioned. they also felt super light (13oz) and have a lot of breathable mesh on the upper for the big sweaters. the upper is also designed to accomodate a wide foot, which i don't have but couldn't notice a difference. it also has the gusseted tongue to keep degris out, but it really helps to keep the tongue in place more than anything. for the pronator, this shoe also has a medial post.

put simply: they felt light, very supportive (for my poor knee), stable and they fit really well.

Michelin Tires, XC Dry

These tires are fast and furious. The low rolling resistence makes for a smooth ride and the medium height knobs are enough to provide grip on a semi wet Pacific Northwest trail. The enhanced durability, thanks to its heavy-duty 66 TPI casing , gives the tires a longer useful life and will allow you to get more bang for your buck out of your tires.

The optimal conditions for the Michelin XC Dry are gravel roads, trails with a high concentration of rock base and any arid climate trails. In slightly moister conditions one might keep the dry on their rear wheel and go with the more knobby Michelin All Terrain up front.

The ideal Puget Sound ride with the XC Dry is Devil's Gulch. This Washington state classic is near Cashmere, starts with a 4000 foot gravel road climb and has some of the most flowing and fast paced downhill in the state. The XC Dry will get you up the climb and aid in your fast paced cornering on the way down.

Teko Socks and Sole Foot beds

It finally happened – I finished a 3 day expedition adventure race and walked off the course BLISTER FREE!! I owe my feet happiness to the well designed products of Teko Socks and Sole foot beds. The two of these together are a winning combination.

Teko Socks – Made from Ecomerino wool, these socks pull moisture from the feet and in turn, greatly reduce the change of blisters and chaffing. They are very breathable and soft to put on. The wool stands up after multiple washes and can take the abuse of mud, sand, dirt and water. I highly recommend these as a must for any outdoor enthusiast. Oh ya, and they dry really quick – another key feature for blister prevention.

Sole Footbeds – Because these footbeds are heat moldable, they fit your foot properly. Having the extra bit of cushion in your shoe is critical for races and training days where you will be putting miles in on your feet. These foot beds helped me to overcome my chronic pain of plantar fasciitis. Take care of your feet now so the future becomes foot friendly!

Written by: Jen Segger-Gigg

Montrail, Hard Rock

The Montrail Hardrock is my "go to" running shoe. I might race in a lighter shoe from time to time but I put in most of my miles in the Hardrock. This is because it is the most supportive and protective trail shoe I have found. It protects my foot from the elements. The shoe was designed for ultrarunners running the Hardrock 100, considered the hardest of the 100 mile ultramarathons. The course is notorious for rough rocky terrain including extended scree sections. The hardrock has a protective plate that runs the entire length of the sole for protection when you land on those jagged rocks. This past winter I ran the Presidential Traverse in my Hardrocks. This traverse is 26 miles of nothing but rocks. Without the Hardrocks I would have suffered severely. Instead I finished without a single blister or injury. Recently in training i put in a 200+ mile week of trail running. I would not attempt this with any other shoe period.

I occasionally suffer from knee pain and have had surgery on one of my knees. With the Hardrock I know I'm getting the most cushion and supportive trail shoe on the market. This shoe takes care of me and fits great as well. The reinforced heal cup keeps my heal in the shoe and happy when climbing. And for those long days on the trails there is plenty of room in the toe box for your toes to move around (and not blister). I know many people who use this shoe for various other activities. Hikers are starting to realize they don't need a big leather boot to hike. I have many friends who use the Hardrock as their main hiking shoe, or even an approach shoe.

If you want a great protective trail shoe, or are someone who puts in a lot of miles the Hardrock is the shoe for you.

Rudy Project, Ekynox

I have owned a pair of 2006 Rudy Project Ekynox sunglasses since last April. I have adventure raced, mountain bike raced, worked, and skied with them all year. They are very comfortable, good looking, and (most of all) durable.

The durability of these sunglasses became starkly apparent to me during a ski trip. It was a beautiful, sunny Northwest winter day and the Ekynox specs were a necessity.

Just after noon, I was ripping down the mountain at 25-30 mph came upon a well concealed “cat track”. Before I knew what hit me, I was kissing the hard packed snow with my face. Ouch! The impact flipped me forward onto my feet (skis ejected) 20 feet further down the hill. To my surprise, my face was unscathed. My Ekynox glasses had taken to brunt of the fall on the right temple of the frame, just under the brim of my helmet. Equally amazing was that the glasses were undamaged! Had I not been wearing my Rudys, I would have sustained significant facial trauma. The Rudy Project site states that the Ekynox frames are made with “Grimlamidä TR 55 LX construction providing structural integrity and stability”. I would add “safety” to that description. Great sunglasses for any sport!
Written by Tyler Patterson
Photo by Tyler Patterson

Arc'teryx, Gamma MX

Personally I think that endurance athletes make the best product testers on the planet. We are in our gear for very long periods of time and we hammer on it. I wore my new Gamma MX soft shell from Arc’teryx exclusively for 17 hours of ski mountaineering during the 24 hours of Sunlight race this past weekend. I think without a doubt Arc’teryx makes the best gear on the planet, and this coat is probably the best I’ve ever worn. I fought the soft shell revolution while the industry buzzed and everyone I knew bought one - I somehow did not. Because of the 24 hours of sunlight was, well, 24 hours, I had laps that were completed in the mid teens as well as some that were -8 degrees. The only thing I changed was how many layers I had under this jacket. For the warmer afternoon laps I had one super thin layer on under the Gamma MX. In the dead cold of 2:00am I simply added another light weight breathable long sleeve. The wind stopper protection was perfect for the cold down hills in the middle of the night and because it’s soft-shell it breathed very well on the way up in the sun. It also dried extremely fast as well. This is the best technical piece of ski gear I own. You can find it for around $300.00 US.

Written by Matt Hart

SOLE Custom Footbeds

When I go running or biking these days, you will always find a pair of SOLEs in my shoes. I even use them for indoor spinning. Correct knee and leg alignment is of paramount importance in these repetitive sports, and it all starts with the arches of the feet. The arches help to absorb each running strike and to transmit the energy of each pedal stroke. Well-engineered footbeds assist the muscles in maintaining the anatomical position of the arch. When the arch is not supported then it can lead to misalignment of the ankle and then the knees, hips and lower back, which can lead to injury in any of these areas.

I started using SOLEs in my running shoes after I first tried custom athletic orthotics from my doctor. I used my doctor’s orthotics for several months. They made my feet a little sore, but seemed to help my running. Then I used them in a foot race with a relatively new shoe. It was a hard race, and I developed the worst feet I have ever had. I was not sure if the problem was the shoes or the orthotics, so it was several months before I tried the shoes again. In the meantime, I had been given a pair of SOLE Regular Softecs, so I threw these in the shoes and went for a run. While I am not about to claim that SOLEs will always be better than orthotics you get from your doctor, this was certainly the case for me. It turns out the orthotics were too stiff and hard. Dirt and rocks had gotten between the orthotics and the arches of my foot and had worn my skin away. Once I started using the SOLE footbeds, the same pair of shoes that hurt my feet so badly, Montrail Continental Divides, became my favorite pair of trail runners. The SOLEs have just the right amount of cushion and help prevent blisters in addition to keeping my leg in proper alignment.

After much experimentation with mountain bike shoes I have settled on using Shimano SH-M120 (currently SH-M121). The shoes are rugged and comfortable, but the insole that comes with the shoe is flimsy and flat. After my success in using SOLE Softecs in my running shoes, I started using SOLE Slim Sports in my cycling shoes. When my feet swelled during Primal Quest last year, I went without socks on the bike. This strategy kept my feet dry and allowed them to heal on the long bike legs. If I had tried this with the footbeds that came with the shoes, I am certain my feet would not have fared so well.

You can find detailed advice on the company website, www.yoursole.com, but here are a few tips:
+ SOLEs come in whole sizes, so buy the next whole size larger if you are a half size.
+ They are heat moldable, but you can definitely use them without molding them.
+ Before you mold your footbeds, make sure they fit in your shoes:
- Take your old insoles out.
- See if the SOLEs fit snugly in your shoes.
- Your old insoles can help act as a trimming guide.
- Progressively trim small slivers from the front of the footbed until they fit.
+ Mold in 3 easy steps:
- Heat the oven to 200F. Put the SOLEs in the oven for 2 minutes.
- Take them out, put them in your shoes, stand in your shoes, and lace them up.
- Stand with feet shoulder width apart for 2 minutes. In this position you best approximate neutral and your arch is at it’s highest. The footbeds will cool down and take the shape of your shoe and neutral positioned foot.
- **For bike shoes do not mold in a standing position. Instead heat them up and jump on your trainer for two minutes and spin. SOLE will take the shape of your foot in a non-weight pedal stroke, rather than a weighted standing position.
- Get outside and enjoy!

Arc'teryx Tau AR

We were starting the race at midnight in the central rocky mountains of Canada. The tempurature was approximately 40 degrees. The race was to start with a 3 mile lake coasteering which would include running and swimming a lakeshore. There would be no avoiding the cold water as some shoreline was impassible due to steep cliffs. I was concerned that without the proper clothing hypothermia would set in. In a race like this, we don't carry extra dry clothes and we don't stop to change. And we wouldn't hit our first transition until mid morning. That meant we would be traveling through the night off trail in thick forest.

I chose to wear the Tau AR because of its ability to stretch while swimming and its breathability which would allow it to dry quickly and provide warmth into the night after we left the shoreline.
The shirt was unnoticable while swimming. No binding and complete freedom of movement. Once we were off the lake, the shirt dried quickly and maintained my body tempurature throughout the night. Finally, through heavy bushwacking, its form fitting design allowed me to get through the thickest underbrush without getting hung up.

Although it is not designed as a swimming layer, the Tau AR showed its ability to release moisture and dry quickly, which it was designed to do. It can be purchased for about $175.

Blueseventy, Helix wetsuit in motion 37hrs straight!

In 2006, I turned 40 years of age. Leading up to this milestone I found myself searching for an appropriate life-affirming challenge. In October of 2005, I decided I would swim nonstop around Lake Washington in August of 2006. In April of 2006, after too many miles of swimming at the local indoor pool, I decided to begin my open water training. With hundreds of hours of swimming planned for the next four months, I knew the wetsuit I chose would be critical. After considerable research, I determined that the blueseventy Helix wetsuit was the best product on the market and perfect for my needs.

The Reactive Stretch Technology (RST) neoprene surrounding my shoulders and lats combined with the preformed elbows allowed unrestricted arm motion through my entire stroke. This was crucial considering I made 10 plus swims greater than 15 miles long in a three month period while training for my goal. I just applied a little non-petroleum lubricant around the neck and under the arms and I was good for hours of continuous swimming.
I'm proud to say, on August 26th, 2006 I completed 55.5 miles of continuous swimming around Lake Washington after 37 hours straight! As I exited the lake, to cheering friends and family, someone yelled, "Hey Tyler, how about a victory lap?!" Thanks to my Helix wetsuit, I felt good enough to shout back, "Careful, don't tempt me!"
Contributed by Tyler Patterson

Photo by Erik Nachtrieb

Ibex Arm Warmers

Whether I am biking or running the easiest way for me to moderate my temperature is through a good pair of arm warmers. They are up when I am chilled and pushed down when I need to cool down a bit. The midweight Merino wool of the Ibex arm warmers is soft and provides just the right amount of protection from wind and weather while retaining its warmth when it is wet out. The encased elastic at the top opening keeps the arm warmers exactly where you want them and their stretchy fabric composition provides a comfortable fit without any circulation issues.

The 5 oz. arm warmers are small enough to fit into your back pocket when not being worn and cheap enough to not put a dent in your budget. Ibex arm warmers will be one of the most cost effective articles of adventure clothing in your wardrobe at a mere suggested retail price of $30.

Northwest Kayaks

When we need to bring a kayak to a race, we choose to bring Northwest Kayaks. To have the best, we have personally hauled them all the way to California. These boats are both versatile and fast. Our choice is the Seascape double or triple, when the race is a three person format. You can never know in advance the conditions or course layout in an adventure race. That’s why these boats are ideal. I would be comfortable shoving off into the night, in any conditions. They can take any weather and remain stable while still beating the field for their performance.

Finally, when the race is over, Northwest Kayaks make great family boats. They are stable and can carry loads of gear. A Seascape tandem retails for about $3,600 and would be the best family boat investment you could make. And for family adventures with the kids, the Outdoor Adventure Center offers great trips to paddle the San Juan Islands, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking and hiking trips. Just choose the trip and they provide the rest.

To power these boats, we exclusively use Epic paddles. We all primarily use the Mid Wing Full Carbon. These paddles are made for both sprints and long distance. They have a unique design that has not been matched. We have found that they truly provide the best stability with the cleanest entry and exit. They are extremely lightweight which makes an enormous difference when paddling long distances. The Mid wing Full Carbon retails for $450 and is worth every penny.
Contributed by, Glenn Rogers
Top photo by, Mike Bitton

FSA RD-600 Wheel Set

You might expect that we would only talk about gear specifically for adventure racing. However, many of us participate in other sports in addition to adventure racing. I do one road triathlon a year (Pacific Crest 1/2 ironman). I do this to keep me sharp and focused on personal performance. Last year, 2006, I used the FSA RD-600 wheelset equipped with Michelin Race Pro tires. Out of 590 finishers, I finished 2nd AG (excluding pros), 2nd masters (excluding pros), and 28th overall including a dozen or so pros.

The wheels and tires were on fire. I recieved many comments from other athletes about the wheels as they are fairly new on the scene and different looking with their giant center flange. The 110mm center flange sits directly behind the rim allowing a third of the spokes to be sheltered from frontal wind which increases the wheels aerodynamics. I didn't notice any others on the course. Since I am 41, my wave start is almost last. So, rocking my way throught 600 other racers on their bikes is a great feeling. Especially when the other racers are using wheel sets that were historically considered the best in triathlon. The best thing is that, this wheel set can be purchased for about $700 which is a fraction of the other's cost.

Arc'teryx Alpha SL jacket

The Alpha SL is simple but very sweet. This jacket has worked its way up my favorites list based on its functionality and eight ounce weight, amongst other things. The laminated pit zips pay big dividends in keeping you cool and ventilated when you are working hard on your bike, running or climbing a mountain and the two ply 290NR Gore-Tex® Paclite® fabric keeps you warm when the temperatures outside dip down below freezing. The single chest pocket allows for critical item storage and easy access. My biking, climbing and snowboarding helmets all fit into the storm hood and the well placed draw cords allow for a more snug fit when appropriate. With proper layering underneath the jacket you can use the Alpha SL anytime during the year and it will likely earn its place on your outerwear podium. The Alpha SL is currently retailing for roughly $250 in selected Arc'teryx distributors and is worth every cent.
Contributed by Ryan VanGorder
Top Photo by, Erik Nachtrieb
Lower Photo by, Aaron Rinn

Jenn Segger, Elite DART-nuun racer, talks about "nuun"

Nuun – a necessity for both training and racing. I have been using this product for over a year now and having nothing but positive reviews to report on. I’ve used it during expedition races where maintaining adequate levels of minerals and replacing the essential electrolytes is critical to race performance. I take several tablets most days of the week, especially during or after intense training sessions when the body needs to be replenished. I love the fact that the flavor is desireable and that it has an appealing taste regardless of if the water temperature is mild or cold. The tube containers make it ideal for racing with and the tablet form provides for a quick dispersion amongst team members. I normally keep it in a pocket on the waist belt of my back for easy access. I never worry about it getting wet. The more convienent a product is to put in a bottle or drop in a bladder, the more likely it will be used. I look forward to the new flavors! Like it, love it, use it!!

Contributed by Jen Seeger

DART-nuun carries nuun electrolytes into the frying pan

Team members from adventure racing teams DART-nuun and Mergeo ran around Mount St. Helens, in Washington state. St. Helens, an active volcano, as can be seen in the background, had just opened up a week before the circumnavigation run. It had been closed for nearly a year because of significant volcanic activity. Because of this we made it a fast run, why push the odds. The group of 6 rounded the 33 mile mixed pumice and jagged basalt Loowit trail in 10 hours. With few opportunities for water, dehydration and loss of electrolytes in the brutal heat was a constant concern. A DART-nnun team member, hydrated with , "nuun active hydration", crosses what we dubbed the frying pan, in this picture. The St. Helens run, whether a section or the whole circumnavigation is a must on your training agenda. If you are going to pull of the whole thing, bring your nuun electrolyte tablets. Light weight and effervescent, in our run against vulcanism, we only had time to drop nuun into our water and get going.

Contributed by Erik Nachtrieb

Photo by Dimitri Kieffer

Video! Gregory Stimulus pack, reviewed while racing!

Team DART-nuun member comments on Gregory Stimulus pack while racing the Primal Quest! Cyril Jay-Rayon, an elite adventure racer, with experience in every environment imagineable, is impressed with the 1lb 2oz Stimulus pack. Having just come out of a "bike whack" (carrying his bike while trekking off trail) and into his 37th hour of racing in the dense NW Cascades, Cyril is surprised his pack has not gone to pieces. The 300 cubic inch Stimulus was packed with gear for self-contained travel for up to 48hrs. We are talking, water bladder, food, clothing, and emergency gear amongst other items. The maxed out pack broke the fall of several back slides, carried the weight of Cyril's bike on its shoulder straps, and was continually smagged by the NW bush. Relieved to get back on his bike Cyril is glad the pack's contents hadn't spilled out. The stimulus didn't sustain a rip, snag or any damage, not even in the mesh. The mesh belt pockets contained food bars, gels, compass, map, extra batteries and beanie for quick access on the go. For an adventure race, long day hike, or lightweight overnighter the Stimulus is rugged and the perfect size to go light and fast.

Contributed by Erik Nachtrieb

Video by Erik Nachtrieb