Metolius Rock Rings

A while ago I mentioned that I was trying something new in rock climbing. I am fairly busy with work and day-to-day annoyances and so am not able to get to the climbing gym as often as I would like. I needed another way to practice for when I can’t get to the gym and a way to build my endurance so that I don’t look like a complete goober when I do get there. After searching around on the internet I came across these…

….the Metolius Rock Rings. I have thoroughly enjoyed using these since I got them. I hung them from the ceiling in my shed out back and went to town. They have several different holds that you can do including a jug, deep incut 4 finger pocket, 4 finger flat edge and a 3 finger pocket. They also come with a training guide that seems pretty solid.  It took me about a week or two to build up enough strength just to do the first few exercises correctly.  It will take me quite a bit longer to get through the whole routine, but I am looking forward to the challenge!  I’ll let you know how I do the next time I’m at the gym.

REI Spirit III Hiking Boots

I’ve been wearing the same pair of Scarpa Cadore hiking boots since 1996. They were the first pair of “real” hiking boots I could afford and were absolutely amazing. This past December the Gore-Tex lining finally gave up the ghost, and now they leak profusely. I would probably try to make them work, but in the last 10+ years, my feet have gotten larger and I’ve outgrown them. So sad. Unfortunately Scarpa no longer makes the Cadore, and their lasts have changed… Why Scarpa, why?

My first order of business in shopping for news boots was to find a pair that fit my size 13 Wide feet… easier said than done. Secondary to that I wanted a full-leather upper, Vibram Outsole, and a Gor-Tex (or equivalent) liner. I spend a lot of time hiking in and around creeks, so for me, waterproofing is a must. People that spend less time in the water can usually get by with a few treatments of Nikwax Aqueous Wax instead of a waterproof liner, but in my case I need maximum waterproofing. I’m personally willing to sacrifice a little bit of breath-ability for leak-proof boots.

Most of my local retailers don’t carry many options in my size, so I hit the web and was able to try out several different brands – Scarpa, Lowa, Asolo, Montrail, and Vasque before eventually settling on a pair of REI Spirit III Boots. Thanks to Zappos, REI, and Backcountry.com for their large inventories and fantastic return policies.

The REI Spirit III’s are actually made by Raichle, a Swiss company that has been making hiking boots since 1924. The Spirit III fits fairly wide through the ball or the foot, and about average in the heal area. They have a mild amount of arch built into the last, and include a typical thin insole. The toe box tapers slightly at the front, which is where I’m experiencing a small amount of toe rub. This hasn’t been a problem on shorter hikes, but longer hikes with a heavy pack could be a problem. We’ll see. With the addition of a supportive insole, and tight lacing I don’t get any heal slip, which is often an issue for me because of my wide forefoot and narrow heal. Here’s the specs: Full Leather Upper, Gore-Tex Liner, Rubber Toe Guards, Padded Ankle Collars, Vibram Sole, weight 3lbs. 10 oz.

These boots are comfortable right out of the box, with break in time being very quick on both of the pairs I’ve owned. Both pairs? Yes, that’s right, I’m on my second pair in only four months. The first pair lasted three hikes before one of the lace hooks snapped off the boot. Not cool. Fortunately REI has a phenomenal warranty on all their products, and the boots were replaced with no questions. The second pair has been problem free so far, but I’m keeping a close eye on the hooks. I’ve subjected these boots to several miles of rocky terrain, hours submerged in cold creek water, and general abuse that all hiking boots should be able to withstand. So far pair #2 has exceeded my expectations. While these boots aren’t a perfect fit for my foot, they are very close. I’ll report back on their long-term durability after I have more miles on them.

Here are a few good articles on finding the right boots.

Boot Fitting

Buying Guide

Petzl Zipka Plus… The Best Just Got Better

How many times have you found yourself fumbling around in the dark with a traditional flashlight?  Nothing is more frustrating than trying to juggle a flashlight while setting up a tent, reading a map, changing a flat, etc.  I cringe when I think about all the backpacking miles I’ve logged with a heavy mag-lite in my pack.  Sure, it never failed me, and I could probably fight off a bear with it (or at least an angry squirrel), but it weighed a ton.  Thankfully Petzl makes a fantastic option that will free up your hands and provide you with more than enough light for most applications – the Petzl Zipka Plus. 

Headlamps have been around for ages, but I’m not talking about your grandfather’s old coal mining headlamp.  Today’s headlamps are light, powerful, durable and affordable.  I’ve been using Petzl Headlamps since the early 90’s and they keep getting better.  I was originally drawn to them for night hiking, but quickly found them useful for many other activities.  As manufacturers continually manage to squeeze more power into smaller lights, their usefulness continues to expand.  Being an avid nature photographer I am often shooting in lowlight conditions and I find that a headlamp is crucial.  I also use my headlamp for mountain biking, backpacking, working on my Jeeps, and the list goes on.

For years my favorite headlamp has been the original Petzl Tikka.  It’s small, lightweight, bright enough for navigating a trail at night, and the LED bulbs seem to last forever.  I didn’t think the Tikka could get any better, but I was wrong.   I recently upgraded to the newer Petzl Zipka Plus and it is simply amazing.  The Zipka Plus offers all the features of the Tikka, while weighing less and packing more power via additional LED bulbs.  Not only is it lighter, it features an elastic retractable headband, which enables it to be fastened to just about anything (I’ve attached it to tripod legs and bike handlebars).  Conveniently, the Tikka and Zipka operate on standard AAA batteries, offer three different lighting levels, are water resistant, and come with a three year warranty.

To my knowledge, Petzl was the first to produce mini headlamps and I’ve been using them ever since.  I’ve looked at other brands (Black Diamond and Princeton Tec) but I’ve had no reason to switch. My Zipka Plus rotates between my camera bag and my Camelbak at all times, and my Tikka now serves as a trusty backup.  I rarely go anywhere outdoors without my Zipka Plus, it’s that good.  Plus its green, the perfect color for an adventure!

The North Face Nuptse Bootie

So last night I was out photographing the Lunar Eclipse at 5˚F… it was bitter cold.  For me, photographing in the dead of winter requires seriously warm gear because I am often sitting or standing stationary for long periods of time.  After layering up like “Randy” (Ralphie’s kid brother in the Christmas Story) I threw on my North Face Nuptse boots and headed out into the cold. 

 The Nuptse is a casual base-camp type boot that insulates with 700 fill down.  It incorporates a rubber EVA outsole and a water resistant nylon upper.  My favorite feature is the cinch strap around the collar, which keeps the elements out and the heat in.  I treated both mine and my wife’s pair with scotch-guard spray to increase the water resistance, and neither of us have had any leaks so far.  MSRP is $69 but if you look around online you can usually find them for around $30-40. 

This is my second winter in the Nuptse boots and so far they’ve handled everything I’ve thrown at them, including short jaunts in sub-zero temperatures.  I’m pretty sure they were designed with more of an after-ski role in mind, but I use them regularly while running my snowblower or making quick runs to the store.  They’ve always kept my feet warm while moving around, but I wasn’t sure if they’d keep me warm while standing in a foot of snow in single digit temperatures for over an hour?  I have to say they did better than I expected, my feet stayed warm right up until the end.  These definitely aren’t designed for trekking, as they offer minimal support, but they are ultra comfortable and easy to slip off and on.  If you’re looking for warmth, minimal weight, casual comfort, and après styling then check them out.  

Mmmm…Running Shoes

When I first started running I really didn’t know anything about shoes (and still don’t know too much), so I went to get fitted at my local running store. I ended up picking up a pair of Brooks GTS Adrenaline.

Three pairs later and I still love them. They provide good support overall and even after a number of miles my joints still feel good the next day. I’m sure there are better shoes out there or maybe something that’s more specialized, but for a decent shoe at a reasonable price (I happen to usually pick up a pair or two after Thanksgiving at REI for $60) I would have to give the Brooks GTS Adrenaline a thumbs up.

Alternative to Smartwool

For years Smartwool Light Hiker Socks have been my favorite socks, bar none. I’ve been wearing the Light Hiker’s since 1996, both in my hiking boots and as daily wear.  They are very durable and don’t loose their elasticity over repeated washings.  They breathe as well as anything I’ve tried, and are definitely the most comfortable socks I’ve found.  Obviously there are many other quality hiking socks out there, and I’ve tried a number of them, but I keep coming back to the original Smartwool. 

A few months ago I was at a local REI and came across their REI Merino Wool Hiker II Sock.  I decided to try a pair because they looked and felt very similar to the Smartwool, and they came in a “Low” version.  I’ve always wondered why Smartwool doesn’t make a short version of their Light Hiker (at least I’ve never seen one)?  After 2-3 months of regular use I can honestly say that so far I like the REI brand socks just as well as the Smartwool.  They seem to breathe just as well, and are every bit as comfortable.  So far I’ve had no issues with durability, and don’t expect to, although I can’t compare their long-term durability to the Smartwool.  The added benefit of the REI socks is that they are a $6-$7 cheaper than the Smartwool.  So, if you’re looking for a new pair of socks, give them a shot.

Also, REI is now offering a new “green” sock, called the Earth Friendly Ingeo Hiking Sock.  This appears to be a medium-weight hiking sock that is spun from renewable corn. We will be reviewing this sock in the near future so stay tuned.

Insole Searching

Let me start out by saying that I am really picky about footwear.  I have a difficult foot to fit – size 13, high arch, wide forefoot, narrow heel, over-pronater – and I’ll try just about anything to get my shoes and boots to fit correctly.  Unfortunately many of today’s hiking boots and shoes fall short in one critical area – the insole.  For whatever reason many manufacturers seem to skimp here.  I recently purchased a new pair of hiking boots, and subsequently decided to experiment with a few different insoles, so I thought I’d share my experience.  Take it for what its worth.

Sole Ed Viesturs Signature Insole ($45):

  

These are not cheap, but then again, you get a heat moldable insole that provides a semi-custom fit without having to spend a ton of money on orthotics.  2 minutes in the oven at 200˚ followed by 2 minutes in your shoe and you’re good to go.  This feature worked perfectly. These insoles have a very aggressive arch, which may or may not work for you.  I really liked this insole when placed inside a shoe with no existing arch support, but not in my hiking boots, which have a moderate amount of arch already built into the last.  For me this combination was painful.  One complaint I have with the Sole, is that the forefoot could be wider.  My toes hung over the sides when I tried them in my shoes.  I’d rather have an insole that can be trimmed to fit rather than having my toes hang over the sides.  Again, I have a wide foot so this may not be an issue for others.  Sole also makes a number of other insoles, including the Dean Karnazes Signature Insole designed for lower volume footwear.   Bottom Line:  The Sole is a very supportive insole, but it didn’t work with my particular boots and wide foot. 

Superfeet Green Insole ($35): 

I’ve been using these in a pair of Merrell slip-on shoes for about two months now.  They definitely take awhile to get used to.  What I immediately noticed about these is that the arch hits me farther back than what I’m used to.  Apparently they are designed this way to provide proper support by preventing the arch from collapsing as the foot pivots forward.  I’m certainly no podiatrist, but these insoles seem to work as advertised.  They aren’t particularly soft or cushy, but they do keep my feet from aching which is more than I can say for the paper-thin insoles that came in my Merrell’s.  These take up a decent amount of volume, so be aware that your shoe will probably fit tighter than it did with the original insole.  When I swapped these into my new boots they worked fairly well, but the plastic heel cup did squeak occasionally.  As far as durability is concerned, I’ve been using a pair of Superfeet Winter Insoles in my ski boots for two years and they still look like new.  Bottom Line:  Although not immediately comfortable, they are very supportive. I’ll keep them in my shoes, and occasionally in my boots.

Meindl “Perfekt” Footbed  ($20):

You probably haven’t heard of these, but in my opinion they’re worth checking into.  Meindl is a German company that makes high-end hiking boots.  The only place you can get their products here in the US is through Cabelas, but if you google them you’ll find that they are very popular in Europe.  Their insole is based around a layer of cork, which is covered with a soft wicking material.  Think Birkenstock.  They take up a lot of volume, but I’ve noticed that as the cork forms to the shape of my foot, the volume slightly decreases.  They have a medium amount of arch support, not as aggressive as the Sole, and they offer more cushioning and are initially more comfortable than the Superfeet.  These are also the most cost effective of the three.  I’ve only used them a few times now, but I like them better each time I use them.  I’m very interested to see how they hold up over time.  Bottom Line:  These are staying in my boots for now, but they took up way too much volume in my street shoes so no swapping back and forth.

In summary, this is obviously a very subjective review, but hopefully you’ll find it to be of some value.  Sole, Superfeet, and Cabelas all have a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy, so if the insoles aren’t comfortable you’re not stuck with them.  Also, check out the Foot Health Information section at Superfeet’s website for some interesting articles on foot pain.

The best pants ever!

I’m not a big clothes horse. In fact I rarely buy clothes at all unless I desperately need them. A few months ago though, I was taking a trip to the Grand Canyon and wanted to pick up a pair of pants that I felt were a little more appropriate than the board shorts I usually wear. I ended up picking some Mountain Khakis Original Mountain Pants.

These have turned out to be one of the nicest and most comfortable pants I have ever owned. They hold up well enough to kick it outdoors and also look good enough to wear to the office. My only two issues would be:

1. The price…$70 for a pair of pants is pretty steep for me. You can, however, sign up to get their email announcements and get discounts through their website, such as 30% off.
2. The sizes seem to be a little inconsistent. I tried on two of the exact same sizes and both fit differently.

Overall though they are an excellent pair of pants and I highly recommend them!