Indonesian Digital News Archive

Over the past few weeks I've been posting my thoughts on a couple of pairs of running shoes that fit squarely in the "minimalist" category. Two weeks ago I posted my thoughts on the Sketcher's GObionic shoes and last week I shared my impressions of the Form from Skora. In both cases I appreciated how lightweight and comfortable they were, although I found that they were a bit too minimalist for my longer runs. That isn't the case with this weeks entry, the newly redesigned Streak II from Pearl Izumi.

Form fitting and comfortable the Streak II looks much more like a traditional running shoe than either of the other two pairs I reviewed. Tipping the scales at 7.8 ounces (221 grams), these shoes weigh about the same as the Skora Form, but are nearly two ounces heavier than the GObionics. Sketchers definitely wins the "most minimalist" award out of this group.

Those extra two ounces are put to good use on the Streak II however, as they felt more solid and supportive on my feet than any of the other minimalist shoes I've tested. In fact, I had less fatigue in my feet and legs following a run using these shoes and they have been more than accommodating on even my longer routes. I've used these on 8-10 mile runs without much problem at all and they certainly seem capable of going just about any distance I could possibly throw at them.

I wouldn't have guessed that would be the case following my initial impressions of the Streak II however as they were the only pair of shoes that gave me a blister while running in them. Their snug fit caused some uncomfortable rubbing in the initial break-in period, but fortunately that break-in period didn't last long. By the second or third run they were no longer causing blisters and were simply a joy to run in.



I've mentioned a couple of times already in this review that these shoes are form fitting and that is an important thing to keep in mind. If you have wide feet, the Streak II might not be for you. I also had to get them in a half-size larger than normal, although they were still quite snug on my feet. Personally I appreciate a tight fit in my shoes, but not everyone will like the way these feel on their feet.

Pearl Izumi has impressed me with the construction of these shoes as well. After more than a month of regular use they still appear as if they just came out of the box and they haven't lost a bit of support either. For a minimalist shoe, they have held up very well under some difficult conditions.

Despite the fact that these shoes look a lot like a traditional running shoe, there were times when I was reminded that they are still minimalist footwear at their heart. For instance, one of my regular running routes takes me off road and onto a trail for a few miles and the rocks on that trail can pierce right through the soles of the Streak II and directly into the bottom of your feet. Pearl Izumi has designed these shoes for the road and I suggest you keep them there. I've even managed to pick up rocks in the sole and have a twig jam directly through the bottom of the shoes, which were harsh reminders that you can pay a price for running in lightweight shoes. That said, when on smooth pavement, running in these shoes can be sublime.

Of all the minimalist shoe I've test recently, the Streak II are my favorite. But that isn't to say that I don't enjoy running in the other shoes as well. The Streak II just happened to fit my feet, and running style, quite nicely and I appreciate what they have to offer. At $115 they're also reasonably priced for the level of performance they deliver.

Running shoes are a difficult thing to recommend as we all have our personal preferences and, lets face it, brand loyalties. What feels good on my feet may not feel right on yours. These three pairs of shoes are all great choices for those looking to go minimalist, but in my case, the one that was most like a traditional shoe was the also the one that worked best.

The Red Bull 400 is only 400 meters in length, and yet it just might be the toughest race of that distance in the world. Competitors race up the side of a mountain in Plancia, Slovenia in a grueling test of speed, strength and endurance. But just telling you about it really doesn't do the race justice. You'll need to watch the video below to see what I'm really talking about.

My legs hurt just watching it. Brutal!

Recently I've been testing several different pairs of new running shoes that fit squarely into the "minimalist" category that was defined a few years ago by the Vibram FiveFingers. But not everyone wants to run in "shoes" that are that lightweight and as a result, a number of manufacturers have begun offering options that are a step up in form and support, while still maintaining the minimalist mantra. Last week I posted my review of the Sketchers GObionics, which I found surprisingly comfortable, flexible and very affordable, although I felt they were best used on shorter runs. This week I have a different take on the minimalist shoe, this time from a company called Skora.

Back in May, I tested and very much liked Skora's Base running shoe, and recommended them for those who wanted to join the minimalist movement without going too minimal. Skora's other model, the Form, shares some of the features of the Base but wraps everything up in a more high quality package. For example, while the Base uses synthetic fabrics the Form incorporates durable and wear resistant goatskin leather. The result is a show that is attractive and tough with a unique feel.

Skora has designed these shoes to be very form fitting and I found that they simply felt strange on my feet if I was also wearing socks. As a result, while testing these shoes I ran barefoot, which is something I seldom do. I was a bit concerned that I would blister on my initial runs and when I first put these shoes on I even predicated exactly where that first blister would form. Much to my surprise however, those blisters never came and after just a couple of runs these shoes were well broken in and it was never a concern again.



Once broken in, the shoes also mold to your feet to a degree. This helps to make them more comfortable the more you run in them. The Forms also felt much more like a "barefoot" shoe than the Sketchers GObionic, which felt more like a traditional show despite being very minimalist as well. In fact, Skora's offering actually weighs a bit more, tipping the scales at 8 ounces (226 grams) as compared to the Sketchers 6 ounce (170 grams) weight.

Running in the Skora Form was comfortable and enjoyable. Their foot-hugging fit made me feel like I was a bit more connected to the road while still keeping my feet nicely protected. Like all minimalist shoes however, I still felt plenty of debris, such as rocks and twigs, when I stepped on them. When that happens, these shoes feel "barefoot" in all the wrong ways. Still, the Skora From lived up to my expectations that were formed from test out their Base shoes. They are comfortable, have a unique look and feel, and hold up well under the rigors of daily runs.

Skora has priced the Form at the higher end of the minimalist running shoe market. At $185 they're actually on par with many high-end traditional running shoes. While I very much enjoyed running in these shoes, I suggest you try them on before deciding if they're the right option for you.

One of the toughest endurance races on the planet will take place this weekend with the start of the North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, which officially gets underway on Friday. The course begins and ends in Chamonix, France and crosses into Switzerland, as it covers 168km (104 miles), of tough mountain terrain, completely circumnavigating around Mont Blanc in the process. Oh, and it also happens to feature 9600 meters (31,496 ft) of ascent too.

This year, for the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live on the web. Considering the coverage kicks off tomorrow and runs for 84 hours straight, that's an impressive feat of endurance as well. The live broadcasts start Thursday, August 30 at 06:00 local time and will continue with 15-minute news briefs through Sunday, September 2.

At the start of the event, more than 6000 runners from 73 countries will take the line. How many of them actually finish remains to be seen. This is one of the largest and most difficult tests of endurance on the planet and isn't for the faint of heart. We'll probably get to witness some of the suffering first hand on these live broadcasts over the next few days.

Good luck to all the runners!



The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® by UltraTrailMontBlanc

Located in Canada's Nunavut territory, Baffin Island is a remote and wild place. It also happens to be the fifth largest island in the world and a fitting place for an adventure. This morning Ray Zahab and Ferg Hawke have set out to run non-stop across the island, covering roughly 100km (60 miles) in the process. Their route will take them through Akshayuk Pass, a breathtaking valley that is the remains of an ancient riverbed and is surrounded by the Baffin Mountains.

You can track their progress on BaffinRun.com and catch updates via Ray's Twitter Feed and Facebook page. Reports are also being posted to the impossible2Possible Facebook page as well.

While this will be a good challenge for these two ultra-runners, it is merely a warm-up for what lies ahead. Next year they intend to run across the Gobi Desert at it's widest point, an expedition that will cover approximately 2000km (1242 miles) through some of the most remote terrain on Earth. Because of that remote nature of the Gobi, they'll have limited opportunities for resupply which will alter the logistics of the run to a degree.

We'll learn a lot more about the expedition in March of 2013 when Ray and Ferg are expected to set out. You know we'll be following it closely.

Thanks to the long, hot Texas summers I often find myself running after dark. It's the best way to beat the heat although running in the dark isn't always the safest thing to do. Wearing a headlamp helps to not only illuminate where you're going but also make you more visible to cars and other pedestrians. Finding the right headlamp for such high intensity activities wasn't easy however, as it had to be the right combination of comfort and weight , while still providing plenty of useful light.

Considering all of the companies that make good headlamps these days, I was surprised to discover that one of the best lights was for runners was being made by Energizer. Yes, Energizer. The battery company. They make a headlamp called the Micro Sport that was specifically designed with runners and other outdoor athletes in mind.

The Micro Sport comes equipped with three LED lamps that are capable of cranking out quite a bit of illumination. The lamp has both high and low modes, both of which provide plenty of light for running. High mode is capable of shedding light up to 7 meters (23 feet) out, but at that level of intensity the batteries will only last about 3-4 hours. Dropping it to low mode will nearly triple that time using standard AA batteries.

In addition to the standard forward facing headlamp, the Micro Sport also comes with a rear-facing red flashing light as well. Think of it as a taillight for runners or cyclists as it certainly adds an extra level of safety when on the road after dark. While not particularly bright, this emergency flasher is still an attention grabber. Powered by a single lithium coin-cell, this additional light can last for 95 hours between battery changes.

Of course, plenty of headlamps provide this kind of performance but what sets this one apart, and puts the "micro" in its name, is its weight. This light clocks in at jut 2 ounces (45 grams) which means it's pretty much featherlight in your hand and on your head. That's fantastic for runners in particular who don't want a heavy lamp on their head while on the go. A thin and lightweight headband rounds out the package, adding comfort and stability to the Micro Sport.

This is a fantastic option for outdoor athletes who need a little illumination while partaking in their favorite activities. The flashing rear lamp adds an extra measure of safety and the over all quality of the light is solid on all fronts. Best of all, it won't break your pocket book either. The suggest retail on the headlamp is just $24.95, which makes it a great bargain.

One of the more unique and challenging footraces in North America gets underway today when participants in the 2012 Transrockies Run hit the trail for the first time. The six day event is a stage race that covers a total of 120 miles (193km) between Buena Vista and Beaver Creek, Colorado through some amazingly scenic backcountry.

The Transrockies is a test of endurance and determination, as each day the runners are tasked with completing a 20-mile (32km) trail run at altitudes ranging from 7400 (2255 meters) to 12,400 (3779 meters) feet in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The 180 teams of two, plus 100 solo racers, will travel on foot all day and camp together each night as they make their way along the course, which features more than 20,000 feet of accumulative vertical gain.

As much as this is a race it is also billed as a "running vacation" and it looks like it is great fun for participants. Many of those taking part in the event are simply out for a great adventure on the trails in Colorado, but even still, they need to be in great shape to complete the entire course. Good luck to everyone hitting the trail to day and enjoy the next few days in the mountains.

Endurance athletes looking for a new challenge have an interesting new event to add to their calendar. On September 8th the team behind the Untamed New England adventure race will produce the North Country Endurance Challenge, a multi-sport race through the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.

The race, which features two different courses to choose from, is essentially an adventure triathlon mixing paddling, mountain biking and trail running into a single day event for relay teams or solo competitors. Racers will kayak the Connecticut River, run narrow back woods trails and take on challenging and technical singletrack as they climb up mountain passes and bomb down the other side.

The Premiere Course is 65 miles in length, and is estimated to take about 10-12 hours to complete. But if you're interesting in something a bit less daunting there is also an option to run the "Sprint" course, which is a mere 31 miles in length with a finish time of approximately 5-6 hours.

As mentioned, the race is open to solo racers who want to tackle the entire course themselves or relay teams consisting of anywhere from 2 to 10 racers. Relay teams are allowed to select which of their athletes do each individual leg of the race which means they can put their best paddlers on the water, runners on the trail sections and mountain bikers on the bike. It also helps to divvy up the work load on what could be a very long day.

Registration for the North Country Endurance Challenge is now open. Solo racers can sign up for the Premiere or Sprint courses for $175 and $100 respectively. Relay teams pay $100/racer for the Premiere course and $60/racer for the Sprint. Looks like it should be a fun day of racing in September. Find out more about the race at the official website.

Yesterday I posted about a new GPS watch coming our way from Garmin that looks to be a great new gadget for travelers, athletes and adventurers alike. Not to be out done, Magellan also has a new offering for us in the form of the Switch Series of watches that are designed to enhance and track workouts in a variety of activities.

As you would expect with any GPS enabled watch, the Switch has the ability to track distance, speed, direction and more. It has a built in barometer, altimeter and thermometer and is water resistant down to 50 meters (164 ft), has the ability to track a host of fitness data, such as calories burned, average pace and a variety of other variable that can help improve performance. The activity pacer helps to keep you on track to reaching your goals and the GPS allows for marking waypoints, saving locations and offers basic navigation abilities.

That's just the beginning of the list of functionality that Magellan has packed into this watch however. It also includes 9 basic profiles for use in a variety of activities including running, cycling, swimming and so on. The display can be configured to provide the custom data that you want to see and athletes can also customize their personal alerts to stay on pace as well. And when they've finished with their workout, they can upload all of their data to the new Magellan Active website where they can track long term progress, share workouts and analyze the data.

Out of the box, the Switch has an 8 hour battery life, which means if you work out most every day you'll be recharging it regularly. An optional battery extender adds an additional 16 hours, which might prove very useful for some.

All in all, the new Switch watches seem like great options for outdoor athletes who take their workouts seriously. There are two models of the watch, the Switch and the Switch Up, with the former being aimed primarily at runners while the latter is designed for multi-sport athletes. Both versions can be purchased with or without a wireless heart rate monitor and the Switch Up also includes a bike mount as well. Prices range from $229.99 to $349.99 depending on which package you go with. Find out more here.

The focus of the Switch seems very different from the Garmin fenix that we saw yesterday. The fenix seems more versatile for outdoor use while the Switch seems like it is tightly focused on athletes. Both are very appealing and I can see benefits from owning either. Hopefully I'll get a peek at the Switch at Outdoor Retailer in a few weeks as well. Interesting stuff.

The 2012 Teva Mountain Games are set to get underway this Thursday, May 31 in Vail, Colorado. The annual event plays host to some of the best outdoor/adventure athletes in the world in sports ranging from trail running and mountain biking to kayaking and slacklining.

The full schedule of events can be found online and as usual there is plenty to see and do for both competitors and spectators alike. In addition to each of the athletic events, each day also features live music, parties, demonstrations and seminars. The Adventure Village also returns, giving visitors a chance to climb an outdoor wall, try slacklining for themselves or take part in a number of other activities, while Gear Town will be packed with all kinds of great outdoor equipment to try out and purchase.

Due to the unusually low snowfall this past winter, there is less than normal whitewater in many of the western states his spring. As a result, some of the paddling and rafting events could be moved or canceled.  If you're taking part in any of those events or plan on attending, you'll definitely want to check in with the Teva Mountain Games staff to be sure everything is still operating as expected.

This is always a great event and if you're in the area you'll definitely want to drop by and check it out.

Update: I received word this afternoon that the SUP competitions have been cancelled due to the low water conditions, but that the kayaking and rafting events will take place as planned. Find out more here.

The Red Bull Divide and Conquer adventure race is coming to Canada's West Coast in a few weeks and the event promises plenty of action for adventure athletes. The Divide and Conquer features a unique format in which teams of three compete against one another across a wilderness course, but unlike other AR events, this one is run in relay-style with each team member taking a leg.

The race is scheduled to take place on Vancouver's North Shore and will start with a mountain run up Grouse Mountain. Twice! That's nearly 6000 feet (1828 meters) of elevation gain just to get things started.  From there it is on to the mountain bike section, which will be an all-mountain affair that will test a rider's downhill ability as well his or her technical and speed riding. The event will finish up with a paddling leg on the Capilano River that will send kayakers out onto Class IV waters in a deep canyon run.

This looks like it will be amazingly fun and registration is still open. If you'd like to put together a team for the Red Bull Divide and Conquer, you can enter the race here.

For my money, the hydration pack is amongst the greatest outdoor innovations of all time. The ability to conveniently and comfortably carry water while we hike, bike, run or do just about anything else can not be overstated. Over the years the options for hydration packs have expanded dramatically and these days its nearly impossible to buy a backpack that isn't at least hydration-ready. But one company that has has stayed razor focused on providing hydration solutions is is Hydrapack, which makes some of the best bottles, reservoirs and of course, packs, in the industry. One of their newest packs is the Jolla, a spacious and versatile bag that is lightweight, comfortable to wear and features plenty of extras that outdoor enthusiasts will most certainly appreciate.

The Jolla is listed as weighing in at 2 pounds, six ounces and having 18 liters (1100 cubic inches) of storage, but thanks to its numerous pockets the pack actually feels much larger – and I mean that in a good way! The pack features a fleece-lined top pocket with a removable tool kit bag, a large main compartment with a velcro sealed internal pocket and additional storage on the exterior. In addition to the dedicated zipped hydration pocket on the back panel, the Jolla also has two water bottle holsters (also with zippers!) and small mesh pockets on the hip belt. With all those options the Jolla makes it easy to keep all of your gear well organized.

Made of soft, but durable, ripstop nylon, the Jolla is comfortable to wear for a variety of activities. I've used it hiking, trail running and mountain biking, and once I adjusted the fit properly, it was surprisingly easy to wear for extended periods of time, even while carrying a full load. I was especially impressed by the well padded back panel and shoulder straps.



Of course, no matter how well designed and comfortable a hydration pack is, if it doesn't work well at it's primary function than it isn't worth owning. Fortunately the Jolla performs exceptionally well in that area as well, thanks in no small part to the included 3-liter reservoir. Hydrapak was generous enough to add one of their excellent Shape-Shift reservoirs to the package and it one of the best bladders I've ever used. Not only does it's wide mouth make it easy to fill but the sliding seal locks the reservoir up nice and tight, preventing the water from leaking all over the pack itself. In fact, it worked so well that through my testing of the bag I never had any issues with leakage at all.

One of the worst things about most water bladders is that they can be nearly impossible to get completely dry or clean. Over time, as you use them, a bit of moisture gets left behind and that moisture can facilitate the grow of bacteria. But the Shape-Shifter is designed to be able to be turned completely inside out, which makes it easy to get all of the water out at the end of the day and a breeze to keep clean as well. The reservoir also happens to be very rugged and durable and the bite valve and water hose are just as high in quality. That means that you won't have to replace the bladder as often as you would on similar packs, which is another plus for the Jolla. That said, the Shape-Shift reservoir is so good that it is definitely worth purchasing on its own. That's why Hydrapak offers it separately for just $32.99.

Both the Jolla and the Shape-Shift bladder are individually great products, but when put together they make an unbeatable combo. If you're in the market for a new pack for your upcoming summer adventures, than look no further than the Hydrapak Jolla. It carries a price tag of $144.99 which is a bargain for a pack that is this comfortable and versatile.  Considering the fact that it also comes with one of the best hydration reservoirs you'll ever find and I think you'll find that Hydrapak has delivered a winner that is worth every penny.

If you're a runner of any type it has been nearly impossible to ignore the trend towards minimalism in footwear over the past few years. Thinner, lighter shoes have been all the rage as athletes focus on changing their running style to accommodate this unique - yet popular - approach to running longer distances without adding stress or damage to your feet, knees or hips.

As someone who runs nearly every day, I have to admit that I've been intrigued with the minimalist approach and I've tested some of the more well known and distinct styles of lightweight shoes. While I haven't quite become a convert, I have seen the benefits of "barefoot" running and how it can be a more enjoyable experience than I had thought possible. Still, I missed the protection that traditional shoes brought to my feet and when I sprained both ankles last fall, the minimalist shoes had to be put to the side. Still, as time passed, I started thinking about adopting the barefoot style more fully, although I had hoped to find running shoes that weren't quite so minimal to help with the transition.

Enter the new Base shoe from a company called Skora. Weighing in at just 225 grams (7.9 ounces) the shoes are plenty "minimal" and yet still have plenty of substance as well. Soft, flexible and streamlined, the Base offers much more support and cushioning than other "barefoot" shoes that I've tried without sacrificing too much weight. This approach to the design of the shoes puts them squarely in-between the other popular minimalist and traditional shoes.

Skora created the Base to offer a little something for all runners, although in doing so they run the risk of creating a shoe that doesn't appeal to the ether minimalist or traditional crowds. If you leaning towards the former, these may not be light enough for you, while if you're in the latter camp, they may not offer the support you're looking.

From my personal use of the shoes I can say that I'm quite impressed. I've been using them regularly over the past month or so, and I happen to like Skora's approach of making a shoe that bridges the gap between the two competing running ideologies. I found the Base shoes to be very comfortable to wear and provided a surprising amount of support for a package that feels feather-light on your feet. I also enjoyed the X-strap system that replaces the laces found on most other shoes, eschewing those old shoestrings in favor of a nylon and velcro option that holds the shoes in place exceedingly well.

The unique design doesn't end there either. Skora added reflective highlights that help make a runner more visible in low-light conditions and the interior of the shoe allows them to be worn with or without socks. In the warm Texas spring I've been running sans socks and have found the Base holds up well and are very comfortable, even on extended runs.

These shoes look a bit like something that was designed for a science fiction film, particularly the silver edition. But most runners are use to wearing brightly colored,  obnoxious footwear, so I doubt you'll be phased by the looks of the Base in any way.

If you're interested in joining the "minimalist revolution" but have been reluctant to try some of the other ultra-lightweight shoes, then you may want to give the Skora Base shoes a go. They provide a good fit, excellent comfort and a surprising amount of support for both the arches and ankles. With a price of just $125 they are competitive with other running shoes as well.

For more information and to order a pair for yourself, visit SkoraRunning.com.