Treksta Evolution Reviewed

In just the last two weeks we've had folks travel to our store specifically in search of Treksta Evolution shoes--one from as far away as Maine--so I wondered if there's been a recent review or some news since the Treksta Evolution Mid won Backpacker's Editor's Choice Award in 2011.  Honestly I didn't find much and almost none of it recent, but here's what some of our competitors are saying:
"From wet treks to rock cumbersome runs, the Evolution GTX will elevate your outdoor experience. The NestFIT system cradles your feet, accounting for every contour...."
"We think the US Postal service should make the Treksta Evolution GTX Mid their official shoe. Rain, sleet, and ice...."

Of course who knows if the folks writing this stuff EVER even looked upon the Treksta Evolution much less wore or tested a pair.  So since I'm on my second pair and have never actually written a true "review" of the Treksta Evolution here goes.

First, NestFIT IS comfortable and does cradle your foot.  We like to say they are "anatomically correct" and not symmetrical which is more aesthetically pleasing.  Wide in the forefront with a very supportive arch and heel cup, they fit most feet well (although odd shaped feet have found different elements uncomfortable.)  After two runs in these, I permanently retired my street runners; but they are much heavier which is fine for me since I'm running to get in shape not race. 

Second, the Treksta GTX (with Gore-Tex) and IceLock handle adverse conditions well.  I picked up my second pair this winter for running in the snow and ice and found that they kept my feet warm and dry, but I know they'll be too hot for my sweaty feet as we get closer to summer. 

On the issue of traction, I've repeatedly tested the IceLock on sheet ice expecting immediate braking from the silicone impregnated sole lugs.  They certainly grip well, but they're not that effective.  Better yet despite daily use most of this icy winter I never fell like I did on several occasions in my heavy lugged hiking shoes & boots. 

Finally while these are designed as multi-purpose trail runners and have been great for me on my dirt road and woods runs, they have replaced my tennis shoes as I'm finding they give superior traction on lateral cuts on the court. 

If you want to try a pair, now is the time.  Trekstas are in stock and just went on sale through 4/23/2012!  As for myself, I really like the look of the new black & red version pictured above and may just buy my third pair if it's available in a non-GTX version. 

In the interests of full-disclosure I should note that my first pair was a sales sample...and the second pair I bought with an employee discount.

Better boots. Lowa Boots.

For adventurers, we don't know of a better boot brand than LOWA BOOTS. From quality light duty hikers to backpacking boots and to expedition grade mountaineering boots, Lowa provides one of the most comprehensive selections. With new boots arriving from Europe almost every week this month, this is the time of year when your selection is the greatest. Many Lowa boots come in narrow, medium and wide sizes to allow for a custom fit. Plus popular styles offer a range of colors to choose from. You can even choose from Gore Tex and leather lined options, like the Renegade and the Baltoro pictured above.

To make sure you step off this season with the right footwear, we're holding our annual spring Lowa Sale. So take 20% off now through 4/18 and know you're getting the best boots for your feet...lowa boots. What's your favorite brand of boots?

Tents on Sale

While the weather here in Vermont has become more seasonal, lots of folks are starting to check out summer gear.  Two of our tent brands have just gone on sale to make this easier for folks.   You can now save 20% on many of our Sierra Designs tents and Nemo tents.  If you know what size tent you need, check out our 2 person tent page or our 4 person tent page to compare tents across brands.  Sierra Designs and Nemo both offer innovative lightweight tents and they offer a lot by including smart patented features--like Jake's feet for example--that make them more user friendly than other tents.  Take a look for yourself! 

A brutal trek through Tibet

While most of those who watched The Way Back seemed to have loved it, I guess I spoiled it for myself by reading the book--The Long Walk--first. I have to admit the unbelievable true story of this escape from a Siberian Labor Camp to India is epic, while the acting is great, and the scenery is breathtaking. But to read the book is to feel the deprivation these survivors endured, while the movie lacks the grit that conveys the terrible hunger, dehydration, and physical exhaustion of this 4000 mile trip.

Maybe it was that the screenplay liberally detoured from many of the lesser details of the book and I couldn't get past it. Somehow the imagery and acting didn't capture what chapter after chapter of walking and starving, followed by walking and starving, mixed in with lots of freezing, exhaustion, and brutal temps was able to. Also there are cultural exchanges that just get left out in the movie. But regardless the movie is definitely worth the view as starts 400 miles above Lake Baikal, crosses the Mongolian border and Gobi Desert, into Tibet before going over the Himalayas; all without any maps!

Besides the moving scenery, one graphic take away I had was how brutal this trip was on the feet. In the book the author spent more time talking about making footwear multiple times out of different animal hides. But the movie repeatedly showed how beat up their feet got...definitely a more graphic view--and probably more accurate--than what I got from the book. When you see the brutal terrain in this part of the world it gives you an appreciation of how Lowa's Tibet Pro backpacking boots gets their name.

In the end this movie was one of the best anti-gear, minimalist survival triumphs of them all. What did you think of it?

Seeking a BIG YEAR...

There are not many true outdoor movies to review in what is essentially a hiking and backpacking gear blog, but I think  THE BIG YEAR qualifies.  Released on DVD seven weeks ago, I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend adding it to your movie queue.   I'll admit to being skeptical about a movie focused on "birding" and the reviews are mixed with true birders skewing the reviews in the positive direction.  (Although some got hung up by the artistic license necessary to recreate the recording breaking events of 1998.)  But I figured any movie with Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson couldn't be that bad. 

If you've been out in the wild long enough you've surely stumbled across one of the congregations of birders the movie portrays.  The movie merits watching as a window into the world of birders and the lengths they go in pursuit of the holy grail: the Big Year.  (One site I came across says birders can spend up to 270 days/year and travel 270,000 miles to view the 700 plus species needed to put them among the Big Year elite.)  It also merits watching for the beautiful scenery and locations birders encounter along the way.  What I loved about the Big Year was ultimately its inspirational message about the value (and costs) in pursuing something truly out of the ordinary in the outdoors...say a thru-hike of the AT or a summer of visiting as many National Parks as possible.  I left wanting--and planning--another year off to do some serious backpacking and exploring.  If you're interested in what serious birder watchers thought of THE BIG YEAR you'll want to read this article from Audubon Magazine.

Another great benefit for you hikers and backpackers out there is that you'll be reminded of those great wild places you've been: Alaska, the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest, Canyonlands, etc.  And you'll remember your great bird sighting stories.  In my case it was the Ptarmigan that scared the bejesus out of me when it flew right at my face in the mountains outside of Juneau when I failed to yield to it on the trail. 

It would sure be interesting to know how many hard-core backpackers are also serious birders.  Maybe someone will write a story about this one day.  (Or share a link here to info on this.) 

And one other note...this movie is truly PG and appropriate for the whole family.  Other than one quick use of "the bird",  the movie is profanity free and tamer than your typical Super Bowl Half-Time show. 

Summer in Vermont?

With record breaking temps in the 70s and 80s for the past week, we seem to have quickly left winter and skipped right to summer in Vermont. I wanted to show you the funny picture from the front page of today's Burlington Free Press...but I didn't want to pay for it so just follow the link.  Apparently the college kids have foregone spring skiing and headed to the beach instead!  Apparently neighbors and the city are upset as the beach goers need some Leave No Trace training.  The city has hired security...but they could have brought in some port-a-lets just as easily.  It wasn't clear though if anyone actually went in Lake Champlain to cool off. 

Working on your Gear List

If you are planning a big thru hike this season one of the most important pieces of preparation you have before you is filling out your gear list.  If you're stepping off soon you're probably well on your way, but if your trip isn't until after school gets out you might just be getting started.  While I've made my own gear lists and thought of posting them, I figure why repeat the effort when the experts at Backpacker Magazine have already done a thorough job of this.  They've created 13 customized gear lists for everything from an AT Thru-Hike gear list to a Swamp Trip gear list.

If you're looking to make a big impact in the area of pack weight and volume and haven't looked at new tents recently you'll be amazed by what's now out there in the world of 2 person backpacking tents.  I shaved almost 5 lbs out of my pack last year by finally ditching my 10 year old tent for a new one.  With Big Agnes tents now on sale @ 20-40% off and MSR tents going on sale tomorrow now is the right time to look in to getting a new tent for your next big trip.