The area I would like to cover today is.... Which brand will fit my body?
One disclaimer before we get started.... The categorizations that follow are generalized statements. Each brand does have different pieces that will fit different athletes. We just need to make sure that we make the adjustments as mentioned in the previous posts.
With that said, we go to ranking the brands....
For the sake of simplicity, we will have 3 categories:
A: Smaller shoulders, Tight lower body. Euro cut.
B: Bigger shoulders, Average lower body, but could go either way.
C: Larger shoulders, Loose lower body. Traditional Cut
Triathlon
1, 2xu - B
2. Synergy - C
3. Orca - A
4. Blue Seventy - B
5. TYR - A
6. Desoto - C
Outdoors
1. Westcomb - C
2. Icebreaker - A
3. Mammut - A
4. Smartwool - B
Cycling
1. Assos - A
2. Capo - B
3. Castelli - A
4. Showers Pass - C
5. Skins - C
Well, that should about do it for sizing. If you think of any additional questions you would like to see in our posts, let me know.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Friday, October 21, 2011
Inov8 Running Shoes In Stock
Inov8 running shoes have arrived. I have used a pair for the last year or so, they are very comfortable and withstood the daily beatings. Also, I have slight pronation that makes some running shoes very uncomfortable, but the Inov-8 230's foot bed and overall stiffness almost solve the problem.
The brand is of the minimalist thought process. Very low stack height and a little stiffer foot bed that leads to more comfort than most running shoes.
Here are a couple links to all the technical info:
1. Overall Technology
2. Biomechanics
3. Comfort
There is an abundance of information on Inov-8's webpage. Check them out.
So the next time you are in the market for some trail running or workout shoes, I would give them some serious consideration. We will do a more in depth review of the models we carry in the next couple days.
Secondly, we will be running a sale for till month end. See the details below.
Have a great weekend.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
The brand is of the minimalist thought process. Very low stack height and a little stiffer foot bed that leads to more comfort than most running shoes.
Here are a couple links to all the technical info:
1. Overall Technology
2. Biomechanics
3. Comfort
There is an abundance of information on Inov-8's webpage. Check them out.
So the next time you are in the market for some trail running or workout shoes, I would give them some serious consideration. We will do a more in depth review of the models we carry in the next couple days.
Secondly, we will be running a sale for till month end. See the details below.
Have a great weekend.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Inov8 Bare Xlite 200 Running Shoes- In Stock
Today we are going to take a look at the Inov8 Bare Xlite 200 trainers. They arrived in the US within the last couple weeks.
Here are a couple thoughts:
1. At 200 grams, when you pick them up you can feel the difference.
2. The Inov8 lacing system has been included for a comfortable fit.
3. No major seams internally to cause friction.
4. Great insert for additional comfort.
5. Sizing is a bit shorter than traditional, so move up an 1/2 size,
Overall, great fitting shoes that are ultra light and sturdy. What is amazing is that there is at Bare Xlite 150 that is even lighter.
Check them out. Have a great day.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Here are a couple thoughts:
1. At 200 grams, when you pick them up you can feel the difference.
2. The Inov8 lacing system has been included for a comfortable fit.
3. No major seams internally to cause friction.
4. Great insert for additional comfort.
5. Sizing is a bit shorter than traditional, so move up an 1/2 size,
Overall, great fitting shoes that are ultra light and sturdy. What is amazing is that there is at Bare Xlite 150 that is even lighter.
Check them out. Have a great day.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
News Update on Winter Cycling Shoes
Over the last couple days, the winter shoe orders have started to roll in. We ran out of a couple sizes and needed to add to our inventory, so we placed an order with Northwave. No big news there, but we found out that they are already out of stock of some sizes. I almost fell out of chair!! It is mid-October!! They also said that they will not be receiving any additional shoes this season. With Lake not making shoes this year (last year's industry leader) and Northwave already in short supply, there will be a shortage of winter shoes in the US market this year.
So if you are in the market for winter shoes, I would do it earlier than later.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
So if you are in the market for winter shoes, I would do it earlier than later.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Winter Cycling Shoes
Hello everyone,
Today's post comes from one of our customers in Michigan. Irwin has been cycling in the winter for over 30 years. Last week, he sent me the following email. So I thought it would be great information to pass along.
Secondly, if you have any additional thoughts to pass along. Please do. We certainly don't think we are the only one with original thoughts.
Enjoy,
Stephen McCarthy
Gear and Training
Post on Winter Cycling:
Electric socks and hand warmers are okay for light outdoor activity. There is a lot of "toy grade" outdoor gear that leaves a bad impression. As a consequence it's easy to write off some of the more serious and expensive solutions that do work.
The problem with all shoes is that the extremities - hands and feet just do not get enough circulation. These areas do not generate sufficient heat by themselves. Insulating materials that create a sufficient barrier tend to be larger and cumbersome.
Irwin from Western Michigan
There obviously are outdoor boots that work in the winter but they are not "bike rider friendly." The ski industry has confronted the issues we are talking about. These are sports enthusiasts that are active in seriously cold conditions and at similar 15-20 mph speeds. They have developed solutions which utilize small, lightweight, battery powered devices to heat the hands, feet, and even the chest area.
Personally I find the chest area rarely be a problem. Electric socks are good for large boots. Close fitting bike shoes and sky boots require a solution that works with those size constraints. Removing the orthotic spacer and replacing it with one that includes a heating element does not change the fit. A little wind protection such as a Goretex shoe cover keeps things comfortable without overworking the battery.
Gloves have come a long way especially with the development of small lithium batteries. They utilize a some insulation and have an exterior Goretex wind shield cover.
With the shoe inserts I usually end up turning the heat up towards the end of a winter ride. On the other hand I turn down the glove heat as the ride progresses and my workout heats my chest and head core areas.
As I mentioned I have been a road rider for over 30 years - I am 59. My typical winter ride today is 90+ minutes and I end the ride comfortably. Before the use of battery gloves and shoe inserts I was limited to 45 minutes and I was often frozen. As I warmed up my toes would feel like they were on fire. Those ride conditions led to the Raynaud's which affect my feet today.
There are other positive comments that I have heard about for the hands. I have heard positive reports regarding the neoprene handlebar covers which fit over the brake/gear shifter area. Let's face it the hands really suffer in the cold wind.
Here are the links for inserts and gloves that he uses:
Hotronics
Gerbing
Stephen McCarthy
Gear and Training
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Today's post comes from one of our customers in Michigan. Irwin has been cycling in the winter for over 30 years. Last week, he sent me the following email. So I thought it would be great information to pass along.
Secondly, if you have any additional thoughts to pass along. Please do. We certainly don't think we are the only one with original thoughts.
Enjoy,
Stephen McCarthy
Gear and Training
Post on Winter Cycling:
Electric socks and hand warmers are okay for light outdoor activity. There is a lot of "toy grade" outdoor gear that leaves a bad impression. As a consequence it's easy to write off some of the more serious and expensive solutions that do work.
The problem with all shoes is that the extremities - hands and feet just do not get enough circulation. These areas do not generate sufficient heat by themselves. Insulating materials that create a sufficient barrier tend to be larger and cumbersome.
Irwin from Western Michigan
There obviously are outdoor boots that work in the winter but they are not "bike rider friendly." The ski industry has confronted the issues we are talking about. These are sports enthusiasts that are active in seriously cold conditions and at similar 15-20 mph speeds. They have developed solutions which utilize small, lightweight, battery powered devices to heat the hands, feet, and even the chest area.
Personally I find the chest area rarely be a problem. Electric socks are good for large boots. Close fitting bike shoes and sky boots require a solution that works with those size constraints. Removing the orthotic spacer and replacing it with one that includes a heating element does not change the fit. A little wind protection such as a Goretex shoe cover keeps things comfortable without overworking the battery.
Gloves have come a long way especially with the development of small lithium batteries. They utilize a some insulation and have an exterior Goretex wind shield cover.
With the shoe inserts I usually end up turning the heat up towards the end of a winter ride. On the other hand I turn down the glove heat as the ride progresses and my workout heats my chest and head core areas.
As I mentioned I have been a road rider for over 30 years - I am 59. My typical winter ride today is 90+ minutes and I end the ride comfortably. Before the use of battery gloves and shoe inserts I was limited to 45 minutes and I was often frozen. As I warmed up my toes would feel like they were on fire. Those ride conditions led to the Raynaud's which affect my feet today.
There are other positive comments that I have heard about for the hands. I have heard positive reports regarding the neoprene handlebar covers which fit over the brake/gear shifter area. Let's face it the hands really suffer in the cold wind.
Here are the links for inserts and gloves that he uses:
Hotronics
Gerbing
Stephen McCarthy
Gear and Training
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Outdoor Brands Review
Good morning,
This week we are going to change directions from sizing to outdoor gear. We are going to look at the top 3 outdoor brands in our company.
1. Westcomb: A relatively new player with some of the highest quality products in the market today. They are made in Canada, so the workmanship is far above other mainstream brands. The fabrics they use are the same you have come to know and love. But the big difference is in the colors. They use these really cool pigmented highlights that really make them different than the rest. And when you pick up the pieces you really can see the quality of the components http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifand feel the workmanship.
2. Mammut: High quality. Company has been around for over 100 years. Made in Europe. Everything you could ever want in an outdoor brand. High tech fabrics. Serious functionality. Quality workmanship. Exclusivity. The only downside is the sizing. For sure a euro cut, so plan accordingly.
3. Icebreaker: Best in class merino wool apparel. They have been able to make merino wool http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giffashionable, comfortable, and functional at the same time. Fantastic colors. For increased warmth, different thicknesses. Again the only downside is euro cut sizing.
Well, that should about do it for the intros. In the next post, we will tackle the specifics of each brand.
Lastly, a reminder that we are running an October Sale until the 31st. You can pick up some of the gear mentioned at a great price as well.
Thanks
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
This week we are going to change directions from sizing to outdoor gear. We are going to look at the top 3 outdoor brands in our company.
1. Westcomb: A relatively new player with some of the highest quality products in the market today. They are made in Canada, so the workmanship is far above other mainstream brands. The fabrics they use are the same you have come to know and love. But the big difference is in the colors. They use these really cool pigmented highlights that really make them different than the rest. And when you pick up the pieces you really can see the quality of the components http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifand feel the workmanship.
2. Mammut: High quality. Company has been around for over 100 years. Made in Europe. Everything you could ever want in an outdoor brand. High tech fabrics. Serious functionality. Quality workmanship. Exclusivity. The only downside is the sizing. For sure a euro cut, so plan accordingly.
3. Icebreaker: Best in class merino wool apparel. They have been able to make merino wool http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giffashionable, comfortable, and functional at the same time. Fantastic colors. For increased warmth, different thicknesses. Again the only downside is euro cut sizing.
Well, that should about do it for the intros. In the next post, we will tackle the specifics of each brand.
Lastly, a reminder that we are running an October Sale until the 31st. You can pick up some of the gear mentioned at a great price as well.
Thanks
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Increase Flexibility, Decrease Performance?
Good morning,
In today's post we are going to deviate from the traditional path of gear reviews and such. Let's move over to a subject related to performance, flexibility. My goal with this edition is simply to challenge the status quo. If you have some additional research, I would be open-minded to receiving it.
How many of you have heard that if you increased your flexibility, you will perform at a higher level. I think most of us have heard this our whole life.
A couple years ago, I went down to the University of Minnesota to talk with a PHD on staff. And one of the subjects that came up was the value of traditional stretching in human performance. She said that she did not believe that the use of stretching would increase performance. The use of a dynamic warm-up and participating in your sport would produce the necessary flexibility. I almost fell off my chair!! It seemed almost Un-American to say that stretching or increased flexibility would not improve your performance.
Then 2 months ago, I came across the following post, "Running Economy: Increased joint flexibility may damage your distance running performance" Click here.
Let me know your thoughts.
Have a great weekend.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
In today's post we are going to deviate from the traditional path of gear reviews and such. Let's move over to a subject related to performance, flexibility. My goal with this edition is simply to challenge the status quo. If you have some additional research, I would be open-minded to receiving it.
How many of you have heard that if you increased your flexibility, you will perform at a higher level. I think most of us have heard this our whole life.
A couple years ago, I went down to the University of Minnesota to talk with a PHD on staff. And one of the subjects that came up was the value of traditional stretching in human performance. She said that she did not believe that the use of stretching would increase performance. The use of a dynamic warm-up and participating in your sport would produce the necessary flexibility. I almost fell off my chair!! It seemed almost Un-American to say that stretching or increased flexibility would not improve your performance.
Then 2 months ago, I came across the following post, "Running Economy: Increased joint flexibility may damage your distance running performance" Click here.
Let me know your thoughts.
Have a great weekend.
Stephen McCarthy
"Attacking Life and Sport Since 2001"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)