CamelBak Groove Winner; La Sportiva Hobnail Giveaway; Random Shots of Beauty

Have you ever reached into the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn for a while and discovered a little bit of money there? Well, that's sort of what happened to me this week - except instead of money, I found something leftover to give away. I'll explain more in a second.

But first, let's get the CamelBak Groove bottle winner announcement out of the way: Toshi Moshi, e-mail me your contact info - you've won! Thanks as always to everyone who played, and special thanks to CamelBak for sponsoring the giveaway.

Now for the surprise giveaway: you know how there's that little pile of stuff in the corner of your bedroom that you're meaning to do something with someday, but never seem to get around to it? (Because everyone has a pile like that, right? Um ... right?) Well, this week I finally got around to going through my stuff, which tends to contain a lot of gear that I'm preparing to test and review. That's when I found a leftover La Sportiva Hobnail kit that came with my Crossover GTX shoes, which went unused since we don't see a whole lot of ice or snow here in coastal California.

Since there's still a decent amount of winter left in most parts of the country, I figure I should give them away to someone who can put them to good use. If you're interested, leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner at random. I want to make sure they go to a good home, though, so include the city you live in with your comments - and if you live in a place like San Diego or South Florida, go ahead and sit this one out. I'll announce the winner in a separate post on Tuesday night, and drop the hobnails in the mail by the end of next week.

*
On to this weekend's Random Shot of Beauty: I took it last weekend, on our family's second consecutive beach weekend in this wonderfully pleasant January. Obviously, the ocean has an incomparable majesty to it, but in my mind it's only the second most beautiful thing in this photo - right behind my 9-year-old daughter:


You all can have your winter weather. I'll take the beach and a beautiful girl any day.

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La Sportiva Winter Running Grand Prize Winners; La Sportiva Crossover GTX Winter Running Shoe Review

Clearly, the main event today is the awarding of grand prizes from La Sportiva to one male and one female reader – but the opening act isn’t too shabby either.

That’s because we’re leading off with a review of the Crossover GTX, which also happens to be one of the prizes (along with the Wildcat GTX and a hobnail kit) in the grand prize drawing. So I’m stealing a line from Survivor host Jeff Probst to ask, “Want to see what you’re playing for?”, and recommending that you take a look at the review – because even if you don’t win a pair, the Crossover is a pretty compelling choice to put on your shopping list after the holidays have come and gone.

La Sportiva Crossover GTX

To be perfectly simple, the Crossover is essentially La Sportiva’s award-winning Crosslite shoe with two augmentations: a Gore-Tex (usually abbreviated GTX) upper, and a breatheable integrated gaiter. As you’d expect, the additional features add a little bit of weight to the shoe – the Crossover GTX weighs in at 12.73 oz (361g) compared to 10.97 oz (311g) for the Crosslite – but you get a significant upgrade in foul-weather preparedness that makes it far easier to head for the trails even in the worst possible conditions.

I first reviewed the Crosslites a year and a half ago, and thankfully, La Sportiva had the good sense to leave a good thing alone, as that model has remained unchanged in the interim. I’ll refer you to my Crosslite review if you want more details aside from the basics that follow below, or you can save yourself a click and just take my word for it that the Crosslite shoe simply rocks.

So how do you winterize an already rugged high-performance trail runner? You start with giving the upper a waterproof Gore-Tex lining to keep your feet extra warm and dry. Most of my testing for this shoe consisted of stomping through every puddle and mud pit I could find during our recent West Coast storm surge, and I found the Crossover to be extremely effective at keeping moisture away from my feet.

Hard at work, splashing through every puddle in sight

However, I consider GTX to be something of a double-edged sword in regards to comfort: there’s nothing better when it comes to keeping moisture from rain, snow, slush, or wet mud away from your feet. (Also note that the GTX is waterPROOF, not merely water resistant – there’s a big difference.) On the other hand, if you do a full immersion of the shoes at river crossings, thereby allowing water to enter the shoe from above, the GTX significantly slows your drying time by limiting moisture transfer away from the foot. Since I tend to do a lot of stream crossings at this time of year, my own preference is to have a shoe that lets water in but also dries quickly – then again, I’m not often running through icy slush that would make my toes freeze.

The next step for winterizing is to have a protective gaiter to provide extra warmth and keep out trail debris, and this feature is probably the biggest innovation on the Crossover GTX. The gaiter does NOT have a GTX lining, so this portion of the shoe is breathable, which I found very nice from a comfort standpoint. Its zipper is slightly asymmetrical towards the outside of the ankle, and opens wide enough that getting the shoe on and off isn’t a problem.

Shoe laces over scree guard on upper

One nice deviation that La Sportiva included here is that the shoelaces are entirely outside the scree guard – on the traditional Crosslite, most of the laces are under the guard, which makes it challenging to open the shoe extremely wide. Once you have them on, the gaiters close with a cinch closure and Velcro flap that remain very stable throughout the run – but in my case, I generally chose to leave them loose.

Cinch lock and Velcro flap gaiter closure

Over the course of several years as an ultrarunner, I’ve gone back and forth on the gaiter idea: I started without thinking much of them, then went through a period where I couldn’t do without them, and now I’m back to being relatively indifferent. If you’re a gaiter user, the great news is that the Crossover’s version does a very nice job of keeping you insulated but also allowing ventilation as needed without overheating – and obviously, since it’s integrated into the upper, you don’t have to mess around with hooks, glue, or Velcro attachments anymore. If you’re in the non-gaiter camp, the Crossover doesn’t offer you any option to remove it. However, as a current non-gaiter guy, I can attest that with the cinch fastener fairly loose, the extra material on my ankles didn’t noticeably impact my comfort or performance on muddy trail runs.

Secure-fitting gaiter; protective rubberized toe cap

The integrated gaiter zips rather snugly over the upper, providing a very secure fit through the forefoot. La Sportiva is known for slightly narrow toeboxes, and it might be psychosomatic, but zipping the gaiter up seems to enhance the sensation of a tight forefoot fit – whether that’s a plus or minus is up to you. The front of the upper also features a sturdy rubberized toe cap to protect your toes from getting stubbed on rocks or roots.

FriXion AT rubber outsole with Impact Braking System lugs

The remainder of the shoe is La Sportiva’s bread and butter: the Crosslite dual-density midsole with a TrailShock molded shank and high-tensile RockGuard plate for protection from the sharpest and pointiest rocks you’ll ever encounter. Beneath that is perhaps La Sportiva’s best feature: a prominently lugged outsole made of their trademark FriXion AT sticky rubber and an impact braking system (precise angulation and directionality of the lugs) that claims to decrease impact forces by 20%. The outsole rubber maintains traction on slick rocks, and the shape and spacing of the lugs sheds mud quite easily in the course of normal running.

Midsole thicknesses are 26mm in the heel and 16mm in the toe, so the Crossover certainly isn’t a minimalist shoe – rather, it’s an aggressive neutral traditional trainer built to take on the harshest conditions you’ll encounter for winter trail running. If you’re facing a steady diet of snowy, slushy, icy trails this winter, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better-equipped shoe than this one.

The La Sportiva Crossover retails for $150 with free shipping from Wilderness Running Company, where you’ll get an additional 10% off by using coupon code R&R10. Or if you’re one of two lucky winners below, La Sportiva will mail you a pair for free.

**

So who are the lucky recipients? It’s time to announce the winners of La Sportiva’s Winter Running Grand Prize giveaway, for whom Christmas has just arrived a few days early. After the announcement, I’ll have links to buy any of these items separately, but for the time being let’s get to it …

Women’s winner: Chris Grove

Men’s winner: Richard Ferron

To Chris and Richard: Congratulations! Send me an e-mail, which I’ll forward along to La Sportiva so that you each receive one pair of Crossover GTX shoes, one pair of Wildcat GTX shoes, and one hobnail kit.

To everybody else: Thanks very much for participating in this contest, and especially for giving all of us such great inspiration with your crazy winter running photos. Here are links to the individual items that were featured in this giveaway:

La Sportiva Crossover: $150 with free shipping from Wilderness Running Company, and a 10% discount for using coupon code R&R10.

La Sportiva Crosslite: the high-performance shoe that the Crossover is built upon is also available for $90 with free shipping from WRC, with the same coupon code discount available.

La Sportiva Wildcat GTX: This shoe was something of a second banana in this giveaway, but it’s a standout shoe in its own regard. See my review of the shoe here at FeedTheHabit.com, and purchase the shoe for $125 at TravelCountry.com.

La Sportiva hobnail kit: $45 from Wilderness Running Company, minus 10% with coupon code R&R10.

Finally, I owe an enormous thank you to La Sportiva for being such generous sponsors of this giveaway. If you’re ever looking for a company that is doing all the right things to promote the sport of trail running, La Sportiva should be at the top of your list.


Happy Winter Running to everybody!

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More Winter Running Mojo; La Sportiva Hobnail Winners

It’s time for more winter mojo! And thanks to La Sportiva and my awesome readers, I can hand over yet another post to people who are far more qualified to fire you up for winter running than I am.


Oh, yeah – I’m also giving away two more sets of La Sportiva hobnail kits, and there’s still one more week for you to enter the grand prize drawing for a pair of Crossover GTX (to be reviewed next week),Wildcat GTX, and hobnail kits from La Sportiva. One male winner and one female winner will be drawn; to enter, just e-mail me a photo of your winter running exploits.

Before we get to the real entrants, here’s a sampling of winter ruggedness from someone who didn’t enter: my friend Gretchen. Back in October, she invited me for a long run with some friends of hers in the mountains, knowing full well I wouldn’t take her up on it because it there was snow in the forecast. Sure enough, I later learned that the regularly scheduled run was changed due to heavy snowfall on the trail … but that’s not the story.

The story is this: here's a photo from the backup run they chose:

So … yeah. I wonder what the really snowy run would have looked like. Needless to say, I’m glad I didn’t try to join her.

Fortunately for you, there are plenty of runners out there who are less like me and more like Gretchen – and it’s time for me to hand the post over to them, with a few of my comments along the way …


From Richard: Trail running in New Zealand. This might not be hardcore but dare tell me that winter is not beautiful!

(Absolutely. Richard’s the same one who sent a photo of himself in waist-deep snow for last week’s post, so I don’t doubt his hardcore-ness for a second.)



From Turi: I'm always the one with the camera, so I have very few of myself, but this is a friend – the pic was taken during the Cold Turkey Run, a 4.4 mile trail run the weekend before Thanksgiving, and part of Carson City, NV's Winter Trail series. Most of these trails are part of the Escape From Prison Hill course, a crazy hilly spring half marathon.

(Someone who runs with a camera – a man after my own heart! I wonder if his female friends get mad at him for taking pictures of their backsides like some of mine do.)



From Krystyna: That's me running in the Winterman half-marathon back home in Canada. It was a cooold day as I recall, and of course it started to gust and snow. Just before the race start, a homeless person ran away with all the finisher's medals. It was the oddest thing I've ever known to happen in a race. We got the medals back, ran the race, then reheated ourselves with yummy food and hot showers. That run really epitomized winter running for me.

(Awesome pic – and I’d think the homeless guy would have taken the food, don’t you? Obviously, even the homeless thieves in Canada are polite.)



From Chris: My running partner, Ginseng, loves running in snow. In the Colorado Front Range, the lower trails will be dry and she'll tag along behind my heels. Once we reach the snow, she runs like a maniac. She weaves through trees and barrels through drifts. If she's enjoying the snow, it makes the worst post hole trail bearable.

Back in October, I decided to check out the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. As I turned off the highway into the access road, it was snowing. At the parking lot, my car read 30* and a few inches on snow on the ground. I almost immediately drove back and called the 4 hour drive a wash. I didn't have the clothes/gear for the 25 mile loop planned. Then I saw my puppy's face in the rear view mirror. We did about a 5 mile out and back. The photo above was taken just before we turned around. We were above tree line and the wind gusts were picking up.

(Yet another reason I’m a cat person. And did you notice that Chris is wearing shorts? Good golly.)

From Timothy: It takes a unique mindset to appreciate winter in Nebraska. There is never much snow to enjoy, yet the temperatures continually dip below zero. It took me a while, but a combination of exposed feet and great local trails really helped me to understand and see the beauty in my home state.

(Another animal-themed entry … and what the heck are all those birds doing out there in sub-zero weather? Whatever happened to flying south?)

Author’s note before the next two: the beard photos keep on coming!



From Martin: A photo of myself at the finish of the 2004 HURL Fat Ass 50K. Weather conditions for the day included icy, snow-packed roads with temps ranging from a low of -6*F to a high of -2*F. I finished in 5:45:54, third out of 3 runners.

(Martin was one of last week’s winners, for a shot from a snow-covered 50K that he later described as “an improvement over normal course conditions”. So apparently he likes this crazy cold stuff – and the race he described above has to be the most badass last-place finish I’ve ever heard of.)



From Doug: The picture was taken in Harpers Ferry, WV, December 2009 . We had record snow and low temperatures over the holiday season. I decided to head out for a short run. A couple of miles into the run, it started to snow again. Half way into the run it started coming down rather hard. The picture was taken when I made it back to my car.

(At first I wondered why he wasn’t smiling here, but then it hit me: that ice wall around his mouth probably prevents all movement. Yikes.)



From Jennifer: Winter running in Utah is my favorite. There's something about snow that silences everything else. I like that sometimes I won't see a single person while I'm out but I can still see footprints of someone who is just as crazy as I am. I like the crazy looks I get from drivers. I especially like the cold foggy days that turn your hair and eyelashes white and make for good conversation while running.

(OK, so it’s not a beard picture – but it’s frozen hair, which is still totally cool. And before I posted this photo, my wife told me that I’m not allowed to comment about how pretty these two girls are. So I won’t.)

And we’re down to our final two! Congratulations to this week’s winners of the La Sportiva hobnail kits:



From Tammy: December 2009, Whistler BC-- Mt Currie in the background. Winter running is the best! The sound of your feet hitting the frozen ground, and the stillness in the cold air is almost rejuvenating. I love the change in technique required in order to travel over the icy terrain or through the snow- an easy run quickly becomes technical. A fun challenge!

(I love, love, LOVE this photo – it’s almost enough to make me want to get out there and run with her. On the other hand … )




From Ryan: One of the craziest races takes place in my backyard: the Mt. Mitchell challenge! A marathon distance and 40 mile distance race. to the 6684’ summit of Mt. Mitchell. In 2009 the conditions were fierce - the race started at 6 in the morning and it was 40 degrees and raining. 14 miles later at the turnaround it was 28 degrees and this awful mix between snow ice and rain, and though it was a relief to hit the barrier where that pouring rain turned to snow … well, being soaked to the core, the core temp dropped pretty fast. Needless to say, I needed to run harder because that was the only way I was gonna keep warm!

I completed the marathon course in 2nd! 3000' of elevation gain and loss, in pouring rain, snow and sleet, with icy, muddy, rocky trails! Yeah! Anyways, winter trail running is medicine for me - the crisp, frigid conditions demand full attentiveness, and they remind me that I was created to run!

(And this picture was created to win this contest. Shorts and a singlet in 28 degrees and icy rain? Amazing, dude.)

Thanks very much to La Sportiva for sponsoring this contest, and special thanks to the readers who provided today’s entries. Tammy and Ryan: send me your addresses so I can pass them along to La Sportiva for your hobnail kits. To everyone else: there’s still time to enter next week’s grand prize contest by sending me your winter running photos, but get a move on, because next Wednesday will be here before you know it.

Then get out there in the cold and get running!

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La Sportiva Winter Running Mojo; Hobnail Video, Photo Contest, and Hobnail Giveaway WInners

Wednesdays in December will remain La Sportiva winter running contest days, and at the conclusion of this post I’ll award two of the La Sportiva hobnail kits that I mentioned in my Winter Running grand prize giveaway introduction last week. And thanks to several readers, I’ve also got a healthy dose of winter mojo to help you get out the door now that winter’s closing in.


But first, a couple of points of clarification …

1) I was mildly surprised at the number of people who commented that they had no idea what hobnails were, and more than mildly stoked to find a cool video created by La Sportiva to demonstrate the advantages of wearing hobnail spikes on your winter running shoes. It’s a cool little 3-minute video that also manages to bridge the normally disparate worlds of rally car racing and recreational running.

“La Sportiva presents: A.T. Grip Spike System” (click to play):



See? All you have to do is screw those little babies onto your shoes, and you’ll take off like a race car. When you do, you’ll need some GTX shoes to keep you warm and dry – which brings us to point #2 …

2) Sign up for the grand prize giveaway! Remember, there are 4 pairs of shoes up for grabs – one Crossover GTX and one Wildcat GTX for a male reader, and the same thing for a female reader. Enter the contest by e-mailing me a photo of your winter running adventures. So to all of you who left a comment on the gloves giveaway post (still time to enter, by the way) describing the frosty conditions you run in: bring a camera next time, and send me an entry to the contest – and then improve your chances by writing about the picture or linking to the original contest post. Honestly, it’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds.

**

OK then - on to this week’s photo entries. I loved the variety of entries that came in from all over the country, and I chose a few favorites here to demonstrate how cool winter running can be (at least, that’s what winter runners tell me). I’m also turning over the narration of these photos to the people who submitted them, with just a few comments thrown in here and there before announcing hobnail winners at the end.

This entry is from Kirstie, who writes: This was my first winter trail race and there was a foot of new snow on the ground the morning of the race. It was an 8k trail race on a VERY hilly course. It was tough and I considered giving up but I’m glad I finished it. Finishing this race inspired me and I actually went home and ran 9 more miles in the snow. I am either looking down or my eyes are closed (it figures) but I still like the pic.

(Nine more miles in the snow after running a race? The hardcore bar has been set.)



From Shelley: Often, ultrarunners have to face weather situations that are treacherous or downright dangerous during a race. But those of us who live near the Great Lakes know that even training in winter can be playing Russian Roulette. But we soldier on, all in the name of seeing what is on the other side of the finish line.

(The lesson: If you’re equating your training to Russian Roulette, be sure to bring some others along with you; it decreases your odds of being the first to die.)



From Richard: If I want to get there, I need to train. Training means running in the cold whatever the temperature. Running means being able to get to a remote, isolated ice wall. Running means being able to survive the experience. Thanks to La Sportiva, I can run and climb efficiently and safely.

(Richard’s got a future in writing website copy. And the hardcore bar has officially been raised.)



From Bryan: Winter running in the mountains gives one the opportunity to get above the dreary clouds to revel in the sunshine and to watch the waves of gray kiss the peaks (picture is me on Bear Peak near Boulder in my Wildcat GTX). It's one of the few times of the year when running higher may even secure warmer temperatures. No matter what, winter running always provides a surprise on the trails, whether its fresh bear tracks on the trail, the spectacular glitter of snow sparkling in the sun, or the gift and appreciation of experiencing the coldest wind ever to wash over one's body. I love to drop my intentions and simply let the winter trails tow me to enlightenment, and my LaSportiva Wildcat GTX are my chariots to get there.

(And now the website copy bar has been raised. Definite bonus points here for wearing Wildcat GTXs.)



From Justin: I love winter running because during the first big snow, when everyone is cooped up inside staying warm, I am the only one outside in a sea of white powder. I can run for hours just smiling and enjoying the peaceful side of running. And on the rare chance I do see another person, it’s another runner and we both give each other that knowing smile: the one where both of us know that we are dedicated and passionate enough to see the true beauty of running in a blizzard. It’s pure bliss.

(Or, it might be the “I can’t believe there are TWO of us who are this freaking crazy” smile – it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference.)


From Travis: From November 22 - 23, Salt Lake City fell victim to one of the worst blizzards in recent memory. Meteorologists were predicting white out conditions and freezing temperatures, and strongly urged everyone to stay indoors and off the roads. I was getting restless that evening and decided to venture out on a run with my camera. There wasn't much snow, but it was bitterly cold. Downtown was completely deserted. I tried to capture some of that emptiness in my photos, but my hands would get so cold that I could only bear to keep my camera out for a few minutes at a time. When I look at these shots, all I think is "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”. Scenes like these are a big motivation for me to head outdoors in the cold.

(Egads - my fingers are cold just thinking about taking this photo.)


*Author’s note before the next photos: I asked for icy beard photos, and I got them. My readers are awesome.


From Joey: Last winter, Charlottesville was blessed with record snowfalls. Blizzard-like conditions and feet of fresh powder turned what would otherwise be ordinary trail runs into epic adventures. Later on in the year I was able to survive the hottest runs of the summer by imagining the trails as they had been on those unforgettable December romps through the snow and counting the days until winter's return. Well, I was greeted on today's run by a fresh coat of frost on the leaf-covered ground . . . It's back.

(OK ... technically there’s more ice in his hair than on his beard, but that counts.)



From Aaron: I love when the gear you are wearing is working well. When other people can't fathom why you'd be out in the cold wet wilderness I love picking out the right stuff to wear and heading out. I took this picture last year after a wet snowy run. A lot of the snow had already melted off.

(He mentioned gear, but didn't say La Sportiva ... maybe he needs a lesson from Richard and Bryan above. Sweet beard, though.)


So are you psyched for winter running yet? If not, here are two more photos to send you off into the cold – and they also happen to be the two winners of this week’s hobnail giveaway:


From Martin: This “winter” photo is from the Old Gabe 50K in late June! I love winter running. It's a real change of pace and makes me focus more on efficient running form. I ran 12 miles a couple of days ago. It snowed the entire time, with beautiful powder that was like running in beach sand. Pushing the pace is a waste of energy, so I’m able to be patient and enjoy the scenery.

(Amazing – but just the same, I’m putting Old Gabe on my list of races to avoid in June.)

Our last winner impressed me the most:


From Chad: Living in Minnesota, winter running is inevitable. If you haven't had to take off your gloves to unfreeze your frozen eyelashes so you could open your eyes, you haven't run in the winter. This picture was taken at a turkey trot in mid-November. My son and I had to run a 5K (he ran the one-mile event) in 8 inches of new snow with no plowing of the course.

(When I asked Chad how old his son is, he told me he’s 7. I just made a rule: If you’re seven years old and tough enough to run in a blizzard like this, you’re winning a pair of hobnails. So Chad’s kid is this week’s first place winner; maybe he’ll let Dad borrow his prize sometime).

To Chad and Martin: e-mail me your contact info so I can pass them along to my La Sportiva rep, and we'll get your hobnails in the mail soon. A very big thanks to everyone else who sent pictures - I've already saved a couple more of my favorites from this batch as frontrunners for next week's contest - and special thanks to La Sportiva for sponsoring all of this winter inspiration. Keep sending me your photos for two more hobnail giveaways next week, and for entry into the grand prize awards on December 22.

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Winter Running, La Sportiva Style: Winter Running Advice, Crossover GTX, Wildcat GTX, and Hobnail Kit Giveaways

Before we get to today’s big giveaway announcement, I should offer a disclaimer: I’m not really an expert in most of the stuff I’ll be talking about.


When I approached La Sportiva about sponsoring a giveaway this month, I received something of a good news/bad news response. The good news was, they loved the idea – in fact, they expanded it far beyond what I had initially asked for. The bad news: they wanted the contest to have a “winter running” theme that would coincide with their ongoing promotion of cold-weather running gear.

If that doesn’t sound like bad news, allow me to remind you: I’m a California beach boy. All things considered, I’m not exactly the most credible person to make winter recommendations; taking advice from me about running in ice and snow would be like taking surfing tips from an Eskimo. When I explained this to La Sportiva, their response impressed me even further: we’re doing the contest anyway, and just as big as they envisioned the first time.

So the contest will be spread out in a few different stages over the next three weeks, with two grand prize winners announced on Wednesday, December 22nd. Here’s one of the prizes up for grabs:


The new La Sportiva Crossover GTX, a super-winterized version of the company’s wildly popular Crosslite, which was one of my favorite trail runners for the better part of a year. (And if you’ll forgive me a minimalist tangent: Before there was such a thing as transitional footwear, the Crosslite was my transitional shoe between the trail SUVs I once depended on, and the minimalist stuff I’m addicted to now. Its sleek construction and barely-there feel opened my eyes to all kinds of possibilities, which is why I consider the Crosslite my gateway drug to minimalism.)

I’ve been testing a pair of Crossovers, and will have a formal review posted here in the next week or two. As you’d imagine, my testing involves more river crossings and sloppy mud than blizzards and frozen slush, but I’m getting a good feel for how the shoe handles harsh conditions. But that’s for another post … and I haven’t finished describing the grand prize yet. On December 22nd, the same winner of the Crossover will also receive a pair of La Sportiva’s Wildcat GTX (which I reviewed for Feed the Habit last winter), so you’ve got two rugged new shoes for your winter rotation. And to make sure you’re completely stocked for hardcore winter adventures, they’re throwing in a set of hobnails for each pair.

Men's Wildcat GTX, in new colors for winter 2010/11

We’re not quite done yet: since the Crossover is a unisex shoe but the Wildcat is gender-specific, La Sportiva is offering TWO grand prize winners – one male and one female. If you’re losing track, I'll summarize: one male reader wins the Crossover, Wildcat GTX, and two hobnail kits, and one female winner receives the same. In between now and then, I’m running three smaller contests, giving away two hobnail kits each week. To find out how to enter the small drawings and the grand prize contest, read on.

*

As I mentioned, the theme of this contest is Winter Running – and before I explained my “soft beach boy” situation to La Sportiva, one of their suggestions was for me to post a Winter Running Advice column. Fortunately for my sake, I recalled seeing several great posts written recently about that very subject – so instead of acting like an expert and making stuff up, I’m just going to refer you to some of the best resources I’ve seen lately:

1) The first one comes directly from La Sportiva, with winter training tips from Derrick Spafford, one of their sponsored athletes.

2) Blogger extraordinaire Bryon Powell just moved to Park City, Utah, where he’ll have ample opportunity to employ this list of winter running resources he put together. And finally …

3) My soul sister Gretchen – who also happens to be a Californian, but unlike me, is the tough kind - put together a great list of winter footwear options, including a cool shot of La Sportiva’s Wildcat GTX.

Of course, the secret to winter running is one part preparation, and one part motivation. Since I delegated that first part, the blog contest here will hopefully serve the second part and give you a healthy dose of motivation for heading out into the snow. It’s a photo contest; to enter, send me your best winter running picture – preferably with you in it. Maybe it’s a scene from a snow-covered trail, or a shot of someone tiptoeing across a frosty stream, or a close-up of your reddened legs or ice-riddled beard after a long run. Use your imagination, and be creative, because the judging for Part 1 is completely subjective: each week, the best two entries will be picked by me, or possibly by a reader vote if I can’t make up my mind.

(And before you point it out to me, yes - by having you send me the entries, I’m technically delegating the motivation part of the equation mentioned earlier as well. When you boil it down, my role in this whole contest is rather incidental.)


Those two weekly winners will each receive a hobnail kit from La Sportiva, and they’re still eligible to win the grand prize drawing at the end. I’ll accept multiple photo entries for the hobnail giveaways, but photos earn just one entry in the grand prize drawing no matter how many you send in. If you want additional entries, here's what you can do:

1) Include a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) describing the picture, or why you love winter running.

2) Link to this contest page from Twitter or Facebook. I'm only giving one entry for this, even if you do both, because I'm discovering it's pretty much impossible to verify when someone says "I linked you on Facebook!" So feel free to do both ... but it still only counts as one additional entry.

3) Link here from your personal blog. Blogs, I can verify. I like blogs.

Just to clarify: the ONLY way to get your name in the in the drawing for the grand prize is to submit a picture – but once you’re in the hat, you can multiply your chances by writing a few sentences or linking here a couple of times. Some other ground rules before we open this baby up:

* Send your photos to me at info@runningandrambling.com, with the subject line “La Sportiva contest”.

* Indicate either in your e-mail or the comments section below this post the total number of grand prize entries you have – and please make sure I can somehow match your e-mail address to your profile name.

* If it’s not obvious from your name (for example: girls named Alex, guys named Stacy, or anyone named Pat) which gender you are, please specify so I can separate the grand prize drawing entrants into male and female.

* By sending pictures to me, you’re also giving me permission to reproduce them on this website – so think twice about sending those naked New Year’s Eve 5K shots in.

Whew … that’s a lot of rules, huh? But the prizes are definitely worth it, and I think it will be a lot of fun to see some crazy pictures and get a nice dose of winter mojo courtesy of my readers. And with that, I turn the contest over to you: send me your photos, and check back each week (or, you know … subscribe) to see if you’ve won!

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La Sportiva Fireblade Review; La Sportiva Coupon Code Sale

La Sportiva has steadily become one of my favorite companies, as much for their contributions to the ultrarunning community as for their high-performance footwear. I’ve been happy with three different models I’ve tested - see reviews of the Wildcat here, Crosslite here, or Wildcat GTX here on FeedTheHabit.com – with the Crosslite being my “If you had a 50-mile race coming up and only one pair of shoes, what would you pick?” model of choice.

So when Wilderness Running Company wanted to do a promotional sale with La Sportiva footwear, it didn’t take much convincing for me to play along – especially since there was a concurrent opportunity to review a prominent La Sportiva model I hadn’t yet tested. Information on the coupon code sale is at the end of the post, and a review of the La Sportiva Fireblade follows below.


Truthfully, a lot of my homework for this review was already done by Stacy at WRC, who posted this excellent comparison (complete with groovy pop culture reference point - he's good people) between the Fireblade and La Sportiva’s more popular Wildcat model in terms of build and performance. The Fireblade’s construction is such that it gives a firmer overall feel and promotes a slightly different running style than the Wildcat, with an outsole that is a bit more versatile for the everyday trail runner – all of which will be explained shortly. As usual, we’ll start from the top …


The Fireblade’s upper is pretty standard La Sportiva design: AirMesh material that keeps dust out but provides good ventilation, synthetic leather overlays, and a scree guard on top that also helps anchor the foot to the midsole of the shoe. There’s a rubber cap in front for toe protection, which I’ve personally tested (unwillingly) a few times – it works quite well. Another item of note is that one color option for this model is a very bright orange and black … in case you’re worried about getting shot by hunters, I guess.

Where the Fireblade distinguishes itself from the other models is the midsole, which features a triple-density EVA in comparison to single-density EVA in the Wildcat and most other trainers. Thickness is 26mm in the heel, and 16mm in the forefoot; the “delta” (height difference) of 10mm makes it relatively flatter than most trail shoes on the market as well (12mm delta is typical, although La Sportiva’s Crosslite also has a delta of 10).

These two structural differences – firmer and flatter – are what gives the Fireblade a unique feel, and influences the way you run in them. Although the high-density EVA is exceedingly durable – theoretically, it should last three times as long as single-density EVA before wearing out – it’s not super-cushiony to begin with. Instead, you feel a solid platform underneath you on all kinds of terrain. This diminished cushioning, combined with a relatively flat delta, have another fringe benefit: it discourages heavy heel strike in favor of a more forward impact area. In other words, if you happen to be a minimalist or barefoot runner and want to maintain a midfoot strike when wearing traditional trainers, the Fireblades accommodate this very nicely. (Hooray!)


The underside of the Fireblade features La Sportiva’s FriXion AT/Racing outsole, which is noticeably less knobby than either the Wildcat or Crosslite. The lugs are somewhat shallow, giving you strong traction on hard surfaces like sandstone or granite, and pretty decent grip on other types of terrain. I found them to be a bit slippery on a recent wilderness run that turned into a long bushwhacking session on steep slopes (separate post coming soon), but for your standard-fare fire roads and single track, they are more than adequate.

Shallow lugs also allow the shoe to function as something of a hybrid that you could use for a 3 or 4-mile run to the trailhead before heading into the dirt. In that regard, they could meet a similar need as Salomon’s XT Wings, but in a style that’s slightly lighter and noticeably lower to the ground, and quite a bit more affordable. Overall weight of the Fireblade is 366g (12.9 oz), which is on the heavy side compared to La Sportiva’s 350g Wildcat and 336g Crosslite – so while this is officially categorized as a racing shoe, it would be equally useful as a durable high mileage trainer for everyday use.

I can’t say that the Fireblade is my new #1 shoe – the lighter weight and more aggressive tread of the Crosslite still win me over – but that’s the nice thing about the promotion currently offered by Wilderness Running Company. From now through the end of February, they’re offering a $20 discount on ANY La Sportiva shoe in their inventory. Try the Fireblade for yourself, or grab a good deal on the Wildcat or Crosslite or any other model. Since your purchase price will still be over $50, it qualifies for free shipping, so you save a few bucks there as well.

But here’s where things get tricky, so pay attention: the coupon code for this one is different than my regular one. This time, type in lasportiva to apply the $20 discount at checkout, and enjoy getting to know your La Sportivas.


(Of course, if you like, you can do more shopping and use my R&R10 code for a 10% discount on a separate order. Just a suggestion.)


*Product provided by Wilderness Running Company
**See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.

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The Year That Was; La Sportiva Hobnail Giveaway

Today's post is a mishmash of sorts: three giveaway winners, another giveaway opportunity, and a recent Monterey Herald article.

First, thanks to everyone who entered my GU giveaway - the response was pleasantly overwhelming. Also, thanks to my friend Richard, who pointed out that Berkeley isn't just the home of CLIF and GU; the PowerBar company originated there in the late 1980s as well. So what in the heck was going on in Berkeley 25 years ago? That town is to sports nutrition like Seattle is to grunge music. Someone really needs to break this down for us; I'm certain that Malcolm Gladwell could get at least a couple of good chapters out of such an anomaly.

As for the winners: Michael, trailmomma, and Pinkcorker, email me (info@runningandrambling.com) your addresses: you've won the GU holiday gift boxes. (Also - mweston, I'm still waiting on your e-mail from the CLIF giveaway.) And thanks again to everyone else for participating.

*

Today's giveaway is the second part of a two-step process similar to what I've done a couple of times already: go read a review on FeedTheHabit.com, then return here for a follow-up post. This time, the review involves footwear, and the giveaway will only be open to a select group of readers.

Here's the deal: go read my review of La Sportiva's Wildcat GTX, a hardcore trail running shoe built to take on the harshest winter conditions. As part of the review, I also discussed La Sportiva's hobnail kit, a set of removable metal studs that you can screw onto the outsoles of your shoes for super traction on ice and snow. Obviously, this coastal California boy doesn't have a lot of use for hobnails, so that's the prize in today's giveaway: if you'd like my hobnail kit (a $45 value), leave a comment below this post.

La Sportiva hobnail kit

When I mentioned that this giveaway is only open to a select group of readers, here's what I meant: these have to go to a cold-weather runner - so in your comment, tell me the town you live in. If it's not someplace icy or snowy, I'm disqualifying you. I'll pick a winner on Tuesday night and mail the kit out after Christmas. Good luck!

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Finally, the substantive portion of today's post: it's my Monterey Herald article from last week, which served as a year in review for the local running scene. Much of the content may not make sense to anyone outside of Monterey County (and for those who don't know, the Mike who is mentioned is one of my fellow columnists), but there was just enough "geographically neutral" stuff that I figured I'd post it here just for kicks.


Running Life 12/17/09 "The Year That Was"

December is just as popular for year-end reviews as it is for menorahs and Christmas trees – yet somehow, running news typically goes underreported. We’re correcting that trend today, with a 2009 retrospective specifically for the running community:

January: Hundreds of runners participate in Rio Grill’s Resolution Run, and over a delicious post-race pancake breakfast, discuss the annual question: “How long do you think the race was this year?” Several hours later, thousands of slackers groggily roll out of bed and postpone their New Year’s Resolutions until 2010.

February: Pacific Grove’s Together With Love run triggers a collective awkwardness to rival a junior-high prom, as runners choose “partners” for the competition. Conversations like “I really like him, but I don’t want to give him the wrong idea,” or “Do you think she knows I even exist?” become frighteningly commonplace.

March: The Big Sur International Marathon’s JUST RUN Youth Program increases to over 6,000 participants for the school year. Appropriately, all of them get to wear bib number 1 in local races.

April: A huge month for running! At the Boston Marathon, Kara Goucher turns in the best American performance in 25 years, missing victory by a mere 9 seconds, then politely stands shivering in her singlet through an attempted interview from an incompetent camera crew and a TV reporter who calls her “Sara”. Mike finishes 1 minute slower than his son at Boston, and suddenly feels old, but proud.

Meanwhile, back in Monterey County, the Big Sur marathon enjoys its most successful year ever, and will later be ranked one of the top 3 marathons in America. Afterward, a Herald columnist makes fun of the race’s periwinkle race shirts. Columnist gets in big trouble.

May: Christopher McDougall’s landmark book Born to Run is released, inspiring thousands of runners to ditch their shoes and run barefoot like the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. In a related story, stock prices for Band-Aids and blister relief kits reach an all-time high.

June: Donald runs in the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run, finally confirming what many people long suspected: “Has he lost his mind?”

July: The Spreckels 4th of July 10K is as traditional as barbecues, parades, and fireworks. Veteran runners suspect the course is short, but nobody says anything so they can all enjoy their PRs.

August: The first-ever Carmel Valley Fiesta Run delights hundreds of trail runners in Garland Ranch, as well as dozens of yellow jackets who enjoyed a much heartier than usual breakfast feast. A few runners complain, skittish park officials panic, and the race is in jeopardy for 2010. We’re hoping this one stays on the calendar.

September: On-line entries open for next year’s Boston to Big Sur challenge; two marathons, two coasts, 6 days apart; 300 people sign up the first week. Mike’s son Bryan gets married, making Mike feel even older, but even prouder.

October: Birth and rebirth: the first ever Just Run for Peace takes place in Salinas, and the Big Sur River Run returns after a one-year hiatus due to wildfires. It’s good to see both races on the schedule.

November: Southern California-raised, UCLA-educated Meb Keflezighi becomes the first American in 27 years to win the New York Marathon – prompting a handful of idiot sportswriters nationwide to publicly ask “Wait … Is Meb really an American?” We wish we were making this up.

December: Tiger Woods hits a fire hydrant with his SUV at 2AM – and absolutely nothing else newsworthy happens anywhere in the world.

We hope that you had more good miles than bad ones in 2009. Thanks for sharing the year with us!

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La Sportiva Crosslite Shoe Review

This review won’t be as lengthy as the previous one – I’ll refer you to my Wildcat review for a brief overview of the La Sportiva company – but it’s every bit as enthusiastic. I’ve put about 100 miles on my La Sportiva Crosslites, and I’ve found it to be a truly remarkable shoe.

Truthfully, I’m a little late to jump on the Crosslite bandwagon: the shoe has already won a handful of “best in category” awards, including a Best Buy award from Runner’s World magazine and a Gear of the Year designation from Outside magazine. So it’s not exactly a secret that the Crosslite is outstanding; the only question is what type of mountain running this model is best suited for.

On that point, it’s worth noting a few differences between the Crosslite and the Wildcat, and from other shoes in the La Sportiva line. While all of the classic La Sportiva characteristics that I described in the Wildcat review – lightweight, low-profile, slipper-like comfort right out of the box – are present in this model, the Crosslite also has some distinguishing features to set it apart from the rest of the line.

The primary difference is on the underside of the Crosslite. La Sportiva’s patented FriXion AT rubber is still utilized, but the lugs are much larger than the ones on the Wildcat, and spaced further apart. The wide spacing helps the sole shed mud more easily – which, combined with the outstanding traction of the soft, sticky FriXion rubber, make this model ideal for mucky, sloppy, muddy conditions.

The sole also features La Sportiva’s Impact Braking System, which is the official designation for the layout I described in my Wildcat review: namely, the outsole lugs are oriented in opposing slanted directions. The result, according the La Sportiva website, is a 20% increase in braking power and a 20% decrease in impact forces. It also helps explain why La Sportiva shoes have a nicely cushioned feel even without the thick midsole that most trail shoes rely upon for shock absorption.

Having said that, the Crosslite isn’t quite as well cushioned as the Wildcat (despite being very similar in weight, at roughly 12oz), and therefore may not be as well suited for super-long duration runs. The La Sportiva rep explained to me that the Wildcat is recommended for distances from 100K to 100M, and the Crosslite is recommended for anything shorter. (More on recommended uses in a minute.)

Another unique feature of the Crosslite is the external scree guard on top of the AirMesh upper, which is like having a gaiter on the top of your forefoot. La Sportiva’s even-torsion lacing system is used on this shoe, but only the top two eyelets are visible on the forefoot. The scree guard also keeps the lacing and the upper snug against the top of the foot, enhancing the fit of the shoe.


The Crosslite has a 2.5-mm composite shank in the midfoot to help with torsional stability, but it lacks the heel stabilizer device seen on the Wildcat, so the disclaimer in my Wildcat review about transitioning gradually from a more stable trainer is especially pertinent with the Crosslite. This difference, plus the slight disparity in cushioning, are likely the rationale for using Wildcats instead of Crosslites for longer distance racing.

Like other shoes in the La Sportiva line, the Crosslite is meant for running fast; they’re built for elites to win races, and for regular schmoes to feel swift and light on the trail. My training group does a weekly 12-miler on hilly fire roads, which often double as long tempo runs for the marathoners among us. It’s the one run each week where I know I may be fighting to keep pace right from the gun – and it’s the one where I’m most grateful for having a pair of Crosslites to help me keep up.

Obviously, all the mainstream fuss over the Crosslite is very well-deserved. Here are the conditions where I think it would be an exceptional choice:

* Wet, muddy, messy technical conditions where traction is especially important.

* Racing distances up to 50M.

* Fast training days where you want to push the pace with intervals, tempo work, etc.

Retail prices for the La Sportiva Crosslite are pretty consistent at $90 from multiple vendors, but Wilderness Running Company has once again agreed to hook my readers up with a sweet deal between now and the end of July. They’re currently listing the Crosslite at a sale price of $80 with free shipping, and if you use coupon code R&R10, you’ll get an extra 10% off that price, and a free pair of Drymax socks, just because they’re extra special awesome.

The Crosslite is a sleek, comfortable shoe that can handle any trail condition you encounter in training, and help you lower your PRs on race day.

See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com

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La Sportiva Wildcat Shoe Review

If I told you that you should buy trail running shoes from a company that specializes in wooden clogs and lumberjack boots, would you be interested? At first glance, probably not.

But if I went on to tell you that the company has a long history of producing durable mountain gear, and that they’ve expanded their original focus to include footwear for rock climbing, alpine hiking and adventure running, you’d be a bit more curious, right?

What if I continued to explain that the company has become one of the biggest supporters of ultrarunning over the past several years, sponsoring multiple race series and a team of elite trail runners? Or that they provide exclusive gear for the most hardcore mountaineers and high-altitude athletes all over the world? Or that the company’s shoes were worn by winners of this year’s Western States and Hardrock 100-Mile races? You’d definitely pay attention then, wouldn’t you?

Readers, meet La Sportiva.

Considering that the company is relatively novel to many trail runners out there, it’s remarkable to learn that La Sportiva has been around for more than 80 years. They originated, and are still headquartered, in a small mountain town at the foot of the Dolomites in northern Italy. (Reflecting their origins, it makes sense that La Sportiva very seldom uses the words “trail running” for their gear – they prefer the phrase “mountain running”.) It has remained a family business that passes expertise down from one generation to the next, while collaborating with its sponsored athletes to push the boundaries of innovation for high performance.

They’re also a very generous company, as reflected in their extensive sponsorships (check that roster for this year's Western States women's champion and the Hardrock men's winner), promotional efforts (they even have two blogs!) and race series awards – especially at a time when many other companies are withdrawing or limiting financial support of amateur athletes. I’ve wanted to establish a relationship with LaSportiva for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to review two different shoe models from their current line.

Today’s review features the Wildcat, which is billed as a stable, neutral shoe – and the most cushioned shoe in the LaSportiva line.

That description doesn’t mean the shoe is bulky – in fact, the immediate observation I had about both models (the Wildcat and the Crosslite, which will be reviewed next time) is how sleek and light they feel straight out of the box; they’re the shoe version of an Italian sports car. And it’s probably not a coincidence that LaSportiva shoes are endearingly nicknamed “Sporties” by runners who’ve used them. They trigger a primitive reaction of sorts - you put them on your feet, and you instantly feel like running fast.

The Wildcat weighs just 12oz, with a low profile around the ankle, and a slipper-like feel through the forefoot aided by an even-tension lacing system and a thin, breathable sockliner. I felt like I could run a 50K in these shoes right out the door – they were instantly comfortable and responsive without any breaking-in period. Adding to the lightweight feel of the shoes are AirMesh uppers, through which you can literally feel air moving with each stride. The AirMesh provides this cool ventilation while preventing dirt and debris from getting through to your socks.

Fortunately, being lightweight doesn’t sacrifice the shoe’s toughness. There’s a molded piece called a Transkinetic Heel Stabilizer at the back of the shoe to help with stability on rugged surfaces, and some rubber-dipped mesh for extra protection in vulnerable areas like the tip of the forefoot to keep clumsy runners from injuring themselves too often.

LaSportiva prides itself in its outsole traction, and the Wildcat uses their patented FriXion AT rubber which maximizes grip and responsiveness on the most slippery and treacherous terrain. Basically, the rubber is softer and stickier than the outsoles of most other shoes, but die-cut and angled in various directions throughout the sole to enhance braking and minimize slippage while also adding to the cushioned feel of the shoe.

In practice, the traction control of the Wildcat is quite remarkable. I used these shoes during the first 30 miles of the Western States 100, on high country terrain featuring lots of loose rocks and long stretches of trail that were submerged in spring runoff. I didn’t have any missteps, and I felt so confident going through slick, rocky sections of trail that I frequently charged right down the middle of extended water channels that many other runners slowed to tiptoe around.

Overall, I was very impressed with the performance of the Wildcats, with a couple of caveats. The first is that, given my size (6’2”) and pronation tendency, the neutral support and low profile of this shoe takes some getting used to. I transitioned to the Wildcats from a pair of Montrail Hardrocks, and at first it felt like the foot equivalent of climbing out of a Hummer and into a Ferrari – you can definitely move faster, but you’re going to feel like you’re rolling all over the road for a little while. If you’re accustomed to a sturdier shoe, LaSportiva has a model called the Lynx which is built up slightly more than the Wildcat and marketed toward heavier runners.

The other drawback I found was that on the steep downhill sections of the Western States trail, I had a bit of contact on both sides of the toebox. Sporties use a narrower cut through the forefoot than most other brands (especially compared to Montrails), and although that slipper-like fit is generally very comfortable, it might be an issue on steep slopes if you have fat toes like me.

I was confident enough in these shoes to lace them up for Western States, but I was wary that the toebox situation might become a problem, so that was the reason for the shoe change I described in my race report. I had my “old reliable” Montrails waiting for me at Robinson Flat (mile 30) just in case I needed them - and when I arrived there, I didn’t have any blisters or major problems, but the concern was noticeable enough that I didn’t want to risk the next 70 miles and much steeper canyons that awaited. However, I’ve continued to wear the Wildcats since race day without problems – it’s only on those super-long, super-steep days that I might think twice about them.

Pricing for the Wildcat is fairly consistent: they sell for $100 at REI, $100 at ZombieRunner, and even $100 at Amazon, who can seemingly discount just about anything. However, my friends at Wilderness Running Company have put together a pretty sweet deal: the Wildcats are on sale for $90, with their usual free shipping - and if you use coupon code R&R10, you get an additional 10 percent discount, and they'll even throw in a free pair of Drymax socks - my favorite brand, and typically a $12 value - as a bonus. Trust me, this is definitely the best deal you'll find, and it's good until the end of this month.

(On a related note ... have I mentioned how much I'm loving Wilderness Running Company lately? Give them your business, people - they're working hard for it.)

If you’re looking for a very comfortable, durable, all-purpose trail running (oops – I mean mountain running) shoe that makes you feel like a speedster, and interested in supporting a dynamic company that invests time, effort, and money to the world of ultrarunning, the La Sportiva Wildcat will make an excellent addition to your gear closet.


See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at info@runningandrambling.com.

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