Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon Review

At the rate Vibram is going, it’s almost hard to remember a time when runners complained about the company’s lack of options.  Like, you know … all the way back to three years ago.

Back then trail runners had to make do with Vibram’s flagship KSO model, which effectively became a “one style does all” model that was adopted by a wide variety of users for pretty much any purpose you can think of.  But as the minimalist running movement exploded, Vibram remained at the forefront of innovation by cranking out one new model after another, and focusing more intently on the unique needs of various user groups.

Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon

As the product line increased, the differences between models from either a design or performance standpoint become more refined – and a perfect example of this is the FiveFingers Spyridon, which debuted this fall.  It’s essentially an unlaced version of the company’s Spyridon LS, which was one of my favorite minimalist shoes last fall and winter. 

Spyridon LS on left, new Spyridon on right

Instead of the quick laces that are employed on the LS version, the Spyridon uses what can rightfully be called a throwback by Vibram standards: a strap that warps behind the heel and attaches with a Velcro closure on top of the midfoot.

It’s interesting that Vibram even created an unlaced version of the Spyridon, considering that for most of its other running shoes – the Bikila, Trek, and SeeYa – the progression happened in the opposite direction: the unlaced version debuted first, and the laced version came later. (*Note: I'll be reviewing the SeeYa LS soon as well.)  The Spyridons went in the opposite direction, which seems unusual in that the majority of Vibram users typically prefer laced FiveFingers models to unlaced.

Laced systems have become my preference as well, and in that regard the Spyridon doesn’t really compel me to ditch my LS version.  In my testing, security of the upper through the midfoot isn’t quite as locked in with the Spyridon as it is with the LS.  However, there are a couple other design elements that might position the Spyridon ahead of the Spyridon LS for some users.

Uppers of the new Spyridon are composed of a thin, lightweight stretch mesh that is noticeably cooler than the LS version.  It also feels softer against bare skin than the laced version.  Despite the lighter material, weight of the Spyridon is identical to the LS version at 6.8 oz; my guess is that the weight that is lost with the lighter upper material is gained with the addition of the strap.

Construction around the ankle collar is different as well, with the Spyridon echoing the low profile and thin material of the KSO, while the Spyridon LS has the more “traditional” (as much as you can say that about anything Vibram makes) thinly padded collar and higher Achilles contact that it first used with the Bikila running models.  This is another area of individual preference; in my case, I happen to like the LS ankle collar better against bare skin.

Below the upper, the Spyridon is virtually a carbon copy of the LS – which is great news, because the lower half of the Spyridon LS is simply awesome. There’s a 3mm polyurethane insole to provide added comfort and a tiny amount of cushioning underfoot …

... and a super aggressive XS Trek rubber outsole that contacts the ground.  This aggressive, multi-directional outsole was the second biggest innovation on last year’s Spyridon LS, and from a performance standpoint it’s hard to imagine how Vibram can improve upon it.  Aside, perhaps, from the very eye-catching color on this pair, which makes it look like you just stepped on Kermit the Frog.

As for the biggest innovation on last year’s model, that would be this:

A heavy duty polyester mesh layer between the outsole and insole which functions as a flexible rock plate, providing additional puncture resistance and dispersing sharp impacts across a broader surface area.  Having logged hundreds of combined miles on this plate (inclusive of Spyridon LS and the new model), I’m highly impressed with the level of protection it offers despite being so thin …

… and still allowing the complete freedom of movement you expect from Vibram running shoes.  Of all the shoes I’ve tested, it’s the Spyridon (LS or normal) that offers the most ideal balance of ground feel and protection of the entire bunch.

So I guess my main takeaway from testing the Spyridon is that these models are both near the very top of the class in minimalist trail runners – but there may not be a strongly compelling reason to choose the new version over last year’s laced model.   If you’re one who prefers the fit or feel of Vibram’s traditional upper and strap fastener over the laced versions, this is definitely the model for you.  For everyone else, it’s kind of a coin flip.

Another determining factor may be cost, as the unlaced version retails for $110 compared to $120 for the LS – not a huge difference, but every dollar counts, right?  And for a limited time, you can get Vibram’s Spyridon models at an even better price from TravelCountry.com, where the unlaced version is on sale for $88, and the LS version is on sale for $96.

*Product provided by Vibram

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Get Out the Vote! Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS Finalists

You know what we haven’t done for a while? An audience participation post! Which is a shame, because I have to say that my audience is pretty darn awesome.

Case in point is today’s contest, with a new pair of Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS on the line. I put out the call for photo entries featuring barefoot or Vibram-shod adventurers, figuring I could pick three or five standouts as finalists before turning it over to the voters. The problem, predictably, is that I couldn’t narrow the options down to just five – and since I also happen to be the one who makes the rules around here, I figured that there was no reason why I couldn’t expand the field just a bit. As in, more than 100%.

So here are your 10 finalists, plus one more bonus picture that I can’t honestly determine whether or not it’s a legitimate entry. (You’ll understand once you get there.) The rules are simple: vote in the comments section below for your favorite – one vote per commenter – and the one with the highest number of votes by Saturday at 12PM PST wins the Vibrams. If you’re a contestant, it’s definitely fair game to recruit your family, friends, and fellow Starbucks free Wi-fi patrons to vote for you, just as long as they all have a different username.

Good luck to everyone. Here we go!

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Entrant #1: Chris S.

Sure, it looks like your run-of-the-mill ocean vista shot, but here’s the cool part: That ocean in the distance is the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans above Cape Town, South Africa.

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Entrant #2: Chris M.

Another entry from the “exotic locales I’ll probably never see” category: this one comes from Ile Renote in northwest France, with the Château de Costaérès in the background. Tres belle.

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Entrant #3: Dave

I’m partial to this one, because it’s taken above the Big Sur coastline, and I happen to know the guy who submitted it – as in, in real life. I know ... weird, huh?

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Entrant #4: Rodger

This one seemed compelling for no other reason than Rodger is running across what can only be described as an enormous butt. So in the space of two entries, we’ve gone from chateaus to rear ends; have I mentioned how interesting my readers are?

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Entrant #5: Sean

Back to the exotic: Apparently this is someplace called Sud Tirol in Italy. It suddenly occurs to me that I’ve seen remarkably little of the world; this contest is starting to bum me out.

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Entrant #6: Dylan

Kind of a cool repose, above a cliff-jumping spot called Tar Creek in Fillmore, CA. I suspect Dylan might be friends with the next entrant …

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Entrant #7: Cody

… who is also perched on a high precipice (next to a waterfall, no less) above the very same Tar Creek.

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Entrant #8: Jen

Hey - where are all the female entrants? Sadly, I only received a few from the ladies, but this was one of the coolest, with Jen getting her barefoot yoga on at the top of a mountain. Extra points for the hat, too.

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Entrant #9: Jeff

The Manitou Springs Incline is legendary among Colorado trail runners. This is the view about halfway up. Sheesh. Extra points to Jeff here for getting the photographer to wear Vibrams, too.

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Entrant #10: Orlin

I had to include one snow entry just to remind myself how much I don’t like winter. Plus, there’s a dog, and some famous Philadelphia thing in the background, so there you go.

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Speaking of dogs, it’s time for our bonus entrant, who I believe goes by the name of Harry:

I’m not sure the FiveFingers would fit him, but perhaps his owner would like a pair.

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And there you have it – now it’s time to vote! Remember, one vote per commenter, but feel free to campaign as much as you like to stuff the ballot. The winner will be announced on Saturday afternoon. Thanks very much to everyone who entered, and good luck to all the finalists!



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Vibram Flagship Store Grand Opening; Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS Giveaway!

Because the company is based in Massachusetts, Vibram USA has enjoyed using Boston Marathon weekend to launch promotional campaigns over the past few years. The innovative footwear made their road race debut at the marathon several years ago, and the road-running specific Bikila model was introduced there two years ago. Vibram also has a strong presence at the race expo, and has been heavily involved in panel discussions on topics ranging from barefoot running to minimalist footwear to the most efficient styles of running.

This year the promotion takes on an entirely different dimension for the company who, as one of their recent ads shows, has profoundly changed the footwear industry twice over. This weekend, Vibram USA is opening a flagship retail store in Boston, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 14th at noon local time.

According to the press release, the Vibram store is designed as a “brand experience” and a destination where visitors can explore and learn more about Vibram and the benefits of minimalist footwear and training. It will feature “experiential zones” for testing FiveFingers on surfaces such as inlaid marbles, woodchips, grass, a bumpy subway yellow line, and so on. In addition to showcasing all of Vibram’s current styles, the store will also offer select models that are typically sold only in Europe.

If you’re in the Boston area, stop by the store at 292 Newbury Street this Saturday and sign up to win a grand prize of five seasons’ worth of Vibram FiveFingers. But if you’re like me and can’t make it to Boston, I’ll give you an opportunity to win a free pair of your own.

I was honored to be invited to a pre-opening party at the flagship store, but since Boston is slightly out of the way for me in California, Vibram offered to let me be a part of the festivities by awarding a free pair of Vibrams to one of my readers. I chose the Spyridon LS – if you read my Spyridon LS review, you know why – and I’ll announce the winner next Saturday to coincide with the grand opening in Boston.

I also get to choose my own rules for this contest, so I’m going to be a bit creative here: to win, I want photographic proof of how you use your Vibrams, or how you venture into the world barefoot. And since the winner will be announced on a weekend, I’d love something I can use as a random shot of beauty as well.

So here’s how to enter: send me a photo of yourself in a cool outdoor setting, either in a pair of Vibrams, like this one from a Sentinel Dome hike in my KSO Treks:

Or just enjoying the great outdoors barefoot, like this one from a run to the top of Half Dome:

Send your photos to info@runningandrambling.com with the subject line “Vibram contest entry”. My plan is to narrow the entrants down to three or five and post them here, then let readers choose the winner for me. However, this condenses my contest time frame quite a bit, so if you want to enter, please send me a photo ASAP, and I’ll aim to have the finalists posted here by Thursday night.

Obviously, by entering you’re giving me permission to post your name and photo on my website (I’ll also link to your blog if you have one). The winner can be male or female, and will receive a pair of FiveFingers Spyridon LS in whatever size is needed. Good luck to everybody, and special thanks to Vibram for sponsoring this contest!



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Vibram FiveFingers SeeYa Review

Recognizing that I’m often quick to criticize some minimalist shoes for being heavier than they should be, I should also point out that the opposite end of the spectrum isn’t necessarily perfect, either. Each ounce and every tiny bit of structure that is removed will have a resulting impact on the shoe’s function and performance – and whether or not this is a good thing depends on what you’re looking for in a particular type of footwear.

Vibram FiveFingers SeeYa

Case in point is the Vibram FiveFingers SeeYa, which is new for Spring 2012. You’ve heard of a man’s man? The SeeYa is a minimalist’s minimalist shoe. It’s the lightest FiveFingers model Vibram has ever created, with a lower profile and bare-bones structure that make them the next best thing to having nothing at all on your feet. However, that doesn’t automatically make them my favorite shoe, because the SeeYa’s stripped-down design does limit the types of activity it is best suited for, especially in comparison to other Vibram models.

From a performance standpoint, the SeeYa was designed as a one-trick pony: it’s intended for experienced minimalist runners who do the majority of their running on roads. Although you could probably use it as a casual walking around shoe, the simplest description is that this shoe was built for road running and not much else. And since I’ve previously described a previous Vibram model, the Bikila LS, as the ultimate minimalist road shoe, it’s helpful to describe the SeeYa in terms of how it compares to the Bikila.

Bikila on left, SeeYa on right

As mentioned earlier, the most significant spec on the SeeYa is its weight – at a mere 4.8oz per shoe, it’s more than a full ounce lighter than the 6.0-oz Bikila. If you want to know where the difference lies, look everywhere: the upper material, outsole material, and overall construction are all aspects where the Seeya comes in lighter (or lesser, as the case may be) than its predecessor.

On the upper, the SeeYa uses a super-thin and lightweight polyester stretch fabric. It’s about as thick as a pair of dress socks, and just about as flexible. The material is so stretchy that it’s very easy to slide your toes in the boxes quickly, which is a very nice improvement over the original Bikila, whose upper was restrictive for folks with high arches or other foot-shape oddities. Trust me, you won’t have any difficulty getting your feet in to the SeeYas.

Like the rest of the upper, the top strap of the SeeYa is much lighter and leaner than the Bikila strap. Truthfully, I find this strap pretty much ineffectual when it comes to tightening the fit, and Vibram probably could have just shaved more overall weight by eliminating the top strap altogether – especially because …

… when I tried to tighten the strap too much, the result was usually a small blister on my instep, like this one after a 7-mile track workout. You have to click/enlarge the photo above to see it, but the spot where the strap pulls the instep material tight becomes a point of irritation with a tight strap.

In addition to being thin and stretchy, the upper is basically bereft of any supportive structure; there’s practically no heel counter, no stability overlays, and very little material (like the leather and padding around the ankle on the Bikila) that isn’t completely collapsible.

The good news with this minimal upper design is that it makes the entire shoe light and flexible; the bad news is that if the fit is bad, there’s not much you can do to adjust it. Unfortunately, the fit of the SeeYas is not ideal for me; most notably, the heel area feels loose, and if I’m doing any sort of lateral movement – even just running around the curve of a track – I can feel my heel sliding a bit inside the upper. Probably my biggest criticism of the SeeYa is that the material in the heel area should be a lot more snug, or there should be a bit more structure in place there like a sturdier heel counter.

Vibram also modified the SeeYa outsole to shave weight, although the blueprint remains very similar to the pattern used on the Bikila. The same TC1 rubber from other FiveFingers models is used for the gray pods, with blue TPU running the length of the shoe underneath the pods.  In my testing it felt like the outsole of the SeeYa isn’t quite as grippy as other Vibram running models - in particular, I noticed a small amount of slipping on an all-weather track, and on a couple of occasions where the road or track surface was wet, I had noticeably less traction in the SeeYa than I normally do in Bikilas.

The outsole of the SeeYa also seems thinner than on other models – but curiously, Vibram doesn’t list the thickness of the SeeYa outsole on its official specs. I’d estimate it to be in the 2-3mm range compared to the Bikila’s 4mm podded areas; combined with a 3mm insole, you’re looking at a total standing height of approximately 5-6mm, which is among the lowest Vibram has created.  (*UPDATED: per my Vibram rep, the standing height is probably 6.2mm: 1mm for the TPU, 2.2mm for the TC1 rubber areas, and 3mm for the insole. I was pretty close.)

Everything you see in blue on the outsole is TPU, which is unique to the SeeYa, and is lighter and more flexible than rubber, contributing even more to the SeeYa’s decreased weight and improved flexibility. The net result of thinner and more flexible construction is that ground feel of the Seeyas is unquestionably the best of any FiveFingers model I’ve tested. The tradeoff is that you lose a bit of the protective feel the Bikilas had, but for the intended audience of experienced minimalist road runners, this shouldn’t be such a big deal.

So let’s review the pros and cons in a nutshell …

Good SeeYa: super light, flexible, easy to put on, amazing ground feel

Bad SeeYa: insecure heel fit, ineffective top strap, diminished traction

Like I mentioned at the top, the question of whether or not the spec distinctions of the SeeYa are an advantage is up to you. My preference is to stick with the overall comfort and fit of the Bikila for long (>10 mile) outings, but for shorter runs I really enjoy the improved ground feel of the SeeYa. Although it’s somewhat one-dimensional, Vibram’s stated goal of creating a shoe for dedicated minimalist runners – the minimalist’s minimalist shoe – is fairly well fulfilled with the SeeYa.

Vibram’s FiveFingers SeeYa is available for $100 from TravelCountry.com.

*Product provided by Vibram. Affiliate sales support Running and Rambling.
**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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Soft Star Clearance Sale; Vibram Spyridon LS Now Available; Principles of Natural Running Video

A few odds and ends for your enjoyment while I busily put the finishing touches on a Rollerblade review ...

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In case you missed it, be sure to check out my Merrell Barefoot Dash Glove review and enter for your chance to win a free pair courtesy of Merrell.  The winner will be announced Saturday night.

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Also,the Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS shoes I reviewed last week are now available at TravelCountry.com, one of my affiliate vendors. Do I have to give the spiel about affiliate sales again? Click here to order your pair and support the Running and Rambling cause.

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Another cool sale alert: each spring Soft Star has a clearance on excess inventory of hand-made shoes they've accumulated over the course of the previous year. This year's sale officially started a few weeks ago, but the immediate traffic to their new website was so high that the server crashed - which for obvious reasons isn't the best way to kick off a sale.

At that time, Soft Star decided to shut down the sale page and re-launch this week - Thursday, March 8th at noon Pacific time, to be exact. To make up for the inconvenience, they've increased their already hefty discounts across the board; for the first week of the sale, everything is discounted at least 30%. (And they've reportedly been testing and retesting the website to prevent something similar this time around; we can only hope.)

The sale continues for four weeks, and longer it goes, the steeper the discounts get, with price adjustments every week - up to 70% off in the final days. The problem, of course, is that if you wait too long, the item you want might not be there any more. So go check out the sale on Thursday afternoon, and I'll post reminders every now and then as the sale prices improve.

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Finally, there's this: yesterday the Natural Running Center released a fantastic video on natural running biomechanics, featuring Dr Mark Cucuzzella, whom I've written about previously. He's probably the most magnificent barefoot runner I've ever seen, and his instructional video is probably as good an overview of barefoot/natural running form as anything I've seen.

It's chock full of takeaways, but one that stood out for me was observing how Dr Cucuzzella lands practically flat footed instead of prominently on his forefoot. This happens to be the exact same way I hit the ground (trust me, though - I don't look nearly as graceful), and from time to time I get a snarky comment or e-mail from a reader wondering how come I wear down the heels of my shoes so easily if I'm a true minimalist runner. I think I'll start referring those skeptics to this video, which clearly shows that there is indeed a consistent (albeit diminished) impact through the heel, even for the most proficient barefooters.

No matter how much experience you have with natural running, you'll almost certainly find something here to make you think differently about your form, which is bound to lead to noticeable improvement. I dare you to watch this and tell me you disagree.


"Principles of Natural Running" by Natural Running Center (click to play):





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Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS Review

Although it might seem strange thing to say about a line of footwear that’s just a handful of years old, one of my initial judgments about Vibram’s latest trail model is that it has quite an impressive heritage. Both its name and design symbolize achievement – and fortunately for the FiveFingers Spyridon LS, the finished product doesn’t disappoint on either count.

Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS

First, the name: the FiveFingers Spyridon is named after Spyridon Louis, victor of the first Olympic marathon in 1896. Vibram has gone this route before, naming its Bikila road shoe after the man who won the Olympic marathon barefoot, and the Spyridon is an equally fitting moniker for its new trail running model. In case you’re wondering, that first Olympic marathon wasn’t contested on pavement, but on dirt trading paths and dusty farm roads winding from Marathon to Athens - so the Spyridon implies that it’s made for running on dirt, and built for high performance.

And that’s the second element of heritage that the Spyridon embraces: it takes a lot of the design aspects of Vibram’s previous running models, and combines them with new innovations that are quite impressive considering the minimalist framework under which they’re constructed. You’ll see echoes of previous FiveFingers models here, but the Spyridon truly stands alone in the FiveFingers lineup – and with that, we’ll get to the review.

Bikila on left, Spyridon on right

It’s tempting to think of the Spyridon LS as the KSO Trek 2.0; after all, that model debuted in 2010 as Vibram’s dedicated trail runner, and it featured innovations such as a thin leather upper and a slightly knobby outsole for increased durability off-road. While the Spyridon boasts more upgrades to bolster its toughness, it’s actually a closer descendant of the Bikila’s design elements in terms of overall fit and comfort. Sounds like a great combination, doesn’t it?

The most noticeable upgrade is the outsole, which features the most aggressive tread that Vibram has ever offered on FiveFingers. As you would expect, the lugs are directional to improve push-off in the forefoot and braking in the heel, and they help maintain stability quite well even in thick, sloppy mud. Traction is also very stable on gravel and loose dirt, even on steep slopes.

Layered just behind the outsole – and visible through a small window on the instep portion - is a heavy duty molded polyester mesh layer that functions as a flexible rock plate, providing additional puncture resistance and dispersing sharp impact across a broader surface area. At 3.5mm thick, the outsole is one-half mm thinner than the outsoles of both the Bikila and KSO Trek.

What’s remarkable about these two innovations is that they provide a significant improvement in traction and impact protection without compromising any of the minimalist specs that Vibram is famous for. At 3.5mm thick, the Spyridon LS outsole is a half-mm thinner than the outsoles of both the Bikila and KSO Trek, and the overall weight of 6.8 oz is almost equal to the 6.7-oz Trek (but one ounce heavier than the Bikila). Best of all, the rock barrier doesn’t limit the shoe’s flexibility, and only marginally compromises its ground feel.

Above the outsole, the Spyridon has a non-removable 3mm EVA footbed, making a total standing height of less than 7mm. Fit of the shoe is comfortable all around the foot, with seamless interior construction, a soft interior lining, and just enough padding around the ankle collar – all taken straight from the Bikila blueprint. I frequently wear these sockless, but my preference is to use socks if the weather is cold or if I plan to be running for more than 90 minutes or so.

Fit is further dialed in with an elastic lacing system (first introduced on the Bikila LS) for customized tension across the midfoot. In my opinion, this is one of the best innovations Vibram has made in the past year, and I’m happy to see the “LS” tagged onto the name “Spyridon” with this shoe – one of those heritage points I mentioned at the top.

Like the Bikila, the Spyridon LS upper utilizes Coconut Active Carbon for breathability and odor control, but the fabric is slightly thicker than either the Bikila or the thin leather KSO Trek – making it a little better for warmth, but not as good for ventilation. Vibram’s fabric uppers have historically been more prone to punctures than the super-durable kangaroo leather, but in my testing I haven’t had any problems – although I should add a disclaimer that I haven’t done a whole lot of rugged bushwhacking in to give the uppers an extreme test.

What I have done is log about 150 miles on fire roads and single track, on groomed and technical trails, in dry or sloppy conditions, and I’ve had a hard time finding trails that the Spyridon LS can’t handle. It combines the best of Vibram's design and construction elements to date, and is a worthy successor to the ever-increasing Vibram heritage of minimalist running shoes.

The Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS retails for $120 from TravelCounty.com.

*Product provided by Vibram
**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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Vibram Fitness Portal; Yosemite Firefalls; Random Shots of Beauty

A couple of quick announcements before some pleasant weekend viewing before another announcement that took me completely by surprise … I know, it sounds confusing, but stick with me – it will makes sense by the time we’re done.

First, the announcements:

1. You’ve still got a few more days to get Patagonia Fall 2011 gear at 50% off from the company website. I’ve advertised this already, so I don’t need to say anything else on this one except that the sale ends on Feb 27th, so get going.

2. Yesterday I was contacted by a Vibram rep in hopes of promoting the company’s new fitness resource portal. Honestly, Vibram was kind of late to the game of providing comprehensive barefoot running instruction, as VIVOBAREFOOT and Merrell have long since been providing that service. However, Vibram’s portal is unique in that it provides information not just on running, but all varieties of barefoot fitness activities – and for what it’s worth, FiveFingers seem to be taking over the Crossfit / general fitness communities in the same manner that they’ve swept through the running community lately. And if that’s not enough to get you to click over, the site also features a pretty hardcore trainer who looks something like a female Tarzan.


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As for your weekend viewing: this time of year is part of a remarkably short window of opportunity to see one of the most unique and wondrous natural phenomena that Yosemite National Park has to offer: the illusion of fire tumbling down Horsetail Fall off of El Capitan. Of course, seeing it requires being in the park in the middle of the cold, snowy winter, which, um … isn’t really my thing. That’s why I’m happy that people make videos like the one that follows.

It’s part of the fantastic “Yosemite Nature Notes” series, and also makes reference to a discontinued man-made occurrence in the park that created a fall of fire – in this case, actual burning embers cascading down the granite cliff. It’s somewhat bizarre to think that the Fire Fall was one of the most popular attractions in the park, but a nice reassurance to think that smarter policies finally prevailed.


"Yosemite Nature Notes: Horsetail Fall" (click to play):





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Finally, this weekend’s Random Shot of Beauty is one that was absolutely unexpected:

A gymnasium that was the site of today’s Lyceum Spelling Bee, where my 5th-grade daughter prevailed over the champions from every elementary school in Monterey County. Newer readers might need a reminder that I’m something of a freak when it comes to spelling bees, so to say I was excited about this development is a bit of an understatement.



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The Keeper List: Running and Rambling Gear of the Year 2011

Before today’s post, an overdue announcement of sorts: over the holidays, I was pleased to see a small spike in sales of my running book. If you don’t recall my book, I can’t really fault you, because I do a lousy job of actually promoting or marketing the thing.

Each time a sale came in this month, I thought to myself, you know, I should announce some sort of reminder on the website about this – the book might make a good Christmas gift. And then in typical slacker fashion, I kept postponing or forgetting about doing so, until Christmas came and went and I completely missed the holiday shopping wave.

But since we still have a decent supply of books available, and since New Year’s is about doing the stuff you want to do rather than worrying about pleasing everybody else, I may as well mention it again here: Hey, I have a book for sale! It’s mainly geared toward novices and anyone who wants insight into life as a runner, but in my humble opinion there’s stuff that anybody will enjoy. And if you order from our website – where it’s less expensive than Amazon.com for some reason – we can autograph it or do any other special requests you’d like.

With that, I’ll stop the pandering – but today’s post is all about grabbing some additional stuff to make your running life more enjoyable.

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It won’t particularly come as a news flash to anyone when I say that I get a lot of gear to review. What might surprise some newer readers is that I review even more stuff than you see here on this website.

Most of my shoe reviews end up here, as minimalism has become a nice little niche I’ve settled into, but I also contribute to other websites and magazines after testing apparel or other trail running gear. The biggest portion of this extracurricular product testing goes to FeedTheHabit.com, with whom I’ve partnered for more than two years now.

I recognize that I’m in an enviable situation, so I pay my good fortune forward as often as possible by giving almost everything away. Running partners, family, and non-running friends have all been the recipients of gear from top (headlamps, hats) to bottom (socks, shoes) and everything in between (clothes, food, watches). They get free stuff, my wife gets her closet space back, and I feel good about sharing the wealth; it’s a winner for everyone involved.

Here’s my caveat, though: if there’s a piece of gear that I love, or one that I get a ton of great use out of, I keep it for myself. Accordingly, my Gear of the Year review should rightfully be called the Keeper List, because it’s all about the stuff that’s too awesome for me to give away.

However, my Keeper List differs from other annual ratings in one important way: the best gear isn’t necessarily from 2011. Rather, my list is a Jeopardy-style competition where the only way to become champion is to defeat the current champ. (Completely tangentially, it’s the same way I choose my wines.) Sure, the newer stuff will tend to be better – but if I have a Ken Jennings-like piece of equipment that crushes all potential challengers year after year, there’s no reason to take it off my Keeper List. And yes, there are a couple of those items included below.

Finally, before we proceed, a note on formatting: The first link of each entry will go to my original review of the product, and the second will go to a purchase link from Amazon.com or one of my other affiliate partners. Remember, affiliate sales support Running and Rambling, so, you know … help me help you, and all that. Now let’s get to the list; these are my keepers for 2011.


Part 1: Gear and Apparel

Headlamp for roads: Black Diamond Sprinter. A 68 lumen headlamp in front with a blinking red LED in back for an unbeatable combination of visibility and safety. The entire lamp weighs a mere 3.5 oz, and the lamps are completely rechargeable. Black Diamond is updating this product for 2012 (yes, I’ll have a review), but until then you can get the current version for $64 at Amazon.com – it’s the best investment you can make in your safety this winter.

Compact headlamp: Petzl Tikka XP2 with CORE rechargeable battery pack. There’s nothing better than a headlamp that’s bright enough to light the trail before dawn, and small enough to tuck in a pocket afterward. This category has stiff competition, most notably from Black Diamond’s Spot, which is a little bit brighter. However, what tips the scales for me is the rechargeable capacity of the XP2 with the CORE pack: it’s eco-friendly, easy to recharge, and saves a ton of money in the long run. The headlamp sells for $41 from Amazon.com, and the CORE pack sells separately for $39.

Headlamp for ultras: Black Diamond Icon with rechargeable NRG battery pack. I don’t think twice about it anymore: if I’m running through the night, the Icon is on my head. It’s relatively lightweight (6.6 oz), super bright (100 lumens), with enough battery life to burn high all the way to morning. Best of all, if you purchase an NRG battery pack, it’s completely rechargeable – and just to remind you, I love being green. Black Diamond is also updating this lamp next year, and I’m very curious to see if or how they can improve it. The current Icon is discounted to $55 from Amazon.com, and the NRG pack sells separately for $25.

Nightlife at Western States 2011: Black Diamond Icon, Nathan Endurance vest, and one very fast ultrarunner (hint: not me)

Jacket: Patagonia Nine Trails. You’ll see this name again further down the list as well; basically, 2011 was the year that Patagonia became my go-to ultrarunning brand. I wore the Nine Trails jacket at three ultras and during countless training miles last winter and spring; for lightweight weather-resistant insulation, there’s nothing better. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available on the Patagonia website, but TravelCountry.com has a closeout price of $60 on remaining stock.

Shorts: Patagonia Nine Trails. Are you sensing a theme yet? My first ultra in the Nine Trails shorts was the Miwok 100K in May, and I never looked back. Anytime I’m running for more than 4 hours, these are the shorts I’m wearing. Like the jacket, the shorts aren’t currently available from the company, but TravelCountry.com has a few pairs in size small available for $60.

Shirt: Patagonia Capilene Silkweight. I never reviewed this shirt, but here’s a true story: Back in the spring, when Soft Star offered to put their logo on any shirt I wanted to use for my upcoming ultra calendar, I told them to buy this Patagonia shirt. I have a couple other capilene shirts from past races; they’re not only the most comfortable items in my collection, but they’re remarkably durable after multiple runs and washings. So my official Team Soft Star kit this year featured Patagonia shorts, shirt, and jacket – a nearly clean sweep in the apparel department (the only exception was my socks). The shirt is available for $39 from the Patagonia website – and if you’d like your own Soft Star logo on it, I’m sure the Elves would be happy to oblige.

At the Tahoe Rim Trail 100: Patagonia shirt and shorts, Ultimate Direction Uno waist pack 

Gloves: Sugoi Firewall LT. Sorry, no review link on this one either: I did a glove comparison for Ultrarunning magazine this fall, and these ended up being my favorite from the bunch. It’s a nice upgrade from the previous Firewall gloves, with similar water resistance and slightly better insulation. $35 from Amazon.com.

Small hydration pack: Ultimate Direction Uno. I’ve had my current model for years – and before that, I used an older version for several years as well. It fits me well, I like the upright bottle position, and the separate pockets give surprisingly ample storage for such a small pack. I use it anytime I’m running between 90 minutes to 3 hours. $17 from Amazon.com.

Large hydration pack: Nathan HPL 020. How awesome is the 020? Not even Nathan can beat it. This year they released the Endurance, a similarly-designed and very strong vest that I wore while pacing at Western States (see WS photo above, and see my Endurance vest review here) – but when it comes to selecting one pack as my gold standard, I still prefer the 020. And when you consider that they’re available at the extreme discount price of $53 at Amazon.com, there’s no reason this vest shouldn’t be in every ultrarunner’s gear closet.

Break time in Zion National Park with the HPL 020

Tights: Salomon Trail III. Full disclosure: I don’t wear a lot of tights - fortunately in California, I don’t have to. So my list of contenders in this category isn’t huge, but these tights have been the most comfortable of those I’ve tried over last winter and this fall. Available for $69 at Amazon.com.

GPS: Soleus GPS 1.0. This review just posted a couple of weeks ago, so I don’t need to rehash things here, other than to say that I’m a big fan. It’s basic, high-quality, and extremely affordable at $87 from Amazon.com.

Socks: Drymax. This is the true Ken Jennings of the group: I’ve probably tested a dozen other brands over the past few years, and none compare to Drymax. I wear their lite trail model ($12 from Amazon.com) for training, and the max protection model ($31 from Amazon.com) for ultras. The Drymax reign continues.

After 50 rainy, muddy miles at Woodside in Soft Star RunAmocs and Drymax max protection socks 

Part 2: Footwear

As you might expect, my shoe list can be broken down into several categories – in this case, I went by primary use, starting with …

Minimalist road shoe: Vibram FiveFingers Bikila LS. Vibram came up huge this year with the advent of their LS models – laced versions of popular models that made the footwear easier to use and more accessible to a larger variety of people. From its inception, I’ve labeled the Bikila my gold standard for minimalist road running shoes, so you can imagine how impressed I was when the company managed to improve it this year without sacrificing anything that made it awesome in the first place. Right now they’re discounted to $70 at TravelCountry.com, so grab ‘em while you can.

At play in the Salinas Valley in Bikila LS

Minimalist all-purpose athletic shoe: Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport LS. I’ve worn mine for running, basketball, tennis, floor workouts, and just plain goofing around. They’re getting very popular with CrossFit and Paleo workout enthusiasts as well. If you have multiple activities to do and only enough money for a single pair of Vibrams, this is the one. They’re currently discounted to $80 at TravelCountry.com.

Minimalist trail running: Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove. 2011 may well be remembered as the year Merrell triggered a seismic shift on the minimalist landscape with its Barefoot line of footwear. In my review I called this shoe minimalism for the masses, and since then I’ve recommended it to a lot of trail runners. They retail for $110 from TravelCountry.com.

Minimalist hybrid trail/road running: Altra Adam. They’re not the ultimate trail shoe, or the ultimate road shoe, but they’re a pretty solid combination of the two. They normally retail for $100 on the company website, but if you use this link you’ll get them for a 10% discount.

Minimalist hiking: Vibram FiveFingers Trek LS. My first-generation Treks had defeated all challengers as my favorite hiking shoes until Vibram topped itself with the Trek LS. Rugged leather, durable outsole, crazy comfort. They’re also nice enough to pass as dress shoes if you so choose (but I don’t – see below). They’re currently discounted to $112 from TravelCountry.com.

Rock scrambling at Lava Beds National Monument in Trek LS

Minimalist dress shoe: Merrell Barefoot Tough Glove. This shoe took out one former champion (the VIVOBAREFOOT Oak) in my collection, and has been an almost-everyday shoe since April. It looks sharp, it’s super comfortable, and it’s got all the right mechanics. It retails for $120 from TravelCountry.com.

Minimalist kids shoe: VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Kids. I was lucky enough to have several brands of shoes for my children to test, and the Neo Kids emerged victorious. Their minimalist construction is unbeatable, and the styling is ideal for kids to use like good old-fashioned sneakers. They retail for $75 from the VIVOBAREFOOT website.

Transitional trail shoe: New Balance Minimus Trail. Yes, it’s odd that the shoe with the most minimal-sounding name is actually the least minimal of the group mentioned here, but there’s no question that New Balance means business when it comes to cruising light and low to the ground. The Trail version of this shoe (also called the MT10) has a slipper-like feel, lightweight flexibile construction, and rugged traction underfoot. Its principal drawback to pure minimalists – the 4mm heel to toe drop – is precisely what makes it ideal for transitioning from a structured, supportive shoe to the minimalist end of the spectrum. The 2012 version will have a flat platform, but in the meantime you can get the 2011 Minimus for $100 from TravelCountry.com.

**
Do you have enough items for your shopping list yet? I’m already waist-deep in reviews for 2012, which I’ll collectively preview sometime next week. There are some very strong offerings from most of the heavy hitters mentioned here; it will be interesting to see if any new products wrestle the title of “keepers” away from the current roster. Time (and miles) will tell, I suppose – so let’s meet back here again next year and I’ll let you know for sure.



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