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2010 VWS Trail Run start Ellioti single-track Broad-leaved Sugarbush (Protea eximia) Geissorhiza exscapa 2010 VWS Trail Run startline Kaaimans River bridge

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My FiveFingers Spyridon LS minimalist experience

Vibram Five Fingers Spyridon minimalist trail shoes

I am a big fan of the idea of minimalist running. Yes: I read “Born to Run”. I have been wearing a pair of New Balance Minimus MT00′s for about 5 months as casual shoes, so my body has had some time to adapt to a more minimal shoe. More recently, I won a pair of Vibram FiveFingers’ latest trail model, the Spyridon, at Stanley’s Mountain Run 2012. I am no tree-hugging earth-child, and I have a pair of Merrell boots which will attest to the fact that when the going gets tough, I get tough back. However, there is something hugely satisfying in the feeling you get padding around in a pair of FiveFingers. It feels like you are holding the earth, not stomping all over it. I guess this is what primates must feel like when they scamper around in nature, and maybe I am connecting to that at a deep genetic level. [...]

Merrell Gore-Tex Perimeter Boot

Merrell Perimeter Gore-Tex boot

Since my disastrous encounter with Hi-Tec boots when I first started hiking some 4 years ago, I have simply opted to hike in hiking shoes. However, on both two-day trails I have hiked (Genadendal Trail and Driehoek to Crystal Pools and Sneeukop) the soles of my feet have become tender toward the end of the second day. In the hopes that a study boot with a more rigid sole will prevent this discomfort, I bought a pair of Merrell Gore-Tex Perimeter Boots. [...]

New Balance Minimus MT00 Minimalist Trail Shoes

New Balance Minimus MT00 minimalist running shoes

The Minimus MT00 Trail Shoes are New Balance’s latest minimalist offering. The “00” refers to zero heel raise: the heel of your foot is level with your toes. The previous version had a 4mm heel raise. [...]

Falke Compression Energizing Plus Socks

I bought myself a pair of black Falke Compression Energizing Plus Socks, partly for the compression aspect, but admittedly, mainly for the warmth of full-length running socks! Falke is my favorite brand of running socks, and I normally run in Falke Hidden Cool Socks. [...]

Falke Hidden Cool Socks

Falke Hidden Cool Socks

The Falke Hidden Cool running socks are currently my favorite socks. Sounds crazy I know, but great socks truly make the world of difference to your running and hiking experience. [...]

Vibram FiveFingers

Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

After reading “Born to Run” by Chris McDougall, I am sold on the idea of spending some time out of my Salomon XT Wings to strengthen my feet and ankles. I am currently wearing a pair of New Balance Minimus MT00 Minimalist Trail Shoes as casual shoes for this purpose. [...]

Salomon XT Wings 2

Salomon XT Wings 2

Salomon is a French brand that has firmly established itself as the leading manufacturer of shoes for trail running. They have a good range of shoes specifically targeting the trail running and adventure racing communities. [...]

Hi-Tec Trail Eruption HPI

Hi-Tec V-Lie Trail Eruption

I won a pair of Hi-Tec Trail Eruption shoes as a spot prize in the First Ascent Trail Challenge in December 2009.

Hi-Tec V-Lite Trail Eruption

My previous experiences with Hi-Tec footwear have not been great (see my reviews of the V-Lite Rapidhike Boot & V-Lite Shoe). I found the soles of their shoes [...]

La Sportiva Scorpion Climbing Shoes

La Sportiva Scorpion

I recently invested in my first pair of climbing shoes: a pair of La Sportiva Scorpion. This is a comfortable entry level rock climbing shoe. [...]

Merrell Men’s Phaser Inferno Hiking Shoe

Merrell Phaser Inferno hiking shoes

After my indaba with Hi-Tec footwear, the kind folk at Cape Union Mart credited me for both the boots and the shoes, and I invested in a pair of Merrell Men’s Phaser Inferno Hiking Shoes. [...]