Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

A primitive step for trail running

The barefoot running revolution is headed off-road and companies are scrambling for a foothold. The New Balance Minimus Trail or MT10 ($105) is just as the name suggests: minimal. As in only a 4mm drop from heel to toe; a traditional running shoe by comparison is about three times that. The Vibram designed outsole means [...]

Rushless

Performance engineering and lightweight design come together with the all-new Adidas adizero Rush ($100). Weighing in just under 7 oz. the Rush features their lightweight adiPrene+ midsole, a nylon mesh frame for stability and breathability (SprintWeb) and thin rubber outsole for a close-to-ground feel. And just in case the shoe’s design, available in 7 colors, [...]

Six-Eyes

If you live an active lifestyle (note: intently watching the Ironman Triathlon while downing a bucket of chicken doesn’t count), you know how important optics are. Poor vision can be the difference between finishing in one piece or ending up on a gurney. Case in point, the Oakley Fast Jacket ($220), which is designed by [...]

Barefoot Running, Demystified

GEAR PATROL SPONSORED POST In the last two years they’ve exploded onto the fitness scene. You’ve probably noticed them around town, at your local 10k, and running lightly on the treadmill at your gym. Who are “they”? They’re “barefoot” runners. This rapidly growing segment of running is pushing the boundaries on decades of accepted running  [...]

B Sleek

Ecco shoes have been known for dress and casual comfort. We’ve sampled some great oxfords and loafers in the office, but running shoes never really came to mind… until now. Ecco has released the Biom line, which essentially enhances your natural running motion, something heavily cushioned shoes don’t promote. We’ve gotten so used to deep [...]

Walk a Mile? Try Running 1,000.

UK Gear’s PT-1000 ($130) running shoes don’t look like anything special — at least until you notice the presence of the crown and sword logo, which signifies the British Military’s seal of approval. See, unlike your current trainers, a pair of PT-1000s are guaranteed to last for up to 1,000 miles of wear. The secret [...]

Feets like a glove

It’s no secret we love our Vibram Five Fingers. But despite how their revolutionary take on footwear, there are still some downsides. Occasions that require “regular shoes” still exist, but lack the au natural feeling a pair of Five Fingers provide. Merrell’s take on a solution is designing a shoe-like, well, shoe that replicate the [...]

PhD Runner

Seven years in the making, the Mizuno Wave Prophecy ($200) is designed around award-winning Wave Technology for maximum cushion and stability — something that’s easier said that done considering the two traits are a bit like oil and water in the world of shoe materials. Instead of widely used foam, the Prophecy uses two stacked [...]

Natural running for an unnatural world

Natural running, while better for you, can still cause problems when done in a man-made environment like the gym and neighborhood roads. Repetitive forefoot strikes on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt without proper padding can lead to stress fractures, and no one wants those. Recognizing this pitfall, the Reebok RealFlex ($90) is designed accordingly. [...]

Step towards natural running

Despite the “less is more” trend in running shoes, it can be tough for a runner to make the drastic transition if they’re accustomed to full support runners. Going the bio-mechanically correct barefoot approach is a step far easier said than done. And for just that, Puma has developed a running shoe. Recently, we reviewed [...]

Does everything for you but run

If you do any amount of running year-round, unless you live in milder climates or you choose to don your Gore-Tex lined Yeti running costume, the winter pushes you indoors and onto a treadmill to perform Hamster 2.0. ProForm aims to make this part of your fitness routine a more enjoyable experience with their Trailrunner [...]

Faaster Than Ever

The new Puma Faas 500′s ($100) are designed to be the go to shoe for everyday runners. Tipping the scales at 9.7 oz, the sneaks are inspired from the brand’s old school RS1 runner and include notable features like a rocker shape that enhances stride efficiency while an EverRide and EverTrack outsole provides the cushioning [...]

This Kayano is gellin'

Now in its 17th rendition, Asics’ iconic Gel Kayano has shaped up to be the best yet. The Gel Kayano 17 ($140) now features a full-length Guidance Line that promotes gait efficiency and responsiveness while reducing weight. Additional improvements include dual density cushioning, ComforDry sockliner and anatomical Asymmetrical Lacing Design that follows the foots natural [...]

Foot Loose

So-called minimalist running has quickly developed a following among endorphin-addicts around the world for several reasons. Practically speaking, training with less padding has been shown to increase foot strength and muscle tone. The feeling of running nearly barefoot is also a major draw. To capitalize on this movement, Somnio has created the Nada to serve [...]

New year, new shoes

The new year always inspires a renewed determination to be healthier, fitter, and lead a more active lifestyle. The nine pounds of beef you had during the holidays certainly did not help. Perhaps a new pair of kicks is just what you need to help jump-start your motivation. The idea of clandestine ops goes out [...]