OR Summer 14: Sigvaris Sports Compression- Light with True Graduated Compression

Sigvaris is a 150 year old Swiss company specialized in medical compression garments. They have been in medical compression for over 50 years. Medical compression garments are used for varicose veins, DVT, maternity, diabetes, leg ulcers, etc... In recent years compression garments and especially leg sleeves/socks and shorts have become popular in endurance sports.
Sigvaris says:

 Athletes who wear SIGVARIS SPORTS products will benefit from:

- Increased circulation

- Improved blood flow through the veins
- Increased oxygen to the muscle tissue
- Less lactic acid buildup in the legs during exercise
- Reduced exercise-induced muscle soreness in the legs

I have used a number of compression products over the last several years, primarily calf compression sleeves,  including the first I found on the market CEP, then Zanesh, Salomon, SmartWool and more recently CEP again. While I am not sure about the performance benefits of improved circulation, improved blood flow and oxygen and less lactic acid build up I am pretty sure, that at least for me that with compression:

• I have less exercise induced soreness after wearing sleeves 
• My legs feel more aligned in the direction of travel
• I am quite sure they  help reduce calf cramps in long events by stabilizing the muscles, reducing vibration and preventing nerves from twitching into cramps. According to this article in Competitor quoting Prof. Schwellnus of the University of Cape Town “The mechanism for muscle fatigue and muscle damage causing cramping is best explained through an imbalance that develops in the nervous system control of muscle. Muscles tend to become very twitchy when they become fatigued or are injured,” said Schwellnus. "

The issue with calf sleeves  has been one of comfort for me. Zanesh was too thick and hot and while the latest CEP are fine, I keep looking for thinner and more comfortable options.

Found what I was looking for at Outdoor Retailer from Sigvaris .

Dominique Guest Post: Pakems -- Fun Apres Sport Footwear - WaterResistant and Packable

With thousands of exhibitors and 200 new exhibitors each year at the Outdoor Retailer Show, it can be a challenge for new product lines to stand out and catch the attention of the passerby.  Pakems caught my eye. They are lightweight, water resistant and packable footwear meant to be worn after/après a sport activity, such as hiking and skiing.

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Skechers GOmeb Speed 3- I Ran in Meb's Boston Winning Shoe!

Well I ran a minute or so on a treadmill at the Skechers Performance  booth and found the GOmeb Speed 3 to be one serious snappy racer.  This is the exact shoe that Meb wore to win Boston and the only difference between his shoe and yours will be that they have a special last to exactly fit his foot.
Speed 3 is more shoe than a traditional racing flat with decent race cushioning. The stats are 6.9 oz, 14mm midfoot/18mm heel 4mm drop. This marvel can be for many. including me, a fabulous 5K-Half racer. For the fleet footed and light or flatter courses a sensational and  one would have to say, proven marathon shoe.

Skechers GoMeb Speed 3

Earlier this year after reviewing the GoRun Ride 3 and GoRun Ultra I was tickled pink to be invited to participate in Skechers future models wear testing and feedback program. In addition to Meb, Skechers recently signed Kara Goucher.
While the GoMeb Speed 3 is Meb's shoe I can say that Skechers listens to its middle of the pack testers most closely. I have been amazed by their rapid iteration of changes, their careful listening and responding, and their follow through. It was a thrill to see some of the shoes I tested, and others, almost ready for production for Spring 15 at their booth. Lots of exciting shoes coming from Skechers.

Back to the GOmeb Speed 3 and a comparison to the GOmeb Speed 2 now on the market. First as people will ask the GOmeb Speed 3 will be available sometime in January but... there will be a special NY Marathon available in November.

Seth Hasty, a grassroots coordinator for Skechers Performance and the founder of the Running Shoe Geeks Group on Facebook gave me the tour and compared the Speed 2 to Speed 3. Read on to discover the differences.

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Brooks-Launch 2 and Transcend 2

Brooks has a new Launch and an updated Transcend 2. 

Launch 2

9.8 oz New BioMoGo DNA midsole, almost seamless upper, nice toe spring. $100.  Feb. 2015 release.

Transcend 2 

11.9 oz. $170. Updates to upper. Somewhat softer than version 1 according to rep who has run in Versions 1 and 2. Release Jan. 2015.

Guest Post: Dominique Finds the Ideal Exercise Dress at Outdoor Retailer- The Nuu Muu

Thank you Sam for inviting me to post on your blog to talk about a little exercise dress – that comes in black too – which I discovered at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market as I tagged along with you.  

To the readers of Sam’s blog, this still has to do with running, although it won’t make you run faster, but revolutionary exercise dresses from Nuu-Muu are worth talking about.

Nuu-Muu: Poppy Ruu $80

A runner and nordic skier for some 33 years, seasonal biker, once a week tennis player, who does yoga but not enough, and likes to paddle board with her sister-in-law in Maine, I have found the perfect versatile workout dress for all my indoor and outdoor activities.  To the 55+ that I am, the Nuu-Muu exercise dress is indeed revolutionary.

It all started with a postcard mailed to our New Hampshire address, from Bellingham, Washington, where the company Nuu-Muu is located, inviting us to visit booth # PV2036 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market from August 6^th through the 9^th.   Mailers still work!  After visiting the Nuu-Muu booth, and trying on the Ruu-Muu pocket, in size medium, my next step was to purchase one, which I did.  (I was offered a discounted promotional price.)  I got the Poppy Ruu above.

The Nuu-Muu line of clothing consists to two different types of exercise dresses: the Nuu -Muu and the Ruu-Muu (the latter has a pocket in the back).  Huggs sleeves are available to mix and match with the Nuu & Ruu dresses, along with the Nuu-Tee, a long sleeve Tee made especially to layer with the dresses.  

Nuu-Muu Sangria with sleeve Huggs

What is outstanding about the dresses are the fit, the “ultra-flattering” look, the colorful prints and patterns, and the feel of wearing such free-spirited exercise wear.  The price reflects the quality and sustainable approach of the product, and Made in USA. The price for the  dresses is $70-$80, $5 shipping. More to come when I get the dress!

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Hoka One One- Challenger ATR (Clifton for Trail), Bondi 4, Constant(stability), Valor, Vanquish, Odyssey

Times are very good for Hoka One One, the original "maximalist" running shoe company. While the minimalist trend was in full force bucked the trend and went with super cushioned shoes. I have run in various Hokas since their inception and until the super versatile Huaka (review here) and Cliftons (review) came along found them more suited for long slow hauls than speed. No question fresher legs for me day in day out in Hokas.

Hoka introduced several new models and updates at Outdoor Retailer. The new models (Valor, Vanquish, Odyssey, and Challenger ATR) will be sold at both speciality running retail and "sporting goods" stores such as REI, etc...

Other Hokas such as the Mafate Speed, Clifton, Bondi, new Constant, Huaka, Stinson Lite and ATR will only be sold at speciality running retail.
As Hoka grows they have found the need to segment their lines. Interestingly it does not appear that the sporting goods models will be lower priced than models found at speciality running stores.

Reviewing the product grid (at bottom of post)  I see the original Mafate and the Rapa Nui will no longer be in the line for Spring 2015.

The highlights:

• The Challenger ATR, a 8.6 oz, 5mm drop 24mm forefoot/29mm heel trail version of the Clifton. All new shoe. The Challenger will launch  Dec 1st at REI exclusively for 60 days then available at all channels. This will be a popular trail runner for sure! I just wish that Hoka made a beefier lugged version of the Huaka.

• The Constant, $160. a 10.7 oz, 4mm drop, 26mm forefoot/30mm heel stability oriented model with firmer RMAT for stability combined with EVA, asymmetrical lacing combined with a medial lycra wrap of the midfoot. All new stability concept from Hoka.

•  Bondi 4, now has a padded tongue and is updated with a rounded heel, helpful in my view to initiate roll forward as well as longer wearing rubber at the heel and toe, key wear areas on the road with conventional Hokas' softer outsoles.

• The Valor is a 9.6 oz 29mm forefoot, 33mm heel with the stack heights of the Bondi 4 but a somewhat different midsole configuration and a bit lighter than the 10.6 oz Bondi.. Note white is just one of several potential colors! 
  
  

• The Vanquish, $170.  is a 11 oz 25mm forefoot 29 mm heel RMAT and EVA midsole combination. Basically a sporting goods channel Conquest with a different upper. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Odyssey is a 8.4 oz 24mm forefoot 29mm heel with EVA based midsole and a different upper. Basically a bit heavier Clifton as Clifton comes in at 7.7 oz. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Model Comparison Chart 2015 

Hoka One One Spring 2015 Product Grid

With the exception of the Challenger XTR available exclusively for 60 days at REI by Dec. 1st then in wider distribution other models are for Spring 2015 

A few other notes from my visit to Hoka. Speed laces will disappear from the line over time.  The next version of the Huaka will likely have a few more overlays and potentially a somewhat more durable outsole materials in the heel and toe high wear areas. A good thing.

Can't wait for all these goodies? Consider the Huaka, a super versatile firm yet super cushioned road and trail speedster or the Clifton, a bit lighter than Huaka with a somewhat softer EVA midsole. Purchase via the links below and you support my blog. Thanks!

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Salomon Sense X Series, Softground andSense 4, S-Lab Ultra Vest, Killian's Everest Shoe?

Salomon always has interesting stuff at the S-Lab high end of the line to drool over.

What immediately caught my eye was a "road" or City to Trail version of the Sense, the S-Lab X Series. With a bit softer heel midsole and some high wear hard rubber outsole on a low profile tread pattern this should be a fantastic shoe for smooth single track and dirt road/asphalt mix races. Update: 2/15 I have now run the X-Series. Review here.

Salomon S-Lab X Series

 Darn that orange is bright! so hard to take a good pic... Anyway the front of the upper is soft mesh and the rear is a very breathable ripstop mesh.

Salomon S-Lab X Series

The Sense 4 Ultra and Sense 4 SG Softground go to version 4. The changes are a slightly different outsole lug configuration and hard to believe the heel area, black in the Softground and White in the Sense Ultra are reflective.

Salomon S-Lab Sense 4 Ultra

Salomon S-Lab Sense 4 SG SoftGround

Salomon makes incredible race vests. The S-Lab Sense Ultra Set is designed to be potentially worn against the skin.  Think of it as clothing more than a vest. It looks like it is made of the same mesh and main body material as the super comfortable Salomon Sense Short I reviewed here.. and at $130 it is actually less expensive than the shorts.  Includes the bottles, has 2 zipper side pockets, 2 pouch pockets below the bottles, a zippered shoulder pocket, whistle, I believe a rescue blanket, and a drop in pocket on the back. Also available in white/gray.

Another Ultra vest from Salomon, S-Lab Advanced Skin 3 12 Set. Not the super soft fabric of the Sense Ultra Set, but still very comfortable. Has neat shoulder straps that lift the back as pack empties for, as I was told more air on the back (Killian's back) but me too!, and to consolidate the load. More capacity than the Sense Ultra as well and can hold a bladder.

Finally these bad boys, the S-Lab X Alp Carbon GTX, a mouthful that product name is a super light mountaineering boot with some forefoot flexibility for moving fast yet, due to patented Carbon Edging Chassis also outstanding lateral stiffness.

Who wants to bet that Killian Jornet, who has a had in designing these as well as most of the Sense and S-Lab products,  might wear something like these when he does his Everest speed attempt?

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Altra Running-Superior 2.0, Instinct 3.0, Provision 2.0

Golden Harper, founder of Altra Running was kind enough to give me a tour of his latest creations.

First up the Superior 2.0. I had the Superior 1.0 which was one of the most comfortable shoes for kicking around I ever have worn but had a very deconstructed upper and no heel counter.  The midsole and outsole were great and the removable rock plate a very clever innovation but not quite enough shoe for me.  

The Superior 2.0 is still a go fast trail shoe but with a more aggressive outsole, a decently supportive upper, and a heel counter. It is 2.5 oz lighter than the 1.5 and 2 mm thicker. It includes the now standard Altra gaiter trap, a firmed up rear rudder, and of course the removable TPU rock plate. One heck of a fine race shoe for shorter races even if zero drop is not your thing. Retail $109. On sale January 2015.

Altra Superior 2.0

Altra Superior 2.0

Altra Superior

Next up the Provision 2.0,  Altra's stability shoe.   

While the market still asks for "stability" shoes, and so Altra has created one, it seems that in fact very few people  really, really need stability shoes but if you do this is one carefully created creation designed in part to compete with Asics GT 2000. The Provision has a $119 MSRP.

The Provision helps stabilize over pronation with several innovative features:

• Medial midfoot is 2.5 mm higher than the lateral outside of the shoe.

• The last and upper are closely matched to the midsole unit with additional upper tension medially to help guide the foot away from over pronation.

• The white Stabli-Pods below are the only firmer midsole material. There is no huge wedge of firm material on the medial side as many stability shoes have. 

Altra Provision 2.0

Last up the Instinct 3.0, one of Altra original models, and in the 1.0 version a true firm minimal shoe. With the 2.0 Altra made the Instinct considerably more cushioned and there was some outcry from the Instinct faithful. I met with Altra at Winter OR 2014 and covered the Instinct 2.0 here. It had a 26mm stack height. The 3.0 is a move back to the original heritage of Altra as it is 1mm thinner and has a firm midsole material. 

Altra Instinct 3.0

Altra Instinct 3.0

The heavy duty trail ultra ready Olympus is now 1.5 with an upper update.

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Saucony ISO Series Zealot, Triumph, Hurricane

Saucony pioneered the decently cushioned, low weight, much lower drop shoe with their Kinvara several years ago as a "safer" and quite frankly more practical alternative to super minimal for most runners. They extended the Kinvara concept to the more cushioned Cortana and Virrata. The last couple of years have seen some incremental changes but not much that excited me.  I liked the Kinvara and had versions 1 and 3 but found the soft forefoot lugs somewhat unstable. I like a continuous ground contact forefoot platform.

I immediately was drawn to the Iso Series on display comprised of updates to the Triumph, Hurricane, and a brand new model, the Zealot caught my eye.

Saucony ISO Series

All Iso Series shoes have in common two things: a fantastic new upper and a 21mm forefoot, so by a kind of informal definition, maximalist cushioning. The Zealot is a 4mm drop shoe so 25mm at the heel, the others are 29mm. The Kinvara was 22mm heel/18mm forefoot so Zealot is clearly more cushioned.

Saucony ISO Series

Weights: The Zealot comes in at 8.3 oz, Hurricane(stability) 11.1 oz., and Trimuph(neutral) 10.3 oz.

The Zealot is a shoe in my sweet spot. I like a cushioned,  full contact,  responsive forefoot of about 20mm and the overall weight is low. Similar in many ways to the Hoka Huaka I am digging these days.

Saucony Zealot

The ISO-FIT upper is a combination of a truly sock like bootie with the laces and side supports partially free floating above the inner bootie. The idea is to accommodate different foot types and to not have upper overlays interfere with the foot.  Running Warehouse blog describes ISO -FIT as follows: "ISO-FIT technology virtually eliminates the bunching or creasing in the upper that results from the change in shape of the runner’s foot and shoe during the gait cycle. This should drastically reduce pressure points that cause blisters and other irritation."   The midsole includes a layer of PWRGrid+.

Saucony Zealot

Saucony Zealot

 Availability: Triumph November 2014,  Hurricane January 2015, Zealot February 2015