Great Outdoor Blog

Since beginning my career in outdoor retail back in July of 2010, the barefoot/minimalist shoe market has blown up. There were some days where it seemed like all I did was fit people for Vibram FiveFingers. For many customers the door to running was being opened in a new, more natural way. I was both fascinated and skeptical.

I got back to running regularly in 2009. The credit goes to catharsis over fitness, albeit just slightly. I was in the worst work situation of my life and was going through what might best be described as a one-third life crisis. I was falling apart and not sure of much except this: I loved being in the woods and running made me feel like I was going somewhere at a time when I felt stuck. So I became a trail-runner — a very passionate one.

Many changes followed, including leaving a 12 year career and becoming Paddlesports Manager at Great Outdoor Provision Co. Now my trail-running has become a significant way to speak from experience with customers about what they should consider when it comes to footwear.

The recent return to natural running forms and experiences is a good one. While a lot of folks around me were jumping into the minimal experience with both feet (pun intended) I hung out on the sidelines. I was already a middle/forward foot striker and I was perfectly content with my Brooks Cascadias. What I was missing out on was the feel-response experience. I patiently held off, reading and processing the new and growing conversation about minimal shoes. By this time professors of biomechanics were weighing in on the discussion. That’s when I came across the Brooks PureProject.

The Brooks attitude toward minimal running mirrored my own. Instead of following the crowd and the hype, Brooks was patiently and thoughtfully considering what would be best for a runner’s body. Philosophically that meant a lot to me. Finally, this March I got my first pair of minimal shoes. The Brooks PureGrits. Just when I thought my run experience couldn’t get any better, it did.

The lightness of the shoe, paired with its soft 4mm midsole offset is like having nothing on. Yet the duo of BioMogo and Brooks DNA allow your foot to hug every root and rock without discomfort. The cushiony ride along with the Ideal Heal allows for an explosive kick with each step. Then the Toe Flex design allows for good push without stressing the toes. I have chronic metatarsal dislocation in my right foot, and this has alleviated it significantly.

Light, comfortable, and explosive. These are my top three adjectives for this shoe. I feel more nimble and confident moving through varied terrain and over rocks, roots, and the occasional fallen tree. I also have a greater sense of contact with the trail. These shoes bite and launch which translates into greater run-efficiency. If you’re a trail runner looking for a minimal shoes that doesn’t sacrifice on comfort and packs in a load of technical benefits, the PureGrits are the shoe for you.

My favorite way to start the day is to get in a trail run. For this southern boy the best thing on the menu is Grits…PureGrits.

By Zach Roberts, Trusty’s Paddlesports Manager in Greensboro and contributing editor of www.thetriadadventuregroup.wordpress.com

The new GoPro HD Hero2 Professional has just arrived in select Great Outdoor Provision Co locations! This is the POV action cam to have for all active outdoor interests. It has the same waterproof to 197 ft housing as the HD Hero but is much improved over the older model. The new HD Hero2 Professional has a sharper optical glass lens and improved low light performance. The image sensor has increased to 11 MP. Perhaps even more importantly, you now get 3 field of view (FOV) options at native 1080p recording: 170 deg, 127 deg & 90 deg. The previous gen HD Hero only offered 1080p at 127 deg FOV. To get 170 deg FOV, you had to crop down to a 960p resolution recording. Attached is a complete comparison of the various GoPro HD cams. Put one of these on your gift wish list!

We stock the new GoPro HD Hero2 Professional in our Charlotte, Raleigh and Winston-Salem shops along with a variety of mounts and accessories including: LCD BacPac , Battery BacPac, Handle Bar Seat Post Mount, Chest Mount Harness, Suction Cup Mount, Surf Mount and Grab Bag.

2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 115

We’re excited to officially announce the 2012 Ride 135 has arrived in our Charlotte and Raleigh shops. The new Ride 115 has arrived in Greenville.

Big-Time Stability and Versatility. Small-Time Kayak. The New Ride 115.

It’s everything anglers and paddlers ask for in a sit-on-top kayak and expect from The Ride name. Massive capacity, straightforward storage, versatile performance, rigability and rock-solid stability. What makes the all-new Ride 115 stand above all others is the one thing they were nervous to even ask for: portability.

• Length – 11′6″ / 351 cm
• Width – 33″ / 84 cm
• Weight – 76 lbs* / 35 kg (*with seat removed, kayak weighs 68 lbs / 31 kg)
• Deck Height – 16.5″ / 42 cm
• Seating Well – 67″ x 21.5″ / 170 x 55 cm
• Capacity – 500 lbs / 227 kg

2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 135

Fully redesigned for 2012 as a stable powerhouse with versatility, capacity, and configuration capabilities that take our celebrated Ride series to a whole new level.

Specifications

• Length – 13′6″ / 411 cm
• Width – 31.5″ / 80 cm
• Weight – 82 lbs* / 37 kg (*Average weight without removable seat 74 lbs. / 33kg)
• Deck Height – 16.25″ / 41 cm
• Seating Well – 67″ x 21.5″ / 172 x 55 cm
• Capacity: 550 lbs. / 249 kg

*These are pre-production specs and subject to slight change.

Alfreton, Derbyshire, England and Louisville, Colorado, May 18, 2011

Terra Nova has smashed the Guinness World Record for the lightest commercially available tent, with the Laser Ultra 1. The company recently received confirmation that the tent, which weighs just over 21 ounces (600 grams), is now the record holder. It snatches the title from the Terra Nova Laser Photon, trimming over 7 ounces (200 grams) or around 26% off the record in the process.

Terra Nova was awarded the Guinness World Record for the Lightest Tent Commercially Available for the first time in 2004. The Terra Nova Laserlite was a one person tent weighing just over 35.2 ounces (1 kilogram), the same weight as a bag of sugar. Seven years and four Guinness World Records later, the Laser Ultra 1 weighs nearly half of that.
The Laser Ultra 1 has been designed for short duration ultra events. Although its style follows that of the popular Laser tent range developed by Terra Nova, the most striking difference is the color; the silver translucent Ultra fabric used for the flysheet is incredibly lightweight but strong.

The Laser Ultra 1 tent won a Gold European IF Design Award when it was launched to the trade in July 2010 at the Outdoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Managing Director, Andy Utting said, ‘It is great to see our investment in new technologies paying off. When we launched the Laser Lite, people were sceptical of the robustness of such lightweight tents, seven years later, a single person tent has to be less than 35.2 ounces (1 kilogram) to be considered light, and our designs have become the blue print for the competition.’
Terra Nova is distributed in the United States and Canada by Sport Hansa LLC of Louisville, Colorado.

About Terra Nova Equipment
Terra Nova Equipment has been designing award winning tents and outdoor equipment for over 25 years. Its tents have been used all over the world from the summit of Everest to the North and South Poles. More recently Terra Nova has successfully developed superlight backpacking tents and rucksacks and holds the Guinness world record for the lightest tent in the world. The company owns three brands: Terra Nova – best in class expedition and backpacking equipment, Wild Country tents – high specification backpacking and family tents, and sleeping bags and Extremities – a GORE-TEX licensed technical clothing accessory brand

by Chuck Millsaps, Minister of Culture

For the barefoot runner, or would-be barefoot runner, who searches for freedom beyond an “individual toed shoe”, emancipation is near! Starting today the new Merrell Trail Glove, which features a Vibram outsole, is now available in our shops. Discover how to stimulate your senses, develop stronger muscles and find a more balanced posture in this new minimalist shoe. Stop by shop and take a pair for a spin. We also stock the Women’s Pure Glove and Pace Glove.

I should note that I incorporated “barefoot” into my running about 2 years ago with the Vibram Five Finger KSO and Bikila. After 30+ years heel-strike running I now run exclusively on soft surface trails and made the transition to “barefoot” by salting it in over a 4 month period. I currently average 40-50 miles a week with about 20% of that barefoot. Running “barefoot” has encouraged my mid-foot strike, strengthened my Achilles and calves, and reduced injury. The new Trail Glove from Merrell allows me to further increase my “barefoot” mileage thus increasing the benefits.

So why another barefoot shoe like the Merrell Trial Glove? Well, after nearly a month of testing the Trail Glove I can say the name is perfect. Only 6.2 oz (men’s size 9) the Trail Glove feels like an ultra light racing flat with a wide toe box. (I am a “D” width on the Brannock, and fit comfortably in the Brooks Cascadia which is my other choice for trails.) The snug fit through the heel and midfoot of the Trail Glove is balanced with a wide toe box allowing the foot to spread its toes freely. My first extended run (7+ miles) covered a multiple of surfaces including pavement, single track and crush-n-run fire road. I like the traditional lacing system which allows me to snug up the ankle collar without crimping the toe box. The 4 mm EVA midsole is most adequate for the single track portion of the run where leaf cover often hides broken billiard ball quartz stones. The outsole has a modest lug pattern but the traction is excellent even when transitioning from muddy slope to granite climb. The zero drop from ball to heel gives the shoe that sports car feel that hugs the terrain.

The Merrell Trail Glove is the ideal choice for the runner looking to start their barefoot experience. Merrell has provided a great resource on their website http://merrell.com/Barefoot where you can learn more about their new barefoot collection. For expert advice be sure to come by the shop and talk with our staff. I encourage you to try on a pair and see how stimulating and freeing the barefoot performance can be. Don’t be surprised if you drop a size or two when try a pair. I wear an 11 in regular shoes, a 43 in the VFF Bikila and found the 10 to be the best fit in the Trail Glove. The Trail Glove will continue to be a part of my running experience. Hope to see you on the trails.

If you’re passionate about sea kayaking you’ll love the new Kayak Customizer tool from P&H Sea Kayaks

http://www.phseakayaks.com/kayakCustomiser.php

Handheld GPS Meets Satellite Communications

Peace of Mind Wherever You Go
Welcome to the future. For the first time ever, DeLorme and SPOT have teamed up to provide a ruggedized handheld GPS with all the famous DeLorme street and topo maps included, plus the ability to type and send one-way text messages via the SPOT satellite system. Use the GPS to see where you are and also to type and send check-in messages beyond cellular coverage, as well as send for help if ever needed. Lead. Don’t Follow.
Communicate with family and friends from locations worldwide. Cell phone coverage can be unreliable, but the SPOT Satellite Communicator distributes your message dependably via satellite.

MULEteam Exclusive: $399 after $100 rebate. Plus get a $15 gift card at time of purchase!

• Communicate even when cell phone service is unavailable
• Type & Send custom text messages to family and friends
• Allow others to track your progress on social network sites like Twitter, Facebook, and SPOTadventures.com
• Let family and friends know you’re safe when your adventures take you to challenging locations
• And if you ever get into serious trouble, you can send an SOS message with some text included providing details of your situation so responders know what to bring and avoid false alarms

PN-Series receivers have been tested in some of the most extreme conditions on earth. They were the GPS of choice for John Huston and Tyler Fish during their historic Victorinox North Pole ‘09 expedition, and Ed Viesturs took the PN-40 on his successful 2009 ascent of Mt. Everest.

• Military standard 810F for vibration and shock – also tested to function in high-vibration conditions such as the Bonneville Salt Flats
• Waterproof to the IEC 529 IPX7 standard
• Functions in high humidity, including consistent humidity levels over 90%, and in the rain
• Operating temperature range for the PN-60w is -20 degrees C to +75 degrees C

Works Where Cell Phones Don’t
The SPOT Satellite Communicator sends custom text messages and more when paired with the PN-60w GPS. This provides a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when you need it.
Using 100% satellite technology, the PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator works virtually anywhere in the world, even where cell phones don’t – all with the push of a button.
Note: SPOT services require an annual subscription visit findmespot.com for details

Type & Send Text Messages
The Earthmate PN-60w enables creation of custom text messages for easy transmission by the SPOT Satellite Communicator. SPOT is a leader in personal satellite messaging communications.

• Let your spouse back home know all is well when traveling with the kids
• Tell loved ones you’re safe when your adventures take you into difficult or extreme situations
• Share your exhiliration with others as you conquer mountains, whitewater, ocean voyages, or other challenges you’ve set for yourself

And, if you encounter problems, you can send SOS messages describing your situation, with your GPS position enabled.

Share Your GPS Location with Friends and Family

Established SPOT technology enables anyone you designate to track your travels via online topographic maps.

• No need to actively send a message; tracking is automatic as long as the SPOT Satellite Communicator is turned on
• A new tracking “breadcrumb” will display every 10 minutes
• Friends and loved ones can easily check your progress at their convenience using free online mapping

Just one more way the PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator delivers peace of mind.

Topo North America 9.0 Included

Plan the Perfect Outdoor Experience – Anywhere in the U.S. and Canada

Topo North America 9.0 PC desktop software is an exceptionally full-featured travel planning, routing, and GPS resource. Create customized maps with road and trail routes, and navigate worry-free in your vehicle, on foot, or on the water, anywhere from the Yukon to the Rio Grande.

• Use Topo North America to scout your trips as if you were there, with realistic 3-D and 360-degree rotation
• Locate places of interest, create driving and hiking routes, identify public lands, import maps and imagery
• Exchange GPS files with the PN-60w
• Easily manage and edit your collected GPS files
• Print maps for take-along reference

Trust the Latest Map Detail

• 11,000 added U.S. national forest trails
• 210,000 new and updated roads
• U.S.Bureau of Land Management recreation lands now included
• The most up-to-date map detail from Canada government sources

U.S.-Based Cartography, Engineering, Service, and Support

DeLorme does not outsource or off-shore its development or support services. Our innovative geospatial and hardware engineering, customer care, and technical support all originate from our New England headquarters – home to Eartha, the world’s largest rotating and revolving globe.

• Use Topo North America to scout your trips as if you were there, with realistic 3-D and 360-degree rotation
• Locate places of interest, create driving and hiking routes, identify public lands, import maps and imagery
• Exchange GPS files with the PN-60w
• Easily manage and edit your collected GPS files
• Print maps for take-along reference

New Arrivals in your local shop everyday!

Everyone around the office loves tomato sandwiches and chillin’ on the beach…but  we can’t wait to dig out our favorite fall outerwear! New fall gear and clothing styles are arriving in the shop everyday. Here are a few to get you in the mood for fall (and back-to-school fun!)

This weekend is a great time to stock up on Bookbags, Clothing, Footwear & more during NC’s TAX Holiday Aug 6-8.

Daypacks from Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia & The North Face

M’s Patagonia Pima Cotton Shirt & Duck Pants

W’s Patagonia & Horny Toad Sportswear

M’s Patagonia Better Sweater Hoody & Insulator Jacket

M’s & W’s Brooks Adrenaline ASR 7

Black Diamond Climbing Gear

Outerwear for the entire family!

The latest advance in water purification technology!

The smallest, lightest SteriPEN®, the AdventurerOpti, uses a revolutionary optical eye to sense the water. The patent-pending technology provides safe use and the standard insulating sleeve around the UV lamp allows purification in even the coldest of waters.

Fast, Light, Easy and Effective, the AdventurerOpti provides the ultimate protection from waterborne illnesses. Giardia, cryptosporidium, bacteria and viruses are all destroyed –in seconds—by SteriPEN® UV light. Similar to other SteriPEN models, the Opti purifies 0.5 L (16 oz.) in 48 seconds and 1.0L (32 oz.) in just 90 seconds. The UV lamp provides up to 8,000 one-liter treatments.

The new optical sensor doubles as a convenient LED flashlight. It’s a great backup light when camping or taking a night-time walk to refill your water bottle. The Flashlight mode is activated by pressing and holding the single button down for 3 seconds. The clear lamp cover focuses the LED light.

The AdventurerOpti retail package includes 2 non-rechargeable (disposable) CR123 batteries and a neoprene case with belt loop. Device works with containers with minimum 1.75 in. diameter opening (ie Nalgene wide-mouth bottles).