Tuesday, August 19, 2014

What's in the Quiver?

So what is in my running quiver right now?  Let's start out with my Maximal options?
I have a really worn out pair of Hoka One One Stinson B's.  
I have almost 400 miles on this pair.  Definately a forefoot striker, I'm like a big, fat, white, slow, Kenyan!

Next we have two pair of Hoka One One Mafate 2's.  I have one pair I have been using on roads, and I keep another pair just for trail so the tread stays sharp.  

Classic Cascadia 2's.  I picked these up on clearance somewhere awhile ago.  Mine are red an orange, I love these shoes! I only bring them out for special occasions, like trail events.  Other than that they stay mothballed.
Brooks Adrenaline ASR.  Mine are pretty bashed up, I use them as rainy, muddy trail shoes. And they are becoming my disc golf shoes.
Brooks Pure Grit. Awesome shoe, didn't like the two, might try the three soon. Really excell on all terrains including roads, very breathable and light, and they don't mind getting wet.
Another oddity the New Balance 800.  The "Chi" running shoe,  weird because the padded landing area is on the lateral portion not the heel.  They are my road race shoes.  That's about all I use them for, nice concept but wish they were zero drop.
My Snow shoes!  The Saucony Pro Grid Razor.  Neoprene gaiter that zips up, they are for cold wet winter runs. I would love these more if they had a lower drop.  They feel like high heels to me.
Now we enter the true minimal end.
The Inov8 Bare Grip.  I bought these on clearance for fun. Would love to see Altra's interpretation of these.  The Inov8 toe box is very narrow and pointy, a wider more natural toe box would be great.  The grip is incredible .  Imagine a pair of soccer turf cleats crosses with a pair of climbing shoes. Then imagine the cleats being being longer and softer.  For a show that has no padding it actually has a soft ride because of the cleats themselves.  These are for soft muddy trails.  
The Altra Adam.  Basically a Vibram Five Fingers with out the individual toes.  I am huge fan of these and wish Altra did not discontinue them.  My pair have around 200 miles on my pair and I have no reason the believe they will not last at least 500 miles.
And my obligatory Vibram Five Fingers KMD Sports.  These are the reason I have toe socks!   What can I say about the Vibrams that everyone else has not said already?   When I saw a chance to pick up some Bikila'a on clearance...
I grabbed two pair.   Thus for much snugger than the KMD's but they feel much more like a road and grass shoe than a rough trail shoe.  That remains to be seen.
So that's the quiver for now, I basically go back and forth between my Vibrams and my Hokas. Not quite as crazy as it seems, they are both "minimal shoes" in terms  for their drops and features.
So thanks for reading, gotta run!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Run Commuter Bag: Grip EQ Agile A14

So as all my readers and friends know I play disc golf and I had tried to get a Grip Tour series bag to try as a run commuter bag.  This didn't happen...oh well, like 2Pac said "I ain't mad at ya" so I'll give them a little love for their newest bag that could be an even better run commuter bag for shorter daily commute runs.  The new Grip Agile A14.
Smaller
Still holds two bottles.
Still has a rainfly.
Still has the nice padded back
Looks pretty cool as a run commuter pack, if I'm getting one as a disc golf bag I'm getting the full size big boy!
So just a quick follow up to the original post, gotta run!