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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Hi-Tec’s V-Lite Infinity HPi Adventure Shoes: Aggressive, Stylish & Technologically Awesome

Today, the choices when walking into a specialty outdoors or running shop can be overwhelming--the number of brands, styles and types of shoes on the market can leave even the most educated consumer flustered and confused. 

Thanks to the introduction of the Hi-Tec V-Lite Infinity HPi trail running shoes, all those other options may no longer be necessary.

Out of the box, the first thing you’ll notice is the HPi’s gorgeous exterior which brilliantly balances the aggressive technical nature of the shoe with aesthetically pleasing lines.  Our own pair of HPi’s are similar to the Dark Grey/Infinity Green/Silver version, pictured on the right.  There are two other color options Olive/Taupe/Sunflower and Red/Black/Silver.  We dig our green/silvers, but you can’t go wrong with any of the color schemes. 

But the HPi’s are more than just another pretty face in the world of adventure/trail shoes.  Developed with extensive input from Martin Dreyer (world adventure racing champion) and the shoe of choice for trail runner Mike Fanning, everything about these adventure shoes screams “technologically gifted”.

To start with, the shoes utilize ion-mask hydrophobic technology - what Hi-Tec refers to has a “breakthrough in surface enhancement”.  Ready for this nugget?  Ion-mask™ was originally developed for military clothing designed to repel chemical agents but now Hi-Tec is on the forefront of pioneering the introduction of ion-mask™ in the footwear industry.   

According to the Hi-Tec website ion-mask works at a molecular level, binding invisibly to the surfaces of products, giving them an extraordinary ability to repel most liquids.  While this doesn't make the shoe waterproof, it does mean you'll end up carrying less of the muddy water from the trail around with you, keeping your running shoes light.

Speaking of weight, the V-Lite shoe construction utilizes innovation materials and technology to reduce the weight of the trainers without compromising on performance or comfort.  The HPi’s weigh in at a stellar 300 grams per shoe ensuring that it’s not only light and fast on the trail but provides for a stellar transition from path to pavement and serves the runner equally well on both.

Problem with hotspots and blisters?  Not anymore!  Seamless Upper Zone Engineering reduces hotspots and blisters by minimizing joins and edges inside the shoe while exclusively-designed dual density Vibram outsoles provide incredible traction and durability even over some of the most technical and wet terrain.

Whether intentional or not, we felt as though the traction provided by these quality outsoles pay great homage to the history of Hi-Tec’s hiking boots.

Moving to the midsole, Hi-Tec's custom dual density midsole helps control over-pronation, harnessing the runner’s energy by distributing the stride force through the pressure in the shoe and maximizing the running gait meaning you can run more effeciently for longer periods of time. 

And just in case you got lost in all the finite details, all you really need to know is that these shoes provide consistent, comfortable stable footing over any and every kind of terrain. 

Designed to be breathable, comfortable and technical, the HPi easily tackled whatever obstacle we put before it making these the perfect multi use shoes for everyone from the casual trail runner to the elite adventure enthusiasts.  A job well done by Hi-Tec!

We've posted Hi-Tec's video discussing the V-Lite Infinity series below... it's well worth the watch:




Sunday, June 26, 2011

The Black Diamond Bullet - Simplicity Meets Versatility

Looking for a sleek, trim pack, for off-trail adventures, high-mileage scrambles, or multi-pitch routes?  Maybe you're looking for a durable and aggressive light fast pack for summitting from base camp.  In either case  the Bullet Pack from Black Diamond might be the perfect pack for you.  This bag hits that 'just right' balance of capacity and compactness.  We found it to be durable, comfortable and didn't cheat the user on features.

The Down-low...
  • Volume: 976 cubic inches / 16 liter
  • Average Stock Weight: 13 oz / 380 g
  • Fits Torso Length: 16" / 41 cm
  • Materials: Tough 420d nylon and 1260d Ballistic nylon
  • 20 mm (.8 in) webbing hipbelt
  • Zipper front panel opening
  • Outer stash pocket
  • Hydration compatible
The Bullet panel-loader offers a webbing waistbelt, thin but comfy shoulder straps, a front slash pocket and hydration compatibility, making it an excellent rig for the next time you launch yourself up a 10-pitch trad climb. A clean and aesthetically pleasing exterior provide snag-free hauling performance on multi-pitch routes.

As far as drawbacks, the Bullet does lack any type of ventilation on the back panel, which you can find on even smaller hiking/hydration/urban commuter bags.  Admittedly we'd like to see this feature added on future generations. 

For the ladies, we do have one caveat for you. The Bullet pack is built for men in the shoulders and in the rise of the sternum strap. If you are a female outdoor enthusiast on the smaller side this pack will likely be too big for you.  

From our perspective neither of these two issues were significant enough to warrant any serious deduction in quality points for the bag.

At the end of the day, the Bullet offers a refreshing dose of simplicity in an age where today's typical daypack is overloaded with superfluous and frilly features, and it's the perfect daypack for hiking, walking, trail running and a lot more.  Bottom line, it's tough as nails, ready to tumble, and for for $45 - $50 this pack is a 'bulletproof' buy.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Crocs™ Santa Cruz: These Aren't Your Daddy's Loafers

With summer now fully upon us, the Gumption Gear crew has gone out in search of the perfect every day flip.  We've been looking for the best pair of sandals to wear on the beach, around town, or even on that trail to your favorite hidden cove.

In our serach we came across the Crocs™ Santa Cruz loafers, and friends, these aren’t your Daddy’s loafers.  In the Santa Cruz loafer Crocs has designed a shoe where Cali cool meets a whole new world of extreme comfort
with a dash of style and attitude.


The Santa Cruz are categorized as Crocs casual shoes and are made with the shoemaker's advanced Croslite™ material. If you've never experienced Croslite™ then you’re feet are in for a treat.  Comfortable and lightweight, this innovative material is self-insulating, odor-resistant, slip-resistant, easy to clean and recyclable.  In short, it's technology that feels good.

The removable insole provided us with incredible erganomic support ensuring that the shoes kept giving our feet love all day from the store to the trail and back again.  The extra cool feature that we love is the circulation nubs designed to help stimulate healthy blood flow.  The added benefit is that those nubs also do a great job of massaging your tired dogs making these a great pair of shoes to toss on when you get home and take off those fancy dress shoes "the man" makes you wear to work.

The Slip-resistant and non-marking outsole provides excellent traction for solid footing and was perfect for our outtings around the wet pool deck.  The canvas uppers come in a variety of colors (ours is the cool mossy color featured above) giving you the choice to blend in or stand out.

We did find that the canvas fray design lends itself to extra fraying over the long haul.  But you can always snip them off with a pair of scissors and more than anything else, the fraying adds to the casual style and is far from a nuisance. 

 For casual beach style combined with extreme comfort, the Crocs™ Santa Cruz make a stellar addition to your collection, and unlike a quality pair of flips the Santa Cruz are perfect for year round stylin'.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Granite Gear's Blaze A.C. 60: 2011 Backpacker Editors' Choice Award

For those unfamiliar with Granite Gear, the company was founded in 1986 by Jeff Knight and Dan Cruikshank.  The company has building packs specific to the needs of long distance hikers since 2003 with the introduction of the award winning Vapor Trail and Nimbus Ozone, winning Backpacker’s coveted Editor’s Choice award.


The latest offering from Granite Gear is their Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 and it follows up on that tradition of excellence. 


This latest pack was rated as the Editor’s choice in Backpacker magazine for good reason.  It's an ultralight pack with tons of room and storage options. The AirCurrent backpanel allows air to circulate between you and the pack, a unique Line-Loc compression system locks in your load from all directions, and multiple stretch pockets plus a hydration sleeve provide storage.
The 2011 Backpacker Gear Guide notes "The Blaze has the ultimate combination of load control, cushioning, and durability-all in an astonishingly light package."


Moreover, and to the credit of Grante Gear, the pack falls right in line with their philosophy of designing innovative, functional and durable gear that won't let you down while you're out on the trail.

If you're looking for a durable, lightweight pack that has all the technical advantages of more expensive packs then The Blaze AC 60 might just be the bag you're looking for.  Following is the video review from Backpacker Magazine:








While the GumptionGear crew is relatively new to the Granite Gear brand, we are proud to say that we are as thrilled with the Blaze AC 60 as we are with the heart, soul, and creative mind of the company. 

Monday, June 13, 2011

Vasque Scree Review: The perfect shoe for your outdoor adventures

Gearing up for your summer adventures on the trail?  Looking for the perfect shoe to gracefully support and carry you on your journey? 

Thankfully for the consumer, the marketplace is overflowing with a variety of brands and styles from which to choose.  The flipside of the coin of course is that there's LOTS to choose from...

But fear not, the GumptionGear team is here to help.

You already know the importance of choosing the right shoe.  More than a factor of comfort and fit (who wants their feet riddled with blisters after a day on the trail?) choosing the wrong shoe has the potential of leaving you in a tight spot when traversing more difficult or challenging terrain.  
Enter the Vasque Scree Low which combines the comfort of a lightweight, nimble platform with waterproof hiking sturdiness for excellent trail performance designed to handle any terrain.

The Vasque Scree Low is a hiking shoe that is notable because Vasque is using Stealth Rubber on the sole. It’s the same rubber used by 5.10 on their climbing shoes, so of course these soles will be able to take hikers to places that normal shoes can’t. They are available with UltraDry technology that makes the boots totally waterproof.  The breathable, waterproof membrane blocks rain from getting in but allows sweat out, keeping you comfortable throughout your hike.

Perhaps the feature that the GumptionGear crew enjoyed most about the Scree was Vasque’s “arc tempo” technology.  The Arc Tempo last is the form around which the shoe is built.  It creates an athletic fit that promotes quickness and agility over technical ground – and when you’re hitting those treacherous sections of trail you can tell the difference.  The asymmetrical curve is ideal for people with higher arches and also places your foot in a more powerful position during toe off.  If this sounds a little technical, just know that the arc tempo is a solid technology that will benefit you on the trail.

If you’re new to the Vasque brand, the Scree will give you solid insights into the company’s commitment to making functional, innovative and aestheticly pleasing footwear that performs to the highest standards.

The above photo is the Scree Low 7090 model. They also have a mid model for ankle support.