Andrew Skurka's Blog, page 45

Recommended clothing systems: Backpacking in the Mountain West

What clothing is necessary for backpacking in the Mountain West in 3-season conditions? Let’s discuss.

I define the Mountain West as the semi-arid ranges of the Sierra Nevada, Intermountain West, and Rockies. Examples:

Pacific Crest Trail in California and southern Oregon
High Sierra, including the John Muir Trail and multiple high routes, e.g. Sierra High Route, Kings Canyon High Basin Route
Colorado Trail and Pfiffner Traverse
Northern Rockies: Wind River Range, Yellowstone, Bob Marshall Wilderness, and Glacier National Park
High Uintas and Wasatch
Sky Islands in Arizona and New Mexico

From the Core 13 Clothing Collection, I recommend just ten items for the Mountain West. Mix-and-match them to create appropriate clothing systems for each season. Watch the video above for a general explanation, and review the lists below for specific recommendations.

Spring

Early-Summer

Late-Summer through early-Fall

The post Recommended clothing systems: Backpacking in the Mountain West appeared first on Andrew Skurka.

Help me decide: Hoka Speedgoat 2 or Salomon Sense Ultra for UTMB?

The Speedgoat 2 and Salomon Sense Ultra, and BFF Oden. They are entirely different shoes, but worthy in their own right. The plush Speedgoat barrels over trails, whereas the Sense Ultra dances through them.

On Friday I leave for France and UTMB, so much of this week is dedicated to race preparation. One decision with which I’m struggling is my footwear. I have narrowed it to:

Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 (read my review; buy now), and
Salomon Sense Ultra (read my review; buy now).

Ultimately, I may be obsessing over a detail that matters little. Other factors (e.g. training, race strategy, nutrition/hydration) will play a much greater role in my performance. But, still, if one shoe will be a few minutes faster than the other, I’ll gladly take that advantage.

My current plan is to fly over with both pairs, and make a last-minute decision based on course reconnaissance. But I’m sharing this internal debate in the hopes of hearing your thoughts and insights.

Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 v. Salomon Sense Ultra

The Speedgoat 2 and Sense Ultra differ primarily in their cushion and stability, or lack thereof.

The Speedgoat is classic Hoka, with a generous 32/27.5-mm stack height (heel/toe). On technically easy and moderate trails, I can barrel forward with near reckless abandon. But they’re inherently top-heavy, and are therefore clumsy when the footing is loose, off-camber, or talus-y.

The Sense Ultra is lower to the ground (26/18 mm heel/toe), so it’s more stable and agile. On technically moderate and difficult trails, I can nimbly dance through. But they’re much less forgiving on, say, gravel beds or pounding downhills.

I have run fast and far in both shoes. I wore the Sense Ultra for Bighorn 100, and was on course record pace until the trail degraded into a slip-and-slide. More recently, I wore the Speedgoat 2 on a new FKT for the 27-mile Pawnee-Buchanan Loop.

Fit, traction, and durability are generally equal, at least within the context of a 100-mile race and within their much larger differences. Both weigh 11.0 oz in my size 11.5.

The Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, developed with superstar Karl Meltzler, is classic Hoka: it’s lightweight and generously cushioned, and offers a smooth ride. For its height, it’s remarkably stable.

The Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra is a form-fitting all-purpose trail shoe, with precision fit, reliable outsole grip, and a happy-medium balance between cushioning and feel.

Have thoughts or insights on what shoe would be best for UTMB? Please leave a comment.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

The post Help me decide: Hoka Speedgoat 2 or Salomon Sense Ultra for UTMB? appeared first on Andrew Skurka.

New FKT: Pawnee-Buchanan Loop || Take note, UTMB

Pawnee Lake and Pawnee Pass (low spot on left skyline), as seen from Paiute Pass, at the head of Thunderbolt Creek.

The Pawnee-Buchanan Loop has become a classic among ultra runners and backpackers. It’s about 27 miles long, includes two 12,000-foot passes over the Continental Divide, and the starting trailhead is a 60-minute drive from my front door.

(Side note: To spice up this loop, use the Pfiffner Traverse to connect Buchanan and Cascade Creeks, rather than the all-trail route around the west side of Thunderbolt Peak. Read my route description.)

Yesterday I set a new FKT for the Pawnee-Buchanan Loop, in 4:46:32. The time is barely faster than Anton Krupicka’s 4:50 from 2010, but I’m delighted to be even in his zip code. He was running very well that summer, with a second-place finish at Western States (in the legendary showdown with Kilian and Geoff Roes) and later a CR at White River. He could have run faster that day, I’m sure. Even so, his time has stood for seven years.

My 4:46 will absolutely not stand the test of time. I could drop another 15-20 minutes by being fresh (not fatigued from two 50k’s in the preceding five days), by giving it more than just a “moderate” effort, or by avoiding a soaking rain squall on the west side of Pawnee Pass. And someone with more talent (e.g. Sage) could drive up tomorrow and handily set a new standard.

Big picture, I’m not excited about this FKT because it’s a FKT. Rather, it’s a confidence-boosting data point for my current fitness, three weeks out from UTMB. In the Alps, I’m predicting a RRR100 or Boston Marathon type of performance, where I wildly outperform my seed placement and surprise just about everyone (except David Roche).

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Video || Core 13 Backpacking Clothing: Streamline & simplify your systems

Two years ago I posted a series on Core 13 Clothing, and many have found it useful as a framework for assembling their clothing systems for 3-season backpacking trips. It helps in:

Preparing properly for the conditions,
Eliminating redundancies within your kit, and
Minimizing costs by maximizing the versatility of each clothing item.

I can’t think of a single trip on which all thirteen items would be required, and if you backpack in a narrow range of conditions (e.g. only in Colorado) you don’t need to even own all thirteen. Six to ten items per trip is probably more normal, with drier, warmer, and bug-free trips requiring the low end of the range.

For a full explanation of Core 13 Clothing, read the complete series online or in The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide (more updated). For a relatively quick explanation of the specific thirteen items, watch the video below, which I filmed with Sierra Designs in June.

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Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 || Light, plush, grippy & surprisingly stable

The Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, developed with superstar Karl Meltzler, is classic Hoka: light, cushy, and smooth-riding. It’s also grippy, and remarkably stable for its height.

On my first three outings with the second-generation Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, I took it out for 13-, 11-, and 25-mile trail runs with nearly 10,000 vertical feet in cumulative climbing. That’s rare for a shoe with which I had no prior history — normally, I start off slowly, with short and low-risk runs until the shoe is more proven. But this particular pair inspired confidence within minutes of slipping them on.

Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

The Speedgoat 2 is a capable and forgiving trail shoe that excels on maintained trails with flat footing (e.g. benched side-hills, constructed staircases, and straightaways). It’s:

Lightweight, at 9.8 oz for men’s size 9 US;
Generously cushioned, with a stack height of 32 and 27.5 mm at the heel and forefoot, respectively;
Grippy, thanks to a Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5 mm lugs; and,
Shockingly stable for its height, due to the reinforced upper, cradled foot bed, wide last (relative to the original model), and outsole.

I find the Speedgoat 2 best for easy and moderate efforts on trails. They’re not built for road-running, but a few miles of pavement mixed into trail runs are acceptable. They are dreamy for long runs, and a welcome break from thinner and more agile models like the Salomon Sense Ultra (my review) that are harder on my body but that ultimately I prefer for tough trails and fast efforts. For some runners and courses, the Speedgoat 2 could absolutely serve as an ultra trail marathon racing shoe.

The Speedgoat 2 and Salomon Sense Ultra, and BFF Oden. They are entirely different shoes, but currently two of my favorites. One goes fast but is hard on the body. The other is slower but more comfortable.

The Speedgoat 2 is discouraged for runners who:

Have wide and high-volume feet, or perhaps even average width and average-volume feet; and/or,
Prioritize ground feel, responsiveness, and low center of gravity over cushioning.

For instance, the Speedgoat 2 is not a good alternate for the Altra Lone Peak (my review) or La Sportiva Bushido (my review).

Hiking & backpacking

While it’s intended as a trail running shoe, I think the Speedgoat 2 will perform equally well for on-trail day-hikes and backpacking trips. I wouldn’t use them for a high route — they are too top-heavy and squishy for uneven footing, scrambles, and talus-hopping.

Caveat: I cannot yet attest to its long-term durability. I’m being purely speculative, but the outsole is my primary concern — it is wonderfully grippy, but a normal hiking shoe outsole has twice as much lug volume.

Please support this review by buying the Speedgoat 2 or other products from the vendors below.

Product specs

Weight: 9.80 oz (277 g) M’s 9 US, 11.0 oz (312 g) M’s 11.5 US
Stack height: 32 mm heel, 27.5 mm forefoot
Drop: 4.5 mm
Upper: Breathable mesh with TPU overlays
Midsole: Compression molded EVA
Outsole: Vibram MegaGrip with 5 mm lugs
Support: Moderate
More product specs

The Speedgoat 2 retails for $140.

Versus the original Speedgoat

The Speedgoat is new to me, so I don’t have the personal context to compare the original Speedgoat with v2. From what I understand, the most significant differences with the Speedgoat 2 are its wider last and more voluminous upper, which has resulted in improved stability and fit (for most feet, at least).

Otherwise, most elements remain the same: a breathable mesh upper reinforced with TPU, Vibram outsole, and thick midsole (v1 was 33 mm and 28 mm, with 5 mm drop).

Sizing

The Speedgoat 2 fits true to size. My review pair is size 11.5. I also wear 11.5 in Altra, Merrell, Salewa, and Salomon; I wear 45.5 in La Sportiva.

Fit

I have a narrow and small-volume foot, and the Speedgoat 2 fits me precisely, especially now that they have packed out some.

If you have wide and high-volume feet, forget about it.

If your feet are of average width and volume, give it a shot. The limiting factor will most likely be the toebox, which seems proportionally small relative to the midfoot and heel. Try a half-size larger, or a lacing method that allows you to tighten the midfoot independently of the forefoot.

Note that reviewers on the Hoka website consistently state that the Speedgoat 2 is too tight/narrow.

Ride

The Speedgoat 2 is classic Hoka. The marshmallowy midsole absorbs shock and small rocks. The rockered shape results in a smooth transition from impact zone to toe-off. And the deep-seated foot cradle helps offset the inherent instability of a 32-mm heel height. These diagrams accurately illustrate the Speedgoat 2 experience.

There are some tradeoffs to these features, however: it is relatively squishy and top-heavy. When I want a fast shoe, I reach for something more responsive and stable. It’s not that the Speedgoat can’t be fast — for instance, yesterday I set a PR on the descent of Bear Canyon (nearly 31 min). But the Speedgoat 2 struggles when it’s put on edge by twisty trails, side-hills, washed-out rock fields, and talus.

The Speedgoat 2 has a rockered outsole for smoother impact to toe-off transitions. It’s not a gimmick — it helps.

Upper

The upper is made of breathable mesh and features a TPU exoskeleton and toecap, which improves foot stability and resistance to abrasion, tears, and impact. I’m skeptical of any trail running shoe without an exoskeleton.

I’m not a fan of the elasticized linguine-shaped laces. They’re more difficult to tie than rounder laces, and the elastic is already failing to rebound fully.

When Hoka reexamines its laces, maybe it could consider an elasticized mid-foot yoke or tongue, too. This would partially decouple midfoot control and the tightness of the laces. Currently, when I crank on the laces to tighten the midfoot, it also tightens the toebox, which is tight enough already.

I haven’t worn them long enough to comment on durability. The uppers on my Clifton 2’s are perfectly intact after 550+ miles, and I’m hoping that Hoka used a similar formula for the Speedgoat.

The mesh upper is overlaid extensively with TPU panels and stripes for improved control, durability, and protection.

Outsole

This summer I’ve been impressed by three outsole rubbers: Salomon’s Premium Wet Traction Contragrip, La Sportiva’s FriXion, and now Vibram MegaGrip, which is spec’d on the Speedgoat 2.

The Speedgoat sticks reliably to rocks (even wet ones) in Boulder’s foothills, and it gets decent bite into hard-packed surfaces covered in ball bearing-like mineral sand. When on pavement, I can feel the lugs grip. Normally, grippiness and durability are inversely related, but I’ll have to post back on this one.

The Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5 mm lugs is exceptionally grippy and helps to offset the inherent instability of a 31-mm tall shoe.

Buy now: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

Have questions about or an experience with the Speedgoat 2? Please leave a comment.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

I was provided a pair of Speedgoat 2 for review my Hoka One One.

The post Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 || Light, plush, grippy & surprisingly stable appeared first on Andrew Skurka.

Preview: Ultimate Direction Deluge || Waterproof/NON-breathable jacket & pants

A close-up of the 5.5-oz Ultimate Direction Deluge Jacket, which features 20d waterproof/NON-breathable fabric and taped seams.

The Ultimate Direction Deluge Jacket and Deluge Pants — which will be released in Spring 2018 — are awesomely light, at 5.5 oz and 2.3 oz for men’s Large. But I’m more excited about the fabric.

No, they’re not made of the latest-and-greatest membrane that is more waterproof and more breathable than anything the world has ever seen. Instead, they’re made of a fabric that is most often used for tent canopies, tarps, and tent floors: 20d nylon that is coated with polyurethane (PU) on one side and silicone on the other. Hydrostatic head is rated to 1500 mm. Seams will be factory-taped.

The Deluge suit is waterproof but not breathable, which makes it different than traditional rain gear made of waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-Tex, H2No, or Precip. I welcome this: WP/B fabrics fail (read this, this, or this for in-depth explanations) and I’d rather get damp from trapped perspiration than soaking wet from rain, especially in the Mountain West where rain events are often accompanied by plunging temperatures.

The new UD Deluge Jacket and Pants

The Deluge Jacket is modeled after its waterproof/breathable cousin, the Ultra Jacket, with a similar silhouette, hood, and flip mitts. A horizontal vent has been added to its back panel, to increase airflow. I would have liked to see zippered torso or arm vents, too, but UD opted to keep low the weight and price. It will retail for $100.

The Deluge Pants have articulated knees and knee pleats, for a less restricted range of motion. Unfortunately, they feature no air vents and no ankle zips. The lack of ventilation will reduce comfort, especially during prolonged wear. And the lack of ankle zips will slow pants-on/pants-off transitions, an undesirable quality in a race environment. MSRP is $85.

Updated Ultra Jacket & new Ultra Pants

The Ultra Jacket, the first generation of which is available now, is being updated for Spring 2018. The features will remain mostly the same, but the fabric is being changed to a 2.5-layer waterproof/breathable laminate with a 10d nylon face fabric, PTFE membrane, and dot-laminated interior. In the lab it tests to 29k hydrostatic head and 33k MVTR. That’s nice, but I’d await some field use before getting excited.

The fabric substitution has driven up the price, to $190 from the current $170. The weight is about the same, at 6.1 oz.

The matching Ultra Pants will be new for Spring 2018. They’ll retail for $120 and weigh 3.5 oz. Unlike the Deluge Pants, they will have a 12-inch ankle zip for faster on/off transitions.

The second-generation Ultra Jacket and new matching Ultra Pants are made with an improved waterproof/breathable fabric.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

The post Preview: Ultimate Direction Deluge || Waterproof/NON-breathable jacket & pants appeared first on Andrew Skurka.

Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 || Light, plush, grippy & surprisingly stable

The Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, developed with superstar Karl Meltzler, is classic Hoka: light, cushy, and smooth-riding. It’s also grippy, and remarkably stable for its height.

On my first three outings with the second-generation Hoka One One Speedgoat 2, I took it out for 13-, 11-, and 25-mile trail runs with nearly 10,000 vertical feet in cumulative climbing. That’s rare for a shoe with which I had no prior history — normally, I start off slowly, with short and low-risk easy runs until the shoe is more proven. But this particular pair inspired confidence within minutes of slipping them on.

Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

The Speedgoat 2 is a capable and forgiving trail shoe that excels on unpaved surfaces with flat footing (e.g. benched trails, constructed staircases, and straightaways). It’s:

Lightweight, at 9.8 oz for men’s size 9 US;
Generously cushioned, with a stack height of 32 and 27.5 mm at the heel and forefoot, respectively;
Grippy, thanks to a Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5 mm lugs; and,
Shockingly stable for its height, due to the reinforced upper, cradled foot bed, wide last (relative to the original model), and outsole.

I find the Speedgoat 2 best for easy and moderate efforts on trails. They’re not built for road-running, but a few miles of pavement mixed into trail runs are acceptable. They are dreamy for long runs, and a welcome break from thinner and more agile models like the Salomon Sense Ultra (my review) that are harder on my body but that ultimately I prefer for tough trails and hard efforts. For some runners and courses, the Speedgoat 2 could absolutely serve as an ultra trail marathon racing shoe.

The Speedgoat 2 and Salomon Sense Ultra, and BFF Oden. They are entirely different shoes, but currently two of my favorites. One goes fast but is hard on the body. The other is slower but more comfortable.

The Speedgoat 2 is discouraged for runners who:

Have wide and high-volume feet, or perhaps even average width and average-volume feet; and/or,
Prioritize ground feel, responsiveness, and low center of gravity over cushioning.

For instance, the Speedgoat 2 is not a substitute for the Altra Lone Peak (my review) or La Sportiva Bushido (my review).

Hiking & backpacking

While it’s intended as a trail running shoe, I think the Speedgoat 2 will perform equally well for on-trail day-hikes and backpacking trips. I wouldn’t use them for a high route — they are too top-heavy and squishy for uneven footing, scrambles, and talus-hopping.

Caveat: I cannot yet attest to the long-term durability of the Speedgoat 2. I’m being purely speculative, but the outsole is my primary concern for this application — it is wonderfully grippy, but a normal hiking shoe outsole has twice as much lug volume.

Please support this review by buying the Speedgoat 2 or other products from the vendors below, or from Amazon.

Product specs

Weight: 9.80 oz (277 g) M’s 9 US, 11.0 oz (312 g) M’s 11.5 US
Stack height: 32 mm heel, 27.5 mm forefoot
Drop: 4.5 mm
Upper: Breathable mesh with TPU overlays
Midsole: Compression molded EVA
Outsole: Vibram MegaGrip with 5 mm lugs
Support: Moderate
More product specs

The Speedgoat 2 retails for $140.

Versus the original Speedgoat

The Speedgoat is new to me, so I don’t have the personal context to compare the original Speedgoat with v2. From what I understand, the most significant differences with the Speedgoat 2 are its wider last and more voluminous upper, which has resulted in improved stability and fit (for most feet, at least).

Otherwise, most elements remain the same: a breathable mesh upper reinforced with TPU, Vibram outsole, and thick midsole (v1 was 33 mm and 28 mm, with 5 mm drop).

Sizing

The Speedgoat 2 fits true to size. My review pair is size 11.5. I also wear size 11.5 in Altra, Merrell, Salewa, and Salomon; I wear 45.5 in La Sportiva.

Fit

I have a narrow and small-volume foot, and would say that the Speedgoat 2 fits me precisely, especially now that they have packed out some.

If you have wide and high-volume feet, forget about it.

If your feet are of average width and volume, give it a shot. The limiting factor will most likely be the toebox, which seems proportionally small relative to the midfoot and heel. Try a half-size larger, or a lacing method that allows you to tighten the midfoot independently of the forefoot.

Note that reviewers on the Hoka website consistently state that the Speedgoat 2 is too tight/narrow.

Ride

The Speedgoat 2 is classic Hoka. The marshmallowy midsole absorbs shock and small rocks. The rockered shape results in a smooth transition from impact zone to toe-off. And the deep-seated foot cradle helps offset the inherent instability of a 32-mm heel height. These diagrams accurately illustrate the Speedgoat 2 experience.

There are some tradeoffs to these features, however: it is relatively squishy and top-heavy. When I want a fast shoe, I reach for something more responsive and stable. It’s not that the Speedgoat can’t be fast — for instance, yesterday I set a PR on the descent of Bear Canyon (nearly 31 min). But the Speedgoat struggles when it’s put on edge by twisty trails, side-hills, natural/unmaintained rock fields, etc.

The Speedgoat 2 has a rockered outsole for smoother impact to toe-off transitions. It’s not a gimmick — it helps.

Upper

The upper is made of breathable mesh and features a TPU exoskeleton and toecap, which improves foot stability and resistance to abrasion, tears, and impact. I’m skeptical of any trail running shoe without an exoskeleton.

I’m not a fan of the elasticized linguine-shaped laces. They’re more difficult to tie than rounder laces, and the elastic is already failing to rebound fully.

When Hoka reexamines its laces, maybe it could consider an elasticized mid-foot yoke or tongue, too. This would partially decouple midfoot control and the tightness of the laces. Currently, when I crank on the laces to tighten the midfoot, it also tightens the toebox, which is tight enough.

I haven’t worn them long enough to comment on durability. The uppers on my Clifton 2’s are perfectly intact after 550+ miles, and I’m hoping that Hoka used a similar formula for the Speedgoat.

The mesh upper is overlaid extensively with TPU panels and stripes for improved control, durability, and protection.

Outsole

This summer I’ve been impressed by three outsole rubbers: Salomon’s Premium Wet Traction Contragrip, La Sportiva’s FriXion, and now Vibram MegaGrip, which is spec’d on the Speedgoat 2.

The Speedgoat sticks reliably to rocks (even wet ones) in Boulder’s foothills, and it gets decent bite into hard-packed surfaces covered in ball bearing-like mineral sand. When on pavement, I can feel the lugs grip. Normally, grippiness and durability are inversely related, but I’ll have to post back on this one, along with a few others.

The Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5 mm lugs is exceptionally grippy and helps to offset the inherent instability of a 31-mm tall shoe.

Buy now: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

Have questions about or an experience with the Speedgoat 2? Please leave a comment.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

I was provided a pair of Speedgoat 2 for review my Hoka One One.

The post Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 || Light, plush, grippy & surprisingly stable appeared first on Andrew Skurka.

Preview: Ultimate Direction FK Poles || 4-oz fixed-length carbon

All things being equal, fixed-length trekking poles will be lighter, stronger, and less expensive than telescoping or foldable models like the Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock Poles or Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles.

Yet there is currently only one off-the-shelf fixed-length pole that is suitable for backpacking: the Black Diamond Vapor Carbon 1 Pole. For a pole to be “suitable,” I would insist that it have carbon fiber or aluminum shafts, cork or foam grips with extensions, and a high-quality replaceable carbide tip.

In spring 2018, Ultimate Direction will enter this market niche as well, with the new FK Pole. It will retail for $125 and weigh a feathery 4 oz (for 115 cm). Seven sizes will be available, in 5-cm increments between 100 and 130 cm.

The Ultimate Direction FK Poles: fixed-length carbon fiber shafts with extended foam grips and replaceable carbide tips.

The carbon fiber shaft is 20 mm in diameter at its top, compared to 15.4 mm for the Carbon 1 and 13 mm for the Carbon Z. As a result, the FK Pole is exceptionally strong and stiff. The lower 30 cm are wrapped with Aramid fabric (i.e. unbranded Kevlar) for abrasion-resistance.

The one-piece foam grip includes a lower extension, which I consider a must-have. When hiking on steep trails with big steps and when off-trail, I frequently choke down on the pole shafts. The straps can be removed and reinstalled, though not quickly.

Mud baskets and snow baskets will be included.

The only part of the FK Pole that I question is the tip. It’s replaceable and made of carbide, but until field use proves otherwise I’m skeptical of non-Black Diamond or non-Leki tips after my CMT tips eroded to useless nubs after less than two-hundred miles.

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Reader Q || Do I need a footprint for the High Route Tent?

I don’t recommend using a footprint with the High Route. When I leave the inner tent at home, I use a mylar blanket as a groundsheet.

A question from reader Caspar R:

I just bought your High Route Tent. Do you recommend using a footprint with it? If so, which one?

I generally do not recommend using a footprint with the Sierra Designs High Route Tent 1Fl. A custom-sized footprint for it is intentionally not available, and there are no plans to offer one.

The inner tent of the High Route features a waterproof floor made of medium-duty 30d nylon coated with silicone on one side and polyurethane (PU) on the other. It is rated to 3,000 mm hydrostatic head, which is nearly as waterproof as Cuben Fiber or premium sil/sil nylons used by cottage manufacturers like MLD. It should withstand extensive use before its loss of waterproofness becomes noticeable or problematic.

If you manage to wear out the floor, you have two options. (1) You can send it back to Sierra Designs for repair or replacement. (2) Or, you can supplement its waterproofness with an ultralight groundsheet made of mylar or polycryo (i.e. window shrink wrap).

When using the High Route Tent without its inner — which is my go-to configuration in Colorado for nearly the entire year — I carry a mylar blanket to protect my gear from groundwater, keep my gear out of the dirt, and help prevent air pad punctures. This summer I’ve been using the post-race blanket that was distributed to runners at the Boston Marathon in April. Mylar blankets are not created equal. If you go this route, purchase a blanket that is marketed as being more durable (e.g. thicker, double-sided) than a standard blanket, which will tear easily.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

The post Reader Q || Do I need a footprint for the High Route Tent? appeared first on Andrew Skurka.

Preview: Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 2 || Tweaks to a best-seller

The Salomon Sense Ultra 2 will be released in March 2018. The shoe generally remains the same. Two of the most notable changes are visible in this photo: a more robust TPU exoskeleton, and four external “wings” (two on each side) to decouple the lacing system.

If I was forced to choose just one shoe for all of my runs, I would pick the current Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra (read my review). Most importantly, it fits my small-volume feet. Beyond that, it excels on most surfaces and for most distances: from cruiser pea gravel to washed-out peak trails; and from 3-minute VO2 intervals to ultras. I wore it for the Bighorn 100, and will probably beg Salomon for a fresh pair for UTMB next month.

Apparently these sentiments are widely shared: the S/Lab Sense Ultra has become Salomon’s top-selling S/Lab product of all time.

Some might say that, “If it’s not broken…” Yet at Outdoor Retailer last month, Salomon was showcasing the second generation, the S/Lab Sense Ultra 2. Thankfully, the changes are mostly tweaks, not wholesale changes.

Not changing

The next iteration of the Sense Ultra — which will be released in March 2018 — makes no changes to:

Stack Height: 26mm/18mm
Drop: 8mm drop
Outsole: Premium Wet Traction Contagrip
Last and volume
Endofit internal wrap
MSRP: $180

The Sense Ultra’s excellent outsole, made with Premium Wet Traction Contragrip, will remain the same for the second generation.

Changes

Without wear-testing the shoe, I can only speculate about the impact of changes to the second-gen Sense Ultra.

A PU insert (“EnergySave”) has been added under the forefoot, instead of the midsole simply being dual-density EVA. This more resilient material should provide longer-lasting cushion, during both singular efforts and throughout the shoe’s lifespan — it shouldn’t feel “thin” underfoot as quickly. The firmness of the PU is apparently about the same as the old EVA, and therefore should not change the shoe’s ride.

Four external “wings” now wrap the midfoot, two on each side. This decouples the lacing eyelets, so that the tension is more dispersed and the fit becomes more dynamic.

Finally, the upper is beefier, with a thicker and more extensive TPU exoskeleton. Durability, lateral control, and “wet weight” should all improve.

The Sense Ultra 2 upper has four external midfoot wings and has a more extensive TPU exoskeleton.

Because of these three changes, and perhaps several less obvious ones, too, the second-generation Sense Ultra has put on weight. It’s now 300 g (10.6 oz) in Men’s size 9, versus 275 g (9.7 oz) for the current version. Per Jack Daniels, this adds 2 minutes 40 seconds to a 100-mile time, although it’s very difficult to look at this weight increase in a vacuum.

Have questions about the Sense Ultra 2? Leave a comment. If I don’t know the answer, I can get it.

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