Outdoor Adventure Blog

Kevin Reviews the Arc'Teryx a300a Climbing Harness by Kevin 05/31/2011 09:15:04 A.M.

Note: Kevin talks about the Arc'Teryx a300a harness that he bought a year ago.  ArcTeryx has since updated their line and most of their harness models inculde the features that was in the a300a.  This inclues the R320a Harness for men, the R300 Harness for women, and a lot of other great harness found in the Arcteryx Harness category.

More Kevin Reviews the Arc'Teryx a300a Climbing Harness »

Run Yak Sponsored by Travelcountry.com by The Brit 05/30/2011 10:19:56 A.M.

Join the City of Casselberry, Friends of the Park andTravelCountry Ourdoor Store in Altamonte Springs for our first annual Secret Lake RunYak. This family friendly race will feature a 2.5 K Run, 3K Paddle and end with another 2.5 K Run. We structured this race so it would be fun for all fitness levels.

More Run Yak Sponsored by Travelcountry.com »

Getting to the bottom of shopping for pants, shorts and underwear. by Tom 05/27/2011 07:53:59 A.M.

When I started hiking, pants and underwear were near the bottom of my shopping list. I was too busy snapping up hydration packs and low-rise hiking shoes. Then I came home after a sweltering 12-miler with a burning in my crotch that nothing to do with getting lucky.

It was the Dread Chafe -- the soft skin of the inner thighs rubbed raw after six hours of contact with seams, folds and fabric built for an afternoon on the couch, not a day on the trail. I'd have traded 12 Camelbaks for anything to keep the burn at bay.

More Getting to the bottom of shopping for pants, shorts and underwear. »

Barefoot Meetup Run by Richard 04/14/2011 11:40:18 A.M.

On Saturday April 16 2011, we are hosting a barefoot run at Loch Haven Park in Winter Park.

Checkout our Meetup Group to and let us know you are coming!

The goal of this run will be to run and to teach the physiological benefits of running barefoot/minimally shod. Once a month, we'll be giving tips; techniques for training; and getting some miles in - so whether proficient runner or beginner, wear whatever shoes you have and we look forward to seeing you there!

More Barefoot Meetup Run »

Five ways to find hiking trails online by Tom 04/07/2011 07:51:10 P.M.

The first two questions on every hiker's mind are: where do I go, and what do I take? Well, Travel Country has the what-to-take angle covered, but that still leaves you wondering where to take them. Fortunately, the Web is brimming with ways to figure out where to hike; these sites will help you pick an excellent nearby trail.

1. State parks. Googling the state you're in and adding "state parks" is the easy part; the trick is making sure you've got the official state parks site (many parks have "friends of" sites that confuse matters). Once you find the official site, drill down till you find a page with maps, often downloadble and printable. State parks sites typically have the best driving directions -- which can differ substantially from the online mapping sites -- and often have news about weather-related closures unavailable anywhere else.

More Five ways to find hiking trails online »

ArcTeryx Alpha SV in Colorado by Bryan 03/31/2011 10:57:38 A.M.

I feel like everyone would be happier if they pursued their passions. So I ask the question. What is yours? What activity or “thing” on this crazy earth of ours allows you to realize that you are exactly where you want to be at that very moment? Skiing to me is my escape, my “thing”. In order for me to explore my most favorite sport; I have to be properly equipped. This is my second year using my Arcteryx Alpha SV, and I couldn’t be happier with its outstanding performance.

More ArcTeryx Alpha SV in Colorado »

Localization For The New Guy by Andy 03/29/2011 10:02:04 P.M.

Everyone has their own special recipe they like to follow when in a new spot.  Some take directions from books or guides, some follow the wisdom of past travelers  and others rely on the kindness of locals.  This is my take on what I've found that works and what doesn't and how it has helped with my exploration into my new home here in Florida.

The most common step people take when in a new place is exploring books or guides.  These provide the reader with an amazing story version of fantastic places and allows the reader to create their own pre-imagined fantasy of the trips they will take in the new land.  I have had many books and dreamt many adventures but in the long run all they ever prove to be are dreams.  I don't want to dismiss the usefulness of books and guides but what I urge is a slice of realism, because in all fairness, these are stories.  It is pure fantasy that paints a pretty picture from others eyes.

More Localization For The New Guy »

Vibram Fivefingers Bikila LS by The Brit 01/31/2011 11:11:13 P.M.

Vibram is releasing some new very exciting shoes this Spring, including my new favorite fivefinger shoe, The Bikila LS.  Having watched their steady progression in making fivefinger shoes since 2005 I feel like this new shoe combines a lot of their already amazing features. It's comfortable, versatile, supportive (as much as Vibram can be), stylish, and crazy close to my "perfect" shoe.  I put it on for the first time at the office, tearing open the box and being stunned at the style. I hadn't seen pictures of it in a while and had forgotten how much the design had changed since the original Bikila, but nothing surprised me of how much had changed, till I put it on.

More Vibram Fivefingers Bikila LS »

New Balance 101 by The Brit 01/09/2011 10:01:30 P.M.

New Balance has just released a new pair of shoes called the MT 101.  I currently have two pairs of it’s previous little brother, the New Balance MT 100s and have been itching to figure out what improvements they have made to the new model.  To give a bit of background, the MT 100 was designed by ultra trail marathoner Anton Krupicka.  Anton is probably one of the most rock solid long distance runners out there.  If you go to his website and read his daily miles, he runs about 10 miles in the morning and 10 miles in the evening.  The cool thing about Anton is he has always supported and used minimalist running shoes.  He has perfected the art of buying a shoe and then cutting it down so it just has enough protection to stop the rocky paths of Colorado from hurting his feet.  So when New Balance wanted to design a shoe that was minimalist but great for the quick and fast runners, they asked Anton to help them. 

More New Balance 101 »

Chaco Z/2s at the Theme Park by Bryan 12/08/2010 10:46:32 P.M.

Its that time of year again…And No, Im not just talking about Christmas, it’s the time of cooler temperatures, time to get out there and put on the Chacos Z/2 sandals. This weather is what us Floridians dream of during the long scorching months of 95 degrees, when we can finally get out there and not swim  through  sea of humidity and moisture. With this change in weather more outdoor possibilities are being exposed and successfully taken advantage of, which means more gear and clothing is being used.  This is just what I did recently...

More Chaco Z/2s at the Theme Park »