Vasque Grand Traverse Hiking Shoes - Review

Vasque Grand Traverse - Review

I have always liked Vasque hiking shoes and boots. Why? They are comfortable and the rubber they use stick to the rock very well.
About a year ago Vasque could not make hiking shoes with Stealth Rubber anymore due to Adidas refusal to license Stealth Rubber to other companies. A real genius move by Adidas.
Vasque now uses a dual compound sticky Vibram® Ibex outsole that is just as good as Stealth Rubber.

Here's my review:

1. The Grand Traverse hiking shoes are comfortable - Bottom line if your shoes are NOT comfortable, don't wear them. Your feet get you from the trailhead to the peak and back. Take care of your feet!

2. The Grand Traverse hiking shoes stick to the rock as good as any hiking shoe I have ever worn. This is all you need to know.

Video review:

Buy the Grand Traverse via Amazon

Darn Tough Socks - Best Socks on the Planet?

I received a pair of Darn Tough socks to test. The model I tested was Coolmax Boot Sock Full Cushion #1441.

Here's my report:

Great fit: Darn Tough has eliminated the stitching by the big toe and little toe that can make the sock bunch up.
Comfortable: From the minute I put the socks on they fit well and were comfortable. No slipping.
Padding: Both under the ball of the foot and in the heal.
Wicking materiel: Your feet stay dry,which prevents hot spots and blisters.
Made in America: Enough said.
Lifetime Guarantee: You read that right!

As most of you know the hikes I do are very demanding. I have done about 10 hikes in these socks and I will be a lifetime customer.



Website: http://darntough.com/coolmax-boot-sock-full-cushion-640
Note: Darn Tough has many models to choose from.

Tired of Wasting Sandwich Bags?

Click to enlarge

If you hike a lot, you have probably thrown away hundreds of ziplock bags that held your fruit, granola and other food items. We need to keep our energy level up while hiking and eating is the best way, but if you are tired of throwing money away, try the new Planet Wise Reusable Bags. They come in two main sizes:
Snack Bags and Sandwich Bags.

Washable

They are washable so you can reuse them forever. Wash the bags as you would your dishes! Wash with dish soap, and rinse with water. Air dry on a drying rack or towel dry. Folding the closure flap into the bag will help keep it open to dry! The bags can be washed on warm/cold in your washing machine. It's not recommended drying in the dryer


Here are the key features:

• FDA Food Safe Material
• Waterproof seams - no leaks
• Easy to clean
• Variety of colors
• Flexible to conform to any pocket in your daypack
• Save money

You can order them from this website: http://www.planetwiseinc.com/   $7.99 each.

Looking for a Great Pair of Sunglasses?

JiMarti JM01 Sunglasses

I have broken at least 50 pairs of sunglasses over the years. Some of the cheap sunglasses have broke in less than two weeks! Either the lenses cracked or the frame broke. So, I was on the hunt for a good pair of sunglasses and I have found them! I have been wearing JiMarti sunglasses for the last two months.




Here's why I like them:

• They have not broken - Shatterproof Flexible TR90 frame
• There are no scratches on the lenses
• They fit well - They have not slip down my nose
• They look good - Many hikers have confused me with Brad Pitt :)
• They feel good - Soft Rubber Nose & ear Pieces for all day comfort
• Lifetime Breakage Warranty!

If you buy them from Amazon, you get a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee! This is an unbeatable deal. You might expect to pay around $100 for a pair of sunglasses like these, but Amazon has them for just $24.95 and free shipping:  http://www.amazon.com/JiMarti-Sunglasses-Fishing-Cycling-Unbreakable-TR90-Black/dp/B002SI5QVA/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=AEXAIDI8EML28

I highly recommend these sunglasses!

Are These The Best Hiking Socks on the Market?

I recently hiked with a pair of Drymax hiking socks without wearing sock liners. I have worn sock liners for years, but Drymax socks state they keep your feet dry. Moisture is one of the causes of blisters. Personally I would prefer not to where sock liners, so finding a hiking sock that I do not need to wear sock liners with would be great!

Features:

Anti-Blister System: Seamlessly smooth interior and stay dry fabric prevents blisters

Active Oder Control: MicroZap silver antimicobial fibers fight odors

3D Advance Fit:  5 sizes and a special 3D foot model help the socks fit correctly

My Findings:

First, it was a hot and humid day and my t-shirt was soaked throughout the distance of the hike. My feet were dry the entire hike. I never felt any hotspots, and, I did not get any blisters. Also, the socks did not smell like most other socks after a hike. This style of sock also fit my feet exceptionally well.   

Based on my findings I highly recommend the Drymax hiking socks.

Here's the exact socks I wore:

Drymax Cold Weather Running Over the Calf

Great video (very short) about Drymax socks:

http://www.totalfootcomfort.com/m-6-drymax.aspx

Where to buy: 

http://www.totalfootcomfort.com/p-92-drymax-hiking-hd-over-calf.aspx $17.50 Over the Calf

http://www.totalfootcomfort.com/p-91-drymax-hiking-hd-crew.aspx $15.00 normal length