Merrell Ascend Glove Review

Over the past few years reviewing shoes on CavemanClarke, I must admit that it is a very rare occurrence to come across a minimalist trail shoe that ticks all the right boxes and leaves me very impressed. Most of the time a shoe performs well in some areas or in specific conditions, but final conclusions leave me writing 'could have been better.....' or 'if only they had.....' and quite often 'i can see what they have tried to do but.....'. In the case of the Merrell Ascend Glove I am pleased to say straight away that this is certainly not the case for this shoe.

I have been using the non-GTX version for a few weeks now and the GTX version for the past week and I can say that these are fantastic minimal trail shoes. In this review I hope to point out the reasons why I have been so impressed with this shoe, focusing on the non-GTX version that I have had a few weeks now to put through their paces. Later this month I will be posting a comparison of the non-GTX vs the GTX versions of the Ascend Gloves.

So lets start with a few pictures to familiarise you with what the shoe looks like.

Inov-8 Trailroc 150: a brief review

Recently, during the very hot weather that England has been experiencing it decided to rain for a few days, turning the hard and dry trails back into wet, sticky and very slippery mud. My favourite trail shoes are still by far the Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS (see here for full review: http://caveman-clarke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/vibram-fivefingers-spyridon-vs-spyridon.html). But in very wet and sticky mud, the limited depth of the lugs can lead to them quickly clogging up leaving you back to slippy-slidysit-on-your-butt-before-long style running on ascents and descents. Therefore, for these wetter conditions I am still looking for a minimalist, bareform trail shoe with a little more grip. This is why I decided to try the Inov-8 Trailroc 150; Inov-8's latest and very minimal trail runner for serious barefoot enthusiasts.

Update on the Xero Shoes

Hi everyone,

As some of you may already be aware, I have been trying out the Huarache Sandles from Xero Shoes UK. To see the previous review see here: http://caveman-clarke.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/xero-shoes-review.html

Here I thought I would add a couple of pics for you to see the finished product in action. I didn't have to alter the shape of the soles, I only had to follow the instructions on how to tie them up; a really good thing to try with mates or with your children. These days everything is delivered ready assembled and thrown away when something goes wrong. It was lovely to have to sit down with some basic materials and put together something that should last a long time.

Xero Shoes Review

Hi everyone,

A few months ago Xero Shoes UK kindly sent me a pair of their huaraches to try and to review. After having them some time now I would like to share with you all my thoughts and comments on what I make of these sandle-type barefoot shoes.

Xero Shoes: Thank you!

Just a very quick post to say thanks to Xero Shoes UK who sent me a pair of their very cool looking 4mm Huarache style sandles today. I opted for the DIY kit as I fancied finalising them myself. I am really excited to get these fitted when I have a spare moment later this week and give them a go.

Sadly the weather is not great here at the moment for huarache style shoes. We currently have about 4-6 inches of snow! Therefore, give me a few weeks to try these properly and time for the weather to improve and I will review them for you all.

Barefoot shoes for Christmas!

As Christmas is coming around fast, some of you may be hoping for a new pair of shoes to go run in?! I thought I would give my recommendations in case you are undecided on which pairs are best for what. Of course, they will all be bareform or minimalist shoes of some variation, as I thoroughly recommend getting your gait and form back to how we are designed and created to run.

Best for muddy, wet and slippy trails goes to:
Inov-8 Trailroc 235
Reasons:
Fantastic grip from the studs. Sheds mud well. Drains well when wet. Light and comfortable. Removable insole allows quick drying and lacing holds foot well in slippy conditions.

Back to Boots for a day or two

In the past week I have visited a friends farm to help with general farming activities. Not being a fan of welly boots at all due to the painful Achilles heel I get when wearing them, the only other 'suitable' farm footwear was my trusty walking boots. They are a good pair of Meindl leather boots. Pretty expensive when I bought them years ago. Now don't get me wrong, the durability of these boots has been great. I have put them through a whole host of harsh environments in the past, but recently in the past 3 years have sidelined them due to my enthusiasm and dedication to barefoot and bareform movement. But needs-must, and so on they went to tackle the ploughed fields and farm machinery.

Barefoot Running Cambridge, UK

Barefoot Running Cambridge, UK

*PLEASE NOTE: BAREFOOT AND BAREFORM RUNNING SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE WITH CAVEMANCLARKE VIA TRINITY FITNESS LTD

Great news! CavemanClarke now offers barefoot and bareform running training sessions in the
Cambridgeshire area of the UK.

CavemanClarke now provides a School of Running for people in the local area to learn correct running form and technique. People think that running just comes naturally, and to be able to do it just requires oneself to walk out the door and put one leg in front of the other slightly quicker than walking pace. Sadly, this helps contribute to the many many injuries runners face every year, leading to mobility difficulties, loss of fitness and training and a lot of unhappy and demoralised people.

But just like any other sport or fitness pursuit, instruction in the correct and safe way to exercise is essential in running, whether on or off road. Strengthening muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones takes time and correct form. Posture, speed, stride length and much more are mastered far quicker when an experienced coach is on hand to put things right for you. You wouldn't get far in tennis or golf without proper instruction, and running is no different. Do it wrong and you risk serious injury and set-back.

Inov-8 Trailroc 235 review: an update

Nearly 60 km have elapsed whilst wearing the new Trailroc 235's from Inov-8. Sharing the weekly distances between the Trailroc's, Vibram Fivefingers Spyridon LS and non-LS version I have managed to get a pretty good idea of the pro's and con's of the Trailroc 235's. I have been promising an update along the way, and so far have managed to keep you up to date via the comments section of the Trailroc and Baregrip post I uploaded a few weeks back (http://caveman-clarke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/inov-8-trailroc-235-and-baregrip-200.html). I thought it is about time I gave a more in-depth follow-up for those of you interested in the new series from Inov-8.

Positives:

Trailroc 235's after another satisfying run

• Zero drop allows natural biomechanics
• Grip on any terrain and in all conditions
• Lacing system holds foot well
• Water drains really quickly
• Foot remains well ventilated
• Comfortable to wear for long distances
• No blisters or hot-spots
• Flexible for a trail shoe
• Correct level of protection for technical trails
• Look sexy!!! Fantastic aesthetics
• Removable insoles for custom fit and preferences 

Dare to think...

I just had to share my thoughts with you. For a while now I have been observing people around me. Yes, we all do this naturally, but I mean really observing people.

I often get told, "You think too much." So ironically, I've been thinking about this and whether people have a point or not, and have come to a conclusion. It's not how much you think but rather what you think about that makes the difference. It all comes back to the simple truth in life; think positive and be happy and successful or think negative and nosedive into sadness and depression. Constant negative thoughts can lead a person to utter despair and unhappiness. But positive thoughts can lead you to be the best that you can be; considerate, interesting and successful in whatever you choose to do.

One of the main factors that differentiates humans over other creatures on this planet is our incredible ability to think, analyse and adapt accordingly. Thinking is clearly not bad. In everyday life it is a real blessing to be able to think hard and fast to be the best that we can be. As unavoidable factors change around us we have to adapt quickly or else be left behind. Have a think about it; what would you do in the following situations?

A member of your family went out for a run ages ago and hasn't returned yet.
You are organising a charity event and on the day all the equipment you needed doesn't turn up.
You are a personal trainer, you plan a workout and upon arrival suddenly discover your client has a really bad injury.
You have friends coming round for dinner, and 30 mins prior to their arrival you find out they are vegetarian.

Inov-8 Trailroc 235 and Baregrip 200: a comparison with other minimalist trail shoes

After a long break away in the Pennines, walking 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm inside the Scottish border, I have got hold of two new pairs of trail running shoes from Inov-8.

Long have I been looking for a durable, grippy and protective trail runner for longer and more technical trails, so I ordered the Baregrip 200 and the new Trailroc 235. Both of these shoes sport a 0mm drop from heel-toe and fit into the 'minimalist' category of trail shoes.

See the video link below to find out what I make of these shoes and if they match what I have been looking for...

Happy running everyone, and drop me a comment if you have any questions
CavemanClarke

CavemanClarke makes it into Outdoor Fitness magazine

CavemanClarke (left) in Issue 9 of Outdoor Fitness Magazine (UK)

Outdoor Fitness magazine contacted me asking me to write an article about losing weight and returning to fitness after an over-indulgent holiday break. When I discovered that the feature would include a 4-week fitness plan and nutritional and lifestyle information, I couldn't refuse the opportunity.

Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon vs Spyridon LS: a review

Hello everyone! In my busy schedule I have finally managed to bring you the promised Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon vs Spyridon LS review; and what better way than to post my first video on my blog!

Click on the link below to see an extensive review of both trail running specific models from Vibram.

Preview of the Spyridon LS vs Spyridon

So, I have taken them out for a spin and can give you a short, first impressions opinion of the VFF Spyridon LS in comparison to the Spyridon (with velcro hook and loop closure).

After my first run in the Spyridon LS

I love the styling. As a trail runner I think that these shoes in the colour scheme shown in the picture is the most appealing model that Vibram have released to date (and it will take some beating). The mountain-bike-like tread screams at me to take these bad-boys out for a muddy run. As for the upper; I love the balance between sensible trail running colours such as brown and black with the injection of vibrant white skeleton-like strips coming from each toe and meeting to the side of the foot. Simply damn cool and sexy!

Vibram Fivefinger Spyridon and Spyridon LS Review coming soon

Just to let those of you waiting for the VFF Spyridon Review to appear on my blog know, I have managed to acquire a pair of Spyridon LS too, so I thought I would review them both together at a later date when I have had time to compare them against one-another. I am getting married in less than 2 weeks so it may be a little while until I get the time to properly try them out and get to my PC with enough time to provide you all with a fully comprehensive review. I think my new wife will get a little miffed if I constantly disappear running on our honeymoon!!!

Coming very soon...Vibram Fivefinger Spyridon Review

CavemanClarke has recently got his hands on, and feet into, a pair of Vibram Fivefinger Spyridons. I have been on a few runs in them recently in order to get a well-rounded opinion of exactly what I think of them before publishing an in-depth review of the good, bad and (hopefully not) the ugly!

Here is a picture of the pair I got hold of in the black and green colour scheme...

The European model have a velcro hook and loop closure system like the KSO

Vibram FiveFingers Review

The now 'world famous' and 'conversation starting' individual toed footwear, that arguably started and has carried forward ever since, the barefoot running craze, definitely deserves a blog post of its own.

You either love or hate these shoes, and I love them with a passion!

Before the Vibram FiveFingers (VFF's) arrived on the scene, shoes had taken us far away from natural movement, encasing our feet in strange shaped, supportive and cushioned structures that ultimately resulted in the weakening of one of the bodies most amazing biomechanical tools; a coffin for the strength and development of the lower legs and feet. Well done and congratulations Vibram for jumping straight in the deep end and giving the world a shoe that allows the user to move as God intended us to.

Running to help others

Ready to run for charity

Running is fantastic. Whether it represents time spent with close friends or family, running in a huge pack of people in a race or fun-run, or whether it boils down to some quality time spent on your own out in nature; running is magical.

Recently I have run on my own many many times and many many miles. I love to get away from it all. I long to run free, surrounded by just nature. No people, no stress, just keep focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. It is my escape, a time used to clear my head, relieve stress and blow out the cobwebs that build up inside after hours spent phoning, emailing and meeting with people. Work is not relevant, nor are the petty arguments you have had when over-tired, nor is money or future plans. For an hour or two it's just you and the trail. Peace at last.

Vivobarefoot Neo Trail Review

Neo Trails in the snow...perfect!

Upon opening the box it was clear these were a gorgeous looking trail shoe. The aggressive tread in the form of 'V' shaped lugs was unlike any other I had ever seen on a bareform shoe. And that is exactly the reason I had purchased a pair. Couple the grip with the fact that these have a water resistant upper and you can see why I immediately had high hopes for these shoes.

Trying them on I was slightly disappointed. Firstly, the original pair i was sent had a faulty heel section inside the shoe. The stitching was not finished properly and had become undone, leaving a rather untidy mess in the left heel. This is not a good first impression, but i was reassured by Vivobarefoot that this was a one-off. First impressions are lasting though! Thankfully the second pair were absolutely fine. Also, once again as with many shoes I was slightly in between sizes. I knew a size larger would leave me with clown feet so I had to stick with slightly-too-small-but-just-about-OK!. This is not really a moan at the shoe companies, as I suppose it's my feet that are the problem. But on the other hand, shoe companies could easily solve this problem if they were to provide us with half size options like Merrell and New Balance already do??!! This being said, the shoes are still very comfortable.

New Balance Minimus Zero MT00 Trail Shoe Review

The New Balance Minimus Zero line has arrived in the UK earlier than expected! Around mid-January the MT00 and MR00 were available to buy online. These shoes have been long-awaited and anticipated. Ever since the MT10 was released last year, barefoot and minimalist runners have nagged NB to release a zero drop version of the shoe. And now, here it is. 
As soon as the release was announced I ordered myself a pair of the MT00's in the black and blue colour scheme, eager to try them out and compare them to the faithful MT10's. Hoping they would prove themselves a worthy addition to my arsenal of minimalist running shoes and an improvement on the already trusted and loved MT10's, I hit the wet and muddy trails of the UK. A fair few runs later, a close inspection and comparison with other minimalist shoes I regularly wear, and I am ready to give my verdict on the NB Minimus Zero MT00 trail shoes.