Doing it well: Newton Running

, May 3, 2012

In so many ways, Newton Running just gets it right. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Newton not only pushes out a great product, but markets and promotes it with a refreshingly sophisticated efficiency. On the product side, they’ve revolutionised the way we think about footwear by conceiving of their Land-Lever-Lift philosophy in a shoe that is meant to last. Meanwhile, their marketing has focused on the lifestyle of running – heralded by the snappy slodan, ‘Hello Better’. Go to Newton’s photos on their Facebook Page, and you’ll see a number of images displaying their distinctive tread, part of the brand’s focus on designing and promoting a durable product. I’ve been wearing the Newton Distancia since Thanksgiving 2011, and haven’t felt more excited about running training since.

Subaru present Company 2.0

, April 5, 2012

In tracing this theme, automotive-manufacturer Subaru rolled out their ‘Work Play Love’ Tour during the past two months. The company visited some of the US’s most desirable places to work, setting up stalls and games at 50 companies across the country. Subaru and active lifestyle partners such as KEEN, Icebreaker, Yakima, Prana, Trek, Outdoor Research and Osprey made more than 50 fresh air therapy stops with their fleet of 2012 Imprezas, unloading their outdoor games, DIY trail mix station, product demonstrations and giveaways.

Afghan Ski Challenge 2012

, March 23, 2012

Earlier this month, an unusual event took place in the Koh-e-Baba Mountain Range in the central Bamiyan Province of Afghanistan. For just the second time, the Afghan Ski Challenge (ASC) found its form, … Read more

Dragon Alliance APX

, March 11, 2012

In the eyes of a number of adventure’s premium goggle brands, bigger is always better. To them, wider lenses, fatter frames and substantial straps are more than just effective branding. This season, Dragon Alliance have reassessed this paradigm, releasing in their APX goggle and a new perspective that has reigned supreme across the northern hemisphere since December.

Patagonia Primo Down Jacket

, February 28, 2012

Every season a series of ‘must get’ products emerge from the looms of the top adventure brands around the world. This winter, Patagonia has placed a major focus on its new line of breathable and waterproof shells, teaming up Gore-Tex to ensure that the quality of their garments stay at the top-end of adventure apparel and manufacturing ethics.

Arc’teryx Birds Nest Project

, February 17, 2012

As Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver has a problem that often goes unreported – homelessness. At the end of January, I made a pilgrimage to the headquarters of Arc’teryx in the city … Read more

Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, U.K.

, February 13, 2012

If you’re one of those video addicts who spends hours wandering through YouTube and Vimeo looking for adventure films, momentous soundtracks, the 2012 Sheffield Adventure Film Festival is your fix.

Polarmax PMX Hoodie

, February 10, 2012

Last season we reviewed Sweet Protection’s unique, full-body Saviour Suit, setting a high standard for our future baselayer evaluations. At the beginning of this season I started doing some research to find other baselayers that made similar claims of performance excellence, deciding upon US-based Polarmax, an environmentally conscious brand with some neat threads to match.

Orage Baselayers

, January 30, 2012

Perhaps my second testing of Orage’s products was more conventional. After a handful of nights in my comfy cacoon, I took the baselayers to Whistler, B.C. to take them through a more rigorous testing over glaciers, through trees and comfy pillows of more powdered constitution. The conditions in Whistler during my visit were mixed. While rain fell hard on the lower slopes, howling winds on the Blackcomb Glacier dragged the wind chill well down below -5° Celsius.

1% for the Planet

, January 6, 2012

1% for the planet takes one percent of sales from its member companies and distributes this in the form of grants to environmental groups.

Polartec Challenge Grants 2012

, October 24, 2011

Polartec, known for its outdoor gear designed for extreme conditions, has for the past twenty years supported hundreds of adventurous outdoor expeditions. This they have done by providing grants through their international programme, Polartec® Challenge. Applications for these prestigious grants are now open for 2012.

Trek & Raft South Sudan

, October 18, 2011

Secret Compass are a young tour operator that pioneer expeditionary trips around the world. With 2012 departure dates set for trips to Mexico, South Sudan, Afganistan, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, founders Levison Wood and Tom Bodkin are working on new itineraries in Madagascar, the Congo, Argentina, Iraq and Brazil. As such as young company, Secret Compass are in a great position to refresh adventure touring and create demanding adventures with team action. One of Secret Compass’ focuses is to find trips that have a historical relevance, particularly within exploratory myths. Their tour in South Sudan follows the footsteps of one famous explorer, Samuel Baker.

Summer 2011 Whitewater Edits

, October 17, 2011

Here are some edits from this summer’s whitewater exploits – enjoy. 2011 Whitewater Grand Prix by Tribe Rider MF Nooksack Canyon by The Bomb Flow Riders of the Year  II … Read more