Archive for July, 2009
Posted by Greg on
July 26, 2009
Vibram FiveFingers (KSO Model)
Greg’s Gear Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
I am often asked “backchannel” for gear reviews on the equipment that I use on both my expeditions and for everyday paddling trips. Please watch my blog for future reviews and send me email if you wish to see a particular item reviewed. I will indicate any conflicts of interest (sponsorships, etc) and do my best to provide an informative review.
The Good
- Low volume fit is great for SOF kayaks and other tight boats.
- Models with an instep strap stay “stuck” to your feet (even in thick muck).
- Razor-cut soles offer excellent traction, even on wet surfaces.
- Soles are thick enough for common hazards yet thin enough for dexterity (such as operating butterfly rudder controls)
- Walking “barefoot” while in public feels sinfully good (you even leave a nice “barefoot” footprint).
The Bad
- Sand is bad news. When walking in water, fine suspended sand can pack tightly around your toes and badly abrade your skin if not removed.
- Due to the toe pockets you can’t use the shoes with any kind of drysuit that features integral socks.
- Tight fit makes it difficult for your feet to dry so these are not the best après-kayak shoes.
- It takes some practice until you can don them quickly.
- Expect to hear “Dude, what’s that you got on your feet”, very often…. 🙂
I have to admit that when I first saw Vibram FiveFingers at Canoecopia in 2007 I uttered “Puleeze” under my breath. My favorite backpacking boots have always featured stout Vibram soles but the FiveFingers looked like a gimmick. I changed my tune, however, after using them and now they are often my “go-to” shoe for warm-weather kayaking. FiveFingers are snug-fitting, stretchy, low-volume, minimalist shoes with individual toe pockets that come in a variety of styles and feature razor-cut soles for traction. If you love going barefoot you will love FiveFingers. Vibram claims that wearing FiveFingers and “stimulating the muscles in your feet and lower legs will not only make you stronger and healthier, it improves your balance, agility and proprioception”.
I have always used stiff-soled water-shoes for comfort and support while kayaking with the square, Yakima-type kayak footpegs that are common on most touring yaks (such as my NDK Greenlander Pro). However when I began training with race-oriented kayaks and surfskis I had difficulty operating the rudder pedals. Kayaks, such as my Epic 18x, have a wide, angled carbon foot bar for heel support and have the rudder pedals hinged above the bar. I quickly discovered that my stiff shoes were not only unnecessary but also lacked the agility to operate the pedals. I briefly tried paddling barefoot but needed some protection from rocks and glass. FiveFingers to the rescue! These shoes have just enough protection and provide impressive dexterity. FiveFingers have very little bulk so they readily fit into a tight Skin on Frame kayak or other low-volume boats.
I prefer the KSO (Keep Stuff Out) model that features a mesh panel covering the top of the shoe and a strap to keep them securely in place. For cooler climates the “Flow” model features thin neoprene construction. Users of SOF kayaks may find this model more comfortable, especially if you need to slide your feet under tight deckbeams and require padding on the tops of your feet. Be warned that it takes some time to learn how to get all your piggies into their proper pockets. I found this frustrating at first. These are not the shoes that you would reach for if your house was on fire! The toe pockets separate and spread your toes slightly, that is purported to be healthy. I found the sensation a bit odd at first but I quickly got used to it. The sole is very thin but is sufficient to protect from common debris. That said, the soles and construction are not stout enough or protective enough for expedition kayaking and, of course, the toe pockets and tight fit would not work with the integral socks of a typical drysuit.
For kayaking day trips in warm climates FiveFingers are very comfortable with the notable exception that in areas of fine sand, wading can cause suspended grit to enter the shoes. The sand can easily become impacted around your toes and can cause painful abrasions if not promptly removed. At the end of the day my feet have the appearance of a white, shriveled prune, from the tight fit so I prefer to take them off when I climb out of the kayak and slip into something looser to allow my feet to dry.
Unless you are comfortable, say, wearing a kilt in public you might feel a bit silly walking into a restaurant in your FiveFingers. Over time I have grown much less self-conscious wearing my FiveFingers but it’s undeniable that they garner attention and are great conversations starters.
For the right applications I give FiveFingers a “thumb’s up”.
For the record I am not sponsored by Vibram, however I do sell FiveFingers at Travel Country Outdoors, where I work.
Posted by Greg on
July 18, 2009
Today I biked 32 miles, getting up early to beat the afternoon heat and the intense thunderstorms that define the sub-tropics of central Florida. My favorite trail winds around low rolling hills and orange groves and past huge oaks draped with beards of Spanish moss that sway in the hot breeze. Hidden among the hills are an amazing number of lakes. Today’s ride was unremarkable, although I did have to swerve to miss a six-foot corn snake that was fully stretched across the path to absorb the intense heat.
Each year I have to become re acclimated to the heat of Florida. It was really bad in past years when I returned from my circumnavigations of Iceland and Newfoundland, being adapted to much cooler weather, to face the August Florida heat. In mid-summer it stays hot even at night, although the mornings and frequent rain showers provide some relief. The heat wraps around you and saturates you. It almost suffocates you. When I finish a good paddle or ride, I can literally ring the sweat out of my clothes.
Thank God there’s Elvis to the rescue — a chocolate Elvis smoothie that is! I was turned on to this concoction by Rod Price, one of my kayak/canoe race training buddies. I prepare one when I return from a paddle or ride. The first sip is heaven, I let it roll around my mouth and parched throat. It’s cold, delicious and has become one of my favorite recovery drinks. I’m so addicted to these smoothies that I had to spread the world:
Chocolate Elvis Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
- 6 fl oz of milk (experiment with plain yogurt too)
- 1 fresh Banana
- 4-6 ice cubes
Directions
Combine all ingredients except for the ice in a blender and spin until smooth. Add the ice and blend again. Pour into your favorite 8 oz glass and enjoy!
Nutritional Info:
Fat 10.7g
Carbohydrates: 52.1g
Calories: 332.8
Protein: 11.8g
So what has this got to do with Elvis? Elvis was a huge fan of fried “peanut butter and nanner” sandwiches. I think I’ll stick to the smoothie instead…
Posted by Greg on
July 4, 2009
Back in Newfoundland for a visit, June 2009, retracing some of the steps from my circumnavigation.
Long trips are great but you eventually have to go home…
I love long kayaking expeditions. On such a trip you fully live each day and live for the moment. However, you can’t spend your entire life on what amounts to a glorified vacation. Eventually you have to return home and pay the piper.
One of my biggest challenges has been finding meaningful work. By that I mean work that pays well, work that stokes passion and leaves you energized instead of drained, and allows ample time for adventures, be that hiking the AT or paddling around some large land mass. Some people search for such a “calling” their entire life. Some lucky people find it or, more likely, stumble upon it — probably since few of us understand what we *really* need. If you do know, then you are miles ahead of the pack.
If you follow my blog you know that I walked away from a comfortable salary working as a software engineer/project manager, to find the right blend of kayaking, teaching, sales, helping people, and application of my software/managerial skills, that would ignite all of my passions. I also knew that I would always have regrets if I did not pursue long kayaking expeditions.
I would like to report that I have found nirvana, but I’m still in active transition — “a work in progress”. I went from a position with high pay and low satisfaction to a position with good satisfaction and humble pay. Whereas before I couldn’t get the time off, now the challenge is affording the trips. I made the decision that was right for me, but not everyone should leave their day job.
Linda Bartlett, my dear friend and long-distance partner, has probably heard more of my telephone drivel than she can stand, on this subject of work/life/passion/balance. She recently shared with me a link from Penelope Trunk http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/09/29/how-to-find-meaningful-work/ that addresses this topic. It strongly resonated with me, I hope you find it useful advice as well.
Following are a few notable excerpts:
“1. Take care of yourself-have the basics covered.
The most important thing about making meaningful work is that if you are always worried about paying rent, it’s very hard to add goodness back to the rest of the world. Giving back to the world requires a sense of personal well-being and stability that only people who have a roof over their head can manage.
2. Take care of your work-make sure your job doesn’t suck.
Work doesn’t give your life meaning. The idea that your happiness correlates to your satisfaction with your work is misguided. What you need from work is to make sure it’s not undermining your ability to create sanity in your life. Work is a way to get sanity, to make sure you are growing and you feel secure while you do it. Here’s what you need from a job to get that:
* A short, predictable commute
* Workflow you can manage
* Clear goals that are challenging
* Two co-workers you’re close friends with
So stop using your search for meaning as an excuse for not getting a job. Life is loaded with meaning, if you would just start living it. And, as an adult, that means engaging in ANY kind of work that we can do well”
Excellent advice from Penelope and quite different than either the New Age “follow your bliss” blather, or the old school “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” advice of my youth. I’d love to hear your comments.
