IRELAND, DUBLIN (Geared Up Blog) - Just out this month it looks like Garmin have tried to combine looks and function. No more cables needed to link up with the computer as the Forerunner 405 communicates wirelessly with your computer. The other major difference is there is now a power saving mode which will let battery last 2 weeks in this mode. Or the battery life training time is 8 hours. If someone is looking to double up their training watch as their everyday watch as well then maybe this is the thing for you!

Long runs, tempo runs, speed drills. You expect a lot from your body…and from your training gear. Meet Forerunner 405. This GPS-enabled sport watch tracks your training, then wirelessly sends your data to your computer. The ultimate in training technology, its sleek design features a touch bezel that lets you quickly scroll and select features on the run.

People may be thinking now, ‘will I upgrade to the new Forerunner 405 or not?’ Well in my own opinion i don’t see it as an upgrade just a new part of the range. This watch is aimed at people who want everything from a watch. Being able to train with it on and it not looking out of place in an office environment. I think the Forerunner 305 will continue to sell well while the 405 explores a different area.

-Eoinod-

DUBLIN, IRELAND (Geared Up Blog) - Planetfear.com are having a pretty huge bank holiday sale. The pick of the sale in my opinion is the TNF Prophet pack. I bought one myself this year and used it abroad on TGU’s Alpine Trip and it very comfortable to wear no matter what type of load i was carrying. Packs down quite small as well then when empty so easily transportable if you don’t want to carry it when traveling. Loads of gear loops etc.. on the outside of the bag mean you’ll never be stuck trying to attach something to the bag. There is also a Sale started in Great Outdoors in Dublin at the moment.

-Eoin-

(Image Credit: Author carrying The North Face Prophet pack on TGU Alpine Climbing Trip ‘07)

The new road will begin at the base of the mountain in China’s Tibet region and replace a rough 108-kilometre (67-mile) track that leads to base camp, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Construction of the 150-million-yuan (20-million-dollar) highway began on Monday and will take about four months to complete, according to Xinhua. The road is being built to “ease the path of those bearing the Olympic torch,” Xinhua said.

-Eoin-

I think the days are gone when ultra runners are considered complete lunatics and it’s generally accepted now as just another form of human endeavour (before my first Ultra I used to almost cry when people said “are you mad?!”). I’ve blogged before about Multidays but another great website is Ultra Running and here’s an interview with the Comrades and World Champion Bruce Fordyce. He has some great advice.

Pick your parents carefully. Genes have a lot to do with your ability to run long races. The one thing to remember is that the body does not wear out if you use it, if you run. Your body wears out if you don’t use it, but run with care. I don’t agree that you only have so many miles in you to run. Train carefully, well, do not overtrain, and be sure to allow enough time for recovery. I run a lot of marathons from January until Comrades in June, but do only one marathon in the fall.

-Aisling-

It has personal blogs, gear reviews, calenders, photos, training advice, it’s great! I particularly liked this account of an addiction to Adventure Racing and the sheer joy of human endeavour.
Their gear reviews include what they wore/ used for the Primal Quest challenge last year during the various disciplines. Last years Primal Quest included an Irish team who completed the 10 day expedition length adventure race, covering approx. 400 miles over demanding terrain.

(I give in. My ‘must have’ list has gone from this to this. Where will it end? My husband always reckoned I’d be walking round the streets of Chamonix with one of these. He may be right after all.)

-Aisling-

After 30 minutes… Arrested! Shocking.

-Robin-

DUBLIN (Geared Up Blog) - When i was away in Livigno recently i couldnt resist the lure and temptation of this jacket. I tried it on, on my first night over there. Then I went back to the shop the following 2 days and re-tried it(im like a girl trying to make her mind up, i know!). I eventually bought it and unfortunately/fortunately, depending on how you look at it, the weather was amazing for the rest of the week so i couldnt really test it out in the proper situation.

The one day i did try it on i was very impressed, i didnt over heat at all during the day in it and when a small bit of wind got up that evening as i was skiing down just zipped it up and didnt fell a thing. I’ll hopefully be able to give you better feed back once ive worn it on not such a nice day!

DUBLIN (Geared Up Blog) - Endurance Planet.com has recently(well a while ago now) has gotten a new owner and i must say i really like the new format. There is a new interview each today and most are short and snappy under 10mins long. Although there is the odd long interview thrown in for good measure. I’d definitely all you outdoor people out there to download a couple of them and see what you think. They really are very easy lisening and you pick up some good training tips for a range or sports from it. Let’s us know what you think?

DUBLIN (Geared Up Blog) - I must say i have been very very impressed with the Redpoint Optimus. I bought it at the end of November so that i would have a warm jacket over winter and also to double as something to throw on under my shell if i was cold skiing. Well i havent once had to use my shell over it so far and i havent had to re-waterproof wash it yet. The cut of the jacket is tight enough that it isnt falling all over the place but you can still throw on a jumper underneath if your going out for the evening. I know there is much talk of The North Face turning into a commercial company to suit the masses and turning its back on the developing gear for the most extreme enviroments but i think any outdoory person who tries this jacket will be very impressed with its performance.

TNF: “Our athlete team’s favorite product, the Redpoint Optimus, has been improved with their feedback with a waterproof hood and shoulder yoke.”

I know it is strictly speaking a waterproof jacket but i’ve never ever been soaked in it. Sure the water comes down the sleeves a little but what can you expect! I have never ever been on the move and cold at the same time. When i was skiing with it i wore it alone with a baselayer underneath and I was very impressed at its temperature range, i was (again) never cold but when the sun came out and we had the chance to work on our tan i didnt need to necessarily take it off which was a big plus. I would definitely recommend this jacket to anyone because of its huge range of uses, everyone will be able to use it at some time and place!

The North Face Men’s Redpoint Optimus Jacket is a true take-anywhere coat for all conditions. Throw it on for a quick trip to the grocery store, stuff it in your pack for a back-up insulating layer on a backcountry ski tour, or wear it every day at the resort. Seamless construction makes the Optimus ultra waterproof and super light. PrimaLoft insulation keeps you warm with low bulk, while the HyVent shell keeps you dry. HyVent waterproof kiss coating on the hood, shoulders and top of the arms prevents water penetration where flakes hit first. The rest of the body is superlight and breathable ripstop nylon. Speaking of warm and dry, when the blizzard of the century hits, throw up the hood and laugh at the elements. Plenty of pockets add to the Optimus’ versatility.

LONDON (Geared Up Blog) - We’re pleased to launch the first of our new sub-domains sell.TeamGearedUp.com.

We hope to allow you to fund your next adventure by using our site as a marketplace. It’s all free of course - so get in there and post up all your gear for sale.

It gets better - all listings are mirrored around the world on other sites. So don’t worry - we’ll sell it for you! Apart from that - anything really good for sale, we’ll feature here on the homepage! Lots of attention for you.

There’s a ‘Wanted’ section too: so do give it a shot. You may even pick up a bargain. I’ve a lovely new -17c RAB Down Bag this winter through a similar listings site.

Get going, post your kit up sell.TeamGearedUp.com.

Would you like to sell something? Click here to add a listing.