5 days, 5 exceptional locations, 5 sports, and one trail every day (between 5 to 25 kms). A concept permitting the world’s top teams as well as teams less experienced to reveal their talents and their endurance.

DUBLIN, IRELAND (Geared Up Blog) - Saab Salomon have become the first British winners of a big international multi sport race. I wish Aisling all the best with her upcoming race tomorrow and i’m sure she’ll put in a huge performance. Also i heard the Wicklow Round attempt that began at 11am this Saturday was 5 minutes ahead of schedule at 1pm. Hopefully the weather will hold for them tonight and they will not be forced off due to the weather again!

Saab Salomon team mates commented :

Despite leading from the front and putting in swift trail performances all week, they never once felt blasé. “It was a gorgeous route but when you’re racing you never give less than 100%. You don’t know what might happen and nothing is decided until you’re standing on that top step.

I’m very proud to be part of the first British team to win one of the major international events. We have all been dreaming of this for a long time…

-Eoin

Now during our little saunter round the wet Wicklow bogs last weekend these shoes managed to make my feet feel dry the whole time. And believe me they were put to some test over the saturated course. However about ten hours into our run their one-pull lacing sytem broke and I had to switch to trainers and spent the next 8 hours with wet feet!

When I googled this phenomenon this morning, it came up a few times so it has happened to others before, including the Gear Junkie. Now the nice folk in the Great Outdoors told me this shouldn’t happen when I went in to buy replacement laces. Firstly how do you replace laces on a one-loop system like this and with these trail shoes being only a year old should it have happened in the first place?

-Aisling-

DUBLIN (Geared Up Blog) - I’ve been a very busy shopper of late having spent quite a fair amount of cash over the past month or so on gear. I bought a pair of salomon ski boots for my ski trip this year and i must say it was one of the best investments i’ve made. I got the Performa 7 CF, which by no means is one of their top boots but the comfort of using your own boot as opposed to renting a pair hundreds of people have used is definitely worth it. For the first couple of days i was still unsure had i made a sensible decision as they weren’t any more comfortable than any rental pair. But after i got used to them and my shins got used to the pressure of skiing they fitted like a glove and i had no more problems with them. I would highly recommend buying a pair of boots if you are planning to go skiing every year.

In madness i also ended up buying a pair of Leki ski poles as well. By no means necessary the best thing i found with the poles was the fact that they have Leki’s alpine trigger so that when you are getting on a chair lift, button lift or cable car you dont have the awkwardness of trying to get your hands out of the pole straps whilst also getting your ski pass out and holding a up a que of impatient people. But overall i don’t think it was really worht the money. True they are much lighter than any you’ll rent and nice to hold but for the amount ill use them i can’t really justify what i spent on them.

Salomon have launched a new site entirely dedicated to Trail Running.

Here you will find, among other things, different training programmes that can be tailored to your level and training objectives. Furthermore you will be able to communicate with our team regarding training tips and any other questions you might have. You will also be able to discover the latest products and technologies.

Salomon’s ultimate cross country shoe with light yet protective upper and unique tread pattern offering superior traction in mud and across unstable terrain.

Check them out on Salomon’s website.

I was presented a very nice voucher recently for an Irish Outdoor Store having ‘retired’ as SL from the local scout troop (well on the 31st I do!). And I’ve been having a good search for something nice. I’m feeling my Salomon XA Harriers could do with an upgrade :-)

Salomon Mens XA Pro 3D XCR Product Details

For the demanding adventure racer, this is a high-performance state-of-the-art trail running shoe designed for the rigours of moving quickly in harsh terrain, all year round. Features include breathable mesh upper with GORE-TEX® XCR lining, Sensifit™ lacing provides a secure and comfortable fit, Advanced 3D chassis gives superb comfort, EVA triply-density moulded mid-sole absorb trail shock. Reassuring Contagrip™ sole unit