What are the best shoes for Spartan Race

As you all know, there has been a lot of talk about the upcoming mother of all obstacle races: The Spartan Race.

What is the Spartan Race though?
With four race distances, from the 7k Sprint to the 42K Ultra-Beast, Spartan Race is the word’s most exciting and challenging obstacle race series. You’ll climb rope, avoid barbed wire,drag a concrete block and throw spears. At the end, you’ll face off against the gladiators – expect no mercy in the arena. You will do 30 burpees for each obstacle you fail to overcome. Show up unprepared at your own peril.

So for those competing will be after some Spartan shoes to help you get through that tough day. Here’s a few that we think is the best for you:

Inov-8 X Talon 190

 

inov-8 x talon

This shoe will redefine expectations for elite runners looking for the highest levels of proprioception and the most natural foot position. Featuring a 3mm differential between the forefoot and heel and a 3mm footbed, the X-Talon™ 190 ensures that your foot remains closer to the ground in its most stable position.

Weight 190g / 6.7oz (UK8)

Inov-8 RocLite 285

 

Inov-8 RocLite 285

A lightweight and versatile trail shoe designed for maximum performance in both races and training. The reinforced toe box protects the foot and shoe upper from any unexpected terrain.

Inov-8 BareGrip 200

 

Inov-8 BareGrip 200

 

The freedom and sensation of barefoot running but the grip of an all conquering off trail shoe. Incredibly light and responsive, the bare-grip™ 200 simply screams “SPRINT ME, RACE ME” when you lace it up…and boy, does it deliver! Uniquely the ZERO Arrow Shoc-Zone™ Bare-Grip™ 200 does not have a midsole, so all the natural power and speed of the foot is transferred directly through the shoe. The closest you can get to barefoot running in a harsh off road trail environment.

Weight 200g / 7oz (UK8)

Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS

M4123 M4125

 

Our first trail running specific model, the Spyridon LS provides the perfect balance of foot feel and protection on rugged surfaces. A minimalist 3.5mm Vibram rubber sole provides impact protection from stones and debris, while better allowing proper barefoot dynamics.

The aggressive tread design delivers sure-footed grip in all directions, moulded nylon mesh in midsole adds a rock block effect, dispersing impact over a wider area. The Coconut Active Carbon upper offers natural breathability and an adjustable hook-and-loop closure ensures a secure fit. 3M reflective applications for safety after dark.

Trek Sport

 

VFF_Trek_Sport_Black

Optimize your outdoor performance. Building on the success and versatility of the KSO and KSO Trek, FiveFingers presents the TrekSport for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s designed with rugged, high-performance materials to help maximise your outdoor experience. Vibram used abrasion-resistant Coconut Active Carbon in the upper for natural breathability, 4mm EVA in the midsole for plating protection, and we’ve added a lightly cleated 4mm Vibram® performance rubber outsole for extra traction on a variety of terrain.

 

As you can see from the above pictures, there are different types of shoes that we at Adventure Megastore, recommend for you to wear when competing in the Spartan Race. It’s important to find a shoe with tough soles and good grip, hence the Inov-8‘s with their cleats and trail traction to give you that better grip when running through that mud and dirt.

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Spartan Race as you can see is an ultimate test of strength, mentality and camaraderie.

Who will come out on top…

96545985733031280_ldSxfpCW_c… and who will fall to their weakness?

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Come grab a pair of shoes from Adventure Megastore today and test your limits!

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2012 London Olympics Vibram FiveFingers

Australia olympics classic

We couldn’t let the Olympics pass without a special edition of the Vibram FiveFingers Classic to commemorate the games with. There are 5 styles of Olympics/Flag-styled FiveFingers being produced — one  for each of the following countries: Australia, Denmark, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United States.

These Vibram FiveFingers are specially designed for the 2012 London Olympics and will only be available in Australia and Europe in limited quantities. In Adventure Megastore we have the Australian and Italian Flag models! Now Available for Order


Vibram FiveFingers Seeya and Spyridon now available at Adventure Megastore

Vibram Fivefingers Australia released on May 7, 2012 their new Vibram Fivefingers SeeYa and Spyridon models. We are proud to announce that Australia is one of the first countries to receive the Spyridon without laces.

The Vibram FiveFingers SeeYa is designed to be a road running shoe. Vibram has reduced the use of materials in this shoe resulting in one of the lightest models with weight savings coming from a unique sole that only has rubber on the forefoot and the heel. The upper is made of a stretchy fabric which gives the shoe a glove-like contoured fit that is exceptionally breathable and dries quickly (this is the most breathable VFF that has been made up to this date).

Vibram Fivefingers Seeya - WomensVibram Fivefingers Seeya – Womens
Vibram Fivefingers Seeya SoleVibram Fivefingers Seeya Sole

 

Minimal rubber thickness in the outsole maximizes “foot feel” and flexibility

  • Soft TPU midsole further reduces thickness and weight for natural movement.

  • Stitched-in polyurethane insole protects skin and foot tissue during longer runs.

  • Snug fit, lightweight.

  • Single-layer, breathable stretch mesh upper.

  • Adjustable hook-and-loop closure.

  • 3M reflective applications for night running.

 

The Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon is designed specifically for trail running. The shoe is named in honor of Spyridon Louis, the greek shepherd who won the first modern Olympic Marathon in 1896.

The Spyridon with its 3.5mm Vibram rubber sole allows a better grip in the trail. It has an aggressive tread design for solid grip and the midsole has a nylon mesh that spreads the impact from a rock over a wider area, offering a better protection from rocks, roots and any other trail objects you may encounter, without sacrificing the barefoot experience.

Men's Vibram Fivefingers Spyridon Black/GreenMen’s Vibram Fivefingers Spyridon Black/Green
Vibram Fivefingers Spyridon SoleVibram Fivefingers Spyridon Sole
  • Aggressive tread design delivers sure-footed grip in all directions.

  • Molded nylon mesh in midsole adds a “rock block” effect, dispersing impact over a wider area.

  • Stitched-in polyurethane insole protects skin and foot tissue during longer runs.

  • Coconut Active Carbon upper offers natural breathability.

  • Adjustable speed lace closure ensures a secure fit.

Is that Kate Hudson wearing Vibram Fivefingers

Kate Hudson was spotted coming out of her local gym wearing a pair of Vibram Fivefingers Bikilas in Verde. Its great to see celebrities wearing something functional over fashionable.

She isn’t the only one wearing Vibram Fivefingers Bikilas, check out Scarlett Johansson on a run with Sean Penn.

Scarlett Johansson Wearing Vibram Fivefingers Bikila

Vibram Fivefingers Bikila

My new Vibram FiveFingers Komodo’s

It took a few weeks for the Komodo’s to be out until I finally got my hands on a pair.. and it’s more like “why did I wait” not “it was worth the wait”.

They are sensational!

I have several pairs of Five’s and other minimalist shoes (well documented here in this blog already). Each have their own special place in my wardrobe.

The main reason why I liked the Komodo’s and decided to get another pair was that they have a seamless footbed. That is, when I wear them barefoot (as most people do), my toes etc are not touching any seam inside the shoe. While I don’t find this a complaint in any of the other models, it was the first thing I noticed when I put the Komodo’s on. A silky smooth inner fabric around my toes.. it’s delightful!

I will take them out for a spin later – looking forward to seeing how they travel along my favourite Centennial Park (Sydney) trail run.

Thanks to Max and the team at BarefootInc for hooking the Adventure Megastore team up with these!

Anthony.

Anthonys Vibram FiveFingers Five Fingers Komodo

 

ABC News Article: “Expert recommends running bare”

There was an interesting article posted on the ABC news site today, reporting from the 2011 Australasian Podiatry Conference:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/04/26/3200612.htm?WT.mc_id=science_twitterfeed_enviro&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+abcscience_enviro+%28Environment+news+and+features%2C+from+ABC+Science%29&utm_content=Twitter
..worth checking out if you are interested in the barefoot running (or minimalist footwear) movement.

Great new video on the benefits of training barefoot

Andrew (from Sydney Exercise Physiology) is our resident conditioning coach and works with a number of our VIP barefoot clients to advise and coach people exercises to either treat injury or, more importantly, promote good health.

In his series of demonstration videos, the latest covers the reasons for and benefits of training barefoot. He also mentions Vibram FiveFingers and Merrell Barefoot as two alternatives for barefoot.

Check it out below: