Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
We do a fair bit of mountainbiking at Unsponsored HQ when there isn’t much water around and we have been using Five Ten shoes from the very start.
The newest addition to the flat pedal mountain bike range is the Five Ten Trail Cross. The version we have here is the Mid version which has much better ankle protection in the form of D30 inserts.
Palm Equipment have updated the super popular Gradient boots for 2016. The previous version is firm favourite at Unsponsored HQ.
So what have Palm done to make the Gradient boots better?
I’m going to begin the Astral Hiyak – review by saying a little bit about the boots I’ve been using most of the time – the Five Ten Water Tennies. They have been faultless and have become my favourite pair of paddling boots. The Stealth rubber is what really makes it. I have several pairs of shoes/boots and have probably tested/reviewed pretty much everything that is available on the market but for river use I always return to the Water Tennies.
Now to the Astral Hiyak. They don’t have the Stealth rubber from Five Ten but have Astral’s own G.ss rubber, I have seen the G.ss a number of times but have never been able to try it out, until now.
Continue readingKirstie Macmillan gives us her first thoughts on the Five Ten Canyoneer 3 boots.
What Five Ten Say:
In canyoneering, where static friction is life and sliding friction death, Canyoneers have become the gold standard. The Canyoneer 3, with its Stealth S1 soles, reflects more than 15 years of R&D in some of the world’s harshest environments. The new 2015 Canyoneer retains the burly protection and excellent stability of its predecessor, but adds an increased lug height for improved penetration on soft ground and easier mud release. We’ve added welded rubber rands that interlock with the mesh upper to eliminate any chance of delamination; an asymmetric fast-lace system for single-handed adjustability in cold, wet conditions; a protective tuck-away lace pouch and svelte heel cage for torsional stiffness and support. And the flexible ankle cuff gives you support and protection without compromising range of motion.
I’ve been using my Five Ten Water Tennies for the last year + and really like them but also have a set of Astral Brewers which are great in my play boat. The Brewers dry much faster that the Water Tennies but don’t have the same level of protection or stiffness as the Water Tennies. The Rassler takes the Brewer and beefs it up for tougher walk ins/outs.
© 2024 Unsponsored
Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑
Recent Comments