Inov8 has updated their popular Roclite 295 model for 2011. Gone are the dull gray and blue uppers and endurance rubber soles. This year's shoe has a sharper black and lime green upper with the Inov-8 logo boldly displayed. Not that fashion matters among trail runners. It's function that counts and the 295 performs very well under a variety of terrain and surface conditions with it's new sticky rubber soles.

Let's start from the ground up.

The minimal heel-to-toe drop and low arch structure of the shoe keeps you low to the ground and less likley to roll an ankle. Although the sole is now made with sticky rubber it keeps the traditional Roclite lugs that work well on hard-pack, mud and other surfaces. The sole grips well on muddy trails and over wet rock and roots but it will wear faster than the harder endurance rubber of other Roclite models. The softer sticky rubber is also more flexible than the endurance sole and gives the runner a better feel for the trail. This soft, flexible sole does come with a price besides less durability. It does not provide enough protection on technical trails from sharp rocks and gnarly roots. You will feel them through the sole which can become a problem after hours on the trail.

The mesh upper has a tighter weave than previous models but it still drains well and should be more resistant to wear and tear than a looser mesh. There isn't much structure to the upper which contributes to the shoe's light weight. But less structure means less support. To help control lateral movement, Inov8 has developed the Met Cradle. It's an upper webbing system positioned to cradle the forefoot and provide a secure foot hold. It works to some degree but there is certainly more foot movement in the 295 when compared to the heavier, more structured upper of the Roclite 319. The toe box is generous in height and width and gives your piggies plenty of room.

In my opinion, the Roclite 295 is another winning shoe from Inov8.

When it comes to fluid intake I’m not a camel. I require water, and plenty of it, especially in warm weather. On long, multi-hour runs a hydration pack is my gear of choice. I have several to choose from with bladder capacities ranging from 60-100 ounces. The only problem with using a hydration pack is that it’s difficult to monitor your fluid intake without stopping, taking off the pack and checking the bladder to see how much fluid is remaining. This isn’t really a convenient method so you can imagine my delight when I discovered the CamelBak Flow Meter.

The flow meter displays the amount of fluid consumed, the amount remaining in the bladder, estimates how long the remaining fluid will last based on your current consumption rate and a few other bits of information. I thought this would be a great addition to my gear collection last year when I stared my exploration on the Bay Circuit Trail where I would spend up to eight hours on my feet on some days.

Unfortunately, the meter doesn’t work! I tried it several times but it never displayed how many ounces I drank. The impeller in the valve appears to be spinning but it just doesn’t record any information. I have read other reviews for this product and most of those reported that when it worked, it was highly inaccurate. I think CamelBak makes very good gear but this is one concept that looks good on paper but doesn’t work in the field.

Based on my experience, I do not recommend this product.

Super light and breathable. I wore this jacket around the house on a hot and humid day (with the hood on) an still did not get warm or break into a sweat. Wore it in heavy, driving rain and stayed absolutely dry. It has a tapered fit so it fits snug.

My arms are a little short so I can understand it the sleeve were an inch long but they are more like 4 inches too long! Hood is a bit large also. Overall it's a strange fitting jacket.

I don't recommend these for distance running. They are too chewy, stick to your teeth and require a lot of water to get down. Also, these do not work in cold winter weather. They become very hard and are very difficult to chew. Gels are more efficient means of getting your calories.

I'm not crazy about gels. I prefer to eat "real" food on my long runs/hikes but gels are a good calorie supplement. They don't take up much space and weigh next to nothing. This is one of the better GU flavors in my opinion.

I use this as a backup to my head lamp on long distance night training run. It throws a good amount of light and the battery is fairly long lasting. I've dropped it a few times on the trail but it's still working. It's short, not too heavy and easy to carry.

I never thought about taking an emergency blanket along on my winter trail runs. But one cold February morning a friend broke her ankle after slipping on the ice-covered trails. By the time we got help she was hypothemic and shaking like crazy. Now I always carry a foil blank on winter runs. It could be a life saver.

This kit is only good for minor scrapes and cuts. If you're going to spend any length of time in the woods, you better bring more than this.

I gave a pair of these to my wife and dauguther and they both love them. Very warm for the cold New England winter. The sole is stiffer than other Acorn models and has good arch support. Runs about a 1/2 size small so don't plan on wearing socks with them. Not that you'll need them!

With a 70 oz fluid capacity this is my hydration pack of choice for runs up to four hours long. It has one compartment on the back of the pack near the fill hole. It's great for carrying a cell phone, car keys and your wallet. There are two small zippered side pockets that can hold gels, bars , TP and other small items but overall there's not a lot of storage. I use the Octane mainly as a hydration pack and carry my food items in the pockets of my Race Ready shorts. This pack is good for long races because it is light, fits snug to the body and doesn't bounce around.

Although I've never used this product I question its usefulness. There are definitely less expensive alternatives that do the same job. I mix ¼ cup of Listerine (any mouthwash will do) with ¾ cup of water and shake it up in the bladder. They I draw the fluid from the mouthpiece to clean out the tube and mouthpiece. The next step is to drain any remaining fluid from the bladder but DO NOT rinse out any residual mixture. You can do that right before you use the bladder the next time. Store the bladder in the refrigerator until next use. I’ve been doing this for years and have never had a mold issue. Plus, if you forget to rinse all the fluid before you use it next, your breath will be minty fresh! ;-).

I love this coffee pot! It makes an excellent tasting coffee (after you figure out how long to let it percolate). Very well made, cleans up easily and the handle stays cool to the touch.

Unlike the flimsy cardboard or foam insoles (footbeds) that come as standard equipment with most running shoes, the SOLE Dean Karnazes Signature Edition footbeds are built to go the distance. They feature a moldable base layer, softec cushioning, a moisture-wicking top sheet, adjustable arch support and a deep heel cup.

By heating the footbeds in the oven, inserting them into your shoes, and standing in them for a few minutes you can create a custom insert molded specifically to your unique foot shape. These inserts provide much greater comfort and support than your standard insert and will last three to four times longer. The deep heel cup prevents movement than can cause friction and eventually blisters.

I have been using the SOLE footbeds since developing plantar fasciitis in both feet two years ago. It’s the only thing that’s been keeping me running relatively pain free. The custom orthotics I had made at the podiatrists office were bulky, uncomfortable, useless and expensive I might add. Even if you're not currently suffering with any foot issues you can still benefit from this great product.

Even though I already have a handheld I couldn’t resist picking up the Ultimate Direction FastDraw Plus to see how it compared to my GoLite HydroClutch. It’s a sickness, I know. The UD handheld has some nice features lacking on my GoLite. The most obvious differences are the large finger loop on the cap, the unique kicker valve design and the extra wide mesh hand strap. I like having the finger loop as a convenient way of clipping the water bottle to my CamelBak using a carabiner. The additional 20 oz adds another hour of “flight time” to my scouting missions. The kicker valve is made of soft plastic that is easy on your teeth. It also prevents dripping from the valve that is common with the standard valves used on other handhelds. I like this feature the most because I always forget to push down the valve after drinking and end up loosing a lot of fluid and soaking myself in the process. I did notice that I had to suck harder than usual to get the fluid out of the bottle. That was somewhat annoying but it works better if you squeeze the bottle at the same time. The wide, mesh hand strap does a good job of keeping your hand cool and the rounded edges do not cut into your hand like some of the flat narrow straps will. The strap also has a zippered pocket large enough to hold a few gels and your car keys.The only downside for me is that it feels a little larger in circumference than my GoLite making it more difficult to get a comfortable grip. My hands are on the small side (dainty me) so this shouldn’t be an issue for someone with larger hands. Overall I give the Ultimate Direction FastDraw Plus an A-.Bottoms up!

My take on the tights:

Putting on the tights is a process in itself. The opening at the ankle is narrow so it’s a bit of a struggle to get these on. You also want to make sure you have the conditioning web properly aligned with your knees and specific muscle groups. The fit in the leg is snug so it involves some gentle pulling and twisting of the material to get them in place. The final task is to get the tights over your butt and hips to waist level. Whew! They call these compression tights for a reason. Once on, I went from a tenor to a soprano! Even if I don’t run well I may sing better.

I’m not really a tights kind of guy but I thought these compression tights would help me during long training runs and post-race recovery from ultra marathons. They definitely delay muscle fatigue to a degree and I’ve noticed I recover faster from hard efforts when I wear the CW-X Pros. My legs feel less tired and achy the day after my 4-5 hour long runs. My only complaint with these tights is that the distance from the crotch to the waist is too short so the tights sit more around my hips than my waist. They also have a tendency to slide down during my runs especially on steep climbs over step-like rocks. Although not a major shortcoming, it can get a little annoying after hours on the trail. I know the fit is correct because I ordered them based on the manufactures precise sizing chart so this problem could be a function of torso length. I have a long torso but if yours is short this may not be an issue for you. Overall the tights are a good piece of gear to add to your collection.

...For anyone who enjoys winter hiking or trail running. The microspikes provide excellent traction on slick ice and hard-packed snow. Very durable and will hold up even to expose rock.

I've used these pole during some long hikes on very rocky terrain and they are holding up well. I like the flick-lock mechanism because it doesn't slip like the twist locks sometimes do.

I've used these gaiters for winter hiking and snowshoeing and they work very well at keeping me dry. Very easy to get on and off. I bought them one size smaller than the sizing chart recommended but they still fit easily over my hiking boots.

Leave the pouches of dehydrated eggs at home and bring the real deal. Large eggs fit securely and will not break. A must have for egg lovers.

This is a great tent lantern and can be hung using a carabiner. It has a low and high setting and is very bright although it does cast some shadows. Good battery life as well. Takes up very little space when it is closed.

Compact and light enough to take backpacking, this set with make the trip all the more enjoyable. Boils water quickly and the pot and pan clean up easily. The handle fits securely and although the wash basin is small, it's a nice added feature.

This is a great camp stove, light and portable. It has two very powerful burners and will boil water in no time at all. It is a bit noisy when the burners are on high but that's my only complaint. It works very well with my GSI cook set.

This is a very well made tent and is very to set up. Comes with footprint and plenty of stakes. Seems a little small for two (plus it only has one door) but works great for just me.

I've always liked smartwool sock and now they've gotten even better. I'm mainly a trail runner and the trail socks have an added layer of cushioning to protect your feet from rocks and roots. They fit well and maintain their shape.

These are the only Keen shoes I have and I love them. Very comfortable and warm. The heel is a little lower than the ball giving your achilles tendon a nice gentle stretch.

This is a nice warm hat and the fleece lining is an added bonus that helps to wick perpiration when running in cold weather.

I like the soft feel and seemless construction so there's no chafing. I even wear this shirt as an outer layer on trail runs when the weather gets cool.

Sure it’s true what the other reviewers have said. Yeah, the wind cuts through this jacket like a hot knife through butter. Yeah, it doesn’t shed water. But they’re missing the point. This jacket isn’t meant for serious backcountry use. It’s meant to be a fashion statement for the college crowd. Still, it’s a well constructed garment of quality materials. It’s warm enough for 30 degree days (without a lot of wind) although a bit on the bulky side. The zip pits come in handy as the day warms up. Not a good value at $160 but who ever pays full price for anything?

I'm not really a tights kind of guy but I thought these compression tights would help me on long training runs and recovery from ultra races. They definitely delay muscle fatigue and I noticed I recover faster from hard efforts when I wear the CW-X Pros. My only complaint is the distance from crotch to waist is too short so the tights sit more around the hips than the waist. They also have a tendency to slide down during my runs which can be a little annoying. I know the fit is correct because I ordered them based on the manufacture’s sizing chart. Overall the tights are a good piece of gear to add to your collection.

I found these shoe to be very stiff and non-responsive on the trails. The wide heel also contributes to an uneven ride. Very solid construction though.

A great headlamp for the money. Light weight, durable and it looks good too. Not the brightest light for night time trail running but the battery lasts a long time.

This kit is so light and compact you won't even know you're carrying it! Good for minor cuts and scrapes and treatment of small blisters.

ProBars are great and Art's Orignial is the best of the best. Packed with lots of good organic ingredients and tons of calories to get you through a long hike or run. On top of that, it tastes great too!

Shot Bloks are good for a quick boost of energy on shorter runs (<2hours) but have too much simple sugar to use for longer runs. Simple sugars can cause stomach upset. They also take longer to digest than gels and can feel a little heavy in your stomach. They do taste great though, better than Gu!

This is a great product if are a trail runner like me. I've never lost a signal even under thick tree cover. Track miliage, elevation, grade etc. I agree the soffware is lame but you can download Sportstrack for free. It's much better than the stock software. Too bad MotionBased is no longer availiable. It was great.

Not sure why some of the reviewers had a problem with battery life. I've worn mine during 50 mile ultras and the battery lasts for nearly 10 hours.

This is a great bottle for runs up to one hour. It holds 20oz of your favorite fluid plus there's enough room in the zippered pocket to hold your car keys and a couple of gels. I've had my for 2 years, use it all the time an it's still in great condition.

This is the largest of my hydration packs. A 100 oz bladder and 600 cubic inches of storage for long, unsupported runs. Very comfortable and no bouncing even when completely full. There's plenty of room to food, gels, a headlamp, medical kit, multi-tool, a light jacket, and the kitchen sink! You can never have too many hydration packs, can you?

Here is my take on it from the ground up.The Vibram outersole is rock solid with an aggressive tread pattern and embedded rubber spikes for additional traction when the going gets rough. I have run over a variety of surfaces including, hard-packed trails, mud, grass, gravel roads and asphalt. The soles provided excellent traction in all situations. They also offer excellent underfoot protection from sharp rocks and gnarly roots so no need to avoid them. I my opinion, the best test of a soles traction is how it grips on wet granite slabs. I haven't had a chance to test the shoe under these conditions but will update you when the opportunity presents itself. I suspect the soles will handle it just fine. The Vibram sole is so durable, I suspect it will outlast the uppers!

The triple density EVA mid-sole offers excellent cushioning without feeling too soft and spongy. If you have to run on paved roads to get to a trail-head then this might be the shoe for you. The Patagonia Release has the most cushioning of any trail shoe I have tried so far, even more than my Cascadias, which I consider to have very good cushioning. If you're into green, the midsole uses 15% recycled materials.

The shoe's upper is treated with a durable water repellent (similar to the repellent used on water-resistant jackets) to help seal out water when you are running in the rain or splashing through puddles. I haven't had a chance to take the shoes through any stream crossing but the shoes should drain well due to the open mesh design of the upper material. This open design also makes the shoe very breathable, great for warm weather running. Rounding out the uppers is a nicely padded tongue and a Dynamic Fit Lacing system with loops that are separate from the instep. The lacing system custom-wraps the upper around the forefoot. I have the say this shoe fits like a glove! Super comfortable.

The Patagonia Release is now my favorite trail shoe for long-distance running over trails with varying surface conditions. I used this shoe during a 50M trail race last week and had no issues with it. On the down side, the shoe is heavy at 14.5 oz but I can't really say I've noticed the weight on any of my runs. It's a well constructed shoe utilizing quality materials and should last a good long time. What else would you expect from companies like Patagonia and Vibram?

figured I was destined to a life time of popping blisters until I discovered the Injinji Tetratsok. Unlike convention socks that cram your toes together causing friction and eventually blisters, Injinji toe socks separate your little piggies. Individual anatomical toe sleeves form a thin anti-blister membrane between toes to eliminate skin-against-skin friction. I have been wearing the Injinji's for 2 years now and haven't have a single blister even when doing runs of up to six hours, and with very wet feet.

They come is different styles from micro-mini to crew to match your individual preference. They are also made with various materials such as CoolMax, NuWool and NuBamboo, an Eco Series collection made primarily of natural, organic, and sustainable fibers. On the down side, the NuWool ones tend to wear out pretty fast.

If blisters have been a problem for you, you may want to take the Injinji toe socks out for a run. You've got nothing to lose but your blisters!