Highball Blog

New Balance Minimus MT10 Review

2012-02-13T14:09:00.000+02:00

The science is in…running with less padding and support in order to strengthen your feet, calves and legs while (get this) reducing running related injuries!

As the New Balance slogan for their Minimus shoes says, "Less is more", I happen to agree with them.

We all know New Balance and the type of products that they put out; however, these shoes and other like it are a relatively new phenomenon in the running shoe industry as they incorporate the minimalist running philosophy into a lightweight shoe.

Specs:

Minimalist Shoe
Lightweight (7.5oz)
Retails around $105
Can wear with or without socks
Vibram soles

I’ve had the opportunity to test these shoes out now for about a month now and have run approximately 80 miles in them, my longest run being 16 miles.

After using these trail running shoes, I have come to love the feel that this type of minimalistic shoe offers my foot yet still providing enough rubber to protect my feet.

I have noticed that the strength in the feet and calves have increased and overall it has made running more enjoyable for me. I thoroughly enjoy the sensation of being barefoot and shoes like these provide a much more natural feel that the ultra padded sport shoes.

Word of caution though, if you have never run in minimalistic shoes before, be sure to make the transition very easy and slowly.

New Balance recommends that you slowly incorporate these shoes into 10% of your workout and then progress from there. I made the transition too fast in the beginning and developed some sharp pains in my foot that took a week to go away. Our feet have been mostly accustomed to a life with padding and support and need time to develop their strength.

Another thing that I loved about these shoes is the ability to lift weights in them. (I also have a pair of Vibram Five Fingers that I use for running and lifting too).

Normal running shoes have too much padding in the sole that makes my stance much wobblier and (I feel) doesn't activate my whole leg and muscles like being barefoot does. These shoes are great because they provide excellent ground contact while fulfilling the obligation of wearing shoes in the gym.

Here’s the overall breakdown:

Pros:

Shoes are extremely lightweight and feel awesome to run in, great for minimalist running
New Balance MT10's look great, they come in several colors
You don't look like you just busted out of the zoo (like Five Fingers) :-)
Extremely flexible sole with a lot of room in the toe box

Cons:

New Balance says the material is odor resistant but after a few runs in them barefoot they will smell, fact.
These shoes cost $105
Not so much a con, but know that running in these without socks is going to cause your feet to develop blisters and rub you raw in some spots. I can go about 10-12 miles before I put socks on; and once my feet get tougher, I'll probably run longer distances without socks.

Where to buy your MT10 trail running shoes

Amazon.com (usually the best price)
Zappos.com - only Minimus MT20 (free shipping both ways; the most loved online shoe retailer in USA)
REI.com
Backcountry.com

Conclusion

Overall this is a great shoe and I am glad that I received the opportunity to give it a try.

New Balance did a good job keeping with a minimalist idea and I will be using this shoe for a while to come.

I actually think that this has been my favorite running shoe that I have ever owned. Also, after looking at other reviews on the New Balance website, it seems the vast majority of people are also raving about their MT10's.

Some more info about minimalist running

I have been into minimalist running for about three years now (since I bought my first pair of Vibram Five Fingers). An excellent book to read on the topic is Born to Run by Christopher McDougall; it goes into the science behind barefoot running with a great story to go with it.

About the author: John Kirby is a Recon Marine veteran, college student majoring in Environmental Science, and a fitness enthusiast from Seattle, WA. He's a Highball Blog community member and regularly reviews gear sent in by outdoor companies.

GoPro Filter - DIY Kit

2012-02-10T00:30:00.001+02:00

Here's an interesting tutorial by YouTube user BisdremisKostas on how to make your own DIY filter kit for your GoPro HD camera.

So this is a plastic adapter with Velcro straps that can accommodate a standard 55mm lens neutral filter or polarizer.

He also provides the Corel Draw file (.cdr) for you to download for free - get it here. Then you can take it to your local CNC machinery shop (milling shop) and carve out your own piece.

More info about shooting with filters and the benefits of using them in this article.

Shoot your outdoor adventures and keep your shots steady! :-)

How To Choose Your Sports & Mountaineering Sunglasses

2012-02-09T16:00:00.000+02:00

Have you ever went outside and felt like the sunlight is too bright for you?

Sometimes this happens even if the sky is cloudy. This is either because your are naturally more sensitive to sunlight (green and blue eyed people are prone to photophobia) or you stayed in low light (indoors) for a prolonged time and your eyes can't adjust to the new brighter daylight.

In any case, having a pair of sunglasses is always helpful.

So here are some short notes about what you may wanna consider when choosing your sports and mountaineering sunglasses:

Interchangeable lenses and UV protection

If you enjoy outdoor activities, a pair of sunglasses with interchangeable lenses is a must. Basically, you get 3 pairs of lenses, each for a different lighting situation.

The most common combination consists of dark, orange and clear lenses.

I personally use the orange lenses for foggy weather, while riding my mountain hike in the forest or while cycling in the city in cloudy weather. You should use your sunglasses as dust protection as well - especially when cycling or when it's windy. (Have you ever bumped your eye into flying bugs while speeding on your bike?)

Clear lenses are perfect for night activities where you need wind protection and clear vision: cycling, roller & skating (no cars on the streets late at night), night skiing, mountaineering.

You can also use your glasses as goggles with the clear lenses. When I drill metal for my DIY widgets, that's what I'm wearing.

The dark lenses are for bright light - not very hard to figure it out, right? -. High altitude mountaineering, sunny summer days trekking, on the beach, on a boat, or in any other situation where the snow or water reflects the sunlight back requires UV 400 lenses.

You want to block as much of the UV rays as possible, especially on the mountains where the sun beams are less filtered since the above atmosphere is thinner.

Also when working extensively outdoors with specific materials that have glare (aluminum sheets, solar panels, etc.) a dark lens is advisable.

Another thing you may want in your sunglasses is the possibility to add prescription eye sight lenses. These glasses have an extra set of frames behind the main outer frames or they have optic lenses that automatically darken when the light is brighter (heliomatic).

A smart padded case so you won't break your glasses or lenses

I broke three pairs of sunglasses just coz I didn't have a proper case.

Now, most decently good brands come with a smart case so you can safely keep your lenses and glasses. This is helpful as you may forget you have them in your pack; then you throw your backpack down on the ground and sit on it. That's how I broke mine. :-)

Mine are made by SH+ and I'm very happy with everything: case, design, lenses and fit.

However, the large sport store chains have their own trademark of sport sunglasses and the quality is similar with any other known brands. They come with nice cases as well and are usually more affordable.

Fit and comfort

This is the part where you have to try on various styles and brands. Each have their own geometry and each of us have a different profile.

Once you find the perfect fit - I prefer a close and tight fit as it provides the best anti-wind protection - you have to make sure you have comfort. By this I mean not experiencing pain or rashes on your nose after long hours of wearing the sunglasses.

So look for glasses with silicone/rubber nose pads and comfortable ear pieces. These grant comfort and a firm hold.

Conclusion

No matter what sports you do, a good pair of sunglasses is an important piece of gear for your overall comfort and good disposition.

Try on different brands and styles and choose one that fits you in every detail.

Be cool, wear your sunglasses and also apply sunscreen if you don't wanna get windburn!

3 Reasons To Let Your Kids Go Climbing

2012-02-06T18:19:00.003+02:00

One of the best ways to make your kid a responsible person is to treat him/her like an adult.

Now, I don't have kids of my own but I've noticed there's a difference in behavior when you treat the kids like one of your own (adults that is).

Me and my 12 year old cousin have been best friends since she was 5. When she was 6 years old, I took her with me on a 10 story building and she sat there enjoying the view while I was working on a billboard, hanging from a rope. Maybe I was was crazy (wasn't my child so why worry, right?) but I saw how my other young cousins develop with less permissive parents - there's a difference and not necessarily to the kid's advantage.

So one of the ways to actually empower your child is to let the kid go climbing and grant him/her the freedom to act and explore as if he/she was a full grown up.

Getting out of the comfort zone at an early age

I shot a video for our local climbing gym and Catrinel, of the of the instructors, articulated a very interesting issue: overcoming fear.

Some are not very happy to be dangling on a rope up on the wall. That's at the beginning and it's understandable. However, after a few sessions and after seeing some of the other kids being able to do it, the fear wears off and they start enjoying climbing and abseiling.

Well, this is a normal process you may say and you'd be right. But there's a deeper meaning attached to this sporty achievement.

First, the kid naturally learns that what seems insurmountable at first can eventually be done through practice. Basically, he learns that sucking at first is just part of the process.

Second, climbing is an unusual activity for most people, and when your child is involved into something so offbeat, he/she gets an edge that most of the other kids won't get. That translates into more self confidence.

Third, climbing is a complex sport and it challenges your child's physical and physical ability. It's not just running in the park. It's about ropes, knots, harnesses, ascent techniques, safety, etc. Your kid learns responsibility and gets access to knowledge that many grown ups will never master.

Team work and comradery

You can't climb by yourself, unless your free soloing or bouldering.

Kids work together in teams of two so they learn true camaraderie, friendship and trust.

And the current climbing philosophy is mostly based on collaboration instead of competition so your kids will learn teamwork, communication and empathy. If there's a trick that one discovers as to how to pass a certain crux, they immediately share it with the group.

Natural High Climbing Gym Brasov - Promo Video

Climbing is fun

And all the other related activities: bouldering, deep water soloing, cliff jumping. It's just pure fun.

Better let your kid have fun doing a cool sport instead of playing computer games, right?

Our little fellows play hide and seek when they're done climbing :-)

Deep water solo climbing - summer perk of climbing

Over to you

Is there a climbing gym in your city?
Would you let your kids do other extreme sports if they wanted to?
Which one is more dangerous: walking on the sidewalk or rock climbing?

Technical Hoodie Review - Röjk Helmet Hood

2012-02-02T19:40:00.003+02:00

Disclaimer: This review is biased as hell. You've been warned.

Röjk is this cool young Swedish company that makes the ultimate outdoor technical hoodie.

Did I mention I'm biased?

What I like about this hoodie

First of all, the asymmetric design and the color combination is amazing.

I normally keep an emotional distance regarding items I own but this baby owns me... I'm hooked. Not to mention that I've been wearing them (they sent two; how can one not be biased?!) almost all the time, everywhere, ever since I got them.

The lightweight Tvister fabric keeps you warm and dries quickly. While the interior looks like a fleece, the front is super fine and sleek - fashionable indeed.

And when you think they make this out of recycled polyester it makes you wonder: why don't the rest of the outdoor companies do the same? This is proof it's possible.

There's no hoodie without a hood, right?

This hood can actually replace your beanie. Double folded fabric (thicker than the rest of the hoodie), a rim to protect from wind and falling snow, it covers your neck and chin as to loose as little warmth as possible.

It's a Helmet Hood so let's put on a helmet

The interior of the hood comes in a different color so that adds to the sexiness. You can also fold out the hood and produce a two color collar - again, I'm falling for the fashion-like style of this hooded sweater. (Damn, I'm no Spartan!)

I can imagine the hood's utility when sleeping outdoors, like we do in our winter tours. If you think you need a cold head for a clear mind then I beg to differ. :-)

M size (dark hoodie) is close flitting and L size is a bit loose. Both size fit me well so I guess this goes for everyone: your regular size is close fit.

You can wear this as your second base layer - wicks moisture away from your body and gives you thermal comfort.

Since it's quick drying and smelly free, it's perfect for ultra light backpacking and alpine style ascents where you don't wanna carry extra clothing - what you wear is what you carry - that's the premise for freedom and peace of mind.

Röjk is funny and cares about the environment

I love their humor and their approach to business.

Röjk has a solid manufacturing ethic. They make their items in Sweden or in EU, supporting the local economy and preserving the environment.

If you read the labels, you'll smile to the human and friendly tone in which they're written. For instance, the socks are made of certain ingredients and Anyways, you look damn good!

What I don't like about the hoodie

As I mentioned in the video, the cuffs are rather loose and this can leave your wrists chilly. I'd make them elastic or even with a thumb hole to make sure your wrist isn't exposed to cold.

I've noticed some pilling at the hood - below the chin; my beard is the culprit - but that's expected and they disclaim it on the label.

Röjk delivers technical socks for happy feet

They also sent a few pair of merino and Primaloft ski socks. Love those as well!

They kept my feet warm in -15 degrees Celsius temperatures but this may also have been due to my new Mammut Meridian mountaineering boots. So they're snug and comfortable but I can't exactly tell the degree to which they're better than regular socks.

Now since technical socks are perishable just as any socks, I'm gonna wear these just on the mountains where keeping my feet warm is really important.

The ski socks are long, up on the calf, ending just below the knee so that's an extra insulation layer for your leg.

I recommend the thin merino socks close to the skin and then the thick Primaloft where two pairs of socks are necessary. Europe is currently hitting records for low temperatures (Feb 2012) so I was wearing the two pairs when the above photos were taken.

The Primaloft dries 30% faster and wicks 2 times faster than merino wool. So you have a neat combination right there, considering that wool keeps you warm even when it's damp.

Where to buy the Helmet Hood Tvister Hoodie

Röjk recommends Addnature.com. The website is in Swedish and so are the prices (in Krona) but the currency conversion is done automatically when you buy online. Here's the page with all products.

If you use Google Chrome as your browser (I like it a lot) it will prompt you for translation so you can view the page in your desired language (English I presume).

Check out thier Facebook page as well - there's a lot of engagement. I believe you can communicate easier and faster on this channel if you want to place an order and you're not sure how to do it.

An excerpt on materials and sizes that from the website:

Material: 40% recycled polyester, 55% polyester, 5% span. 218 g/m2. Made in the EU. Recyclable.

If unisex sizes: XS and S are the usual Women's size, equivalent to about Houdini's sizes. M-XL is more men's tailored in size but are slightly smaller in size. As a guy, you can then go up a size from what you usually have.

Conclusion

I'll leave that to you coz I'm affraid I'll go into hard selling if I go on.

I just love their products!

Seattle Sling Bag Review - Kavu

2012-02-01T12:36:00.000+02:00

KAVU is a small Seattle based company that has been around since 1990. They specialize in both men’s and women’s outdoor apparel clothing. In addition to clothing, they sell bags, hats, sunglasses, and other accessories.

KAVU stands for Klear, Above, Visibly, Unlimited and they chose eco-friendly fabrics like bamboo, hemp, and good old-fashioned cotton.

I have been a fan of KAVU since I discovered their products a couple of years ago. Their women’s hand bags are my bags and purses of choice. I can tell you from personal experience that their products are durable and made to last. Plus, they are a small company and aim to please their customers.

The Seattle Sling bag is a new line of bags for women. Like most of their bags, they are canvas and have a nylon liner inside which adds to their durability. The Seattle Sling features an adjustable shoulder strap, an external cell phone pocket, key snaps (which I have found extremely useful from my previous bag), and many organizational compartments including pen holders (also very useful).

There are two main compartments and a front and back pouch. The bag also comes in 10 different colors and designs.

The pros with this bag: the many different compartments make it easy to keep contents organized and features like the key snap and pen holders are an added plus.

The cons: unlike previous bags, the shoulder strap adjusters are plastic instead of what appears to be metal. However, this plastic appears to be thick and durable and not flimsy. Finally, the external cell phone compartment is a little too large but it is convenient to have.

Conclusion

The Seattle Sling is an inexpensive bag that is both durable and stylish. With its low cost and knowing how long these bags can last before they start to show some signs of wear and tear, I say this bag is well worth the price.

About the author: Wendy Leonard is a field biologist, a runner, and blogger from San Antonio, Texas. She's part of the group of athletes who regularly write gear reviews for Highball Blog.

Kigo Shoes Review - Barefoot Lifestyle

2012-01-27T19:11:00.000+02:00

Manufacturer:	Kigo
Model:	Drive
URL:	www.kigofootwear.com
Retail Value:	USD $91.00
Weight:	+/- 4 ounces per shoe
Manufacturing Country:	Made in China

I was provided the opportunity to field test and review a unique line of barefoot lifestyle shoes made by Kigo Footwear.

Now, this recent movement of barefoot footwear has caught on to many and there has also been increasing scientific backing to show the benefits of this type of lifestyle. I finally jumped on the bandwagon and wanted to see what all the hype was about.

First the shoes arrived in a small box with no additional fluff. No stuffing paper or other packaging material that gets thrown out anyway. I knew immediately I liked this Eco-Friendly and no-nonsense approach to packaging.

When the shoes came out, I cringed when I felt the material. The texture was very similar to the neoprene braces that I had used in the past for an old knee injury (Story for another time).

Now, the reason I cringed was because whenever I think of Neoprene, the first thing that comes to mind is TOO SNUG. One thing I absolutely abhor is when a shoe is too snug. I prefer a shoe that has a little give for movement within the shoe. To my delight this was not the case. I proceeded with my examination.

Overall Aesthetics

The shoes themselves actually exude the look of the minimalist. There are no thick bottom cushions so basically you have a zero to near zero drop on the heels. This helps with overall posture helping in the prevention of additive damage to the back or shoulders over a period of time.

The front bumper contours the toe very nicely which gives the shoes a very unique rounded look. This actually piqued the interest of many who happened to glance down.

The colors are not too flashy so these could definitely become part of your every day wear.

Functionality

No shoelaces, but instead a quick tightening bungee cord with lock.
Lightweight (+/- 4oz. per shoe)
Wide Toe Housing: Now this feature allows the toes to splay out when making impact on the ground. As for individuals with hobbit feet such as myself the Drive’s became the best fitting pair of shoes I have ever owned.
Flexible: The shoes are flexible enough to be rolled up and take up minimal space in the pack. This is extremely ideal for light or ultra light backpackers. It is also perfect for wearing around camp or taking quick breaks on the trek while waiting to air out your boots and dry your socks.
Inhances proprioception

Company's Mission

Made from recycled post consumer and non-toxic material
Eco-friendly: From production to recycling of the shoe

Major Pros

The rubber soles have extremely good grip. The shoes did not slip once on any of the smooth surfaces during a rain storm.
Extremely lightweight

Major Cons

The lock on the bungee cord tends to give after long periods of extended use
The shoes took an extremely long time to dry after an hour of use in the rain.

Conclusion

The Kigo Drive are excellent shoes for the outdoors. They are extremely sturdy, roomy, and comfortable. The design meets all the requirements necessary for an avid hiker and for many other activities as well.

However, after a few more hiking trips I have come to the conclusion they are not ideal for extended hikes that cover large amounts of distance. The Drives are more fitted towards a casual short expedition, weekend hikes and camp site activities.

The shoes may seem to fall slightly on the pricier side for some, but the design, construction, and versatility of the shoe makes this an extremely good deal.

About the author: JSO is a climber and hiker fron Northern California. He's part of the group of athletes who regularly write gear reviews for Highball Blog.

11 Random Things About Me

2012-01-27T12:32:00.002+02:00

1. I usually faint at the doctor. For no particular reason. Well, it happens coz I'm utterly scared - I have a phobia. (Once I even peed myself - I was 25)

2. I got a lot hairier during the last few years - growing on the back and shoulders...ughhhh. I don't like but I have to roll with it.

3. I don't know what to do with my life. I do a few things but not sure which to pursue till rapture. However, I'm working on my Evil Plans.

4. I am married. This should have been the first in this list, right?

5. I tend to eat too much and gain weight easily which is not good for my cycling and climbing. I also visit the cake shop often. (YES, I know fruits and vegetables are a healthier option...)

Indulging in pork after a mountain biking ride

6. I'm not particularly friendly to people I don't know (anti social some may say). But when I am among friends, I'm an entertainer - which makes me wonder: should I become a comedian? (no wonder I like Seinfeld). So I thrive on a good audience - I guess this makes me an attention whore.

7. My favorite movies are Shawshank Redemption and The Edge. I had no clue who Stephen King was until recently - then I dicovered Shawsank Redemption was written by him so I became a fan of his non horror novellas. Also love his short piece "The Body". My favorite books are Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

8. I preoccupy myself with the state of the world from time to time. I'd like to make it better. To contribute in some way. For instance, I'd like to invent a device that captures and distributes the natural light (I was thinking about some connected spheres made of one way mirror glass). I also fancy about perpetual motion and free sources of energy. I occasionally work in the green energy sector (punctual work gigs in western Europe).

9. I swam across the Danube river and I seem to never loose my ability to swim long distances even though I only swim a few times a year.

10. My favorite poet is Emily Dickinson and my favorite poem is Success is Counted Sweetest - I must be hungry for success. Who isn't?

11. There's nothing like a solid burp after a Coke! Makes me feel I've done something important (with my life).

Lindsay's questions:

1. You have the skills to go pro in any sport (except running/triathlons). What sport would you choose?
Wing suit base jumping.

2. What is your favorite vegetable?
Sometimes I feel like a vegetable... Other than that, I like carrots.

3. They're making a movie about your life. What actor/actress would play you?
Anthony Hopkins (am I vain or what?)

4. Last book you read?
Screw It, Let's Do It by Richard Branson.

5. Last text message you sent?
I'm coming over with a friend. He's gonna borrow the GoPro camera for a few days.

6. What is your favorite meal/recipe to cook?
I cook...salads, scrambled eggs, omelet and...tea.

7. Do you prefer dusting or vacuuming? (and when are you coming to do my house?)
Vacuuming. (I'll start looking for voluntaries right away)

8. If you could go on vacation to anywhere in the US or Canada, where would you go?
Alaska, Utah, Arizona, California and British Columbia.

9. What's something you love about where you live?
The friendly people and the landscape.

Here's the landscape: Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains

10. Something you don't love about where you live?
Lack of respect for nature and the environment. We've been under communism for 50 years; now some people feel entitled to do whatever they want. They're misinterpreting the freedom.

11. What do you do when you have trouble falling asleep?
I read.

I was involved in this game by Kovas who blogs about endurance sports and adventures in the great outdoors.

If you have blog, I invite you to write 11 random things about yourself and tag your friends or fellow bloggers asking them to join the game.

If you don't have a blog, do it on Facebook.

I believe this is an opportunity to have fun and connect on a more personal level.

Be safe!

I'm tagging: Hendrik Morkel, Brant Dempster, Jen Hamilton, Angie Miske, Charles Miske, Manny Lugo, Ryan Hamilton, Dianne San Luis, Peng Shi, Casey Fiedler, Alex Prodan.

Mountain House Dried Food Review

2012-01-23T13:22:00.000+02:00

Hello, my name is Aaron Lawrence, and I'm a climber and mountaineer from California.

I recieved a variety of flavors of Mountain House pro-packs dried food from MountainHouse.com for review on Highball Blog.

I have been enjoying outdoor activities for as long as I can remember, and I've tried every brand of freeze-dried meals on the market. Some are good and, well, some just aren't.

Good or not, most of the meals make two servings, which is fine if there are two people. I usually can't finish it alone. They also take up alot of room in your pack.

The pro-pack by Mountain House solves that problem. One large serving (about a pound) and vacuum sealed which saves big time on space.

Since the food is dehydrated you'll carry less weight in your backpack; unlike when you carry canned food (metal can + food + water = lots of weight).

Just add hot water and you've got yourself a meal that you'd normally have to cook for tens of minutes. Easy and convenient, leaving more time for you to sleep, rest, take photos or hike even further into the wild.

I have to be honest in the fact that Mountain House products have been my brand of choice for years. Flavor & deliciousness, variety of flavors, price and availability have kept them in my pack since I was in Scouts as a child.

Here's a list of online retailers where you can buy your Mountain House dried food for camping:

Conclusion

I would recommend the pro-packs to any outdoor enthusiast who wants a fast preparing delicious meal even in the most remote and harshest places.

About the author: Aaron Lawrence is a climber and mountaineer from Redlands - California who tests gear sent by outdoor companies. When he's not climbing, he writes reviews for Highball Blog.

Be Interesting and Win a Technical Outdoor Hoodie by Röjk - Gear Giveaway

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000+02:00

Update: This contest has reached it's deadline. Thank you all for entering and thank you Röjk for the opportunity!

The winners are:

Girl: Super Angie
Answer from Röjk Superwear: You have understood our mission that being outdoors does not mean you have to look boring, now you can look as supercool as us.

Man: James925
Answer from Röjk Superwear: We want to provide outstanding technical gear for active outdoor people who dare to look cool with our good looking gear. You will definitely look supercool.

--

It's time to be interesting and win an outdoor technical hoodie, a beanie and a pair of Primaloft/Merino socks from Röjk - a cool young Swedish company that's envioronmental friendly and supports ethical sportswear.

What you have to do to win all this cool stuff

It's simple.

Share this contest on Facebook and/or Twitter
Leave a comment here on the blog or on Facebook and tell us why you want the hoodie (and the rest of the items)

The most creative/interesting/crazy answer will be rewarded by Röjk with colorful, snug and warm outdoor clothing.

By the way, did you know that Röjk's Helmet Hood is the winner of Best Design and Innovation at Innovation for Extremes Award in 2007?

There are two prizes actually

One set for men and another for women.

So if you enter, invite your sweetheart to join as well. At least this way there's a better chance for the prize to land in the family. :-)

We're talking about high quality apparel, made of technical fabrics that keep you warm and dry. You can use the hoodie as an insulating base layer under your wind-stopper shell or GoreTex Jacket. I'm already in love with mine.

Who can participate

Anyone.

This giveaway is open to participants all over the world. Röjk will ship the prize to you, no matter where you live.

The deadline of this contest is 31st Jan 2012

You can submit your creative comments until 31st January 2012 but you might as well post your comment now so you won't forget about it.

Tips

If you comment on the blog, use a public profile so we can reach you via email if you win.
You must Like the Highball page before commenting on Facebook

So be creative and leave a comment.

Success!

How To Shoot Steadicam Video - Extreme Adventure Clips by Sebastien Montaz-Rosset

2012-01-20T14:12:00.000+02:00

The most entertaining way to learn how to shoot extreme sports videos is by watching the pros, right?

Manuals and books are helpful but we always need a little bit of inspiration and motivation from the big guys.

So here are a series of short video tutorials on hot to shoot steadicam videos by Sebastien Montaz-Rosset, famous for his slack line and wing-suit base jumping videos.

Steadicam video shooting tutorial

The smooth shots were taken with Glidecam HD 2000 and the premium DSLRs Canon 7D and 5D Mark II.

Notice that Seb says he had a hard time balancing the camera stabilizer at first. That's a constant issue with anyone who starts using this device.

What you have to do is understand the difference between stable equilibrium and neutral equilibrium and then set your rig somewhere between the two.

Then you also have to achieve dynamic balance which is a bit harder - you must fine tune the glidecam to a point where the gravity center of the camera is aligned with the shaft of the stabilizer.

Check out Seb's Facebook blog and Vimeo channel for more tips.

Adventure filming tutorial

Flight of the Frenchies - Trailer

I Believe I Can Fly - Behind the scenes video -

I Believe I Can Fly - Flight of the Frenchies (free segment)

Special thanks to Catalin Andrei and Catalin Pobega (fellow climber and blogger) who pointed out these videos to me.

Be safe!

How To Shoot Amazing Nature and Extreme Sports DSLR Videos - Tips from Devin Graham

2012-01-19T11:32:00.001+02:00

Would you like to learn how to shoot DSLR videos from a pro?

I know I would. So let's learn together from Devin Graham - famous for his awesome nature and extreme sports videos on YouTube (watch them below).

He's gonna release tutorials and behind the scenes videos on his new YouTube channel. So subscribe and keep yourself informed about the tricks he pulls to film and edit all his videos.

You'll learn about camera settings, video gear, shooting techniques and other stuff that goes into producing a quality web video.

Devin is so good with his camera - especially when mounted on his camera stabilizer - that was contacted by veteran directors to shoot commercials for Nike and Nokia. Check out the smooth shots in the last video below.

Waimea cliff jump - the first video from Devin that caught my attention.

If you think about it, his videos do so well on YouTube because they encompass a set of low risk ingredients: super cool action in super cool locations. Add a good filmmaker who uses pro gear and there you have it: a viral video. :-)

The more exotic and unusual the action, the more views you get.

What's cool though, is that he's very open to talk about how he does the videos and also how his YouTube career is evolving. You won't see too many top YouTubers disclosing information about how it is to be a YouTube partner.

That's to be appreciated and following his teachings would definitely make us better videographers.

He's not much of a DIY guy but when one deals with big clients using pro gear is the best way to go, right?

The smoothness of his shots are granted by the Glidecam 2000 stabilizer - Glidecam being the inexpensive premium stabilizer, cheaper than the ever original Steadicam, but not as cheap as the Flycam.

Be safe and keep your subject in focus!

Photo credit: Sam Chadwick Photography Blog

They Want Us To Shut Up. Let's Stop Internet Censorship!

2012-01-18T12:49:00.003+02:00

Hey friends!

This is an off topic post to raise awareness about what's gonna happen... If we let it happen, that is.

Basically, the entertainment businesses (Hollywood movie brands and music production companies) are trying to enforce a law that will shut down websites that offer access or information on how to access their copyrighted material.

The problem is that the government will have to power to seize your website and block your domain name just because a commentator left a link that leads to a site that shows copyrighted content. And if you embed a video on your blog that contains copyrighted footage or music (I know I did that) you're in the same bucket with big time spammers and hackers.

And since the law is formulated in broad terms, there will be enough room for them to decide what should be online and what not. So this is nothing else than the beginning of a censorship.

If they consider that what you say or show might cause revenue losses for the entertainment industry, they'll shut you down.

Websites that you enjoy and benefit from will also be affected - YouTube, Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, Posterous, Facebook, Twitter - all sites where users create and distribute content.

That's just for the beginning. Later on, if you get political on your website (like I am here), they can shut you down for being a threat to national security and for encouraging terrorism.

So, bye bye freedom of speech! Bye bye the possibility of raising awareness about any issue - only the mass media will be able to do that (and they said 9/11 was a terrorism attack...and here I go political again).

What we can do to stop this

First and foremost we have to let the government know that it is people who rule a country, through elected officials, not vice versa!

For important decisions/laws people must be consulted. Let us not be treated like kids - we can make a judgement and we call the shots!

Sign the petition on Google
Visit Stop American Censorship and write to your local officials as to not vote for passing the law.
Express your opinion publicly about this (even if it leads to street protests)
Support the free and accessible web knowledge sites like Wikipedia - check out their blackout website for 18 January 2012

What are the big Internet companies saying

Google, Amazon, Facebook and Wikipedia are threatening with a blackout day - that is a full day without service to raise awareness about this serious problem that is about to affect a free and democratic nation.

By the way, try to access any page on Wikipedia today (18 Jan 2012) and see what you get.

The law is supposed to be voted on 24 January 2012 so we still have time. Let's act now!

This law won't affect only USA

If this law passes, then other governments will consider adopting it since there will already be a precedent. World wide web censorship is just a few signatures away.

The internet economy is here - future jobs rely on it

Whatever business you're in, you can't survive without an internet presence. And the internet has created far more jobs and business opportunities than the entertainment industry has ever created.

Think about this - the big business (entertainment and what not) is not available to anyone. There are tons of barriers to entry any highly lucrative domain: high costs, capital, knowledge, connections, etc.

The internet, on the other hand, is a free medium where anyone can build anything - it's the perfect meritocracy environment. No entry costs, easy to access, easy to promote yourself or your services, easy to connect with others, easy to spread new ideas, etc.

So what do we really want? Gatekeepers that tell us what to do, or absolute freedom? It's up to us to decide and act now.

Read more about this on:

Even though the Hitler reaction parody series have been going on for a while, the chief editor at Copyblogger (Sonia Simone) endorses this video as it explains some important aspects of the SOPA act.

Be safe and stay free!

Nikwax Tech Wash and Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof Review

2012-01-17T10:57:00.001+02:00

Nikwax is a company the offers numerous products for cleaning, conditioning and waterproofing your outdoor gear (including leather, wool, and down). Two of their products that I had the opportunity to test out was Nikwax Tech Wash and Nikwax Tent Gear SolarProof.

Tech Wash is designed to safely clean water repellant gear while bringing water repellency back into older used gear (runs about $5-$10).

Tent and Solarproof is spray-on water proofing for all weatherproof textiles such as tents, rucksacks, and camera bags (runs about $6-$15).

After receiving the product, I decided that I would test the Tech Wash on a raincoat that wasn’t shedding the water as it should. I also used the Nikwax Tent and Solar Proof on a rucksack that I often use backpacking and while in the military and have always wanted to be water repellent.

Before

After applying Nikwax

Pros:

Techwash effectively cleaned both raincoat and ruck
Tent and Gear SolarProof both worked as waterproofing and is said to double the life of my ruck due to UV protection
Both products very easy to apply and use
Environmentally friendly company
Online web quiz for free samples of other products

Cons:

Needed an entire bottle of Tent & Gear SolarProof for one ruck
Techwash restored water repellency but not 100%

Update

The main product for restoring waterproofing is Nikwax TX. Direct. The result: water doesn't wet the fabric and the water droplets flow away from the the material.

Conclusion

After using the products I have decided that definitely would be buying more of their products in the future. The Techwash thoroughly cleaned both my raincoat and my ruck. It also improved the water repellency of the fabric however it was not as drastic as I was hoping (but there still was a noticeable difference).

The Tent & Gear SolarProof was easy to apply and I concluded that the product worked well where it was properly applied. On the downside, I had to use the whole bottle on the ruck and afterwards I noticed spots that I had missed using the spray bottle and in these areas water could be observed soaking in. In my opinion, this was more of a mistake on my part and something that would be avoided next time.

Overall, I like the product that Nikwax produces and will be using more in the future to waterproof more bags and maintain and extend the life of my gear. ($15 to double the life of a ruck is enough to make the product worth it for me.)

Where to buy Nikwax products:

Some more info about Nikwax:

As a company, Nikwax strives to be environmentally conscious; so by making their products water based and without aerosols or propellants the company does their part to reduce global warming and ozone depletion.

Nikwax also has a unique promotion tool called the Nikwax Webquiz, to spread knowledge about their company and environmental concerns.

Every three months, customers are allowed to play the 5 question online quiz that is based on the company and environment. If you answer all the questions correctly, then you receive a free sample of a Nikwax product. Pretty cool in my opinion.

How To Write Gear Reviews

2012-01-13T16:51:00.002+02:00

What's your most important duty once you get a free piece of gear to review?

You may think it's putting up a banner for the sponsor on your blog. Or maybe do an unboxing video. But the all you have to do is...

Test it. Take it out.

When a company sends you gear, they're not buying good will from you. They want real feedback as to whether the equipment meets your expectations or not.

There's another thing you must consider: your review will be read by people who are looking to buy the product. Some of those people may be your high school buddies. So, would you lie to your buddies?

Always make sure your opinion is based on real world testing not just on the first impression.

Big statements like "The best" may sound like kissing ass...

We are naturally biased to give a favorable review to a sponsor - hell, they sent us free gear, right? - but once we acknowledge that, we can hopefully be more objective.

The paradox is that you can display advertisements for your sponsor (on your blog, website, Facebook or Twitter stream) but at the same time post an article where you basically say the product sucks...

What do you then?

Nothing. You simply move on. Things have to be told just as they are. Your readers and fans - which are the only reason you got to a point where you get all that free swag - will be appreciative of you being truthful to yourself and to themselves.

OMG, but I might loose future sponsorships, you many say.

If you loose the sympathy of that particular company, it means they didn't understand what this is all about in the first place. So the problem lies in their yard, not yours. And then again, if you fear loosing the good stuff - like attention and free gear from big brands - you may be in the kiss ass mode so snap out of it. :-)

Don't do it for the free stuff. Do it to offer valuable information to your audience. That's the core of this whole web publishing thing - being in the honesty business.

So using big words like "the best" can be seen as selling. That, and also saying something is just "the best" makes no sense unless you tried everything else on the market - and that's rarely the case.

Say what you like about the item (the good), say what you don't like (the bad) and then write a conclusion. You can be subjective but don't oversell.

Smart companies know how to improve

And they appreciate negative feedback as well.

Coz when somebody talks to you about the things you're doing wrong and also gives you tips on how to improve, you should be thanking them.

And when all this is done publicly, that's a sign the company has balls and takes its customers seriously. The more willing to listen to its customers - the higher the chances of becoming a great company.

Of course there are instances when clients don't know what they want as Steve Jobs said. That's when companies innovate and release new products that nobody articulated the need for. Even then, early feedback on the product is essential.

Smart companies are those who listen and don't get mad at you for writing a negative review. They'll approach you again with their new version of the product and ask your opinion again.

When this happens...

You'll naturally became more sympathetic towards the company (so they kinda win you over)
The company, being customer oriented, is more likely to develop a good product and grow in all aspects: sales, raging fans, PR exposure, etc.

Conclusion

Join the free outdoor gear program and get your own gear to review with Highball Blog. That's the conclusion! :-)

Be safe!

Where To Buy Affordable Outdoor Technical Apparel - Lidl and Aldi Stores

2012-01-09T11:53:00.001+02:00

We all like quality affordable technical outdoor gear, don't we?

The good news is: getting a cheap base layer is more accessible than you'd think (cheap as in affordable and durable, not as in poor quality!). Just visit your local Lidl or Aldi store once a week and you're bound to find decent/excellent outdoor apparel and gear.

They usually have weekly offers and the good stuff goes out of the shelves fast so you have to hunt your bargain. I know, this sounds too much as consumerism manifesto, but the quality price ratio is worth the effort.

Men's base layer top made of polyester and elastane. Price: 13 Euro (10 Euro discounted price).

And we all know about the importance of layered clothing in winter tours, don't we? The base layer keeps us warm and dry.

Take these gloves below for instance. They sell as work gloves (in German arbeithandschuhe which can be translated as work hand shoes - how cool is that?!) but they make a decent pair of mountain bike/cycling gloves.

Made of leather (synthetic I guess), neoprene, breathable technical fabric, silicone stripes at the finger tips; the palms are padded with gel cushions - there's no reason why you could't use them as cycling gloves. Price: 7 Euro.

I got a bunch of other items from Aldi Scotland (cycling jersey, cycling wind stopper) and they are all in good shape after years of exploitation. Some have branded fabrics in their composition (CoolMax by DuPont for example, Elastane/Spandex/Lycra, etc.).

Wearing top of the line apparel from big brands is cool and we do that mostly for emotional reasons (we believe the notorious logo says something about us, we position ourselves as having a distinct set of values, etc). However, being a bit rational about this whole buying process leads us to better decisions and more cash left in our wallets.

You're not to blame for your high end gear (I'm guilty of that myself) but once you find good stuff at small prices, you'll fell awakened. :-)

There are items where you cannot compromise - like hardware gear: a bike, a pair of high altitude mountaineering shoes, an ice axe, etc. But for textiles, there's so much competition that you'll inevitably find high quality apparel at ridiculously low prices.

Just for kicks, pay a visit to your Lidl or Aldi store. You may find something cool.

Be safe!

Disclaimer: Even though I do approve sponsored posts and I endorse certain products and brands on this blog, this article is not sponsored by anyone. I genuinely like these store chains for their weekly outdoor clothing offers.

Avalanche Shovel Review - Voile USA T6 Tech

2012-01-06T11:07:00.000+02:00

I was fortunate enough to recieve the T6 tech avalanche shovel - snow saw from Voile-USA for review on Highball Blog.

So after testing it, my statement is that Voile-USA's T6 Tech series avalanche shovels are the best choice for back country skiers, mountaineers and snowmobile fans.

I was highly impressed as soon as I took it out of the box, so light weight. It's also by far the best looking shovel I've seen.

The T6 tech conveniently stows a 14"/36 cm snow saw blade inside the handle. You can easily attach the snow saw blade to the end of the shovel shaft for snow science work and winter shelter building. Want an igloo and the shovel is not enough to carve out ice blocks? There's a saw for that!

The aluminum scoop has deadman holes for use as a snow anchor or making a rescue sled and has a chip proof coating.

I took this shovel with me on a mountain trip recently and it fits perfectly in my 37 liter winter pack without much effort. And at a little over a pound, you can't tell its there.

On the first day of the trip a small storm came through so we dug a snow cave in record time. The blade shovel cuts through ice and snow like butter.

If you need to pitch your tent on the snow, the shovel is the tool to have - either dig out the snow and build your tent on the ground or you can press the snow and build a wind protection wall around the tent. You don't want that blizzard spoiling your sleep.

Also, if you wanna make a fire you can dig a proper fireplace in the snow, down to the ground - this way the heat of the fire won't be lost as it would when you build the fire right on the snow.

Conclusion

The T6 tech is the perfect packable avalanche shovel, and I give it 5 stars out of 5. I can see why Voile T6 is the professionals' choice.

And being a shovel, it's very versatile - you can use it to get your car out of the snow if you're stuck; you can dig a small well when you need to gather fresh water, etc.

Where to buy the T6 snow shovel

Directly from Voile-USA
Amazon.com
Backcountry.com
Orscrosscountryskisdirect.com (T6 Mini Tele Pro - no saw)
Dogfunk.com

About the author: Aaron Lawrence is a climber and mountaineer from California who tests gear sent by sponsors. When he's not climbing, he writes reviews for Highball Blog.

How To Design and Manufacture Your Own Gore Tex Jacket

2012-01-03T23:16:00.000+02:00

Have you ever wondered how hard it is to design and manufacture your very own Gore Tex jacket?

I don't have a clear answer for this yet but I'm gonna exchange emails with a few manufacturers from Asia and I'll document the whole process here. Basically, I'm gonna update this article and let you know how complex (or easy) it is to develop from scratch a new waterproof and breathable mountain jacket - a shell prototype.

There are a few contacts in my list, including the most solicited outdoor clothing manufacturer in China - Outdoorsky - they manufacture top products for Mammut, Mountain Hardwear, Lafuma, Timberland, etc.

Update: I've spoken to a few manufactures from China and decided to continue this after the Chinese New Year (on 23rd January this year). We need to exchange lots of emails and lots of artwork (design details) so we'll start fresh after the holidays. A sales assistant literally told me that the workers are in "holiday mood" so it's not very wise to start a new project now. :-)

If you want to design your own jacket, just download these patterns in SVG format (Scalable Vector Graphics) and create your model by changing colors, adding your own logo, etc.

There's a business idea right here - to offer custom made Gore Tex outdoor wear.

Create a web interface where users could change elements of a few basic designs, upload their own logo, enter their shipping details, pay the product and Bam! - next thing you know, you have a brand new mountaineering jacket with your name on it.

Of course your friends might see you as a snob for wearing designer name apparel but don't we all like to feel important from time to time? (Not that actual snobs are actually important!) :-)

You can use Inkscape to edit vectors - it's a free piece of software. I personally edit them with Microsoft Visio but that's just because I got used to it. From what I've seen, Inkscape seems to be smarter and more powerful so learning to use it would definitively be a gain.

Download the blank contour in SVG format

Also download the Highball model - Omu - named after a peak in Bucegi Mountains:

Go outdoors, be safe and stay dry!

PS - If you like to draw or simply enjoy playing with computer graphics and also like mountain biking or cycling, you may like to learn how to design cycling jerseys.

Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Fine Knife Review

2012-01-01T16:56:00.000+02:00

The Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Fine Knife is the neatest knife for the outdoor enthusiast. And, as usual, you can get it at a better price from Amazon.

The knife itself is light and the blade is made from high carbon stainless steel. The knife sheath has several features built into it including a knife sharpener, a fire starter (firesteel) , and an emergency whistle.

However, the thing I like most about this knife is the dual mounting option on the sheath.

You can use the traditional vertical hang down option on your belt or you can choose to have the knife situated horizontal along your belt for better concealment.

Depending on what kind of activities you do outdoors (building shelters, cutting hard wood, etc) you can also get the serrated edge version which can be used as a robust mini saw.

On the back of the sheath is a pictorial of life saving signals. It comes with an informative survival guide that explains, amongst many things, how to use your watch as a compass.

Conclusion

All in all, this knife is well made and of high quality. Although the blade is thick and sturdy, the knife overall is light weight.

Even the plastic grip on the handle is seamless and shows no signs of separation or weakness and the whistle on the end of the handle is small and inconspicuous.

The amount of detail and consideration that went into designing this knife makes it well worth the price. The Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Fine Knife is an essential tool to take with you on any hike or adventure.

About the author: Wendy Leonard is a field biologist, a runner, and blogger from San Antonio, Texas. She entered the free gear program and got the knife from Gerber as a sponsorship.

Note from Gerber - The fine edge version of the Gerber / Bear Ultimate blade is available exclusively at www.gerbergear.com. The original can be found at Amazon, but the new one is only available through the Gerber site.

PS by Constantin Gabor - A friend of mine has the Remix Serrated (see picture below) and I can honestly say I'm impressed with its quality and beauty. So while I don't actually own a Gerber knife nor do I particularly like Bear Grylls (I'm a Less Stroud fan), I give my vote for Gerber and their awesome products.

Alpine Rope Review - Edelweiss Discover 8.5 mm x 30 m

2012-01-01T16:33:00.000+02:00

Hello, my name is Aaron Lawrence and I'm reviewing the Edelweiss Discover 8.5 mm x 30 m alpine touring rope.

I got this rope - courtesy of Altrec.com and Highball Blog gear giveaway - for glacier travel and short rappels, and it is perfect.

Super light weight, strong and handles very, very well. It's treated with "super-ever-dry" so it wont soak up water when plunging up a ridge. You can also use it on technical alpine treks and mountaineering tours to secure your comrade on the most exposed passages.

My climbing partner and I like it so much that we got another, and use them as twin ropes for technical ascents.

Bottom line - a great alpine rope that is always in my winter pack.

About the author: Aaron is a climber and mountaineer from California who joined the free outdoor gear program on Highball Blog.

If you don't have a blog but want to receive free gear in exchange for your review click here and apply on Highball Blog's behalf.

Editing GoPro Tips - How To Edit HD MP4 Video with a Slow Laptop Computer

2011-11-21T22:15:00.001+02:00

There is a way for you to edit MP4 video in HD even with a slow and old laptop. This trick was given to me by a friend who's a professional filmmaker and it applies to all kinds of videos.

However, there seems to be a high interest in GoPro editing and in this tutorial I'll refer to GoPro HD footage which comes in H.264 MP4 encoding. This experiment and all my video editing, including GoPro clips, are done with Magix Edit Pro Plus. I like it for its simplicity and ease of use.

Now, if your default video editing software cannot handle this kind of videos, then you can convert MP4 to AVI with MPEG Streamclip (a free piece of software).

So you wanna edit your outdoor videos but your computer is too old and, whenever you import the HD video files to your timeline, the software stalls. Here's what you have to do:

1. Convert all your video files to a smaller resolution and bit rate

The thing to remember from the start is to use the same video format and the same aspect ratio throughout this process.

So if you convert your files to a lower resolution - either with MPEG Streamclip or with Leawo MP4 converter - make sure the extension (.avi, .mp4, .mov) will be the same in all steps of the editing work.

Example: Original MP4 file in 1280/720 pixels at 30 fps will be converted to MP4 clip in 680/384 pixels at 30 fps. The 16:9 aspect ratio is maintained.

Set a new folder destination for the new files as to keep the same file name for each video (same file name as the full resolution file). This is important!

Now that your video files are lighter and have a smaller file size, it'll be much easier for your computer to handle them.

2. Move all your media files you want to work with in the same folder

Drag all the other media files you want to use in the same folder (music, sound effects, pictures). This requires less memory and processing power when the computer compiles your edit. Less paths to remember since everything is in one place.

3. Start editing and save the project file in the same folder

Now you can edit your video. Make the cuts, add the music, the titles and transitions.

When you're done editing, save the file and close it.

4. Delete all the video files in the folder and replace them with the original HD clips

Yes, that's right. Delete all the converted clips (light files in low resolution) and replace them with their HD version. We're still using the same destination folder, right?

The name of the files must be the same. So if the name of a certain low resolution files was GOPR1808.mp4, then the high resolution clip should have the same name - GOPR1808.mp4.

5. Open the project file and export your HD video

As you open the project file, it will pull all the videos, this time in full resolution.

The original HD files are in place. The editing is done.

All you have to do now is to make sure the aspect ratio and resolution are correct before exporting your final edit - change these settings both for the project file and the export parameters.

Hit the export button and go on vacation for a week. :-) This is what my friend actually told me.

And it's understandable. A slow computer with little video memory (or no dedicated graphics card at all), little RAM and little processing power can take more than an hour to compile a 5 minute edit, especially if you made many cuts and color corrected the scenes.

Other tips to follow when editing videos with an old laptop

Close all other applications and programs, including the WiFi (switch). You want to dedicate all hardware resources to your extreme sports video edit.

Make sure there's no blanket of dust stuck in the air vent of your laptop. Search on Google or on YouTube the name and model of your machine along with the words remove dust. Dust and poor ventilation causes overheating which leads to poor performance and forced automatic shut down.

Use a laptop cooler. The performance of my laptop improved significantly after I removed the dust and started using a cooler. I use a Canyon.

Magix Edit Pro allows you to set a lower resolution display when working on your video. This makes the program run faster (faster preview and playback). Look for a similar option in your current video editing software.

Conclusion

Having to do all sorts of tricks to get the job done can be frustrating. But until you get a new, more powerful computer, you can actually edit your GoPro HD videos by following a few simple steps as the ones above.

Have you shot any cliff jumping videos yet? :-)

Rock Climbing Shirt Vector Design - Use Long Quickdraws

2011-11-16T22:07:00.001+02:00

Download this vector drawing for your climbing shirt in:

SVG format
High resolution PNG image (with transparent background)

Don't you just hate it when the crux of a route is nothing else than a long reach to... the bolt or the quickdraw?!

And then you wonder:

1. Do we climb to clip the rope?

Shit, I'm scared and I'm high above my last bolt. I gotta clip this one. It's right here. If only I could reach it... Oh... If I fall now I'm gonna blow it so hard... I'm also getting pumped...

2. Or maybe climbing itself should be the only focus?

Totally! It's all about the movement and the flow. You're one with the rock. You don't care about clipping your rope, you just wanna climb higher and higher. You're in control. Nature favors you and you're enjoying it. You pull the rope to secure your high-up position. You stretch your arm towards the carabiner and then you go like:

Shit, I'm scared and I'm high above my last bolt. I gotta clip this one. It's right here. If only I could reach it...

Original artwork made by Gabriel Raileanu. Ask him to draw a custom design for you.

GoPro HD 2 in Europe - List of Retailers

2011-11-01T13:07:00.000+02:00

People are excited about the new GoPro HD 2 camera which was released by the small, yet amazing GoPro company.

I once read an article that said (hope I remember well) the company grows 300% per year, which is outstanding! And this with just a cool product that appeals to all kinds of people: extreme sports enthusiasts, filmmakers, photographers, scientists (a woman I know uses this camera to research volcano activity), etc.

So, since I shot most of my videos with the Hero HD, I get emails that ask me

Where to buy the GoPro HD 2 in Europe

First, let me tell you that from my experience, it was cheaper to buy the GoPro HD directly from the GoPro store and then pay some custom tax here in Europe. But of course, this depends on the country you live in, each having their own taxes.

In my case, I paid the $24 for shipping (from USA to Romania) and then paid the VAT tax (19% at that time). All calculations being made, there was no better deal in Europe (Jan 2010).

However, if the import taxes or VAT are too high in your country and if you don't want to complicate your life by filling forms at the custom office, you can get the new HD Hero 2 at these online stores:

ActionCameras.co.uk - if you're from UK, this is for you
Amazon.co.uk - for United Kingdom (usually prices are smaller than with the other retailers)
Amazon.de - for Germany
ActionCameras.fr - for France
HDcam.ch - for Switzerland
X-TremeVideo.com - the exclusive distributor of GoPro in France (not sure if they sell directly). I wrote an email to them and asked for a complete list of online retailers for France. I'll update the post if they reply.

Anyway, most of these stores ship internationally within Europe (even to non EU countries) so you can figure out which is the best combination of price & shipping for you.

But how to get the cheapest GoPro?

As a rule of thumb, Amazon will offer the best price sooner or later. This happens all the time with any kind of product. They sell large amounts of stuff so they get discounts as a worthy retailer. Be sure to check out your country's Amazon site regularly.

If you don't see the item's price listed on Amazon, there's a button/link that says: See price in shopping cart. When this happens, you know that's a discounted price, smaller than any other retailer can offer (including the GoPro store).

All you have to do is wait and see the price drop on Amazon, whereas the rest of the retailers will sell the camera for the standard price.

At the time of release, you're also paying for the novelty, not just for the product. So if no big video projects are ahead, waiting for a better deal is the right thing to do. There's a flood in the market with the first HD Hero (which is now cheaper in the official store) and it's likely the GoPro 2 HD will create another flood and a price drop.

Wait a while, and you'll be able to get yourself a cheap GoPro Hero 2.

Further reading

Here's a list of related articles & tutorials you might find useful:

GoPro Steadicam - learn how to build your camera stabilizer for smooth video.
How to edit GoPro HD videos - a complete workflow, from shooting to exporting and compressing for online upload.
How to charge your GoPro camera in the wild - charge your camera with a small portable solar panel.

Most of the shots in the clip above were shot with the Sony HX9V, which is a cool complementary camera for outdoor video sooting.

Be safe and shoot your outdoor adventures!

Outdoor Gear Coupon Giveaway by Altrec - Win Anything You Want within $110

2011-10-30T20:28:00.002+02:00

Update: This giveaway has reched its deadline.

The winner is Mill Creek Mountaineers and they said:

We are a bunch of poor mountaineers, barely keep our families fed... We need alpine rope :)

Thank you all for entering!

Would you like to win free outdoor gear?

Altrec.com is offering a $110 coupon for you to spend in their online store.

Now, there will be more gear giveaways on this blog. So you may wanna subscribe to be notified each time a new contest is up.

How to enter the contest

It's easy. All you have to do is "Like" the Altrec Facebook page and leave a comment either:

here on Highball Blog
or here on Facebook (you'll have to "Like" the Highball page beforehand)

and tell us what piece of gear do you need and why you deserve it.

If your comment is most original/crazy/funny, you'll be rewarded with a $110 coupon for you to spend on outdoor gear at Altrec.com.

By the way, did you know that Altrec offers 100% guarantee lifetime returns? No questions asked.

Who can participate

Anyone. No matter where you live in the world, you can enter this contest just by leaving a comment on Facebook.

There's also no age limit.

The deadline is 5 Nov 2011

Leave a comment until 5 Nov 2011 and you're in the game.

Use a public profile when commenting on the blog or make sure there is a way for us to contact you if you win (email address, Facebook profile link, Twitter profile, etc.).

So put your thinking cap on and leave a comment. Success!

PS - I posted this giveaway on my personal Facebook profile as well so those comments will also be taken into account. However, all participants have equal chances of winning. Be as creative as you can be and leave an original comment.

See The Best The World Has To Offer - Travel to New Zealand

2011-10-30T20:28:00.001+02:00

Everyone loves to travel, but if you have never had the pleasure of exploring New Zealand, you do not know what you are missing.

Both the north and south islands have plenty of activities for you and your family and friends to enjoy. Even if you do not have a traveling partner, you will still be awestruck by the beauty of the rocky coastline, the beautiful sandy beaches, and the majestic forests.

During the warmer months you can enjoy beautiful hikes in the rugged mountains and subtropical woodlands. If you are on the north Island, hire a car and travel to Rotorua where you will see geysers, mud pools, and hot springs. Book a hotel and experience an authentic hangi feast which is when the food is cooked in the ground.

Set out on foot and tour a Maori village, or pamper yourself with a spa. Try skydiving, or grab your pole and catch some trout. With so much to see and do, you will want to spend a couple of days in this fascinating city.

And let's not forget about Queenstown, which is considered the world's capital of extreme sports.

Before you head to the south island, drive to the Waitakere Ranges. This regional park is full of rivers, and beaches. Step out of the car and continue on foot to enjoy one of the most beautiful hikes in New Zealand. Take the walkway through the tops of the trees where you will see stunning views of the lakes and beyond. You will definitely want to be equipped with some quality Timberland hiking boots and tough clothing for this exotic trek.

The southern part of the country is just as beautiful. The mountainous landscape is full of dense rainforest and gorgeous rivers, and there are plenty of adventurous activities for the entire family. Go white water rafting during the warmer months or strap on your skis in the winter. Go bushwalking and see the magnificent landscape at your own pace.

You cannot leave until you take a trip to the Orana Wildlife Park. This open range zoo is just a short drive from Christchurch and is set on 80 hectares. Orana is one of the only endangered animal open range sanctuaries in the world.

Every species lives in an enclosure that is almost exactly like their natural habitat. The park uses streams, banks, and moats as barriers giving you the opportunity to see giraffes, elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, tigers, and much more. Stroll through the lion habitat, or take a walk through the kea aviary where you can visit with tuatara, kiwi, and other native reptiles and birds.

Both the north and south islands have plenty of tours that you can partake in, but if you want to holiday at your own leisure, rent a car or motor home and see what the islands are really all about. You can chat with the locals and indulge in some amazing local cuisine. Book your tickets today and start planning the trip of a lifetime.

Guest post by the same team who offered to do this cool outdoor gear giveaway. Say hi to them on Twitter.

Photo credit: National Geographic