Phantom Lights

Archive for the ‘Mountaineering’ Category

OR – Salewa

Friday, January 25th, 2013

These boots are the Pro Line from Salewa. Remember, Salewa is a 75 year old Italian mountaineering brand well known throughout the world for its apparel equipment and footwear. The footwear line was created 7 years ago in Europe and brought a technical line of mountaineering, approach and hike-approach footwear to the US 3-1/2 years ago. I’ve been wearing Salewa shoes and boots for over a year now.

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Here you see the new Vertical Pro new for Fall 2013, the Pro Guide and Pro Gator. All three incorporate the unique Walk-Climb feature. These are the only boots on the market where you can lock out the mid-sole in climbing mode to make the boot completely rigid. Conversely, you can unlock the mid-sole during the approach or ascent to get some toe flex.

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For most military users these boots are great options. He we have the Mountain Trainer Mid GTX, Alp Trainer Mid GTX and the new Snow Trainer Insulated GTX.

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I am super stoked about the Snow Trainer Insulated GTX. It features Thinsulate combined with Gore-Tex. it features a snowshoe compatible heel and built-in gaiter. The real gem here is the outsole developed with Vibram. It features a softer, sticky rubber compound with these cotton Kevlar fiber discs that help grip slick ground. They are meant for wet, cold, crappy environments.

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These are the new hotness from Salewa. This hike-approach is called the Wildfire. It’s already won Climbing magazine’s Editor’s choice award. Available in Gore-tex and non Gore models it incorporates a new anatomical last with a spherical heel cup. This heel is much like a climbing shoe but the forefoot gives you some room to walk. Interestingly, most of the upper is actually injection molded as one unit. The are few stitches and no clue on this upper.

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These feature the new 3-piece Multi-footbed system which is a insole system that allows you to custom fit the foot based on your foot and what socks you are wearing.

www.salewa.com

OR – Metolius

Friday, January 25th, 2013

Metolius is a 30 year old family owned business in Bend, Oregon. They’ve done a great job supporting the military. Here are a couple of new pieces.

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First off is the low profile Patriot harness that you can wear under body armor if needed. It’s Berry Compliant and features their Safe Tech which means all components on the harness are structurally sound, even the elastic at the rear and the gear loops. It also incorporates a locking speed buckle. This feature is actually available due to the beefy webbing on the waist.

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Next is the Strike sit and chest harness combo. Once again all Safe Tech construction, but completely stripped down, no padding. Additionally, you can use it for CASEVAC. There is no rear riser so you can slip it on a patient. One size fits most. Practically made by Veterans in Bend Oregon (Berry Compliant).

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Above, you have the Bravo series of carbiners. They’ve engineered these to make them hard to fail. They’ve eliminated gate flutter with a wire gate and incorporated a flared nose. Additionally, these are a little smaller and lighter (30 grams) than others on the market.

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The Master Cam is a family of Berry Compliant cramming units that move already been incorporated into the US Army’s MAC Kit.

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Finally, we have the Belay Rappel Descend or BRD. That’s what it does and it’s Berry Compliant. It weighs only 82 grams and accepts single or double ropes 8-11 mm.

www.metoliusclimbing.com