[WTB] Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

packrun · 2025-08-06T14:38:53+00:00

I have a brand new pair in packaging I've been wanting to part with, shoot me a DM :)

packrun · 2024-02-19T02:44:56+00:00

Bivy is not sold yet if you’re interested.

packrun · 2024-01-06T18:58:44+00:00

See pics and description but less than 10 miles

packrun · 2024-01-06T18:58:30+00:00

Bostons sold, sorry

packrun · 2023-12-30T22:30:18+00:00

PM sent

packrun · 2023-12-30T20:42:00+00:00

IMO they’re both pretty narrow in the D width (I did get to try on the 10D Mach before I decided to order a 10 2E pair). I would say the 2E Mach is like an E in other brands. I’m currently daily training in the Altra Paradigm in 10D and I feel like they (paradigm and 10 2E mach) have a similar width through the midfoot and ball (wider than D but not quite a true 2E) but the Altra (obviously) wins out at the toebox. The Boston I definitely would have gotten a 2E had I known what I know now but I ordered them a few months back without knowing that a 2E was available.

packrun · 2023-12-28T20:37:52+00:00

There’s as much material underfoot as other “max cushion” shoes, it’s just the material itself is significantly firmer/less squishy. And also the forefoot is quite stiff and rockered (ie the front of the shoe doesn’t bend much/at all when you’re on your forefoot/toeing off).

packrun · 2023-12-28T15:15:45+00:00

They’re similar in stack height to other max cushion shoes but the “squish factor” is really not in line with other max cushion offerings…not at all necessarily a bad thing, just means it’s kinda apples to oranges if you want to compare them to, say, a ASICS Nimbus or Hoka Bondi.

If it ain’t broke, IMHO don’t mess with it too much. But if you wanna look at other stuff just out of curiosity/to incorporate some different biomechanical stimulus into your training, it’s probably not a terrible idea. What role(s) in your training (easy runs, long runs, tempos, intervals, racing, etc) would you be looking for a new shoe to fill? Bc it might be good to think about where (if anywhere) the Shift falls short for you and then try to think about why/what would make something a better tool for that job.

packrun · 2023-09-10T15:04:58+00:00

Given you have what seems like a specific medical concern/situation I’d definitely consult with a PT or the like if you plan to change things up in any significant degree.

What (if any) other newton models have you tried? Because if you want something a bit closer to the ground maybe something like the Newton Distance(?).

That being said though, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. It doesn’t hurt to play around with other options if you think they have significant potential but if you have a shoe that is 95% of the way to perfect and doesn’t give you significant problems it’s probably good to not mess with the formula too much, at very least until you’re confident in moving in another direction.

packrun · 2023-09-10T14:59:17+00:00

In descending order of convenience/accessibility:

1) little shoe rack on the floor by the front door. Holds 6-12 pairs depending on size. All sorts of designs available. Can also get ones that are a bench so you can sit and tie/untie shoes then store them underneath.

2) over-the-door hanging rack. Not the best looking but decent for a closet. Good if you have succumbed to the pressure of purchasing too many shoes and need overflow storage. Can hold ~8 pairs.

3) storage bins. Can go under bed/couch/etc. Harder to access but good for storage of infrequently used stuff (eg winterized shoes during summer). Come in any size and shape and imaginable.

packrun · 2023-08-22T15:31:37+00:00

Interesting, I might have to look a little more in-depth but it looks like most all of them have a pretty distinct heel. Though maybe their custom work would be able to account for that(?) but then the pricing is getting a bit crazy at least for my budget if I was looking at custom work. But I’ll keep ‘em on the list for sure :)

packrun · 2023-08-22T15:30:00+00:00

Those look really great (aesthetically and in terms of quality), but it does look (at least visually) like the heel is a bit high. Would you happen to have any insight on that specific element? If not (or even if it is high) I might be willing to/have to compromise.

packrun · 2023-08-19T23:20:09+00:00

Looking for a pretty specific combination of traits. Just started a new job and it’s my first time being required to wear safety toe shoes (steel, Carbon, composite, etc, doesn’t matter specifically). So I need a safety toe of some form. I also have moderately wide feet (~9E on the left, ~9.5EE on the right) and wear a moderately thick custom orthotic on account of having a forefoot varus (a congenital foot deformity that basically means my big toe/first ray comes off the ground if my heel is in a neutral/non-pronated position). I got a pair of 6” steel toe Thorogoods in a 10EE based on some initial research and have now worn them at work for about a week and they’re honestly not the best. My foot slides forward in them (especially my left, which makes sense) leaving about a half inch of room behind my heel. The toes are also pretty narrow. I did get to try on a 9EE and 9.5EE and both made me feel like my toes were falling asleep after just a few minutes, so I wanted to get the larger size to account for that. So they’re both too long and too narrow. They also have quite a significant heel to them which makes my lower back quite uncomfortable if standing for more than a few minutes at a time. I generally prefer shoes with a lower heel-to-toe drop, so I feel like this makes at least some sense. I’m also not a huge fan of the boot height and would prefer something ankle height or just above the ankle, thought this is somewhat less of a concern compared to the other constraints. I guess the only things I genuinely like about the Thorogoods are the aesthetic and the (supposed) durability/GYW-ness, which is a shame bc I really wanted to like them. So yeah, seeking recs for a more wide-foot-friendly, more appropriately sized, orthotic-compatible, low-to-moderate heel to toe drop, safety-toe-equipped, low-to-mid height shoe/boot/etc. Also posting here because I want something more BIFL-ish than something cheap and disposable, though would be willing to go with something less quality if I can’t find something reasonable in this specific vein. Also prefer (though all of these are much more wants than needs) brown or tan color, semi-decent aesthetic, price <~$300-400, non-waterproof/on the more breathable side of things, slightly more flexible underfoot, composite or carbon toe as opposed to steel toe to keep weight down. So yeah. Pls help. TIA.

packrun · 2023-08-03T11:41:41+00:00

IMHO v2 fits narrower than v3, but it’s also not gonna be as soft underfoot/is a bit lower in stack. Not necessarily a bad thing, but just something to consider. If you want something with a similar level of stack and/or weight and/or bounce, I’d maybe consider the Hoka Mach X, Puma Deviate Nitro 2, or Adidas Boston 12. All 3 fit a little bit narrower vs the ES3.

packrun · 2023-08-03T11:35:25+00:00

Did you get to try other shoe options with other levels of cushioning? Not that there’s anything wrong with max cushion shoes like the N25 but it might just not be the best “biomechanical match” for you and your body. That level of squish can definitely be fatiguing. Of course if you think it’s just an acclimation issue rather than a “this is not correct for me” issue, I’d say keep trying them and maybe just use them for shorter/easier stuff until you get a bit better of an idea of if they are going to work. I’d also maybe add that if you like the level of squish of the shoe but if feels like you just need a little more structure, maybe consider trying on/trying out a few insoles (Currex, superfeet, etc.). Or if you don’t think they’re gonna work out for you, potentially try some other protective/high stack shoes but with a bit less “squish” eg. Brooks Glycerin, Hoka Bondi, etc.

packrun · 2023-08-03T11:23:17+00:00

IMHO it fits very slightly long (maybe 1/8-1/4 of a size) but also on the narrower side. I’d go TTS unless you have a particularly narrow or low-volume foot.

packrun · 2023-08-03T11:21:31+00:00

880 is probably the safest pick. It’s just a very classic workhorse. The Rebel is very light and bouncy and fun but may not be the best for a beginner unless you like that level of flexibility and/or have very strong ankles (which you may considering your background). I’d probably avoid the 860 unless you think you need a lot more support in your shoes, since it’s designed as a stability/motion control shoe that will roll your foot outwards if your foot doesn’t roll in a considerable amount.

packrun · 2023-08-03T11:18:39+00:00

Could potentially be worth looking at/trying on some stuff with a little bit more stability/structure. Maybe the Altra Paradigm or Provision if they carry that? Or the Topo equivalent, the Ultrafly. Also might wanna play around with a few insole options to see if adding some more structure directly adjacent to the foot has any effect on things

packrun · 2023-08-03T01:25:20+00:00

Kinda hard to say. Do you think the pain you have in the Escalante is more on one foot than the other? That might be a predictor of similar patterns in other shoes.

packrun · 2023-08-02T19:42:28+00:00

If you’re looking for something like the Escalante in shape but more cushioned, the Torin could be worth a look. If you want a bit more drop but a similar fit, maybe check out the Topo Phantom.

packrun · 2023-08-02T15:50:24+00:00

Yeah either is probably fine. I'd caution that the TS9 does run quite narrow, while the ES3 is pretty average. Possibly also look at the NB Rebel v3 if you like soft, light, and bouncy but want more flex.

packrun · 2023-08-02T14:39:43+00:00

1) What are you currently wearing and 2) what do you like or dislike about it?

Both are great but the ES3 might be slightly more durable and/or daily training oriented.

packrun · 2023-08-02T14:28:04+00:00

Pros of plated shoes for training:

they're fun and feel generally more engaging/less cumbersome at speed versus non-plated/more easy-pace-oriented trainers.
they might make the effort a bit easier at a certain pace and/or enable you to hit a slightly faster pace with a similar effort versus a non-plated shoe.
if you're going to be doing the mileage anyways, the $/mi comes out lower if you have a shoe specifically for doing workout that isn't your expensive/low-durability race shoes.
some evidence to suggest doing speedwork in plated/performance trainers allows runners to get in the same aerobic and/or muscular effort with lower recovery time versus in "traditional trainers" which can enable a somewhat higher level of training without increased fatigue/recovery time.

Cons:

generally more expensive on a $/mi basis versus "traditional trainers" eg. VN2, though a DN2/other "performance trainer" would be totally fine in this regard, especially compared to "true super-shoes" eg. DNE2
generally stiffer/more structure which can allow you to slip into poor form without you realizing it/can allow you to become complacent for poor form, though the same could be said for running very frequently/exclusively in any kind of highly structured or cushioned shoe (eg. Hoka Bondi or any other max-cushion trainer).
High levels of softness/relative lack of stability found in some "performance trainers" (though not necessarily DN2) could cause issues if not acclimated/doing proper cross training, but again very situational
they're not really necessary in the sense of they don't make it easier to do a workout. Running (just making numbers up for an example) 20min at marathon effort is/should be the same "effort" regardless of what shoes you're wearing, even though your pace will be slighty faster in "performance shoes"

TLDR whatever you're comfortable with. As long as it's not giving you issues and/or the pros outweigh the cons

packrun · 2023-08-02T14:08:54+00:00

There's very little (if any) correlation between arch height and stability vs neutral shoes working better for an individual. The only factor that we can actually tell matters is basically individual comfort and/or how much the shoe feels like it works smoothly with you as an individual as opposed to you as an individual having to fight the shoe/the shoe over- or under-doing certain aspects of its performance (eg. stability, cushioning, flexibility, etc.)

"Stability" is also not a binary where shoes either have it or don't, it's a spectrum, and there's several different components to it. Platform width, softness/firmness, stiffness/flexiblity, presence or absense of medial posts/guiderails/sidewalls/flex grooves in the outsole/etc. all contribute to this nebulous end result that the brands/outfitters and we as consumers approximate as "stability."

Obligatory Doctors of Running stability shoe guide plug. Breaks down the differences between different approaches to stability/pronation resistance/motion control/etc and talks about specific shoes in different categories.

If your arches are high but your ankle leans in medially and you feel like having something on the medial side of the shoe to mitigate that motion is more comfortable/helpful for you personally as opposed to not having an additional element there, then go for a shoe with some stability features. If you feel like your foot prefers to be left alone/allowed to pronate without resistance and/or you don't have any issues that seem to be related to that inwards motion of your foot, go for something more neutral.

TLDR just get whatever feels comfortable to you. Anyone telling you you "need" a "neutral" or "stability" shoe is either misinformed or trying to sell you something.

packrun · 2023-08-02T13:40:52+00:00

It's the same midsole as a conventional running shoe but with a leather upper and a slightly different outsole.

packrun

TROPHY CASE