It wasn't until the moment I
tried on the Vomero+ 4 that I realized how lucky I was to have large
feet. I always thought it was a downside, but then I understood how
fortunate I am. I was able to try on and experience not only the Men's Vomero+
4 but also the Women's. This isn't the first time I have worn both the
men's and women's version of the same shoe, but this experience was different.
I was amazed at the differences between the shoes, which only allowed me to be
able to write so much more about the new Vomero from both the Men's and Women's
perspectives! From the start you should understand that if Nike can't
make a shoe lighter, more breathable or just all around better they DO NOT make
a newer model. They will just reproduce the same shoe with a different color.
So when you see the Vomero+ 4, you know that there is something about the shoe
that is different then the Vomero+ 3 that makes it better. What is it exactly?
That's what I'm about to share with you.
First of all the Vomero+ 3 and 4 are both amazing shoes. When
you put them on they feel like clouds on your feet. One can get a
sensational feeling because they feel how light the shoe is, but also feel how
incredibly soft the shoe is. The Vomero series is a Neutral shoe which
allows it to focus on the lightweight cushion.
The most important upgrade from the Vomero 3 to the 4 is the shoe is
actually 10% lighter! I know I didn't believe it either! Nike changed the upper
slightly and the Zoom Air to make the shoe super light. When I tried it
on I was amazed. It feels like you REALLY have a cloud tied to your
foot. Nike has also added more heel support to the Vomero+ 4 giving you
better stability as you strike. Now, when I tried on the women's version
of the Vomero +4 I had a completely different feel then the men's. Women
have a tendency to have narrower heels which Nike knows and made the heel more
narrow then the men's. I didn't even lace the shoe up and I tried kicking
it off my foot and it was impossible to get off, I loved that because I never
tie my shoes :) The women’s one also has the tree-foil design on the toe
box on both sides of the upper. This allows women who have bunions or
other feet problems to have a stretchy material where the problems occur.
There are no seams in that area so it also one less stress women will have to
worry about. Nike also ensured the crash pad of the shoe has a higher
angle then the men's because of women's hips and their foot strike angles.
The men's Vomero+ 4 was just as comfortable as the women's. Although
there are different aspects to the shoes, I am comfortable in both. The men's
crash pad also has a slight angle to it so as you run it guides you into your
gait's cycle in a smooth transition. The heel seemed to cup my heel
perfectly, I almost felt like I sunk down into the cloud. The Vomero+ 4
has the typical men's standard medium width which allowed my toes to wiggle
around some which I also enjoy. Oh, not to mention the Vomero+ 4 is Nike
Plus ready. Get your iPod set and start running across the clouds!
When I started backpacking your only choices was a closed cell
foam pad. The only variation on this subject was the thickness of the
foam pad you carried: thinner for summer, thicker in winter. The only
air mattresses were the vinyl type that were easily punctured and you
had to blow them up.
Then
along came Therm-a-Rest. I don’t know if they were the first self
-inflating mattress on the market but they have become one of the brand
names that most outdoors people recognize. Quality, durability and
innovation have been their trade mark.
A
self-inflating pad has open celled foam on the inside. When you unroll
the pad and open the valve, air is drawn into the pad. A pad will fill
itself to the point that it only takes a few puffs from you to adjust
the pad to the hardness or softness you desire.
In
the current line of Therm-a-Rest mattresses there is a mattress to meet
your specific needs. Therma-a-Rests divides their sleeping pads into
three categories:
Fast & Light® mattresses allow you to experience unrivaled comfort without
compromising your goals. They weigh less and pack smaller than any
mattresses ever before, facilitating the kind of high-speed, low-weight
experience sought by alpinists, adventure racers, and long-distance
backpackers alike.
Trek & Travel™ mattresses offer greater comfort along with the versatility to go
anywhere and do anything. They’re light enough for the trail yet
comfortable enough for base camp—perfect for everyone from backpackers
and globe-trotters to paddlers and car campers.
Camp & Comfort™ mattresses offer incomparable softness and warmth, making outdoor
experiences more comfortable than ever. Family campers, car campers and
base campers all choose these mattresses when their priority is waking
up refreshed is priority number one.
I
have used Therm-a-rest since they first appeared on Sport Chalet’s
shelves. I have never been disappointed. I know that you won’t either.
I have used many generations of the M.U.L.E. from Camelbak. Each has had minor changes but for the most part it has been and continues to be the pack that can do it all.Unless you are lucky enough to own multiple hydration packs this is the one pack that can cover most of your needs. The pack can be cinched down for shorter rides or expanded for those longer rides.I am not a proponent of carrying every tool and toy on your back but their may be those rides when you truly need to. Instead of coming up short on space the M.U.L.E. has the capacity to handle those epic adventures.It comes with ample space to store gear food and clothing. The latest version even has a water-resistant pocket for those who like to carry an MP3 player and ride to their favorite music.The 100 oz bladder is suited for a long day out. On shorter rides I only partially fill the bladder or skip it all together and use a water bottle. Regardless of the ride I know I won’t come up short on H20.The M.U.L.E. has plenty of straps to cinch your gear on to the bag and the pack onto you. Of course they are also Camelbak tough. I lent mine to my wife at Moab and she decided to use it as a crash pad when she flipped backwards on one of the steeper slick rock ascents. Wife and pack both survived with a few minor abrasions.I can’t recommend this pack highly enough. I have used and abuse these packs for many years. If you can take so can they.
Product Talk
