WE RAN IT
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ASCEND LIGHTLY
First Ascent AR-X Running Tee + Shorts | RRP R699 + R899 | firstascent . co . za It ’ s been a while since we last ran in First Ascent , the SA brand made famous by an Everest climbing expedition . It turned out to be ideal timing because we were taking on the insanely steep Jacob ’ s Ladder climb on St Helena , as well as some hot volcanic terrain on the remote island – and the new AR-X range is more comfortable , light and durable than what we wore-tested a few years ago .
The tee has no seams where your trail vest sits so it radically reduces chafe , and the soft , smooth fabric has great heat- and moisture-expulsion properties . An athletic fit , ventilated mesh knit and high snag resistance also play nicely with our desire for fitted run tees , our hot climate and bushy trails . It ’ s great to hear that the eco-conscious manufacturers use 94 % recycled polyester .
In the shorts , we tried both the 5in clay-coloured nylon parachute ripstop fabric , and the 6in more typical stretch polyester fabric . Both have built-in quick-wic briefs – practical as well as lighter and more breathable than cotton underwear . What we really enjoyed were the near-invisible yet ample storage pockets around the waist for stashing gels , keys , money , etc . There were five pockets in total , with four fast access and one zipped at the back for those items that need to be kept safest . The four-way stretch fabric is excellent for comfort and , according to their designers , the durable water-repellent finish on the outer fabric adds to the fast-drying , lightweight properties . A side leg-seam slit increases flexible ease of movement , while a light , smooth elastic waistband secures them comfortably , with a drawcord for adjustability . Leg gussets for comfort and reflective decals add to what we feel are great shorts , at great value . We rated both highly for comfort and breathability , but opted for the less common but really fast drying , more breathable and-hard wearing nylon shorts on the hottest days .
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HOT STIX
Mountain King Skyrunner Ultra trail poles | RRP R3 400 for a pair | mountainking . co . uk We Saffas are not great running pole users . The idea of running with what used to be synonymous with old-age hikers is seemingly still taboo , and limited to those who ’ ve tackled big mountain ultras . I ’ m a big , tall fella and learned the hard way climbing in the Alps at UTMB – where the Gran Trail from Courmayeur averaged a staggering 25 % elevation ! Watching less fatigued runners who I had left behind earlier cruise past me as I hunched over , bracing against my knees and trying to fight off lower back pain , was all the convincing I needed that it was time to learn to run with poles .
There ’ s no getting around that , especially when you have some weight on your back , hiking poles can help keep you stable , especially on a steep incline or decline . Improved posture , reduced impact on joints , building muscle stability and aiding balance on uneven trails , particularly on inclines and declines , makes so much sense .
The UTMB expo was enormous and many of the stands had “ the lightest and strongest ” poles on display . I spotted the most familiar brand , Mountain King , who have a long history of making poles – it ’ s solely what the UK company does . Time spent chatting to their chief engineer reflected that detailed approach to every aspect , from hand grip to quick release . The Mountain King Skyrunner Ultra is a great choice for trail running , ultra running and endurance racing . A layman ’ s test ( sword fighting with friends and hand-weighing comparisons ) against other poles revealed these as super lightweight and strong . The 100 % Toray 800 carbon fibre poles , with handy mud-navigating race baskets , mesh storage bag and tungsten carbide wear-tip , are ready for battle on our often gnarly , rocky , rooted and rutted trails . The 4-section pole ( 106g for the 125cm ) was designed for easy storage and transport , which in a minimalist sport like running is absolutely critical .
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