TechSmart 121, October 2013 TechSmart 132, September 2014 | Page 20

REVIEWS

Hi-tec Altitude Pro RGS

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With spring swiftly approaching, it’s high time to haul out a good
pair of hiking boots. Don’t have ones? Hi-tec’s Altitude Pro RGS
should be on your feet.

he top of the range Altitude Pro RGS from
Hi-tec look like they mean business, but it is
really when they are put through their paces
that we found they proved most impressive. As the
company’s flagship hiking boot, the shoe is also
packed with technology. For starters, they are fully
waterproof, and further boast an abrasion resistant
(and very tough) heel and toe cap. This meant
that the likelihood of painfully stubbing your toe is
reduced close to zero.

THE ALTITUDE PRO OFFERS A

SOLID, OUTSTANDING PAIR OF

REASONS TO LEAVE THE

MEMORY OF WINTER FAR
BEHIND.

However, the boot’s highlight feature is its Vibram
Rolling Gait System (RGS), which is, according to
the company, intended to keep hikers’ movement
fluid, and thus reduce ankle strain and fatigue. Our
experience is that we had to check a couple of
times that we were actually wearing boots, because
walking in them felt far more comfortable than we
anticipated for shoes of this ilk.

Additionally, and quite surprisingly
for these kind of boots, the
Altitude Pro was not as heavy
as we expected it to be. It
also enabled us to employ
our blister-battle strategy –
doubling up our socks with a
hiking pair over a thinner, normal
layer – without feeling like we
had run afoul of the Sopranos and
found ourselves being weighted down
with cement shoes.

Hold on tight
Additionally, we found that the grip of these boots
is simply outstanding, never wavering no matter
how smooth or slippery the surface. One of the
key elements we look for in a good hiking boot in
anticipation of plenty of uneven and varying terrain,
is comfort, and even more importantly, solid ankle

support, especially as a twisted (or worse) ankle on a
hike is no laughing matter. We found that the Altitude Pro
ticks both boxes beautifully well, holding our feet steadily
in place irrespective of how much we clambered.

In short, the Altitude Pro RGS offers a solid,
outstanding pair of reasons to leave the memory of
winter far behind, and go, quite literally, take a hike.
RRP: R2 200. [RN]

TomTom Runner Cardio

A

s fitness-focused wearables remain in
vogue, people want a device that’s both
intuitive and informative. That’s where
TomTom’s new Runner Cardio sports watch
comes into play, armed with its new built-in heart
rate sensor.

Running with purpose
When it comes to sports watch design, function
reigns over form. The Runner Cardio is no different,
as each aspect of its design is driven by a specific
purpose. Most important of which is the new built-in
heart rate function, housing three green LED lights
that measure the wearer’s capillaries for an accurate
reading. As the heart rate sensor is light based, it
necessitates securing the Runner Cardio quite tightly
so no natural light enters. This can be uncomfortable
at times, but certainly beats the hassle of a heart
rate chest strap.

IF DEALING WITH STRAPS LEAVES

YOU IN A COLD SWEAT, THE RUNNER

CARDIO IS A WORTHY FITNESS
COMPANION.
The large navigation button ensures pressing and
scrolling is far easier to manage while running. The
strap itself, with perforated holes for fastening, is

18

The sport watch market is currently more saturated than a
marathon runner’s shorts. TomTom’s new Runner Cardio with
built-in heart rate sensor aims to make decision time easier.

also removable, should you wish to wash it or favour
a new colour palette, sold separately for R400.

Beat your best
Added too is a range helpful modes
to assist in any sweat-inducing
endeavours. Chief among these is
the running mode, which pulls up
information like average pace,
calories burned and distance
covered. Integral to this is
the ability to ‘race’ against
yourself, as users are able to
track their distance, speed
and time compared to
previous runs.
As far as pricing goes, the
standard Runner Cardio will set
you back R3 800. That price tag
may scare many would be users
away, considering the previous iteration
cost R2 700 with the heart rate strap. If, however,
the thought of dealing with straps leaves you in a
cold sweat, the TomTom Runner Cardio is a worthy
fitness companion. [RLC]
The TomTom was received as a seeding unit.

September 2014 | TechSmart