Gear Blog Tues 7th April

By Claire Maxted

Gear news

03 April 2009 16:41

New Patagonia footwear

Patagonia has launched a new range of running shoes for this Spring. The 15% recycled Release trainer has a Vibram sole, a dynamic lacing system, cushioned heel, TPU arch bridge and shock plate for support and protection on rugged terrain and for women, a midsole designed to provide foot support in all the right places.

New award
Patagonia has also just won the Best Outdoor Vegan Shoe Retailer category in this year’s PETA Proggy Awards. "Proggy" stands for "progress" and awards go to organisations that recognize animal-friendly achievements in commerce and culture. Patagonia will be featured on PETA's website for offering six different styles of high-performance vegan footwear like the popular Finn hiking shoe. Available in both men's and women's sizes, this durable shoe features breathable mesh and a recycled rubber sole.

Why buy vegan boots
“It’s good for hill-walkers to avoid leather,” says Patagonia, “as its production is deadly for the environment. Tanneries are notorious polluters, producing countless tons of toxins each year and fouling the surrounding land and water.”

"Patagonia makes outdoor footwear that's as stylish and rugged as it is compassionate," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "We're thrilled to recognize Patagonia for proving that taking on the great outdoors doesn't have to cost cows the skin off their backs."

Mapyx Quo offer free map samples

Online mapping software company Mapyx Quo are offering free 30-day trials of their 1:25, 000 and 1:50, 000 scale OS mapping and aerial mapping samples. Through their website you can also use the content manager, measure distance and elevation, get free direct access to top UK route suggestions, use the angler’s or birdwatcher's diary, integrate maps with your GPS, pocket PC or smart phone and view your route in 3D. Prices then start from 99p for 1:50, 000 map tiles of 40x40km.

Your Kili packing list

Did you watch Chris Moyles and his team of celebs summit Kilimanjaro? If you’re thinking, “If they can do it, so can I,” have a look at Trail magazine’s deputy editor Simon Ingram’s latest web story from Africa’s highest peak. He lists everything he packed to climb this 5895m summit and rates it from an indispensable 5 stars to unused one star so you can make a better informed decision on what to take. Then watch the second part of his cracking Kili video…does he make the top…? If Chris Moyles did it…