Our Shoe spotlight this week: Saucony! The name is legendary in the running business. Saucony’s been in the shoe game since 1898 and today they are releasing some of the best shoes on the market for runners worldwide. Since we here at Alabama Outdoors are trail junkies we’re going to focus on the shoes we’ve hand picked for our 8 stores.

The Peregrine 2. One of our go-to must-have trail shoes on our walls. This is one of our best selling performance shoes for both men and woman simply because it works so well in almost every condition we’ve thrown at it. This light weight (9oz) neutral cushioned runner has just a slight amount of stability in the mid sole, a low profile yet very stable upper (4mm heel to tow offset), paired with incredible underfoot traction keeping you upright and moving forward no matter what the trail throws at you. Ideal for everyday off road training, racing, trail hiking, and fast packing. One shoe to rule them all. Plus the mens and woman’s colors look killer. Get cha some.

Kinvara TR. Saucony’s true trail racer. I ran in this shoe this past weekend at the Stumpjump 50k up in Chattanooga (hence the dirty kicks in the picture) after having only worn them 2 times before! I was blown away. These light weight (7+oz) low profile (4mm heel to toe offset) kicks kept me stable and incredibly comfortable, thanks to the perfect amount of cushioning where it’s needed and a great amount of ground feel. The rubber underfoot was incredible, the outsole blew me away! The morning was rainy, the trail was rocky, and I flew over it all with ease. The sticky gripping rubber traction had me upright on the technical, braking with ease on the downhills, and charging up the hills. These shoes are fast. They will help make you faster. And they look fresh.

Xodus 3.0. The Armadillo on our wall. Saucony’s stability cushioned trail runner weighing in at only 11oz! Like the above stated trail critter (numerous at Red Mountain Park BTW), these shoes are incredibly light (11oz) for the amount of motion control and comfort they bring, fast and stable thanks to a low profile (4mm heel to toe) foot bed, and tough as all get out thanks to the Vibram under sole traction that will keep tearing up the trail no matter how much you beat it down (Mud? no problem, Obstacles? what ever, Roots? Rocks? Bring it). If this shoe could bench press it’d out lift you, then beat you to the finish line (and you’d cry, just like your fellow racers will when you crush them). Fast and Furious indeed (pardon the pun).

We love Saucony obviously, but we picked these 3 shoes for a reason, because they perform when you need it. And they keep performing. There’s no hype better then honest hype. Come by any one of our 8 locations for an expert shoe fit today and you’ll see the Saucony difference and why we stand behind this brand. Heck, my Saucony’s and me will be running this weekend out at the Ruffner Crusher Ridge Marathon and Half! So looking forward to this race as we’re big ole fans of Ruffner Mountain and fine folks out there (Thanks to Vanessa Stroud for putting this race together!). Hopefully I’m somewhat recovered from Stumpjump! Me and one other Alabama Outdoors Trail Team member Ali Edwards will be out there going up and down the hills loving every second of it (What? you didn’t know about our AO Trail Team! (Look for a really fun announcement about that next week!).

We’re stocked, excited, and really really really looking forward to the inaugural Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Trail Run October 20th at Red Mountain Park!!!! We’re helping make this an amazing experience for all the runners with some awesome over all prizes in both distances, masters prizes, and tons of swag give aways for all runners and all spectators!!! Speaking of spectators, this course is extremely fan friendly as both the 5milers and 10milers will do the same loop around the park on the very runnable BMRR double track trail/road (easy walking access for any one looking to cheer on a loved one), with the 10milers continuing on back to the Redding Shaft Mine where they will then turn onto the challenging Ike Maston single track (get you a good spot to along this trail as it’ll be worth it to watch the runners fight up and down these short steep hills!!). Those looking to register can do so at the Dirty Spokes Web Site or the morning of out at Red Mountain Park. Both Merrell and The North Face will be at the race with shoe demos and free give aways for all! Come enjoy a fun day out at Birmingham’s newest city park (heck, jump on the Zip Line Tour if you get a chance!).

Come check out any of our 8 Alabama Outdoors locations for expert advice and shoe fit!

We Run, We Climb, We Paddle, We Backpack, We Get Outdoors in Alabama.

As days shorten for winter, many runners are without choice: either give up daily runs, or run in the dark. Here are some tips to safe and enjoyable running when the sun isn’t out.

1. See what is in your path with a headlamp. With recent advances in LED technology, headlamps are brighter, lighter, and less expensive than they were just a few years ago. Many, like the waterproof Storm from Black Diamond also offer dimming beams and safety modes that can strobe in an emergency. You’ll want a headlamp that is bright enough to blaze the trail ahead, while also illuminating obstacles like rocks, stumps, or uneven terrain.
2. Let others know that you are in their path with proper attire. Look for clothing and accessories with reflective elements (known as “hits”) built into the design. These can be a small as a reflective logo on a shirt or reflective piping on shoes and are illuminated by automotive headlights or other runners’ headlamps (Women’s Patagonia Fore Runner Shirt). If you frequently run in fog or near roadways, consider a flashing beacon to increase visibility to automotive traffic.
3. Treat your body right, in heat OR cold. Cooler weather demands a longer stretching time to ensure muscles are warmed up correctly. Don’t forget your cool down period and remember to stay hydrated! Your body loses fluids as you exercise even in cool temperatures. Consider a Camelbak or Osprey hydration pouch; they’ll allow you to store gloves and headbands when not needed, and many feature reflective elements for safety as well. (Camelbak Octane XCT)
4. There is safety in nighttime numbers. Consider running with a group when the sun isn’t out. Not only will this provide peace of mind from strangers on the trail, but you’ll gain the benefit of others’ lights and eyes watching for hidden obstacles and tripping hazards. Groups also make more noise than solo runners, making wildlife aware of your presence and less likely to be startled into an altercation. (See our weekly trail run below)
5. Enjoy the outdoors in the best light. Running during a magnificent sunrise or sunset will enhance any environment and make your run that much more enjoyable. Grab a quick photo with your cell phone and share with your friends on Facebook!