Category Archives: News

New Running Gear HQ!

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running gearAlabama Outdoors Sets Sights on Becoming Your New Running Gear HQ!

Alabama Outdoors has opened a full technical Running Gear section in our Homewood location.

We have everything you need to optimize your running experience – whether it’s on the trails (our favorite!) or on the roads. Check out our running gear section online, or come in and see what we have that can help make your run easier and more enjoyable.

Feet are Kings (or Queens)!

OK, so we don’t sell feet, but we do have everything that will make them feel royally wonderful. Starting from the skin out, AO has a variety of great technical socks including FITS merino wool-based and Swiftwick technical socks. We also carry a full line of Superfeet trim-to-fit inserts.

Shoes are the Crown

Trail shoes make your runs far more efficient and pleasant. They provide better traction, protection against roots and rocks, and better drainage for people running through creeks and streams than road shoes.

Whether it’s Salomon, Pearl Izumi, Saucony, La Sportiva, Inov-8, New Balance or another great brand, AO carries a wide range of shoes to meet the specific needs of trail runners, as well as those needing door-to-trail shoes.

Since the best shoe is the one that fits, we will take everyone through our fit process to make sure that shoe you run out with is the best one for your foot.

Apparel Fit for Royalty

What you wear on your body can be almost as important as what’s on your feet. Try some of the amazing technical apparel from The North Face or Patagonia. They may not seem like your “traditional” running gear brands, but they have been making technical apparel for far longer than most “traditional” brands.

The key to their products is that they have taken everything they have learned from making technical apparel to keep people warm while climbing mountains and keep them cool in jungles and deserts, and applied it to running.

Accessories – Royals have to have stuff, right?

Garmin GPS watches, Triggerpoint rollers, The Stick, GU nutrition, Buffs, Nathan hydration belts and hand helds, and Body Glide are all available here at our Homewood store in the Running Gear section and in our online store.

Upcoming events:

  • Thursday, May 23: Big Benefit Run at Good People Brewing Co. benefiting Friends of Red Mountain. A $10 donation (100% goes to the charity) gets you a 5K fun run, your first Good People beer free, live music, lots of great giveaways including two Zip Line tours for 2 and two Beanstalk Forest tours for 2
  • Saturday, June 1: Choccolocco 50K/21K
  • Friday, June 14th: Party on the Porch at Alabama Outdoors Homewood, 5:30 to 7:30 pm with live music, food truck, trail running specials, a 5K fun run, and a benefit for Ruffner Mountain
  • Saturday, June 15: Sizzlin’ Summer Trail Series Inaugural Run 5K/21K at Oak Mountain State Park.presented by Alabama Outdoors and sponsored by Resolute Running and Birmingham Track Club

We look forward to seeing you soon here at AO!

Thanks,

greg

Is Birmingham The Next Moab?

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is birmingham the next moab

The region has 50 miles of singletrack, and loads more are on the way.

 

By Leslie Kehmeier

Three times in the last four years, I’ve traveled to Alabama in the spring. Over the course of those trips, I’ve been surprised by the quality of trails here, and how fast the singletrack continues to expand. It’s a riding destination that has few rivals—I’m sure that someday soon it will be as well known among mountain bikers as Whistler or Moab.

One of the best places to ride is just outside Birmingham—Oak Mountain State Park. It is in the Appalachian foothills, and the trails there weave through the ridges and valleys. The park’s quantity and quality of trails is surprising. More than 30 miles of trails offer something for everyone, from flowy singletrack to technical challenges.

Just down the road, the nearby city of Anniston is also developing close to 50 miles of singletrack. It’s a wonderful place to ride. Coldwater Mountain currently has 14 miles of trails, all of which were built using IMBA’s latest trail-construction techniques. That’s a lot of reasons to keep returning to Alabama each year.

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Earthbound’s Earthfest with Black Warrior Riverkeeper

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Birmingham – On Sunday, April 21, 2pm-Until, Alabama rock favorites Earthbound will play their highly-anticipated annual outdoor concert, Earthbound’s Earthfest, at Avondale Brewery (201 41st Street South).

This family-friendly event’s purpose is to raise awareness for Earth Day and raise funds for Black Warrior Riverkeeper, a citizen-based nonprofit clean water advocacy organization.  Black Warrior Riverkeeper is dedicated to improving public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout Alabama’s 17-county Black Warrior River watershed, which provides approximately half of Birmingham’s drinking water.

Earthbound’s Earthfest is open to all ages, but those under age 21 must be accompanied by a parent. Throughout the event, Earthbound – and a special mystery guest – will play several sets.  Avondale Brewery’s large outdoor area will also feature displays and merchandise from Black Warrior Riverkeeper and local artists.

There will be no mandatory entrance fee.  Suggested donations from the audience, plus proceeds from merchandise, beer, and raffle ticket sales, will support Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s efforts to protect local waterways and Birmingham’s drinking water supply.  Corporate sponsors continue to roll in, with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. and their award winning water treatment partner, MacLellan, Inc. in the lead.

The Pearl Izumi N1 Trail Shoes have landed!

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The best trail shoes I’ve ever run in? Hands Down.

Introducing the Pearl Izumi EMotion N1 Trail Runners. It’s all about the transition. The N1s dynamic offset is unlike any shoes on the market and is a whole new way of looking at running technology. Smooth from touch down (whether your a heel or fore front striker) to toe off. So Simple, Light (the entire EMotion line is under 10oz), High Responsive, Cushioned, Protective, and Easy on the body. Perfect for any distance from 5ks to Ultras.

Trail Tested? Timothy Olson set the Western States 100mile Course Record in a pair this past summer (Photo courtesy of I Run Far). Highly recommended. Timothy-Olson-Pearl-Izumi-Trail-N1-2012-Western-States-100

Stop by any one of our 8 Alabama Outdoors locations for an expert fit today in a pair of new Men’s and Woman’s N1s today or online 24hrs a day. Run Far, Buy Local.

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They’re Here! …….

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The new Pearl Izumi N1 Trail Shoes for Men and Women are finally available! Stop by any one of our 8 Alabama Outdoors locations for an expert fit today in a pair of new Men’s & Woman’s Trail N1s today or online 24hrs a day. Run Far, Buy Local.

Come and see for yourself why this shoe is winning every award out there and don’t be alarmed when these shoes make you a faster.

Run Like An Animal indeed…

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Tomorrow They Arrive!

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The New Pearl Izumi N1 Trail Shoes for woman and men will be hitting all 8 Alabama Outdoors locations later on tomorrow (Monday 1/21). Stop by for a shoe meal. Come Hungry. Watch Me → http://vimeopro.com/pearlizumi/emotion/video/43680464

Stop by Alabama Outdoors for an expert shoe fit today. Run Far. Buy Local.

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Dirty Spokes Xterra Huntsville Recap

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Xterra Huntsville is in the bag which means the 2012/2013 Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Trail Season comes to a close! Thanks to the nearly 2500 runners who ran with us over the last few months and a HUGE shout out to Dirty Spokes Race Director Tim Schroer for putting on such stellar events. We’re thrilled to be presenting the 2013/2014 Alabama Series so get signed up asap as each race will sell out fast!

Bravo to all the runners who came out and braved the rainy and foggy conditions in Huntsville this weekend for what turned out to be a beautiful day on some fun muddy trails at Monte Sano State Park ! It was awesome to see the Huntsville race reach sell out capacity so fast! Our Alabama Outdoors Trail Team racked it up with several age group awards! Thanks to The North Face and Merrell for showing the love on race day once again. Congratulations to our Race Day Entry and Patagonia Gore Jacket give away winners as well! Thanks to Team Member Brett Norager for the great Huntsville race day photo below. Sums the morning up very well I think.

Show us your Xterra Alabama photos!

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We’d love to hear your race day stories so post them here on our blog or on our Face Book page. We love the feed back!

What was your favorite of the 5 Xterra Races?

What worked out on the trails and what didn’t and how will you make the change?

Prefer the longer or shorter of the distances? Blisters? Cuts? Bruises? Blood?

What new gear worked best for you out on the trails?

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Stop by any 8 of our Alabama Outdoors locations for all your outdoor and trail running gear, styles, and expert advice. Experience Matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.

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The New Salomon Sense Mantra Trail Shoe!

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The much hyped Salomon Sense Mantra women’s and men’s trail shoes have arrived at our Homewood location! This is one of 3 shoes coming out this year that I believe will change the way we think about how technology (and the lack there of) will benefit the way we move over ground in our running. These very light, responsive, well-cushioned kicks are supportive and protective enough for anything from 5ks to 100milers. Your next shoe is in our store now. Stop by our Homewood AL store today for an expert fit in the new Mantra. Run Far and Shop Local.

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DIRTY SPOKES XTERRA HUNTSVILLE!

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The Dirty Spokes Xterra Alabama Trail Series final is this Saturday up in beautiful Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville AL and race spots are officially filled up! That means SOLD OUT folks. Hopefully you were lucky enough to grab one of the spots as this is going to be a great race! Team Alabama Outdoors is geared up this one! Make sure and tell Race Director Tim thanks for putting together such a great series!

There’s still time to stop by Alabama Outdoors Huntsville today or drop by our tents at the Xterra Monte Sano Race on Saturday to sign up for a chance to win a Patagonia SuperCell Jacket, featuring GORE-TEX Paclite. The name of that winner will be drawn at the race. And if that isn’t enough dirt news, off in the very near distance (February 23 to be exact) is a run we’re super stoked to be presenting for 2013! The 8th Annual Mount Cheaha 50k. A point to point race running along the beautiful Pinhoti Trail all the way to the top of Alabama at the Bald Rock Lodge. This race also SOLD OUT well in advance (really digging the ever growing enthusiasm of the south east trail scene!). RD Todd Henderson sure knows how to put on a good race (we also present the best 100 in the southeast, the Pinhoti 100 with Todd (register now as the 2013 100miler will sell out fast!).

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Stop by any 8 of our Alabama Outdoors locations for all your outdoor and trail running gear, styles, and expert advice. Experience Matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.

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Xterra Huntsville/Patagonia Gore-Tex Give Away!

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Hey Huntsville Xterra Monte Sano Runners! An in store giveaway just for you!

Try on any GORE-TEX item at Alabama Outdoors Huntsville and be entered to win one of four free entries to the Dirty Spokes Xterra Huntsville Trail Race January 12th at Monte Sano State Park. You’ll also be registered to win a free Patagonia SuperCell Jacket, featuring GORE-TEX Paclite. The name of that winner will be drawn at the race.

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All contest entries need to be registered in person only at our Huntsville store. Xterra Race winners will be contact by email Wednesday January 9th if they have won. Patagonia / Gore-Tex winners do not have to be present to win but the mens or womens jacket will need to be picked up at our Huntsville store only.

Stop by any 8 of our Alabama Outdoors locations for all your outdoor and trail running gear, styles, and expert advice. Experience Matters. We are Alabama Outdoors.

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