UVEX Cycling Helmet Review

Before our latest cycle touring trip, I decided it was time for a new helmet.  My former helmet had long been soaked with sweat, faded from the sun, wasn't comfortable and worst of all- didn't allow good airflow...thus I wasn't too keen on wearing it for nearly a week straight in the heat of high summer! The search began and after going store to store and dealer to dealer, I settled on a German-made UVEX. After trying it out on a few rides around town, I was pretty satisfied, but the real test would come a few weeks later as hubby and I set out on our 1000+km tour from the mountains of Switzerland back along the Danube valley of Austria.

 

I must say I was VERY pleased with the performance of this helmet! Extremely light-weight, super comfy fit and best of all very well ventilated.  All of their helmets feature what they refer to as "Fast Adapting System" webbing with turn dial circumference adjuster and single button strap adjustment. (Checkout the UVEX helmet technology specs here: http://www.uvex-sports.com/de-en/technologies/helmet-technologies/)   This means it's super easy to get a perfect fit and adjustments can easily be made with one hand while riding.  It's also practical because it allows you to adjust for under-helmet garments such as hats & bandanas without too much fuss.

The women's models just weren't to my liking so I ended up purchasing a mid-range, men's model.  UVEX helmets can be pretty pricey, but when choice of available colors are your only complaint- these helmets are certainly worth the investment.

Salewa Firetail Gore-Tex Shoe Review

Salewa's women's specific, Firetail Gore-tex trail shoes are a hybrid mix between alpine approach shoe and techie trail runner.  Having worn these shoes in a multitude of conditions from long-distance bike touring to weekend hiking trips, I can truly say these shoes are worth their price tag.  Some of the great features of the Firetail are the narrow width & women's specific fit, the climbing-shoe like lacing system, and of course their Gore-tex lining.  The Firetails also feature super grippy, yet sturdy Vibram soles which are fantastic for wet weather conditions and rocky trail conditions.  My original pair was worn on an almost daily basis for guiding cycling tours that included tons of walking as well and after nearly 2 years of use they barely show signs of wear.  The soles are a bit worn down near pressure points, but the reinforced toes, shoe body and laces remain in almost new condition which is pretty unbelievable.  

Out of the box, they're quite stiff and did take a bit more breaking in, but that is also due to their sturdy build and tight lacing system. If you are a lady with slightly wider feet or if your feet tend to swell quite a bit while hiking, you may want to check out the men's version as the women's fit may be a bit too narrow for your comfort.  In my opinion, they run just slightly smaller than your average shoe, so you may want to look at going up a 1/2 size when trying them on.  Unlike some tennis shoes or lighter trailer runners, these don't have as much give even after breaking in, so don't plan on them 'stretching' to your foot size.  The size you buy, is the size they'll stay.  As for staying dry, the Gore-tex lining does do exactly what it claims: keeps you dry in wet conditions- from getting stuck in a down pour to tackling a muddy, swampy trail.  The shoe body breathes well in temps under 70 degree F or less, and decently in temps above that.  If you're going to be wearing them in warmer, more humid conditions or have especially sweaty feet these may get a little too warm for your liking.  

Overall Salewa has made a great multipurpose outdoor shoe that will last you quite some time. Ladies looking for a stylish, technical shoe that performs well and fits well should check out the Salewa Firetail Gore-Tex Tech Approach Shoe.