Take a Hike: Ahnu Monte Vista Boots

Ahnu Footwear's Monte Vista Leather Hiking Boots require virtually NO break-in time.

One of the cardinal rules of hiking is not to wear a new pair of hiking boots on a trek.  The recommendation is to walk around with them for a couple of weeks to break them in first.  I've hiked in supposedly "broken in" leather boots before and found the hard folds and creases chafed my inner ankle.  So much for that theory!  It's not just the time but the design or type of leather used along with a host of other things that will lessen or even eliminate break in time.

If The Boot Fits...
I also ice skate and am (painfully) familiar with breaking in hard leather boots which are essential for proper ankle support and landing jumps.  Believe it or not the same thing goes for any other leather performance boot.  

The heat of your foot eventually warms and softens the leather to your exact anatomy.  Newer designs have included heat molding which is done with special ovens in the skate shop and specially padded tongues with adjustable laces.

What I found with the Monte Vistas is that none of that was really necessary.  The leather is just the right thickness without being over-supple.  I did wear them a few times before going on the trail but there was absolutely no discomfort.  When I did take them out, they felt like butter but gave me complete support and agility.

AHNU MONTE VISTA FEATURES:

• Waterproof leather upper and an E-vent waterproof bootie for full waterproof protection.
• Vibram outsole for traction and support on a variety of surfaces.
• 200 grams of insulation to keep you warm.
• Numentum™ Hike technology with high density lateral and medial stability posts on an EVA midsole keep your foot in a neutral position.
• TPU shank for support and durability.
• Speed lacing D-rings for quick lace-up and secure fit. 

When I saw Ahnu's new line of hiking boots, I was excited because I could see a lot of what I was looking for in a hiking boot. The first thing I noticed were the speed laces.  This type of lacing gives you the most control over how much support to apply to the ankles and lower calves.  During a long hike you'll really appreciate being able to make those sorts of comfort adjustments on the fly.  Add this to their Numentum™ Hike technology and you have a stable platform to keep your feet and ankles in a neutral position thus avoiding injury.

Kahtoola MICROspikes - mini crampons for added traction.

The Crampon Zone
I also like the waterproof and thermal properties of these boots.  It was very windy the day of my hike through historical Battleview State Park in New Jersey.  Despite low temps and a cutting 20 mph wind my feet were warm and stayed dry.  We even hiked over an active beaver dam!  We were mostly traveling over rolling hills but you can easily pull on a pair of Kahtoola MICROSpikes for more steep, icy areas.  They easily fit over any type of boot or shoe.  Snow, rain, mud were easily repelled but I recommend using something like Sno-Seal Shoe and Boot Water Repellent Spray.  This will also help prevent ugly water stains that often appear on leather.

Now you can go out and blow your cash on a pair of Merrells (I have them and they are also great), but why should you?  The Ahnu line is VERY reasonably priced and uses the same top quality Vibram TM outsoles as Merrell plus a load of other features found only in high end footwear.  At only $200, the Monte Vistas are a steal for your next hiking adventure. 

Ice Capades

Dr. M as she appeared in More Magazine's Dec-Jan issue-"The Gift I Gave Myself"

I can remember the first pair of Rollerblades, (the real brand) I strapped on.  So comfortable!  I was immediately able to skate backwards, something I never quite mastered in quad skates.  My memories then darted back to the old pair of men's ice skates we had hanging in my childhood home's back hall.  It also made me think of the skating rink in the park under the beautiful moonlight.  We would go sleigh riding at night but I always wanted to try ice skating on that pond.

I knew these inline skates could lead to something.  Ice skating!  A skill I had longed to master, even day dreamed about.  I finally decided to make it happen by taking skating classes with my youngest daughter at a local roller rink.  After about a year of classes, I enrolled us in ice skating classes.  My daughter went on to also take ballet class and compete under the USFSA.  I performed with her in skating shows and went to her competitions.  
More Magazine in New York City later contacted me about being featured in a story.  The lead photo was shot at Westchester Skating Academy not too far from Sleepy Hollow, NY and I appeared on national television skating on the CBS Early Show linked here:

CBS Early Show Video with co-host Rene Syler and Dr. M skating at Chelsea Piers, NYC

Skating Safe Spine Protectors

Skating, both inline and ice skating has opened up a world of joy, fitness and new acquaintances over the years.  I can count friends from The Ice Theatre of New York and readers of my column - Suite 101's Figure Skating Guide.  I have even taught Artistic Inline Skating classes through my local county park system as a certified instructor.  If you have always wanted to learn how to skate, check out classes at your local rink and sign up.  It tones you like crazy as your endurance and speed increase.  There many types of padding to protect you in case of falls such as Skating Safe's Crash Pads Spine Protectors that go under your leggings.
  
There are also new comfortably padded heat moldable boots that give you and instant perfect fit thus lessening your break in time.  No excuses!  If I can do it, anyone can.  See you out there this winter!  Be sure to enter to win the Holiday Polar Bottle Giveaway before MIDNIGHT December 19th, 2011

My freestyle ice skating boots- Graf Edmonton Specials

Get Inline for Skating!

Inline skating outdoors or indoors makes a great year round workout.  Skates by K-2

One of things I enjoy most about cross training is the opportunity to switch things up a bit.  I especially like activities that can be done indoors when the weather is too cold or rainy then switched outside when the sun is shining.  Another perk for inline skating is that they can easily be packed in a skate bag and taken on vacation, to an outdoor hockey rink or park.  I have different skates for different activities as well.  My K-2 FREEQ Women's Inline Skates shown in the photo above are primarily made for athletic use and speed but I changed the wheels to ones with more of a rockered configuration.  That allows me speed but also the ability to do more turns and footwork which brings me to my next style of skates.

Using Pic Skates for ice skating moves

1980's - Inline Skating Emerges
Many remember the white booted quad or four wheeled skates of our youth and roller derby fame.  They still make them but inline skates, namely Rollerblades were first invented for hockey players wishing to get in some off ice practice.  I have one of the first pairs of Rollerblades made and they look just like hockey boots. At the time, I don't think they knew it would become a whole new sport with street,  vert and half pipe competitions emerging in later years.

Figure skaters wanted the same thing.  The ability to practice on any smooth surface without the need for ice is very appealing and so John Petell in collaboration with Nick Perna came up with the concept and design which was patented in 1997 as Pic Skates.

The Pic^® Skate invention has led to the new sport of Inline Figure Skating with open competitions in Paris, Montpellier, and Chicago.

The frame of the Pic Skate is rockered or slightly curved to give you more agility for spins, footwork and turns.  The large rubber "Pic" at the toe allows for a stable platform to launch jumps similar to how you would use a toe pick on an ice skate.  I have both Graf Dance and competition style ice skates and can tell you the similarity between Pic Skates and high quality ice skates is uncanny.

Pic Skates

The Profession Model of Pic Skates that I use

Inside or Out?
Flexibility in your choice of workout spaces is going to go a long way during the cooler, inclimate months ahead.  Skating indoors is such a treat for me during those time!  The music and lights offer a "club" atmosphere but also takes your mind off of the fact that you're pushing yourself.

I've also performed in several skating shows and productions with Pic Skates.  I've even taught artistic inline skating classes with them outdoors at my local county park.  The choice is yours.  Bring your iPod to the park, turn it up and dance on your skates. Take them to an indoor roller rink and ask the DJ to play something by Katy Perry to get you pumped.  Either way, inline skating is a fantastic way to get fit and stay in shape all year long.  It is exercise that doesn't feel like exercise.  It's just fun!
 

Pic Skates were developed for artistic skaters like these from the Ice Theatre of New York. PHOTO: Moira North and ITNY Troop's Gala Performance