Team OrionHealth Adventure

In February 2006 team OrionAdventure.com competed in the XPD (an expedition length adventure race lasting 5 days).

This was my first ever expedition length race. One of the most important pieces of advice that was given to me before the race was to look after your feet, and choose your shoes carefully.

The shoes our team choose to use for is race was the New Balance 907's and needless to say I was pretty nervous about how they would perform, or more importantly how my feet would perform in them.

During the XPD we traveled along massive sand dunes, up steep rocky climbs, river crossings, long treks off trail and Kilometers running on seal roads, gravel roads and technical trails with roots and rocks.

I was stoked with how the 907's performed in such a variety of terrain. I found that they drained water quickly, protected the foot from roots and rocks, had the ability to run fast when the trail opened up and had enough comfort and support for the long haul. I also found the sole to have excellent grip.

But the best thing about the New Balance 907's was that I finished the race injury and blister free (apart from a knock to the knee, but I can't blame that on the shoes). Also my toenails are in perfect condition (not many people can say that after racing for 5 days straight).

I will be using the New Balance 907's again and genuinely recommend them as a great adventure racing shoe.

The New Balance 907's are available from all good shoe stores.

The Trek Stretch Tight is fantastic, 10 / 10!

It's light weight, warm, comfortable and I've never worn anything better.

I used them a lot while I was filming in China, they kept me warm during the long hours of standing around in freezing cold conditions waiting for film crews to set up for the perfect shot.

They stretch to the degree that they don't restrict movement and aren't loose in any areas, something I've found as an issue with many other brands of this type of pants.

Big thumbs up to Berghaus for these! I can't think of any improvements.

The Gore-tex Paclite pant is also great! an incredible 11/10!

It's possibly the lightest overtrouser I've had, even with the 3/4 length zips. These zips allow us to put the pants on or off without taking shoes off, saving valuable time in races, and double as vents on the thighs which is great in changeable conditions, saving us from overheating. Having a simple draw cord on the waste is all that's needed. Having the draw string on the ankle enables us to ride without getting the pants caught in chain or cluster. There really is nothing I can fault or think of that can add to the functionality of these pants. Simply BRILLIANT!

I find the jacket to be super waterproof and breathable, great to have the water beading off.

I also find its good to have a long jacket, that covers your back when leaning forward on the mountain bike. I have had jackets before that expose a bit of flesh to the elements when in this position.

The hood is a great design, it can be positioned how you like it and also is big enough to sit under/over helmets in extremely nasty conditions.

For adventure racing light and simple is better. I tend not to use any of the pockets (often hidden under a racing bib) or the bit the hood tucks away into (I just leave the hood out all the time for quick access), and the Velcro on the wrist bans I think is just additional weight, possibly would suit us better without pockets, or the hood pocket and elastic on the wrists.

Overall 9/10 for cold nasty conditions.