Teva has been on a tear. Some of their competitors might choose to say terror. We are sorry to loose Simple but are optimistic that Teva will continue to up their game and be our shoe of choice as the seasons progress. We appreciate the multi sport functionality of most of their shoes and the waterability of the rest.

They have been pumping out new shoes all spring and we add another shoe to our – hope to test soon list. These launch in January 2012 and they look awesome.

More than half of Teva’s spring 2012 collection is comprised of new styles that appeal to active and adventurous consumers while staying true to Teva’s commitment to water, which continues to define the brand’s DNA.

The soon to be issued new style is the ReForge ion-mask™ and is beinc called by Teva the next evolution of the classic hiker. The moment you exit a watery environment, water drains through the midsole’s Drain Frame channels and the ion-mask-treated upper shrugs off water droplets. Unlike membrane waterproofing technologies, ion-mask is not a physical barrier to water, rather, it is an invisible nano-coating that makes the fabric totally hydrophobic. Being only nanometers thin, ion-mask does not add any weight and does not wash out or wear off with use.

The ReForge will be available on Teva in January 2012 and will sell for $130.

Having spent the last 8 months in the ocean paddling I am ready for the fall and chances to mountain bike. I miss the Wednesday night evening rides with the crew. Glad I have a pair of arm warmers for the fall weather.

Simple and functional. This Smart Wool Arm Warmer has seamless construction, you’ll stay comfortable and warm, and have maximum freedom of movement. A non-binding welt at the wrist and bicep openings will keep warmers in place. Available at REI, Smart Wool and Amazon.com.

These shoes look awesome and they look for traveling, camping, journeying to a backcountry hut or anytime you want to lighten your load. I love light shoes and seek them out with tons of effort. No need here to have a baller watch the size of a iPhone or a pair of heavy shoes. I find them both useless.

The women’s styles are $45, and $50 for the men’s, which, compared to other weight loss solutions, is a steal. They are available now at retailers worldwide and on Teva.

Throughout 2011, Teva will continue its commitment to clean water through a new initiative called “Pair for A Foot.” The program will help protect one linear foot of global waterways for every pair of Teva shoes and sandals sold in 2011 through donations to clean water non-profits including the Ocean Conservancy and long-time partner Waterkeeper Alliance. Teva estimates “Pair for a Foot” will help preserve 4.3 million feet of waterways in 2011.

“The Teva brand was born on the water and we feel a strong obligation to help protect our most precious natural resource,” says Joel Heath, Teva Global Marketing Director. “We’re proud to support organizations that do vital work to protect water for the environment.”

Last year, Teva donated $100,000 to the Waterkeeper Alliance’s “Save Our Gulf” initiative, a fundraising and awareness campaign fighting to protect the Gulf Coast’s communities and environment from the long-term devastating impacts of the BP oil disaster. The emergency donation from Teva assisted in the effort to save marine life, wildlife, beaches and waterways that are relied upon for both fishing and recreation.

“Teva has been a terrific corporate partner for Waterkeeper Alliance and we’re thrilled about the Pair for a Foot campaign, both from a fundraising and an awareness standpoint,” states Marc Yaggi, interim Executive Director for Waterkeeper Alliance.

The “Pair for a Foot” program (www.teva.com/cleanwater) extends Teva’s commitment to clean water and its partnership with Waterkeeper through 2011 and beyond. “Over the years, we have participated in numerous community river clean-ups with local Waterkeeper chapters. We are excited to be making a deeper, long-term commitment to water with this initiative,” says Heath.

“We look forward to working with Teva to promote the healthy oceans and waterways that are the heart of our mission,” says Vikki Spruill, President of Ocean Conservancy.

Nice going Teva.

Bobcat Ridge in 90 seconds from Dave MacRunnel on Vimeo.

Fun after work session yesterday with Dave and Justin. Topped out around 93 degrees…hot!

Dave captured his first video on the GoPro Camera. Bobcat Ridge is fun!

Andy B
twitter.com/outsideallday

Kicked off Sunday on trail with Jobe. Hot and dusty run requiring lot’s of Cytomax consumption.

This week’s plan:
Monday – CrossFit at Emergent Fitness
Tuesday – Short trail run
Thursday – CrossFit at Emergent Fitness
Friday – Short Mountain Bike ride at Bobcat
Sunday – Long run, location TBA

Also starting a food log again with a Whole 9 eating mindset. Need to jump start accountability.

Let’s do this thing mang!

Andy B
twitter.com/outsideallday

Mount 7 Wet Dream Crash from Robb Thompson on Vimeo.

A crash a buddy of mine and I had on Mount 7 on an infamous line called Wet Dream. This line has claimed a lot of people over the years and I am sure we won’t be the last.

Steve is an amazing rider, but we all have our off days and make mistakes now and again, only this time I was too close when it happened. We were both super lucky, Steve suffered a sprained knee and wrist and a lot of hurt, and I got away with a few scrapes and a busted helmet. Nothing like hitting a wall and then getting run over by a train.

HT The Goat: Backcountry.com for the video.

Andy B
twitter.com/outsideallday

The crew at Teva sent over a pair of their new shoe – the Links for our review. This shoe was created with the Teva Mountain Games in mind. With this being their 10th anniversary year they introduced their first bike shoe and a freeride shoe at that.

Let’s stop for a moment and think Teva and think shoe. Yep. A bit of a blank. Teva brings up the sandal with an ankle strap. Perfect for the river.

Alright, history lesson over.

The Links arrived and on they went. Fresh out of the box and safe for the house so I wore them all night. None of that new shoe burn.

Next morning. Off to the gym and so it went. They are my go to. Love them and use them a bunch. We went camping this weekend and they were perfect for all of the activities.

The colors are a bit much. They sent two pairs of shoe laces and the grey pair is going to be in full effect and soon. After two weeks of use there are no concerns with durability. Stitches and glue are holding up – as they should.

Next time up will be all about the bike. We will let you know how they handle the pedal and help push power.

Check them out here: Teva Links