UD Fastpack 25

I managed to get all my kit in with about 5L to spare which was a good thing.   The main drawback though was the chest straps, despite being tight there was some rubbing underneath the soft flasks around my collar bone.   Despite me adjusting and readjusting the chest straps every mile the rubbing still occured.  This was a biggy for me as who knows what might happen after 100 miles.  The other concern was that despite having all of the straps as tight as possible there was some movement when jogging as the backpack swayed from side to side.  Not good economically.   The  other downside was that the side pockets (where I kept my extra foodstuffs) I could not get at without taking the backpack off.  Some more pockets at the front would have been ideal.  The +ives were that the soft flasks were at the right height and good storage as long as you pack the items right.  

Salomon Adv Skin 12 Set Goji Berry

Salomon Adv Skin 12 (12L).  

This will be a very short review as it's so good especially when compared to the UD 12L alternative I used for JOGLE 2019 ...  I used my 2L bladder - couldn't fit it in at first so ditched the thermal carrier which looks like a hot water bottle you might use to keep you warm at night.  I couldn't find anywhere decent to tie the hose pipe thingy (which you put in your mouth to get your drink from) to stop it flapping about so after faffing about whilst jogging where to stick it I started with it under the bungee cords but that became awkward when trying to get some fluid from the hose pipe thingy.  I then opted for one of the pockets - the one with the mini-bag (big enough to hold a few small Easter eggs) attached but the hose pipe thingy keep falling out.  Alternative number 3 was when I stuck it in the right-hand pocket (once again a bit awkward as I'm left-handed or a lefty as some might say but I'm actually semi-dexterous - too many products are right-handed designed - you won't know what I'm banging on about unless your a lefty) but the hose pipe thingy kept falling out.  In the end I stuck it in the right-hand pocket the one with the zip and that worked fine.   Normally when a backpack is designed for bladders/platypuses (no idea why there called a platypus as it doesn't look like one) they have a small hole to put the hose pipe thingy through but there wasn't one on the Salomon.  It could do with somewhere to tie it too.  The other concern was heat spots.  Yeah you heard me right - heat spots.  I normally only talk about heat spots when referring to trainers and/or feet.  However, on this occasion I was getting some heat spots on the left hand side of the chest but as the bungee cords worked well to keep the backpack nice and tight I shouldn't really complain.  It might be an issue on longer runs with chaffing.  The final fault was with the instructions.  There weren't any!  I was expecting some instructions as to what this fastener or that fastener is used for but I guess I can find that out online.  Now I've had my winge now for the +ives.  The pockets at the front are so expandable you could fit many double-deckers in there (the chocolate not the bus); it also came with 2 water bottles which I wasn't expecting (but declined to use them and stuck to the soft-flask but hard wearing UD one's) and you can also fit alot in the rear pocket.  This backpack is 12L but it seems to be able to carry so much more with the expandable pockets at the front.  The way it's looking at the moment (although I haven't got all of my foodstuffs yet) I might be able to use this for the FKT NDW self-supported attempt.  Today, I carried 3L of fluid, 3 x small bags of Macadamia nuts, 1 x small bag of Fruit & Nut mix, 2 x Mobile phones, 2 x packets of toilet wet wipes, Pebble charger (plus carry case and Garmin and phone connectors), keys, the Petzl head lamp (which went down from 3 to 1 bar) and my waterproof jacket.

UA Phantom Hovr RN review

 UA HOVR PHANTOM RN REVIEW

The UA Hovr Phantom RN allows you to connect your running shoes to MapMyRun which provides personalised coaching to better your results and reduce injury.  For example: stride length, pace and splits so you can chart your improvements and form.

So I downloaded the app and it didn't work the first time so I downloaded it again and had to sync the app a few times so it could recognise the trainers.  After starting the run I then had comments like "warm up pace for 3 minutes ... looking good and increase your stride length." After about a dozen of these runs I did get "bored" of hearing the "increase your stride length" every few minutes when I was pushing as hard as I could.  So I stopped using MapMyRun. They do however provide regular blogs on running tips.  

Anyway, back to the UA Hovr Phantom RN.  The Phantom comes in four colours: Red, White, Black and Black/White.

  The RN is built for the runner who wants to feel nothing as they’re pounding the pavement. I've got the black/white version.  The red is too bold and bright for me, the white will pick up stains if you just wanted them to look good for going out and I prefer a two-tone colour combination rather than one.  The black/white version has black for the upper and white for the midsole and outsole.   

You never know when buying a pair of running shoes whether they are true-to-fit - each person's feet are different.  I'm a UK size 7.5 and the running did not feel tight or loose - just right and the speed foam sockliner meant no sliding of the feet and the mesh upper meant breathability.  This led to no blisters.

There are four logos on the RN - a black HOVR on the white layer:

A grey HOVR and white Phantom RN on the tongue:

A black UA symbol on the upper: 

And a white UA on the outsole which is part of the HOVR cushion element. 

I'm not keen on having four logos, just one for me is enough - the black UA Hovr on the upper is the best one for me as it stands out:  

  

The upper section of the RN is built into three parts: the knit at the front:

to the tongue: 

And then to the ankle collar.  I like the use of the ankle collar: 

to put your feet in the shoe and once the laces are done up it does provide a tight fit.  The second part is a more durable element that also attaches to the laces, has airlets for breathability (which look like croc shoes):

and attaches to the knit:

The third part seems to have harder substance attached to around the ankle part of the RN which has the black UA logo.

Maybe this provides durability or is just aesthetic looking?  The knit has two layers for the laces which makes for a tighter fit and also adds more breathability:

There were no problems with the laces - they did not come undone when running.  The insole is non-removable and fits your feet really well:

It has a sock-like fit and a soft, comfortable SpeedForm™ 2.0 sockliner.  The soft foam in the upper and a molded 3D footbed provided shock attenuation and comfort to support the midsole of the shoe.  

The white middle section of the RN has two functions.  The EVA foam which is used to propel you forward and the heel with an odd-like mesh colouring (black/white) of what looks like pebbles:

This is the HOVR cushion element which provides a good return.  

The outsole of the RN has some dimples (shaped like snowflakes) and some white round circular inlets. 

The dimples protrude outwards so should provide a little bit more grip than the inlets.  The dimples run from the middle of the outsole and then a narrow strip to the top of the toe-box whereas the circular inlets are predominantly at the front of the toe-box and the back.  I found that there was adequate grip on asphalt and on trails in dry conditions. In wet conditions there were some slippery moments but these are not trail shoes. Running also on wet grass my feet were wetter than trail shoes in the past and did not keep out splashes.  The HOVR seems to have compromised breathability more than dryness (or is that a contradiction?). There is also a UA symbol which forms part of the HOVR cushion element:

and perhaps where the synching happens for MapMyRun.  I like the thickness of the outsole (when compared to zero-drop running shoes): 

as this adds more cushioning which for me doesn't seem to be compromised on weight and the HOVR cushion element does provide a good energy return.   This is enhanced by a full-length platform of the UA HOVR foam and when combined with the dynamic mesh energy web it creates a zero-gravity feel. The durable rubber runs the full length of the outsole, for comfort and abrasion resistance from the road.   

Overall the design/appearance I wouldn't say is stylish to look at as the rear of the RN has three protruding parts not in line with each other: the odd-like mesh colouring; the durable element and the ankle collar:

 

Responsiveness/Cushioning:

UA has developed HOVR foam technology, which promises a “zero gravity feel” through its energy-returning responsiveness.  The Phantom is designed for easier efforts and aimed at runners who value comfort above all. 

I tried the Phantom on many runs: 25 runs in total for 5 miles (130 miles) each on different surfaces - treadmill, asphalt and on trails and also on the flat, uphill and downhill.  

Supinator wear after 130 miles:

I was most surprised by how springy it felt when I decided to work on my sprints, especially because it felt cushioned during the subsequent slow section of the run.  I didn't feel as is if it was a "heavy" shoe to wear - on the contrary it did feel surprisingly light since it is not a zero-drop running shoe. 

The retail price is £120 (excluding sale prices and including the use of the app) which I think with or without the app is overpriced.  The RN performs just as well as the Brooks Ghost 12; the Ghost does not let in as much water which I prefer when compared to the RN but the RN is more breathable and the Ghost was at £100 not in a sale.  Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on the Hovr as you can get it for £80 in a sale which I would buy but not if I was asked to pay £120 even with the app. Having said this I'll give the Hovr 90 out of 100 - the Hovr lost 5 points for the app which didn't benefit me (but probably would have been more beneficial if I could spend the time reading the blogs and seeing where can I improve) and lost another 5 points because it didn't keep out enough of the water, especially on wet grass and it wasn't currently raining!   

NDW100 - DNF - 78 miles - 20:00:12

NDW 100

DNF with a time of 20:00:12 after 78 miles.

Lessons learnt from this race were:

1) Drink.  There was no checkpoint 1 due to Covid so the first available checkpoint was at the 15 mile mark.  Tested this during training and I needed 1.5L.  At the 10 mile mark I knew I would have run out by the time I got to the checkpoint so alternating with drink one mile and no drink the next until I got to the checkpoint.  From then on it was about 10 miles to each checkpoint so having 1.0L of litre would have been sufficient had it not been for the heat. 

2) Food.  I was wasn't eating enough.  I had energy gels, snack bars and sweets which worked in training.  However, doing a maximum of 30 miles to testing was different to the NDW100.  I should have eaten 60-90g carbs per hour but instead I was eating half that amount.  Moving forward will also need to add more variety to my food.  Would also need to add some sandwiches to the mix to soak up the gels.

3) Lacked judgement to change the strategy.  I decided to go for a sub 21 hour finish.  The heat conditions totally passed me by and stuck to the 21 hour pace.  This then went pear shaped come the 40 mile mark when I was starting to feel sick.  I then decided to change strategy and stick to a sub 24 hour finish. In hindsight I should have stuck to the sub 24 hour finish from the start given the conditions. 

4) Kit.  Tested my kit during training but could have been better.  I knew it was going to be hot but I still went with my traditional black leggings.
I should have switched to some short leggings.  The long leggings also gave me some chaffing because I was carrying some gels in the pockets but this wasn't an issue during training.  My legionnaires hat stopped me from having a suntan but it heated up my head.  During the checkpoints I soaked my hat and took it off when  my head started to warm up again.  My Raidlight Revolutiv 24L didn't really cut the mustard.  It tears easily, taking items out of the bag is annoying with the bungee cords and just won't last.  I'll try a different rucksack for my next 100 miler

5).  Unhelpful comments by the Centurion volunteers.  Probably best if I keep my opinions to myself on this one like what the Centurion volunteers should have done.  I've done four NDW100's in a row.  After spending an hour in a bush at the side of a lane puking my guts up I knew a sub 24 hour finish was out of the question.  That was goal - not doing a 20 mile death march just to please someone else's objectives.  

Despite these lessons this was actually my best NDW100 in five attempts.  I was on target for a sub 21 hour finish until I had stomach issues.  Sort that out and a sub 24 hour finish for the NDW100 is in sight. 

 

Centurion One Up Challenge - 20/07/20 - 11'145 ft - 17 hrs 59 mins - 108 miles

To see how many feet I could climb in one week ... British Three Peaks achieved.