Monday, November 21, 2011

Guide to Snowboarding

!: Guide to Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a winter sport which bares many comparisons to skateboarding, or surfing, although is performed on snow. The main idea of Snowboarding is to maintain your balance as you travel down a ski slope with both feet securely attached to the Snowboard via are set of bindings. There are many different types of snowboarding including Freestyle, Freeride, and alpine.

What are the different types of snowboarding?

Freeriding (also known as "all-mountain Snowboarding"), is simply the exploration of a mountain on your board. It's very suitable for beginners, as all they have to do is ride down the piste, taking in the scenery. Freestyle is when you attempt ticks, including jumps, spins and grabs. You can use the natural terrain, or man made obstacles. Alpine is all about speed, and fast clean precision carving. Alpine boarders user boots with a hard plastic shell, and longer, stiffer boards than other styles.

What equipment do I need to snowboard?

If you go to a Ski/Snowboard rental or retail shop, they should be able to advise you about what equipment you will need, and obviously rent or sell it to you. Basic equipment will include:

- Snowboard
- Boot Bindings
- Boots
- Warm Clothing
- Protective Wear
- Helmet

Should I take Snowboarding lessons?

If you are inexperienced, then it is highly recommended you take lessons. It's allot harder than it looks, and hitting the slopes with no tuition can cause you and others injuries.

Where can I learn to Snowboard?

Many countries have artificial ski slopes you can go learn at before you venture on your holidays, although if one is not available you will most likely be able to pay for some tuition at your holiday destination. To prevent disappointment it's suggested you book lessons before you travel.

I can Ski, can I snowboard with no lessons?

Skiing and snowboarding use fairly different techniques, so for your own safety lessons are recommended. As a skier, you will most likely pick up snowboarding much quicker than someone with no slope experience.

Am I regular or goofy?

Regular and Goofy refer to two different stances possible in snowboarding, with Regular being left foot forward, and goofy being right foot forward. If you already Skateboard or Surf, you probably already know your stance, but if not, there are a few ways to try and determine you appropriate one:

- Kick a ball, which ever foot you use will most likely need to be your back foot on the board.
- Go to a staircase and walk up it, which foot did you use first, this should most likely be your back foot when standing on the snowboard.

Is snowboarding dangerous?

Like most sports, there is an inherent danger with Snowboarding. Although it's impossible to remove all risks, taking some simple precautions can make the experience safer.

- Take some lessons
- Wear protective clothing
- Stay on slopes that you feel comfortable on
- Snowboard in groups
- Don't push yourself to hard

What age can you learn to snowboard?

Equipment is made for children as young as five, although most ski resorts will not teach children younger than seven years old. There is no definitive age, so it is up to the parent to evaluate if their child is ready to snowboard or not.


Guide to Snowboarding

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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Not All Safety Shoes and Work Boots Provide Protection and Comfort

!: Not All Safety Shoes and Work Boots Provide Protection and Comfort

In the construction industry and a handful of other professions, it's essential to wear protective shoes or safety toe work boots that help guard against painful and debilitating foot injuries. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified three types of potential foot injuries that can be prevented or reduced by the wearing of protective safety shoes or work boots: foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, injuries resulting from sharp objects piercing the sole, and safety risks from a worker's exposure to electrical hazards.

In addition to work boots that are equipped with steel toe protection or the lighter weight composite toe reinforcement, there are also safety shoes and boots that have what's called a "metatarsal guard". When you stop and think that there are 26 fragile bones in the foot, 19 of which comprise toe bones and adjoining metatarsal bones, the need for protective footwear is undeniable. Fractures of the metatarsal bones are not uncommon among industrial workers and people in the construction industry; and those injuries need to be medically treated to prevent permanent pain, arthritis, and other problems.

A number of manufacturers have recognized the need to provide additional metatarsal protection in some of their boot styles, including companies such as Georgia Boot and Carolina. One Georgia Boot style (#9310) features a metatarsal guard as well as a steel toe, puncture-resistant midsole, and waterproof leather.

In addition to advantages like metatarsal guards and puncture resistant soles, work boots and safety shoes can also offer other types of protection, including electrical hazard protection, shock absorption, static dissipation, and slip resistant materials and treading.

If you're looking for comfort as well as toe protection, Timberland Pro boots may be the solution. Timberland Pro work boots and hiking shoes are available in lightweight styles that not only offer steel toe protection but are lightweight and roomy. Wolverine is another brand that finds ways to include both comfort and protection features into their work boots and safety shoes. The company's DuraShocks line of work boots features compression pads in the heel and forefoot for added comfort.

The type of foot protection you need depends on the specific work you do and the potential hazards that your occupation presents. The good news is that you don't necessarily have to sacrifice comfort for protection when choosing work boots. In addition to cushioning and extra roominess, another tip for buying comfortable work boots is to select boots with a breathable lining that draws sweat away from your foot and helps perspiration evaporate.

When you shop online for safety footwear, you'll notice that there's a wide selection of styles and colors, as well as safety and comfort features. Whether you need work boots that are insulated, waterproof, slip-resistant, or electrical hazard-rated, you can usually find exactly what you're looking for at reputable, well-stocked Internet shoe stores.


Not All Safety Shoes and Work Boots Provide Protection and Comfort

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Buying a Pair of Good Quality Walking Boots - What to Look For

!: Buying a Pair of Good Quality Walking Boots - What to Look For

Buying a new pair of boots, especially if you are new to walking, can be a little daunting. A good pair of boots that will last you for years will cost upwards of £100, no small investment.

Firstly, go to a good outdoors shop where the staff are knowledgeable. It is no good buying from a place where the staff clearly are not the outdoors types. Talk to the staff, tell them the sort of walking you will be doing and how often and they will be able to make some recommendations.
Below is a guide that could help you to avoid the bullsh*%t factor from sales assistants ...
Starting at the front of the boot, check the toe box, that will save your toes from a battering when crossing rocky ground. A firm toe box is needed if you intend doing a lot of mountain walking, it is not so critical if you will be mainly on fells and farmland or other easy and fairly even surfaces.

Leading back from the toe you will find the rubber rand, this adds durability to the boot and protection from rocks; a full rand, such as those found on Meindl boots, helps keep the water out of the bottom of the boot when wading through shallow puddles.

Talking of waterproofing, a boot with a Gore-tex lining is the best, but only initially. The lining will inevitable fail well before the boot is worn out. It also can make the boot a little more clammy, despite its breathability. Leather treatments are getting better and better and you will find most boots will be pretty waterproof if treated regularly. A shop in the Lakes told me not to clean my boots before treating them as the dirt helps to seal them against water. I am not so sure about that, it sounds that could make them less breathable - I find that the waterproofing is absorbed better after they have been cleaned. Make up your own mind! One piece uppers are a definite if you are looking for waterproof boots - fewer stitching holes and seams to allow the ingress of water. Most boots now also have bellows tongues - the tongue is linked to the upper which also helps to keep water out.

At the other end of the boot, the heel cup is the next thing to consider. For mountain walking or walking over rocky ground, you need a stiff heel cup - this will hold the foot in place and reduce the likelihood of blisters. For the same terrain, you need also a boot with a stiff midsole. The midsole is hidden from view, between the sole and the footbed of the boot. Test the stiffness of the heel cup in the same way as the toe box. To check the midsole stiffness, try bending the toe up and also twisting the boot. If you intend to do winter walking using crampons, you need a very stiff midsole.

For walking on uneven ground, support for the foot is essential, to test this, either use something hard under your sole or use the corner of a step. Boots that offer little support in these situations will leave your feet fatigued and possibly sore after a day on an uneven surface. Consider also the ankle cuff, this can give useful extra support but if it is very stiff, it can easily rub your heel or ankles on a walk.

On the sole, look for deep, widely spaced lugs and grooves, a useful measure is the thickness of 2 one pound coins placed together. A softer sole will give better grip on rocks but will wear out faster.

OK, so you have selected your ideal boot but remember, it must fit properly and be comfortable! Check for tongue padding by lacing the boot up, you should not feel the laces through it. Check the fit is right by wearing your walking socks when you try on the boot, it should be about 15mm or a little less. A convenient way of testing this is to loosen the laces and push your foot forward, until the toe contacts the inside of the toe box. You can then check the gap at the back of your heel. When laced up, the upper should feel snug and comfy round your foot. If you are aware of the lace eyelets against your feet then that can lead to soreness. Squeeze the upper of the boot as well, a soft upper may be more comfortable initially but unless you are going to be sticking only to gentle walking on good surfaces, you are better with a stiffer upper.

To sum up, decide on your style of walking before buying a boot, take your walking socks with you and talk to the staff when you are trying on the boot. This short guide is not the definitive guide to buying a walking boot but it may help you to spot sales BS.

Disclaimer (probably not necessary but here goes ...): This is intended for your information only, you need to accept the responsibility for your own purchase - we cannot be held responsible for any problems that arise from the purchase of your boots. We recommend that you take the advice of the sales person in the shop and make up your own mind about the boot.


Buying a Pair of Good Quality Walking Boots - What to Look For

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