I’m not one to regularly use energy drinks to get me through sport. Whether it’s a long run, a 2 hour game of Ultimate Frisbee or a long evening at the climbing wall, I’m more likely to reach for a banana than a can of that stuff that gives you wings.

So I was interested to get the chance to review Voltz Energy Shots, as they set themselves apart from the fizzy sugar-filled ‘health’ drinks. Voltz are made up of B vitamins, amino acid and anti-oxidants and, from what I read, a reasonable dose of caffeine. Each bottle contains just 3 calories and claims to provide ‘No Crash, No Carbs, Only Energy.’

I took some down to my Ultimate Frisbee team, where there is usually a can or two of sugary stuff on the sideline. When I’d shared the bottles out, the first impression was that they tasted really good and were a good size.  After all, who wants to drink a pint of liquid before running around?

The trouble was, whatever effect they had was so subtle, it was difficult to know if they were working. I felt good for sure and I felt more alert but I was tired after about 45 minutes. My team mates said the same.

I continued using them for weeks until I ran out and I did find they gave me a boost but it was a boost of focus more than energy. With only 3 calories, I can’t see how this would aid sustained activity for more than 30-45 minutes.

Overall, I would use the Voltz Energy Shots to perk myself up a bit on a long day at work but if I’m going to need lots of energy over a prolonged period, I’ll stick with the banana.

For more on Voltz, visit their website, find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter

Anyone that knows me will be aware I play Ultimate Frisbee every week. It’s a team sport that involves a hell of a lot of running. Every time the disc is dropped, the game is prolonged to the point where it can feel like the bleep test we did in school, back and forth, back and forth, endlessly.

So I thought my weekly game of Frisbee would be the perfect time to test the anti-blister socks I’ve been sent by Runbreeze.

When it comes to competitive running, well designed trainers make you faster, technical shorts and t-shirts keep you cool but it seems the sock had been somewhat overlooked.

Runbreeze believe  that a well designed sock can help you raise your game, so they manufacture technical running socks then sell them direct to the consumer at reasonable prices.

My first impression on feeling the socks was that they looked great but were kind of fat. I thought that Runbreeze had mistakenly shipped two pairs, one inside the other. This was no mistake. The anti-blister socks have a double layer system to reduce rubbing. Add to that the toe & arch supports and the fact that each sock is ergonomically fitted for your left and right foot and you have a very snug fit. A good fit means less rubbing which helps prevent blisters.

Because we play Ultimate Frisbee all year and in all weather, (and because this is Britain) I tend to suffer from athlete’s foot. The socks are made with ‘Coolmax’ material, which wicks moisture away from the skin, and the double layering again helps keep the foot dry.

They even have a sock calculator on their website where you can find the best sock design for your needs, based on where & how often you run. It’s clearly a way for them to sell more socks but when they feel this good, I don’t blame them. If you run competitively, these socks are essential. If you run for leisure but suffer from blisters or athlete’s foot, I would highly recommend them.

They’ll come in very handy when the Indoor Frisbee season starts in September. Sports hall floors are murder on my feet!

www.runbreeze.com

@runbreeze on Twitter

Disclaimer: I got these socks for free in order to review them. I’m not pressured to write good reviews and if I thought they were rubbish, I’d tell you.

The UK is feeling very spring-like right now, so it may not be the best time to tell you that I’ve got my hands on a pair of Barts Ski Gloves to review and put to the test.

Typically for me, I got them just a week after my trip to Scotland in February for a long weekend of winter climbing and I’ve not been near snow since.  So, I promise to write a second review once I’ve been able to use them thoroughly.

In the mean time, here’s the lowdown:

The gloves feature a waterproof and breathable Dryshell outer and Dacron insulation which makes the gloves both flexible and incredibly comfortable when putting on for the first time. They come in a choice of black or white with a solid Velcro closure. For just under £15 (as at April 2011), they seem like really good value for money.

My old pair of gloves let me down in the Scottish Highlands, letting water through as I scrambled up the steeper slopes. I look forward to my next adventure with the Barts Ski Gloves.

As promised, I’ll let you know how I get on.

Until then, you can check these gloves out yourself at Chelston Direct.  You can also find Chelston Direct on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I didn’t get paid to review these gloves but I do get to keep them.  If they weren’t worth keeping, I’d tell you.

This year, the Adventure Travel Live show is back at the Royal Horticultural Halls between January 28th and 30th with 60 specialist companies to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.

This is the second show of its kind, reviving the name after the previous owners went bust.  The show is a much more intimate affair these days, something which can be lacking in the bigger outdoors and adventure events.

I’ll definitely be checking it out.  I have myself a new year’s resolution to make each year more adventurous than the last but after two weeks in the Swiss Alps in 2010, that could be tough. 

If you have any suggestions, let me know!  Even better, tell me in person.  The Conch have 10 pairs of tickets to give away for free. 

Send a message through our contact us page, with your name and postal address, and we’ll pop the tickets through to you.  Hurry though, they won’t be around for long.

I’ve been meaning to blog about this for a long time. I could have just scrubbed it from my to do list but this is too important. It is free money after all. That’s almost as important as free beer or a free lunch!

If you work in the Sport and Active Leisure sector in North West England I hope you’ve already heard about the ‘Get Qualified NW Project’. If you haven’t, read on.

Workers and volunteers in this sector may be able to secure a bursary to help fund training in their particular field. Bursaries of 60% of training costs up to £200 or £300 are available in courses ranging from Mountain Leader Training to Powerboating and Windsurf Instruction.

I’m sure everyone’s sick of hearing about ‘the current climate’ but it’s never been more important to skill up. This is free money for those who are serious about a career in the outdoors.

Training is provided through a number of providers, including Plas y Brenin, Plas Menai and our friends at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Outdoor Studies department.

You can read more about the selection criteria, available courses and providers in the Get Qualified Brochure on the National Skills Academy website.

So what are you waiting for?  Go get some skills.

I mentioned in my last blog post that I’d been selected to test a pair of The North Face GTX XCR trainers and review them for The Conch community.  According to The North Face, they are designed for “multi-sport athletes and adventure racers”.  When none of them answered the phone, I was chosen to take a look.

I decided I’d give my trainers a thorough challenge, so I took them on a scouting trip for 2 weeks of Swiss mountains; rock, rain and ruddy kids.  We had an action-packed schedule with 2 overnight expeditions to peaks around 3000m, several long day hikes as well as a terrifyingly exposed via ferrata.

My very first impression was how comfortable the trainers were.  Normally with any kind of sports or running shoe you would expect to have to break them in.  With the Hedgehogs, I felt I could have many hours of pain-free hiking straight out of the box.

The expeditions turned out more hardcore than we had planned so I opted for boots instead of the trainers.  Apart from the fact I had to carry crampons, I really wanted the extra ankle support that boots provide.  I did wear the Hedgehogs on a visit to the top of the Jungfrau as well as a steep descent at the foot of the Eiger, on the via ferrata and for general use around a very muddy campsite.

On the Eiger Trail I was particularly interested in testing the grip.  The hedgehog inspired tread fared very well on the slippery, mud-covered rocks.  As my fellow leaders slid down parts of the path, I found I had excellent grip.  The very British weather we took with us also gave me a chance to test the shoe’s Gore-Tex lining.  Jumping into puddles that I fully expected to soak through, I was impressed my feet stayed dry.

So, I guess the verdict is very good.  I thought I’d have worn them out but after shaking the mud off, my Hedgehogs are raring to throw themselves up a mountain or two here in the UK.

There are times when only a boot will do.  That said, if you’re looking for footwear that offers good grip and excellent comfort on rock, snow, mud (or even metal!) the North Face Hedgehogs are very well suited.

If you want to check them out for yourself, visit: http://buyth.at/f3ikj or you can find The North Face on Facebook or on their Twitter Feed.

I’ve received a pair of North Face Hedgehog GTX XCR trainers to review.  Apparently they’re designed for “multi-sport athletes and adventure racers” so obviously they couldn’t pass without asking my opinion!

Trouble is, and this may sound odd, I’ve not been on a proper holiday in 6 years!  By ‘proper’ I mean all that foreign, abroad-type stuff.  Of late I’ve been living a life of little adventures much closer to home (I have a presentation to upload about that too).

But I’m making up for it this summer.  Later this week I’m heading to the Swiss alps for 14 days with my local Scout group; mountaineering, rock climbing, white-water rafting, paragliding…you get the idea.

So…expect a detailed product review in my next blog. 

For the record:

Yes I receive a free pair of trainers

No I won’t hesitate to tell you if they fall apart

No I won’t take them white-water rafting

At The Conch, we know our members are busy people.  Why don’t you take a look at the photos below, then see if you can free up some time in your diary for this August.  Do you think you can fit it in?

Thought so.

Visit Norway are offering a free holiday to the person who uploads the best content to www.visitnorwayyourway.com/uk/YourWay before the 6th July.  The content should be inspired by Norway and could be a photo, a poem, a video…or whatever you want.

Check out the existing entries and see if you can do better.  If you can, the adventure of a lifetime could be yours!

We gave you the heads up on the Norway. Your Way competition.  Now you can check out their video and get your creative juices flowing.

The Conch is always sniffing out a good promotion for our friends and members.  If you’re looking for a big adventure this summer, we’ve got a doozy for you.

Norway. Your Way

Visit Norway are looking for 5 creative people from the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Russia to submit Norway-inspired content to win the holiday of a lifetime.

All you have to do is upload your creative content when the competition opens on June 7th.  It might be a video, a poem or a recipe.  So long as it’s inspired by Norway. 

What do I win?

Entries will close on July 12th.  The creators of the most individual content will win a 10 day Norwegian adventure this August.  The itinerary will be based on local recommendations so this promises to be a really unique trip.

Ok, I’m in. What now?

More details will follow next week. 

This is just a heads up to get preparing your Norway-inspired content, ready to upload when the competition starts.

Things to remember:   

-’Inspired by Norway’ not ‘about Norway’.  You have a lot of freedom here.

-Be creative

-Make it unique!

Keep an eye on this blog for more information next week.  In the mean time, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!