Sports Technology

blue note

When I'm looking for sports gear I have to take a step back and think about what I'm actually saying sometimes. I like going for an occasional hike in Ireland. So I've a pair of Salomon boots. Sure you'd be mad not to have something like that - you need something warm, waterproof, durable, good sole on them for dealing with rocks. I throw on a base layer and they're simply amazing technology. They don't restrict your movement, are amazing for keeping you warm without making you too hot on warmer parts of a climb. I use my golf wet gear which is basic by golf standards, but fully waterproof and great for the wind too. And if I hear of someone going for a decent climb without this sort of stuff I regard them as a bit of an eejit.

I saw the play Tom Craen: Antarctic Explorer a couple of years ago. And I'm pretty sure that I've gone up Croagh Patrick with gear that was better than his in an awful lot of ways. Similarly, I remember deciding which Waterford jersey to buy a few years ago - the retro '59 jersey or the current one. I opted for the current one because I wanted to play a little 5-a-side in it and sure you couldn't do sports in the '59 Jersey. Except for the people that actually won the all Ireland in it obviously.

I don't really have a point beyond saying isn't it a funny thing? For the mountain stuff, most people aren't Tom Craen and if they go up unprepared on the Irish mountains they can end up in a lot of trouble. I don't particularly feel like going on a crusade about it, but it is a stupid and selfish thing to do. Even going up experienced and prepared can be dangerous, so no use adding to it by going up a mountain with no wet gear or no idea how to find your way down or the like.

And even for something like 5-a-side - when you have sports tee-shirts that dry in no time or have runners that give arch support for running why not use them? Technology has moved on and we might as well enjoy it. But all the same, the odd time I like to remind myself when I'm wondering if I have suitable gear to get to 800m in temperatures that could drop to zero degrees, that people have climbed Mount Everest and gone to the South Pole in gear that I'd worry about for Slieve Donard!

me_irl

What a lovely facebook update.

Hande hoche!

You to have a bit of style with that functionality.

The_Valeyard

Hande hoche! wrote: »

You to have a bit of style with that functionality.

/thread done.

I tip my hat.

Beasty

Sports technology is behind all my success on a bike. If they had never invented those round wheels I reckon I would get nowhere...

Junkyard Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlMwc1c0HRQ

A solo yachtsman who uses an AA road map to navigate was warned yesterday by the coastguard to seek advice before setting out to sea after he was rescued nine times in a year.

independent.co.uk

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I'm just bemused by the manufacture of shoes and jackets being referred to as technology.

razorblunt

Reebok pumps make you jump higher!

Those GAA jerseys are awful though the things stink. You'd be better off in the 59 cotton ones.

Beasty

Stephanie Miniature Carrot wrote: »

I'm just bemused by the manufacture of shoes and jackets being referred to as technology.

Have you not seen my cycling shoes?



Over a grand's worth of "technology" there:pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

The_Valeyard wrote: »

/thread done.

I tip my hat.

We're going to be wanting to know more about the hat. Is it technologically advanced? Can you wear it on a climb in a misty day and have ti still stay on your head? Will if keep you nice and warm and dry, but not too warm on the hotter parts of the climb?

Rumpy Pumpy

All those fat dudes on expensive racing bikes who clog up the roads are mad into buying very expensive gear. The MAMILs think nothing of splashing out a hundred quid for a water bottle that weighed 3gms less.

eeguy

Stephanie Miniature Carrot wrote: »

I'm just bemused by the manufacture of shoes and jackets being referred to as technology.

Loads of technology in shoes. Sure look at how running or cycling shoes have changed. Neoprene, goretex, 3d printing etc etc..

eeguy

Rumpy Pumpy wrote: »

All those fat dudes on expensive racing bikes who clog up the roads are mad into buying very expensive gear. The MAMILs think nothing of splashing out a hundred quid for a water bottle that weighed 3gms less.

Lad in work dropped 2k on a bike that weighed 5kg less than his current one.

Didn't see the logic when i said it would be better and cheaper if he just lost 5kg.

eeguy

eeguy wrote: »

Lad in work dropped 2k on a bike that weighed 5kg less than his current one.

Didn't see the logic when i said it would be better and cheaper if he just lost 5kg.

Even better if he did both.

Electric gears on a bike though are sheer joy.

frozenfrozen

What I don't understand with cycling is why don't people just get fitter instead of getting lighter bikes? Most people are doing it for exercise no?

totally understand about going to extremes with them if competing or really at the top of your game but why would some lardy person ever splash out for a super light 6 grand pushbike? Just lay off the donuts and pedal harder

andekwarhola

Modern football boots for kids are one thing that bemuse me a bit. Not solely the horrible designs and eye watering prices but the fact they seem so flimsy, especially on the top of the foot.

That said, my kids haven't picked up any injuries yet so maybe I'm unfounded, plus all schoolboy clubs these days seem to stress the non-competitive thing so you don't get the widespread clogging and GBH on the pitch that you got in the 80s :pac:

Junkyard Tom

Stephanie Miniature Carrot wrote: »

I'm just bemused by the manufacture of shoes and jackets being referred to as technology.

A monkey breaking a nut with a rock is using technology.

Beasty

Rumpy Pumpy wrote: »

All those fat dudes on expensive racing bikes who clog up the roads are mad into buying very expensive gear. The MAMILs think nothing of splashing out a hundred quid for a water bottle that weighed 3gms less.

If I want to spend 15 grand on a bike I will do (and have done):p

wexandproud

Beasty wrote: »

Sports technology is behind all my success on a bike. If they had never invented those round wheels I reckon I would get nowhere...

the wheel was a great invention all right but if ya haven't the heart and the head your at nothing .
While the advances in technology is great , how often do you see people spending a fortune on ''stuff'' to go faster but all they need is a bit more heart

wakka12

you need a tldr

Insect Overlord

I upgraded my bike last year from a very decent hybrid to a much lighter road bike. The difference in speed is only about 2km/h, but the lighter frame means I can maintain that pace for much, much longer.

I do a lot more running than cycling. Lighter tops are essential unless you want to tear the nipples off yourself over the course of 10-21 km. :P Decent shoes made a big difference for me as well, with arch support and grip being the 2 biggest factors. Wouldn't get those with the fancy looking fashionable yokes on the shelf in JD Sports.

Beasty

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I upgraded my bike last year from a very decent hybrid to a much lighter road bike. The difference in speed is only about 2km/h, but the lighter frame means I can maintain that pace for much, much longer.

I do a lot more running than cycling. Lighter tops are essential unless you want to tear the nipples off yourself over the course of 10-21 km. :P Decent shoes made a big difference for me as well, with arch support and grip being the 2 biggest factors. Wouldn't get those with the fancy looking fashionable yokes on the shelf in JD Sports.

Think I would need some new knees if I wanted to run.

On the technological front they did put my head back together with 3 titanium plates when I had my cycling accident in 2014. Colonel Steve Austin was my inspiration...