ADVENTURE RACES HAVE EMBRACED KAYAKING: THEREFORE PROPER FOOTWEAR IS CRITICAL.

As a sport, adventure racing still remains somewhat undefined. Each event coordinator creates the race with its own specific set of guidelines. No two races are even slightly similar. As a rule, adventure races are multidisciplined, non-motorized, and endurance based, with the length of the race ranging from several hours to up to ten days.

The core disciplines of an adventure race can include a wide variety of sports such as mountain biking, running, trekking, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater kayaking & rafting, horseback riding, parasailing, and even some types of rope skills. The structure of the race is based on orienteering and requires the competitors to use map and compass skills to reach the finish line. It's obvious that only a certain kind of athlete is capable of completing such a race - one with well rounded athletic skills, knowledge of the outdoors, and mental and pyhsical capabilities beyond most.

Primarily team events, adventure race teams consist of three to five racers, one of which must be of the opposite gender. Each team must stay together with the standard distance separating the first and last member not exceeding one hundred meters. Their limits are constantly being pushed. Together as a team, they must make compromises and decisions that will directly effect their team dynamics as well as their position in the race. The mental challenges might very well be the hardest part of these intense, multi-day team competitions. Now that the athlete has been defined, let's find a shoe to fit! Obviously, these racers need a versatile shoe. One that will provide traction and support on the varied terrain they will encounter, drain quickly and help wick moisture away from the skin to prevent blisters and hot spots, and keep dirt and debris out. Fortunately for these athletes, Teva has designed this very shoe!

The X-1 is their proactive approach on keeping the athlete's foundation strong and efficient - gear being one of the few things you have control over in a race. A new footwear concept by Teva takes amphibious performance to the highest level (Teva sandals / footware). The X-1 shoe is light weight without sacrificing support or protection. It allows racers to have one piece of footwear through the entire race. Some key features for the fast and furious include a monofilament mesh and ripstop nylon upper with drainage system, the Wraptor Lite support system, a Drain-Tech molded EVA sock liner, a single-density EVA midsole with encapsulated Shoc Pad, Heel to-top Protection Web Technology, and a race lite rubber outsole. The X-1 is revolutionary in design and spirit.

Teva - once again - helping to keep the dream alive......

Article contributed by Teva

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