Our Blog
Welcome to the Wildfire Sports & Trek Blog! This is where we talk about events, share tips on choosing the right gear for your favourite activities and other helpful/useful information from our lovely staff members.
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You can browse all articles below, or choose a tag to view posts about your area of interest.
Altra Shoe Review: Lone Peak 4.0
Date Posted: 5 October 2019
As an Altra -lover, I was excited to test out their new and improved Lone Peak 4.0s . If you’re not familiar with Altras, they’re known for their durable zero-drop shoes with wide toe boxes. Beyond increased comfort, the wide toe box also promotes a more natural toe splay. Altra’s Lone Peaks are moderately cushioned trail shoes that are equally popular with runners and hiker Read more....
Putting Aussie Grit’s Flint 3/4 Tights To The Test
Date Posted: 24 September 2019
Aussie Grit is Australian Formula One racing legend Mark Webber’s foray into high performance gear. I put the Aussie Grit Flint Women’s 3/4 Tights to the test during my training for an ultramarathon in Canberra’s rugged terrain. I was not disappointed. The trail-specific tights are designed to prevent chafing and the performance fabric Read more....
Saucony Trail Review: Mad River TR & Peregrine ISO
Date Posted: 17 September 2019
Over the past month, I’ve been rigorously testing two trail shoes from Saucony: The Mad River TR and the award-winning Peregrine ISO. Both shoes deliver optimal high performance traction, across a wide variety of terrain. Saucony have been making shoes for 121 years and they know what they’re doing. Both the Mad River and the Peregrine ISO are exceptionally comfortable trail shoes, offering confidence inspiring grip paired with state of the art cushioning. My interest lay in ho Read more....
Choosing Track & Field Spikes
Date Posted: 23 August 2019
Buying a pair of spikes (athletic shoes with spikes on the sole) needs a surprising amount of consideration. The right spikes can make all the difference between a slow, sloppy run and a legendary PB. Fit and Sizing Spike shoes should feel snug and secure, without cramping your feet. Your toes should be close to the front but not actually touching the end. Forget wide toe boxes and toe splay on the track. Spikes aren’t built for comfort, Read more....
What to wear hiking or running: performance fabrics compared
Date Posted: 9 August 2019
Deciding to do something outdoorsy is easy. Choosing what to wear when you go hiking or running has gotten more complicated. There are so many performance fabrics on the market - with pros and cons for each.The difference between the right fabric and the wrong one can be chafing, blisters, B.O. or feeling the heat or cold more than you should. Needless to say, it’s worth investing time into working out which hiking or running fabric will work the hardest for you. Here’s the lowdown Read more....
Problem-Free Packing for Your Multi-Day Hike
Date Posted: 8 August 2019
Packing for long treks is quite the task. Carrying too much and not carrying enough both pose huge risks. Finding the packing sweet spot requires a ton of experience. There is so much gear to choose from! The list (of what makes packing challenging) goes on. That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled this packing list for you for multi-day or thru hikes in summer, spring or autumn. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks along the way about what to look for in your hiki Read more....
Choosing New Shoes for Your Shoe Rotation
Date Posted: 3 August 2019
Most runners don’t need an excuse to grab their next set of kicks. But did you know that alternating between pairs of running shoes has a bunch of benefits, including fewer injuries? Yep, a 2015 study confirmed that rotating between running shoes reduces your risk of injury. Different Runs Deserve Different Shoes Having a few pairs of shoes on the go also means you’re more likely to be ready Read more....
Backcountry Food: What Food To Pack For Your Multi-Day Hike
Date Posted: 29 July 2019
There’s nothing quite like backcountry hiking. Relative solitude, physical challenges matched only by the scenery - there’s a lot to enjoy. Backcountry food used to be more of an annoyance than something I looked forward to - but after many trips (and many failures), I’ve managed to dial it in. In my experience, these are the top three things you need to consider when you’re pondering the best backcountry food for your trip: 1. Calories per KG of Backcountry Food Read more....
Blister Prevention
Date Posted: 26 July 2019
Blisters can sideline the most race-ready athlete or have you hobbling during your hiking trip. They’re caused by your skin stretching (shearing) too far, too long, which breaks down the connections between your skin cells. These tiny tears are filled with fluid, forming a blister. Heat, moisture and friction can all contribute to blisters too. So what can you do to prevent blisters in the first place? Well-Fitting Shoes Read more....
Showcase: On Running
Date Posted: 26 July 2019
With the new Cloudrock hiker, Cloudventure Peak extreme trail runner and Cloudstratus max-cushioned road runner hitting our shelves recently, we've been reflecting on how Read more....
Multiday Sea Kayaking: Packing Tips & Tricks
Date Posted: 25 July 2019
Our adventurous employee Laura spent last week kayaking and hiking from Hervey Bay to the east side of K’Gari (Fraser) Island. Check out her packing tips and tricks for multiday sea kayaking! Pre-Departure Prep Get fit for the occasion! Ever sat down for hours at a time while using pretty much every muscle in your back? Didn’t think so. Go to the gym or get in that kayak. Get into the habit of stretching – I promise, it’ll make a world o Read more....
Fitting Your New Wetsuit At Home
Date Posted: 25 July 2019
There is an art to getting into a wetsuit correctly. Follow the below steps to ensure you are fitting your wetsuit properly and with ease. The main thing to remember is to take your time! Unzip the wetsuit and fold in half, exposing the inside of the suit. Place a plastic bag over your foot to make it easier to get the suit on. Push your leg through carefully. Using gloves, gather the wetsuit leg up and smooth out any wrinkles using your fing Read more....
Free Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L Reservoir - CLOSED
Date Posted: 19 March 2019
From 21/03/19 to 30/04/19, purchase any Osprey Aether Pro | Ariel Pro, Aether AG | Ariel AG or Atmos AG | Aura AG from us and receive an Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L Reservoir free of charge. Available in store and online. Automatically added to cart online. Read more....
How to Try on Goggles
Date Posted: 18 March 2019
Pool, open water, mask, small fit, Swedish... there are so many different types of goggles available today! Each style has unique features and fit, and finding the right pair for your face shape can be tricky. Leaking or ill-fitting goggles can be a major inconvenience, so follow our simple guide to make sure your chosen goggles suit your face shape. Remember, we are unable to refund or exchange goggles that have been exposed to water, so ma Read more....
GEAR CHECKLIST - Outdoor Sport Climbing
Date Posted: 16 February 2019
First step is to find someone who knows what they are doing and convince them to take you and show you the ropes… literally. If you have the option to practise in the gym first, then do it. It’s a much safer way to learn how to clip and it requires less gear. If you are starting in the gym, you’ll only need the usual basics (shoes, harness and helmet) plus a rope and belay device. Below is a checklist of gear you’ll need to sport climb outdoors with a brief explanation, po Read more....
Ultra Trail 100 2019 Checklist
Date Posted: 2 February 2019
It's that time of year again: standard entries are closing on 8th February for the 2019 Ultra Trail 100 race, Australia's most challenging and prestigious trail running event. This year, hundreds of runners will be in the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park of Australia from 16-19th May, taking part in UTA's annual races. Competitors should now be checking if they have all the mandatory gear they need to carry with them at all times , as there will be ra Read more....
Ultra Trail 50 2019 Checklist
Date Posted: 2 February 2019
The Ultra Trail 50km race is the younger sibling of UTA100, set in the same Blue Mountains National Park of Australia from 16-19th May, with the same standard entries closing date of 8th February. Competitors should now be checking if they have all the mandatory gear they need to carry with them at all times , as there will be random spot checks throughout the race. UTA50 demands you be prepared for all sorts of weather, hot or cold, rain or even snow Read more....
Overseas Packing Tips
Date Posted: 31 January 2019
If you wondered where your favourite shop assistant went for 6 months, wonder no longer. I headed over the waves to Norway to study for a semester. As I studied an Outdoor Education course while there, and camped and hiked quite frequently, I took a fair bit of gear over with me to tackle the Nordic climate. This guide is simply what has worked for me over the years and what was suitable for the climate I was in. When I buy gear, I want a few things to be certain: it’s suitable for Read more....
Three Capes Track Packing List
Date Posted: 26 January 2019
Tasmania's Three Capes Track is a three-night, four-day celebration of one of the country's most beautiful walking experiences. Designed for beginner to intermediate hikers of all ages, the Three Capes Track has been built to a dry-boot standard and includes cabins along the way for each night, minimising your gear and leaving you free to focus on admiring 48 kilometres of breathtaking cliffs, forests, coastal heath and of course, the ever-present Tasman sea. The official Read more....
Shoe Lacing Styles
Date Posted: 17 January 2019
To get the most out of your running shoes, try out these different lacing styles to find the one most suitable for you. Some of these lacing styles could help prevent black toenails, make room for your high arches, dial up an uncomfortably narrow fit, or otherwise get your shoes feeling perfect on your feet. Read more....
