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.
What I wore for my 100k ultramarathon (and how I chose it)
Date Posted: 6 December 2019
After running a brutal 50km race at Canada’s Big White mountain, I set my mind to putting in a decent 6-week training block and seeing what would happen in a 100km event. After a short period of questioning my own sanity, I chose the Canberra Trail 100. I knew I’d have to have a dream run on race day to get it done. Gear plays a large role in overall comfort and perfRead more....
12 Christmas Gifts for the Runner in Your Life
Date Posted: 5 December 2019
There's a runner in every family, and they can be tricky to buy presents for, even if you're a runner yourself. Steph presents a wide range of Christmas gift ideas for runners, to suit every budget.Read more....
Race Report: 2019 World Mountain Running Championships
Date Posted: 27 November 2019
2019 marked the first year that the World Classic and World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship were run together in the one event. This was done in conjunction with the K42 Adventure Marathon in the stunning, alpine town of Villa La Angostura in Patagonia, Argentina. The lead up to the event saw the majority of the Australian team meet in Puerto Montt, Chile, to finalise their training and acclimatize to the cooler Patagonian weather. Immediately I noticed the change from tRead more....
The Ultimate Review: Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 4.0
Date Posted: 26 November 2019
After relying for (too many) years on a hand-me-down vest, I dared myself to dream about a new hydration vest with all the features I wanted. I landed on the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 4.0 . I’ve been getting around in the vest since late May and it certainly gets the job done. Over the next few minutes, I’ll take you through the features, the pros and Read more....
Icebreaker 200 Half Zip Review
Date Posted: 15 November 2019
Reviewer Steph has worn her Icebreaker 200 Half Zip Thermal Top through long distance races, international travel and a daily commute and still loving it! Read why this versatile baselayer is a must have for those who pack light.Read more....
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 hikerRead 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 fabricRead 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 hoRead 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 hikiRead 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 FoodRead more....
Blister Prevention
Date Posted: 26 July 2019
- - Tips and tricks to prevent and heal blisters - -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 oRead 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 fingRead 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 maRead 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, poRead more....
