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The North Face Blaze Low Hiking Shoe - Men's
The North Face Blaze Low Hiking Shoe is a sleek, lightweight trail shoe designed to handle the fast pace of your everyday life. A true multisport platform, the Blaze Low's aerodynamic design and airy materials encourage effortless movement over mixed terrain—from day hikes to rock scrambling to mowing the lawn. A wicking lining transports moisture away from those sweaty feet, and a gusseted tongue provides prime mobility and fit. The Blaze Low is tough, too—it's got super abrasion-resistant fabrics on the upper, and a TPU shank plate to protect against sharp rocks from below.
$59.95 
Good Gear
As usual The North Face has proven themselves in making quality gear. The Blaze Low Hiking Shoe has good comfort, a high traction sole and very little weight. I would highly recomend these shoes to anyone...one slight downfall...the toe box could use a little more room for wider feet.
Ligh and Fast
The TNF Blaze is part of the Flight Series...gear designed to be light and fast for adventurers on the go. The Blaze are multipurpose shoes so you can do some trail running, hiking, or just wear them around town. These shoes are light (running shoe-like), yet they are supportive enough for hiking (very light loads only, i.e. fanny pack loads). In addition, I found these shoes to have adequate cushioning and they are durable. The true test for these shoes is when I took them on a 3 day outing in Yosemite. The Trail Grip soles provided good traction on both the dirt and granite domes though I would prefer Vibram or sticky soles. The uppers allowed my feet to stay cool. I have been wearing TNF boots, shoes, and sandals since they first came out a few years ago...the footwear R&D at TNF has improved considerably and it shows in the Blaze. They proved their mettle and have become a favorite of mine. If you want a more supportive low top with a Gore-Tex liner then check out the TNF Fury (another favorite of mine).
Love 'em
I jumped on these right when I saw them. I have worn massive beefy hiking boots and decided to get into something more comfortable. These fit right out of the box and have been terrific since day one. I haven't been out on the trails yet, but I anticipate they will be great.
Hard to get the right size
It's probably not fair to give the shoes a 3 rating. However, I have a hard time getting the right size for North Face shoes. In addition to the Blaze, I've tried the Gore-Tex® XCRs (going up a full size) and they still didn't feel right. They appear to be well constructed and give good support and comfort. Definitely go up at least 1/2 size for NF shoes.
Blaze Low Hiking Shoe - Men's
Great style and value for the money from The North Face. I love the grey/dark orange color combo. True to size. They’re just a little narrow up in the toe box for my taste. Otherwise, they’re an excellent shoe with plenty of lateral support.
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Training Tips
Cross training gives your body a chance to recover while still exercising. If yesterday has a hard run day up and down hills, then today's bicycle ride gives your aching knees a well deserved break.
Anaeroic threshold is when lactic acid starts to build up in your body as your muscles are not getting the oxygen they require. This threshold is typically expressed as a percentage of your VO2 max - the amount of oxygen per kilogram of weight that a person can use in converting fuel to energy. Elite athletes threshold might be as high as 90% of VO2 max.
Efficient running position allows you to run farther and faster. Keep the heel raise to a minimum, relax your upper body and hands, keep your upper body poised and quiet.
If you want to make progess in your training, join a running group. A commitment to meet on a regular basis with a group of like minded individuals will help you keep your focus.
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