30 August 2012
29 August 2012
Adidas parkour shoes or K-Swiss parkour shoes?
By Asyraf
Posted at 11:03
Shoes
I've found interesting comment on Yahoo! Answers
The question was: "What shoes are better for parkour? K-Swiss Ariake or Adidas Nova??"
The best answer according to raiting is:
For starters, I am sponsored by K-SWISS.
Of course, this gives me pretty good knowledge about at least one of the shoes :) I've had as many pairs of Ariakes as probably anyone - and I love them.
Pros - Grip, Fit, Feel, Durability
Cons - Break-In, Cost, Durability
How can durability be on both lists? Well, the perfect parkour shoe doesn't exist yet, but the Ariake's are a darn good shot at it.
Fit - buy the Ariake 1/2 a size smaller than you would most shoes. The Pro / Con here is that the shoes will be tight and probably not even comfortable for the first 3-4 times you wear them, and some people even get a heel blister. Stay on it. The payoff is that you end up with a shoe that feels like it was grown out of your fit instead of built around it.
Once you have a broken in Ariake there is more "feel" than any other shoe I've tried.
Grip - Ariake. No Question. For dry (and even some wet) surfaces these are awesome, but, like any purpose built shoe it has negatives, in wet grass or mud these are a little worse than ice skates. On Concrete and brick walls they are like wearing velcro.
Cost- Start at $100 and hard to find at a discount, so treat them nicely and use the for training and they willlast you as long as any other shoe that takes this kind of punishment.
By the way, here are those shoes:
The question was: "What shoes are better for parkour? K-Swiss Ariake or Adidas Nova??"
The best answer according to raiting is:
For starters, I am sponsored by K-SWISS.
Of course, this gives me pretty good knowledge about at least one of the shoes :) I've had as many pairs of Ariakes as probably anyone - and I love them.
Pros - Grip, Fit, Feel, Durability
Cons - Break-In, Cost, Durability
How can durability be on both lists? Well, the perfect parkour shoe doesn't exist yet, but the Ariake's are a darn good shot at it.
Fit - buy the Ariake 1/2 a size smaller than you would most shoes. The Pro / Con here is that the shoes will be tight and probably not even comfortable for the first 3-4 times you wear them, and some people even get a heel blister. Stay on it. The payoff is that you end up with a shoe that feels like it was grown out of your fit instead of built around it.
Once you have a broken in Ariake there is more "feel" than any other shoe I've tried.
Grip - Ariake. No Question. For dry (and even some wet) surfaces these are awesome, but, like any purpose built shoe it has negatives, in wet grass or mud these are a little worse than ice skates. On Concrete and brick walls they are like wearing velcro.
Cost- Start at $100 and hard to find at a discount, so treat them nicely and use the for training and they willlast you as long as any other shoe that takes this kind of punishment.
By the way, here are those shoes:
27 August 2012
Types of Parkour Shoes
By Asyraf
Posted at 14:12
Shoes
Good parkour shoes are crucial for safe and enjoyable training.
When looking for the best shoes to train Parkour there are a few things that should be taken into account, certain things to look for, and other things to avoid. Sometimes the best shoes for training can be as little as $20 rather than a gimmicky ‘Parkour specific’ shoe that can be over $200 and not actually be that good for Parkour at all.
What to look for in a parkour shoe?
Weight. Ideally the shoe should be as light as possible, when your running around all day the less weight you carry the longer you can continue to train. Generally, less added weight to the body is beneficial because it will allow more natural and free movement.
Sole. There are a couple of factors that need to be considered when looking at the sole of a shoe:
Thickness Despite what some may believe, a thick sole is not advisable in a Parkour shoe. Thick soles can sometimes assist in promoting poor technique. Thick soles generally provide a lack of sensitivity between your feet and the environment you interact with. This lack of sensitivity allows some people to attempt drops that they are not yet ready for. Having thinner soles allows you to feel the impact of landings. This is beneficial as it forces you to maintain correct technique so as to avoid injury.
Design Shoes with a one piece sole will be the most effective as they do not tear away in chunks as many soles that are glued together in segments tend to do.
Examples of one piece soles
As soles similar to the ones in the image above wear down, some of the individual parts of rubber (shown in red) will rip off while others stay on, exposing the padding which will wear through very quickly and provide less traction. Most people tend to want to avoid this.
Arches Arches are preferable when choosing a shoe, these work as a safety mechanism when performing precision landings. Sometimes when landing on an edge our feet slip forward, by having an arch in the shoe you can drop the heels and the edge of the landing tends to lock into the foot arch.The only exception to this rule would be when wearing a thin soled flexible shoe like the Feiyue or Dunlop volleys, due to the exceptional flexibility and sensitivity of these shoes you can use the natural arch of your foot for safety.
One thing to avoid is shoes that have hard plastic in the arches (shown in the above image in blue) as this can cause slippage when climbing, and if you happen to land on a metal rail with the hard plastic arch part it will cause you to easily slip off.
Compound The rubber that the sole is manufactured from will generally affect how long the shoe lasts and its ability to grip. Softer compounds tend to supply more grip but wear down more quickly. While harder compounds last longer, their grip can be ineffective at times allowing you to slip down on arm jumps.
Cost If money is no barrier then you are a lucky person and you can afford to spend a lot of money on shoes you will wear out quickly. But if that is not the case, then you should carefully consider how much you are spending on a shoe. If you are training quite a lot then you will more than likely wear the shoe out quickly. There is no point to getting an expensive shoe that will last marginally longer than a cheaper one.
Shoe recommendations
The preferred shoes of many members of the APA are:
Dunlop Volleys Cheap, thin soles, good grip, with the only drawback being the soft compound used for the sole which means they wear away very quickly if you train certain techniques.
Feiyues Similar to Dunlop Volley’s, but with an even thinner sole and a little more expensive. If you’re after a really light, unobtrusive shoe which allows great touch and sensitivity, this is a great choice. But be warned, they are very minimal and provide very little support or padding in the sole and can be hard to adjust to. They are often worn as martial art shoes with the Shaolin Monks being known to wear them.
There are a few companies out there who have made “Parkour Shoes” and generally, these are not recommended, and much better and cheaper shoes can be found. It’s recommend that you avoid the gimmicks and go with one of the recommended shoes above. It is becoming increasingly harder and harder to get good quality, cheap Parkour shoes. The types and style also differ greatly between continents and countries. It is highly recommended that you take the information from here and do your own research within your local region for something that fits within the specifications of a good shoe.
Training parkour barefoot
Although this has been all about shoes, taking them off and training barefoot is very beneficial. As discussed, a good shoe gives you good touch and sensitivity, hinders movement as little as possible, and promotes solid and refined technique. Training barefooted gives you the greatest feel for your environment, allows for complete freedom of movement, and forces you to have solid technique particularly in regards to landing. If you land poorly barefoot it will most likely hurt, so it forces you to land with very good technique, minimising impact.
Whilst it is very hard to train all techniques at a high level barefooted, it is great to take off your shoes and train, even if it is only occasionally. Once you have a reasonable grasp of the techniques involved in Parkour it is a good idea to start doing some barefoot training. Just start by taking your shoes off whilst you normally train and seeing how it feels. Make sure you approach your training with the appropriate caution until you adjust.
As your skill and experience training barefoot increases, you can train extensively without your shoes, eventually being able to train primarily barefoot.
26 August 2012
Review of Parkour shoes
By Asyraf
Posted at 10:51
Shoes
Trully good article from ParkourHelper
Grip: How well does the shoe stick to surfaces? Shoes intended for parkour should have a considerable amount of grip in order to aid in wall runs, tic-tacs, precisions and the like. To score high in this category, the shoe must have a good grippy sole that will not wear thin too easily.
Fit: How snug is the shoe? Some shoes such as skate shoes have loose fits, allowing for the foot to move around within the shoe a lot; in parkour, you want to shoe to fit nicely to your foot to minimize room for injury and increase control levels. The better the other reviewers’ fit descriptions and opinions are, the higher the score will be.
Comfort: This will vary from traceur to traceur, but you will want a general idea of how a shoe is going to feel. To grade this I looked at all the shoes reviews and looked at how traceurs thought the shoe felt as they wore it. Obviously the higher the comfort is, the higher the score will be.
Weight: In parkour, you want a nice light shoe; one that you could forget was there. Chunky and clunky shoes may hinder your performance and can be physically taxing. While durability shouldn’t be sacrificed for a light pair of shoes, you don’t want to get a heavy pair by any standards. The lighter the shoe, the higher the score.
Flexibility: Many maneuvers in parkour that require your feet will require some amount of flexibility (for instance, a wall run), and you want your shoe to be able to allow that. A shoe that scores highly under this category will be flexible enough to allow for freedom of movement, without sacrificing safety or durability.
Durability: You want your shoe to last. When researching shoes and their reviews from traceurs, I look at how long they have been worn and how they are holding up. While you should never spend much on a pair of parkour shoes, you don’t want to unnecessarily be buying more pairs of shoes because your others have worn through. A shoe ranking high here will last a little longer.
Cushioning: This is a little trickier to score. A shoe for parkour should provide some cushioning to help the lesser experienced handle drops and falls (shoes with substantially less cushioning demand near perfect technique), but should also allow the traceur to interact with their environment. A good score here will be a happy medium between the two extremes.
Other: This takes into consideration other miscellaneous details such as pricing (prices will not be listed as they vary too greatly), shape and make of the sole (flatter soles are better for precisions and control; one piece soles are more durable), traceurs’ personal remarks and brand reliability.
As a final note, when viewing score cards for each shoe there will be two numbers for each category. The first number represents the impression and opinion that I have developed through examination of the shoe and various reviews; the number in brackets represents the average score as represented by the general reviewing community.
Reviews.
Asics Gel-Evolution II
Grip: 8(9)
Fit: 8(8.5)
Comfort: 9(9.5)
Weight: 9(8.5)
Flexibility: 7.5(7.5)
Durability: 6.5(8)
Cushioning: 7.5(8)
Other: 7(8.5)
Score: 78(84)%
While the shoe is light and is considerably comfortable, with a good grip and a nice fit, it seems to fall behind in some of the other categories. The mesh takes away from durability as it can easily tear during any extensive training. The multiple pieces that make up the sole seem to be begging to be torn off and it hasn’t been reviewed as too flexible. Asics also tend to be a little pricey.
UnderArmour Proto-Evade
Grip: 7.5(8)
Fit: 8(8)
Comfort: 8(9)
Weight: 9(8)
Flexibility: 8(8.5)
Durability: 7.5(7.5)
Cushioning: 9(7.5)
Other: 8(9)
Score: 80(82)%
Being rather new to the market still, these shoes are a little pricey, however they seem rather functional. The grip could be a little better, but the overall response from the few traceurs who have tried this shoe has been great. One of the reviewers has suggested that you use another pair of running shoes for running so that this one doesn't wear out too quickly, and with the current price being what it is that may be an idea to consider.
K-Swiss Ariake
Grip: 8.5(8)
Fit: 8(7.5)
Comfort: 8(7.5)
Weight: 8.5(8.5)
Flexibility: 9(8)
Durability: 8.5(8)
Cushioning: 7.5(8.5)
Other: 8(7.5)
Score: 83(80)%
The reviews on this shoe have been the most puzzling, with some people absolutely in love with it and some who want to shoot the creator. What I have heard from the sources is that it can be a little pricey, though it can also be cheap if you look in the right places; it has been incredibly durable and able to withstand great abuse, though sometimes there are little problems like eyelets breaking off. Some other questions of concern are aimed at the toe which is a little longer and to some, a little uncomfortable, but general reviews were rather pleasant to the shoe.
La Sportive Slingshot
Grip: 8(8.5)
Fit: 9(9)
Comfort: 9(9)
Weight: 9.5(9.5)
Flexibility: 9.5(9.5)
Durability: 8(7.5)
Cushioning: 7(8.5)
Other: 8(8.5)
Score: 85(87)%
The Slingshot is a force to be reckoned with according to the sparse reviews I have seen from traceurs. With grip almost comparable to the patented 'Stealth Rubber' of 5.10 and a great fit, comfort and flexibility it seems like the shoe would be a great success for any traceur looking for a parkour shoe. There are a few downfalls though: for newer traceurs, it isn't the best choice as it is a little thin on cushioning and good technique is required, though it isn't sparse on its padding; they last for a year and a half on average if you expect maximum functionality, though they can be used for longer; finally, they are no longer being produced. That's right, the slingshots are now only available through resales; however La Sportiva has two other near identical shoes title the Fire Blade and the Race Blade which come highly recommended by the same traceurs who reviewed this shoe.
FiveTen Savant
Grip: 9.5(9.5)
Fit: 9(9)
Comfort: 9.5(9)
Weight: 8.5(9)
Flexibility: 7.5(8.5)
Durability: 9.5(9)
Cushioning: 9(9.5)
Other: 9(9)
Score: 89(91)%
Almost every reviewer of this shoe was ecstatic. Made by FiveTen, this shoe features the patented "Stealth Rubber" - an extremely grippy non-streaking rubber. The shoe is light, though there are lighter; it is moderately flexible though some reviews have lead me to believe that there is something more to be desired here; it seems to endure well and fit nicely. One source suggested a downfall is that it is perhaps overly cushioned and suggests that their Daescent model is lighter and more flexible, with FiveTen's Freerunner fitting somewhere in between.
Puma California
Grip: 8(8)
Fit: 9(9)
Comfort: 8.5(9)
Weight: 8(7)
Flexibility: 7.5(7)
Durability: 8(9)
Cushioning: 7.5(8.5)
Other: 8(8)
Score: 79(82)%
There were only two reviews for this shoe by traceurs and both seemed to like it a lot, thus I reviewed it. It seems to be a cross between a skate shoe and a functional runner. The fit is stated to be rather snug with the shoe itself is apparently quite light. Another bonus is that it is apparently quite cheap, widely available and there are many colour options. The only thing I would question about the shoe is the actual durability, as I can't see it lasting much more than a year.
Grip: 9(9.5)
Fit: 9(7.5)
Comfort: 9(8.5)
Weight: 10(9.5)
Flexibility: 10(9.5)
Durability: 9(8.5)
Cushioning: 8.5(8.5)
Other: 9.5(8)
Score: 92(86)%
I was surprised to see a FiveFingers shoe listed under a couple shoe review threads in parkour communities. The KSO (Keep Stuff Out) version of the FiveFingers is an improvement on the FiveFingers Sprint as it, well, keeps stuff out. Since my first review of these shoes, I have actually managed to purchase a pair, as well as the "Sprint" model. The shoe fits like a sock and while it takes some time to get used to (it took maybe five minutes to get used to having fabric between my toes), they can improve form, work muscles never used, improve balance and foot sensitivity and get you closer to your natural roots. While I was informed that the sizes currently do not come in 'halves' and sometimes this misfitting can cause ankle chaffing, I found that the degree of adjustablilty in the shoes allows you to overcome this with great ease; furthermore the steps on the sizing chart are very compact, which is to say that there is a shoe for your foot size. Finally, this is not for those who are not used to barefoot training or walking. While they can certainly work towards using it, it is not smart (and you will feel it) to jump right into barefoot training if you have lived a sheltered life of shoes. This is not to discourage use, but to have you note that it takes some time to work into them.
Comfort: 8(7.5)
Weight: 9(9)
Flexibility: 8(9)
Durability: 6.5(7)
Cushioning: 8.5(7)
Other: 8(9)
Score: 78(80)%
The shoe has been identified as comfortable once you got used to them: like many barefoot shoes, there is little cushioning which I find productive (adjusting your joints properly and strengthening your calves) but which those with sloppy technique will find painful. A very concerning point is the durability - the tread has been said to "disintegrate" (a direct quote), an extreme response to the sole shredding by dragging feet and cat grabs. This puts the durability in severe question, though it has been said that the grip once the tread has worn off is excellent (if they last). The shoes are light however and the fit seems just fine. I wonder if the shoes which originally seemed meant for martial arts should stay away from our concrete jungles.
One of the most commonly asked questions in the world of le parkour, and one of the hardest ones to answer. There isn’t a definitive shoe that will suit anyone, and there isn’t any single shoe that is best for parkour.
Parkour shoe diamonds can be found in expensive brands or in cheap discount bins; there isn’t any shoe that stands out as best. Obviously if you are here reading this, you don’t want necessarily want to hear that, you want me to do the work and find you some decent parkour shoes. So be it. I have scouted forums and communities looking through the reviews of hundreds and thousands of traceurs, compiling reviews to determine which shoes are most commonly used and reviewed; and the results are in.
Scoring system.To properly access the shoes, there has to be some grading system. After scouring many forums and communities, I have decided to use eight criteria for scoring.
Grip: How well does the shoe stick to surfaces? Shoes intended for parkour should have a considerable amount of grip in order to aid in wall runs, tic-tacs, precisions and the like. To score high in this category, the shoe must have a good grippy sole that will not wear thin too easily.
Fit: How snug is the shoe? Some shoes such as skate shoes have loose fits, allowing for the foot to move around within the shoe a lot; in parkour, you want to shoe to fit nicely to your foot to minimize room for injury and increase control levels. The better the other reviewers’ fit descriptions and opinions are, the higher the score will be.
Comfort: This will vary from traceur to traceur, but you will want a general idea of how a shoe is going to feel. To grade this I looked at all the shoes reviews and looked at how traceurs thought the shoe felt as they wore it. Obviously the higher the comfort is, the higher the score will be.
Weight: In parkour, you want a nice light shoe; one that you could forget was there. Chunky and clunky shoes may hinder your performance and can be physically taxing. While durability shouldn’t be sacrificed for a light pair of shoes, you don’t want to get a heavy pair by any standards. The lighter the shoe, the higher the score.
Flexibility: Many maneuvers in parkour that require your feet will require some amount of flexibility (for instance, a wall run), and you want your shoe to be able to allow that. A shoe that scores highly under this category will be flexible enough to allow for freedom of movement, without sacrificing safety or durability.
Durability: You want your shoe to last. When researching shoes and their reviews from traceurs, I look at how long they have been worn and how they are holding up. While you should never spend much on a pair of parkour shoes, you don’t want to unnecessarily be buying more pairs of shoes because your others have worn through. A shoe ranking high here will last a little longer.
Cushioning: This is a little trickier to score. A shoe for parkour should provide some cushioning to help the lesser experienced handle drops and falls (shoes with substantially less cushioning demand near perfect technique), but should also allow the traceur to interact with their environment. A good score here will be a happy medium between the two extremes.
Other: This takes into consideration other miscellaneous details such as pricing (prices will not be listed as they vary too greatly), shape and make of the sole (flatter soles are better for precisions and control; one piece soles are more durable), traceurs’ personal remarks and brand reliability.
As a final note, when viewing score cards for each shoe there will be two numbers for each category. The first number represents the impression and opinion that I have developed through examination of the shoe and various reviews; the number in brackets represents the average score as represented by the general reviewing community.
Reviews.
Asics Gel-Evolution II
Grip: 8(9) Fit: 8(8.5)
Comfort: 9(9.5)
Weight: 9(8.5)
Flexibility: 7.5(7.5)
Durability: 6.5(8)
Cushioning: 7.5(8)
Other: 7(8.5)
Score: 78(84)%
While the shoe is light and is considerably comfortable, with a good grip and a nice fit, it seems to fall behind in some of the other categories. The mesh takes away from durability as it can easily tear during any extensive training. The multiple pieces that make up the sole seem to be begging to be torn off and it hasn’t been reviewed as too flexible. Asics also tend to be a little pricey.
UnderArmour Proto-Evade
Grip: 7.5(8) Fit: 8(8)
Comfort: 8(9)
Weight: 9(8)
Flexibility: 8(8.5)
Durability: 7.5(7.5)
Cushioning: 9(7.5)
Other: 8(9)
Score: 80(82)%
Being rather new to the market still, these shoes are a little pricey, however they seem rather functional. The grip could be a little better, but the overall response from the few traceurs who have tried this shoe has been great. One of the reviewers has suggested that you use another pair of running shoes for running so that this one doesn't wear out too quickly, and with the current price being what it is that may be an idea to consider.
K-Swiss Ariake
Grip: 8.5(8) Fit: 8(7.5)
Comfort: 8(7.5)
Weight: 8.5(8.5)
Flexibility: 9(8)
Durability: 8.5(8)
Cushioning: 7.5(8.5)
Other: 8(7.5)
Score: 83(80)%
The reviews on this shoe have been the most puzzling, with some people absolutely in love with it and some who want to shoot the creator. What I have heard from the sources is that it can be a little pricey, though it can also be cheap if you look in the right places; it has been incredibly durable and able to withstand great abuse, though sometimes there are little problems like eyelets breaking off. Some other questions of concern are aimed at the toe which is a little longer and to some, a little uncomfortable, but general reviews were rather pleasant to the shoe.
La Sportive Slingshot
Grip: 8(8.5) Fit: 9(9)
Comfort: 9(9)
Weight: 9.5(9.5)
Flexibility: 9.5(9.5)
Durability: 8(7.5)
Cushioning: 7(8.5)
Other: 8(8.5)
Score: 85(87)%
The Slingshot is a force to be reckoned with according to the sparse reviews I have seen from traceurs. With grip almost comparable to the patented 'Stealth Rubber' of 5.10 and a great fit, comfort and flexibility it seems like the shoe would be a great success for any traceur looking for a parkour shoe. There are a few downfalls though: for newer traceurs, it isn't the best choice as it is a little thin on cushioning and good technique is required, though it isn't sparse on its padding; they last for a year and a half on average if you expect maximum functionality, though they can be used for longer; finally, they are no longer being produced. That's right, the slingshots are now only available through resales; however La Sportiva has two other near identical shoes title the Fire Blade and the Race Blade which come highly recommended by the same traceurs who reviewed this shoe.
FiveTen Savant
Grip: 9.5(9.5)Fit: 9(9)
Comfort: 9.5(9)
Weight: 8.5(9)
Flexibility: 7.5(8.5)
Durability: 9.5(9)
Cushioning: 9(9.5)
Other: 9(9)
Score: 89(91)%
Almost every reviewer of this shoe was ecstatic. Made by FiveTen, this shoe features the patented "Stealth Rubber" - an extremely grippy non-streaking rubber. The shoe is light, though there are lighter; it is moderately flexible though some reviews have lead me to believe that there is something more to be desired here; it seems to endure well and fit nicely. One source suggested a downfall is that it is perhaps overly cushioned and suggests that their Daescent model is lighter and more flexible, with FiveTen's Freerunner fitting somewhere in between.
Puma California
Grip: 8(8)Fit: 9(9)
Comfort: 8.5(9)
Weight: 8(7)
Flexibility: 7.5(7)
Durability: 8(9)
Cushioning: 7.5(8.5)
Other: 8(8)
Score: 79(82)%
There were only two reviews for this shoe by traceurs and both seemed to like it a lot, thus I reviewed it. It seems to be a cross between a skate shoe and a functional runner. The fit is stated to be rather snug with the shoe itself is apparently quite light. Another bonus is that it is apparently quite cheap, widely available and there are many colour options. The only thing I would question about the shoe is the actual durability, as I can't see it lasting much more than a year.
Vibram FiveFingers K.S.O.
Fit: 9(7.5)
Comfort: 9(8.5)
Weight: 10(9.5)
Flexibility: 10(9.5)
Durability: 9(8.5)
Cushioning: 8.5(8.5)
Other: 9.5(8)
Score: 92(86)%
I was surprised to see a FiveFingers shoe listed under a couple shoe review threads in parkour communities. The KSO (Keep Stuff Out) version of the FiveFingers is an improvement on the FiveFingers Sprint as it, well, keeps stuff out. Since my first review of these shoes, I have actually managed to purchase a pair, as well as the "Sprint" model. The shoe fits like a sock and while it takes some time to get used to (it took maybe five minutes to get used to having fabric between my toes), they can improve form, work muscles never used, improve balance and foot sensitivity and get you closer to your natural roots. While I was informed that the sizes currently do not come in 'halves' and sometimes this misfitting can cause ankle chaffing, I found that the degree of adjustablilty in the shoes allows you to overcome this with great ease; furthermore the steps on the sizing chart are very compact, which is to say that there is a shoe for your foot size. Finally, this is not for those who are not used to barefoot training or walking. While they can certainly work towards using it, it is not smart (and you will feel it) to jump right into barefoot training if you have lived a sheltered life of shoes. This is not to discourage use, but to have you note that it takes some time to work into them.
Feiyue Los
NOTE:
There are various Feiyue shoe types; being asked to review the Feiyues
was rather general, so I have chosen to review the Feiyue Lo shoes
because they were the most prominent in parkour communities..
Grip: 6.5(7)
Fit: 8(8)
NOTE:
There are various Feiyue shoe types; being asked to review the Feiyues
was rather general, so I have chosen to review the Feiyue Lo shoes
because they were the most prominent in parkour communities..Grip: 6.5(7)
Comfort: 8(7.5)
Weight: 9(9)
Flexibility: 8(9)
Durability: 6.5(7)
Cushioning: 8.5(7)
Other: 8(9)
Score: 78(80)%
The shoe has been identified as comfortable once you got used to them: like many barefoot shoes, there is little cushioning which I find productive (adjusting your joints properly and strengthening your calves) but which those with sloppy technique will find painful. A very concerning point is the durability - the tread has been said to "disintegrate" (a direct quote), an extreme response to the sole shredding by dragging feet and cat grabs. This puts the durability in severe question, though it has been said that the grip once the tread has worn off is excellent (if they last). The shoes are light however and the fit seems just fine. I wonder if the shoes which originally seemed meant for martial arts should stay away from our concrete jungles.
25 August 2012
Which One Is The Best Parkour Backpack?
By Asyraf
Posted at 10:48
Parkour Outfit
Different
meets will run in different ways, but the most common way to run a meet
is to move from one location to another, while stopping at each location
and practicing some moves before moving on to the next. The goal of a
backpack thus is to keep your items and personal effects together and
provide a way for you to transport them easily place to place. In this
case you can easily get along with grabbing your favourite backpack (or
alternatively any form of bag that will do the job) and loading it up
with whatever you wish to bring with you. If you share the same
situation as this keep in mind that any bag can suffice, or
alternatively you can go with the ever popular “fanny-pack” for smaller
loads.
If you are wearing a backpack for increased weight and resistance while training, please note that this is dangerous and detrimental to your health and safety. While I don't like telling people to buy things, if you really want that much to add resistance and weight, do yourself a favour and buy a proper weight vest.
If you intend to run and actually perform parkour moves with your backpack on, it’s a different story. You don’t want to be wearing a regular backpack while doing a roll or an under-bar. In this situation a really small bag is the better option, something minimal so as to restrict how much it limits your movement. Any emptied camel pack style hydration bag is a really good option in this situation as it holds everything close to your body, comes in many sizes, doesn’t restrict movement or range of motion (provided you picked the right fit) and is comprised of a relatively strong material. Alternatively if you have a larger load it is in my opinion essential to find an ergonomic back pack that will help distribute the weight as research shows that exaggerated movements with a larger load can greatly increase the risk of back damage.
The other cases would be that you have either decided not to bring a backpack for lack of need et cetera, or you are looking to invest in a parkour specific back pack. If you fall into the second class, chances are you’ve already looked around and are aware that you are most likely to find a parkour specific backpack on the internet. I have also looked around a little bit, and would like to offer these brief reviews on some of the more popular parkour backpacks.
Urban Tool Designs
Urban Tool hosts a variety of different holders and other products that are meant to keep effects on your person and has been considered and used by a great deal of traceurs, but only two designs caught my eye as being functional in a parkour environment
The sportHolster
Urban Freeflow is regarded as the leading parkour and freerunning community online. With their mass popularity, they have decided to market by selling shirts and DVDs, and now a back pack.
TraceHQ is a smaller parkour related online community. Their website is still under construction, but their community extends offline and appears to be doing quite well. In their store alongside a small assortment of clothing is their Traceur Bag.
Traceur Bag
If you are wearing a backpack for increased weight and resistance while training, please note that this is dangerous and detrimental to your health and safety. While I don't like telling people to buy things, if you really want that much to add resistance and weight, do yourself a favour and buy a proper weight vest.
If you intend to run and actually perform parkour moves with your backpack on, it’s a different story. You don’t want to be wearing a regular backpack while doing a roll or an under-bar. In this situation a really small bag is the better option, something minimal so as to restrict how much it limits your movement. Any emptied camel pack style hydration bag is a really good option in this situation as it holds everything close to your body, comes in many sizes, doesn’t restrict movement or range of motion (provided you picked the right fit) and is comprised of a relatively strong material. Alternatively if you have a larger load it is in my opinion essential to find an ergonomic back pack that will help distribute the weight as research shows that exaggerated movements with a larger load can greatly increase the risk of back damage.
The other cases would be that you have either decided not to bring a backpack for lack of need et cetera, or you are looking to invest in a parkour specific back pack. If you fall into the second class, chances are you’ve already looked around and are aware that you are most likely to find a parkour specific backpack on the internet. I have also looked around a little bit, and would like to offer these brief reviews on some of the more popular parkour backpacks.
Urban Tool Designs
Urban Tool hosts a variety of different holders and other products that are meant to keep effects on your person and has been considered and used by a great deal of traceurs, but only two designs caught my eye as being functional in a parkour environment
The sportHolster
The
sportHolster sells for $59.99 and comes in three sizes. Its shape
resembles that of a gun holster from older movies, but has a more
functional twist. It is an ergonomic solution for those who only have a
little bit with them but wish to keep it safe and on their person. It
has two main pockets: one on the back which is enclosed by a mesh like
lattice, and one on the left arm strap which is better suited for cell
phones, mp3 players, small cameras and the like. Provided you order the
right fit, the holster hugs your body and does not appear like it would
slip off accidentally in any circumstance. The materials used ensure
flexibility and a wide range of motion, while remaining light and
keeping close to your person. The main problem with the sportHolster is
the functionality in comparison to the price. If your intent is to move
around with this as a means of protecting your goods, you won’t go too
far if you have a lot to protect. While the back pocket is larger and
can accommodate a fair bit, it is not very protective in an instance
where you have to roll out of a jump. That being said, there are parts
of the back pocket that reach towards the front more that could
accommodate smaller items, though how securely they would stay there is
not something I have heard. The left strap pocket is enclosed and is the
most functional part of the overall design, and the right strap
features a key fob. While many people have looked to purchase this for
its tight yet relaxed fit and ergonomic design, the sixty dollar price
tag is a little too high when you consider that only one pocket may be
functional in an actual parkour run.
Style: The mesh back gives it a very fresh and sporty look to the already sleek, minimalistic and overall cool factor. It is currently available in three sizes and comes in either yellow or black. 5/5
Fit: The design allows for a very snug fit and the material is very comfortable. The pockets are arranged in a way that doesn't interfere with vaults, leaps or running, though the contents of the back pocket are vulnerable when doing rolls. 4/5
Weight: The minimal design coupled with the incorporation of mesh and other light weight materials allows for full marks. 5/5
Durability: It appears that the material is quite strong, though the mesh back may give way to frequent rolling within a year of regular use (hypothesis, not actually tested). 4/5
Value: The fact that the back pocket is rendered useless when practicing rolls takes away from the value as only one pocket remains. What would normally seem a little high priced becomes a little pricer when function is taken into consideration. While your personal effects may be valuable, you can not hold many items reasonably and this option becomes greatly overpriced for its functionality. 1.5/5
Overall: If your intent is to keep one object safe while looking fashionable, this is for you. However if you are looking at practicality, you may consider that the sportHolster is for sports as opposed to parkour. 3.5/5
Style: The mesh back gives it a very fresh and sporty look to the already sleek, minimalistic and overall cool factor. It is currently available in three sizes and comes in either yellow or black. 5/5
Fit: The design allows for a very snug fit and the material is very comfortable. The pockets are arranged in a way that doesn't interfere with vaults, leaps or running, though the contents of the back pocket are vulnerable when doing rolls. 4/5
Weight: The minimal design coupled with the incorporation of mesh and other light weight materials allows for full marks. 5/5
Durability: It appears that the material is quite strong, though the mesh back may give way to frequent rolling within a year of regular use (hypothesis, not actually tested). 4/5
Value: The fact that the back pocket is rendered useless when practicing rolls takes away from the value as only one pocket remains. What would normally seem a little high priced becomes a little pricer when function is taken into consideration. While your personal effects may be valuable, you can not hold many items reasonably and this option becomes greatly overpriced for its functionality. 1.5/5
Overall: If your intent is to keep one object safe while looking fashionable, this is for you. However if you are looking at practicality, you may consider that the sportHolster is for sports as opposed to parkour. 3.5/5
The hipHolster
The
hipHolster sells for $49.99 and is a close fitting bag that hugs around
your thigh with support from a hip strap and the optional leg strap; it
should be noted though that the leg strap is nonnegotiable when
practicing parkour as the bag would else wise hang loose from the hip
strap and could not only hinder your performance as an annoyance, but
while hanging the bag is more susceptible to getting banged off of an
obstacle while on a run. The hipHolster has four covered pockets, a key
fob and a Velcro strap that will support cables such as a pair of
earbuds. The one thing that is noticed in comparison to the sportHolster
is the bang for the buck. While the cheaper alternative, the hipHolster
holds itself against your leg in a way that no pockets are rendered
useless or questionable and will not interfere with a parkour roll as it
can be adjusted to sit more to the front of your leg. The holster is a
one size fits all design as the strap lengths can be adjusted, and with
this comes flexibility and comfort while it stays close and firm to your
person.
Style: The hipHolster is very fashionable, and while it may not hold the sportier look associated with parkour, it looks like something I could wear on a daily basis (provided my wardrobe matched). The hipHolster is a one size fits all deal and is available in five colours (black, fango, camouflage, aubergine, and earth). 5/5
Fit: The hipHolster appears to hug your leg when coupled with the optional leg strap. The straps do not in any way look constrictive, but comfortable, and the one size fits all option means that it will be a perfect fit every time. 5/5
Weight: While the overall weight is dependent on how many pockets you fill, the material is one of those used throughout the Urban Tool products and is very light and nearly unnoticeable. 4/5
Durability: Provided correct technique is used, the hipHolster will rarely if every come in contact with any objects aside from one's leg, and it strong enough to hold up to the elements. While I was unable to locate any comments on longevity I expect that with proper care this option could last a fair few years. 5/5
Value: The cheap man that I am normally could not fathom spending fifty dollars on a backpack; however if the price is compared to the price of every day backpacks, it does not seem too much at all. Though I wouldn't mind a few dollars being shaved off, I could see myself purchasing the hipHolster without a glance back. 4/5
Overall: This option seems highly functional, comfortable and many other adjectives. I would eagerly purchase it if the chance arose, though I may try and bargain for a slight discount. 4.5/5
Urban FreeFlow
Style: The hipHolster is very fashionable, and while it may not hold the sportier look associated with parkour, it looks like something I could wear on a daily basis (provided my wardrobe matched). The hipHolster is a one size fits all deal and is available in five colours (black, fango, camouflage, aubergine, and earth). 5/5
Fit: The hipHolster appears to hug your leg when coupled with the optional leg strap. The straps do not in any way look constrictive, but comfortable, and the one size fits all option means that it will be a perfect fit every time. 5/5
Weight: While the overall weight is dependent on how many pockets you fill, the material is one of those used throughout the Urban Tool products and is very light and nearly unnoticeable. 4/5
Durability: Provided correct technique is used, the hipHolster will rarely if every come in contact with any objects aside from one's leg, and it strong enough to hold up to the elements. While I was unable to locate any comments on longevity I expect that with proper care this option could last a fair few years. 5/5
Value: The cheap man that I am normally could not fathom spending fifty dollars on a backpack; however if the price is compared to the price of every day backpacks, it does not seem too much at all. Though I wouldn't mind a few dollars being shaved off, I could see myself purchasing the hipHolster without a glance back. 4/5
Overall: This option seems highly functional, comfortable and many other adjectives. I would eagerly purchase it if the chance arose, though I may try and bargain for a slight discount. 4.5/5
Urban FreeFlow
Urban Freeflow is regarded as the leading parkour and freerunning community online. With their mass popularity, they have decided to market by selling shirts and DVDs, and now a back pack.
Embroidered
with their famous glyph logo, Urban Freeflow’s backpack sells for 21£
(that’s roughly $40.95 Canadian or American). This is my second time
reviewing this backpack, as I have seen one myself in use and saw an
increase in functionality. The backpack features two main compartments
with smaller ones enclosed within. It makes the most of its compact size
in order hold any essential items that you may wish to carry while
performing runs or moves. The bag has chest straps to keep the backpack
tight to your person, and it doesn’t take away from freedom or range of
movement. If you like to parkour topless or shirts with very thin
material , I expect the straps may cause some chaffing in the under arm
and side areas, as the look a little to rugged and don’t look designed
differently from your run of the mill backpack. I have been judging bags
by their function during a parkour roll, and while my first impression
was that this bag keeps all your belongings in the middle of your back
thus hindering your roll ability and possibly causing injury to you and
your effects, it is so compact that as long as the contained items are
durable, they can survive the impact.
Style: The backpack is available in only black and features the well known glyph of Urban Freeflow. While the compact pack may look silly to some, looking like a child's backpack painted black with a pretty stencil, however I believe that the backpack looks alright. The backpack does not seem to have any real advantage or disadvantages in a beauty contest and remains a solid three. 3/5
Fit: This backpack is very compact and the straps will adjust to fit almost any traceur, however the straps may not be as comfortable as some alternatives. 4/5
Weight: While the overall weight is dependent on how many pockets you fill, the material is one of those used throughout the Urban Tool products and is very light and nearly unnoticeable. 4/5
Durability: The material of the backpack seems durable enough, however a great deal of it comes in contact with the ground during rolls and has the potential to wear out within the first one or two years. 3/5
Value: Forty dollars is a fair bit to pay for this backpack in my opinion. While regular backpacks can still go for quite a bit, I would suggest that Urban Freeflow shave five or ten dollars off of the selling price. 3/5
Overall: The overall impression is that this backpack appears to be a only smaller version of a regular backpack, however it's compact nature gives it an advantage over some of the similar alternatives. 3/5
Style: The backpack is available in only black and features the well known glyph of Urban Freeflow. While the compact pack may look silly to some, looking like a child's backpack painted black with a pretty stencil, however I believe that the backpack looks alright. The backpack does not seem to have any real advantage or disadvantages in a beauty contest and remains a solid three. 3/5
Fit: This backpack is very compact and the straps will adjust to fit almost any traceur, however the straps may not be as comfortable as some alternatives. 4/5
Weight: While the overall weight is dependent on how many pockets you fill, the material is one of those used throughout the Urban Tool products and is very light and nearly unnoticeable. 4/5
Durability: The material of the backpack seems durable enough, however a great deal of it comes in contact with the ground during rolls and has the potential to wear out within the first one or two years. 3/5
Value: Forty dollars is a fair bit to pay for this backpack in my opinion. While regular backpacks can still go for quite a bit, I would suggest that Urban Freeflow shave five or ten dollars off of the selling price. 3/5
Overall: The overall impression is that this backpack appears to be a only smaller version of a regular backpack, however it's compact nature gives it an advantage over some of the similar alternatives. 3/5
TraceHQ
TraceHQ is a smaller parkour related online community. Their website is still under construction, but their community extends offline and appears to be doing quite well. In their store alongside a small assortment of clothing is their Traceur Bag.
Traceur Bag
For
an estimated $67.95 with shipping to the United States or Canada, this
bag has very few features that make it in any way exceptional. I
reviewed this bag only because I have seen it posted as a solution in
forums where people inquired about parkour bags. The backpack features
two large zippered pockets on the interior and seems capable of holding a
great deal of belongings. The bag also features inner pockets, side
mesh pockets (the kind you see on regular back packs that hold water
bottles et cetera), an optional hydration pack and shoulder strap access
to the pack, as well as a shoulder strap access to your headphones.
While the straps are a step up from the Urban Freeflow alternative in
comfort and the material is able to take a beating the bag is larger,
heavier and bulkier. Ideally if the choice is to have a parkour backpack
as opposed to way to carry your stuff around, you will want a smaller
bag so as to not weigh you down, impair your ability to move, or cause
unnecessary strain on your back.
Style: The
backpack appears no different than any backpack that could be found in a
regular store, and only comes in the one colour. 2/5
Fit: The
straps adjust to fit nearly any traceur, and feature much more padding
than the Urban Freeflow option; other than that there are no real
indicators as to whether or not this bag would fit and be comfortable
and thus it receives a neutral three. 3/5
Weight: While the fabric looks lightweight, the actual backpack is pretty large and when filled could reach a considerable weight. 2/5
Durability: The
material of the backpack seems rather durable, and if the backpack is
not used in any rolls, it could last a fair number of years. 3/5
Value: This bag is largely overpriced considering how few advantages it has over any common back pack. 1/5
Overall: Considering
how obtrusive this bag seems, my overall impression is that I would
suggest it only as a means to carry your stuff from A to B without the
addition of parkour movements and techniques. You may be just as well or
better off with a regular back pack or hydration bag. 1.5/5
Conclusion.
Out of the four options reviewed thus far, I would definitely choose the
hipHolster as the majority of the other alternatives leave the bulk of
your belongings in the middle of your back hindering your ever important
rolls; and it is the best price to functionality option.
I
will add more reviews to this as I find more intriguing or forum
spammed options, to keep you better educated on your options. Until then
leave me a comment and tell me how I'm doing, and feel free to ask any
questions or propose ideas for future articles.
24 August 2012
When And How To Use Parkour Outfit
By Asyraf
Posted at 10:50
Parkour Outfit
And another nice article from ParkourHelper on the subject of parkour protective gears.
I've been spending a bit of time catching up on all that I have missed during my week long absence, and while scouring the Chatroll parkour archives I stumbled across a conversation between a newer traceur and my friend Francis. The newer traceur Jyuun ask whether or not wearing gloves was a good idea. I have also recalled seeing conversations elsewhere in the past where someone will ask what types of protective gear should be worn. There are protective pads and helmets and gloves available all over the market for sports, but which are suited for parkour?
Prior to getting into the different forms of protection, something should be clarified. When training, everyone is prone to injury, it happens; but it's not about how many times you fall, but how many times you stand up, and it's standing up that takes some effort. If you feel that you need certain protection and I say don't use it, by all means use it; do what feels best for you. Not everyone is the same and not everything that I say or suggest will work for everyone, that's just how it goes. The following are simply statements and opinions of my own, and it is up to you to use your judgment and decide what you will do, for there are no definitive right or wrong answers. If you wish to wedge yourself amongst a small bundle of pillows, that is your choice. I always mean to emphasize safety, but trying too hard to be safe can occasionally be detrimental to your cause.
Parkour gear for Head.
I have seen people suggesting that traceurs wear helmets while training, and that is just silly. While there are always opportunities to injure your head in parkour by means of a fall or bad maneuver, a helmet would likely be more of a hindrance than anything. When you make to attempt such maneuvers as shoulder rolls and moves through smaller areas such as under-bars, a helmet could sacrifice the integrity of the move and possibly even cause injury. Furthermore, if you feel you need a helmet this early into your training, chances are you are going too fast and are trying things that you aren't yet ready for. Remember mommy was right, it's better to be safe than sorry; take your training slow, you have your whole life ahead of you.
Parkour gear for Joints.
One of the most common responses that I have seen in regards to questions about protective gear for parkour training has been knee pads. Actually, it is very rare that your knees will come in contact with anything if you have been training properly. Knee contact could occur in a slip on a wall run, or if someone fails to execute a proper landing, but even those are minor and are usually the fault of the traceur. You will find that the majority of precautionary equipment for knees and other joints in any sport just involves support and compression braces for people with bad joints. It is as such that you can wear braces on your knees for helping them in landings, rolls and jumps; but you should not need to cover them in order to avoid scratching, as it is quite unlikely that you will injure them if your technique is good.
Some people in response to the question of protective gear have replied by looking at the gear some people in "extreme sports" wear, having not practiced or tried parkour properly before. It is that reason that they suggest such inane things as elbow pads for parkour. How many times while training parkour have you injured your elbow? Maybe you got a little scratch when you fell backwards and landed on your arms, but other than that there aren't many circumstances where elbow pads are beneficial. By no means do elbow pads interfere with regular maneuvers and they can certainly be worn if you so desire, but if you don't own any it is definitely not worth the money to go buy a pair.
I've seen other traceurs wrap handkerchiefs around their wrists to prevent scraping on wall runs and turn-vaults on thick objects among other things; I wouldn't do any more than that as anything thicker could compromise movement and would just be irritating. The wrist however are quite likely to scrape if you are doing any wall runs or vaults and if you wish to prevent scrapes and scarring, it is ideal to wrap them with a handkerchief or a sweat band type wrist wrap.
Parkour gear for Hands.
I would avoid covering up your hands for a few reasons. First of all, though you may scrape them a little bit you need to condition them somehow to thicken and toughen them. If you wear gloves, you will always need to wear them because you will never give your hands the chance to adapt to the change in activities. If you are wearing gloves to protect yourself in an area with broken glass or the likes, you may want to consider cleaning that area up if not training in a new one; for while in a real life situation it may be unavoidable, there is no reason to injure yourself while training. Another reason you want to avoid covering your hands is that gloves are often slippery and they can't provide the grip a good pair of hands can. Sure some gloves have some grip, but no glove is as versatile in gripping different materials and terrain as a hand (unless they are mighty expensive and include suction cups). Also, parkour emphasizes interaction with your environment, you are constantly working with it and exploring it in many ways. Your hands are where the majority of your touch senses are, and it would almost be a crime to cover them up with gloves, as you lose all that interaction with your environment and that sense of feeling what you are working with.
Conclusion. Parkour gear
While it is up to the individual to decide for their self what they will or will not wear I believe that provided good technique and practices, no traceur (unless for some medicinal reason) absolutely requires any protective gear. If you are a beginner and train by yourself, you are safety conscious or just want to be careful then by all means wear them; the choice is all yours.
I've been spending a bit of time catching up on all that I have missed during my week long absence, and while scouring the Chatroll parkour archives I stumbled across a conversation between a newer traceur and my friend Francis. The newer traceur Jyuun ask whether or not wearing gloves was a good idea. I have also recalled seeing conversations elsewhere in the past where someone will ask what types of protective gear should be worn. There are protective pads and helmets and gloves available all over the market for sports, but which are suited for parkour?
Prior to getting into the different forms of protection, something should be clarified. When training, everyone is prone to injury, it happens; but it's not about how many times you fall, but how many times you stand up, and it's standing up that takes some effort. If you feel that you need certain protection and I say don't use it, by all means use it; do what feels best for you. Not everyone is the same and not everything that I say or suggest will work for everyone, that's just how it goes. The following are simply statements and opinions of my own, and it is up to you to use your judgment and decide what you will do, for there are no definitive right or wrong answers. If you wish to wedge yourself amongst a small bundle of pillows, that is your choice. I always mean to emphasize safety, but trying too hard to be safe can occasionally be detrimental to your cause.
Parkour gear for Head.
I have seen people suggesting that traceurs wear helmets while training, and that is just silly. While there are always opportunities to injure your head in parkour by means of a fall or bad maneuver, a helmet would likely be more of a hindrance than anything. When you make to attempt such maneuvers as shoulder rolls and moves through smaller areas such as under-bars, a helmet could sacrifice the integrity of the move and possibly even cause injury. Furthermore, if you feel you need a helmet this early into your training, chances are you are going too fast and are trying things that you aren't yet ready for. Remember mommy was right, it's better to be safe than sorry; take your training slow, you have your whole life ahead of you.
Parkour gear for Joints.
One of the most common responses that I have seen in regards to questions about protective gear for parkour training has been knee pads. Actually, it is very rare that your knees will come in contact with anything if you have been training properly. Knee contact could occur in a slip on a wall run, or if someone fails to execute a proper landing, but even those are minor and are usually the fault of the traceur. You will find that the majority of precautionary equipment for knees and other joints in any sport just involves support and compression braces for people with bad joints. It is as such that you can wear braces on your knees for helping them in landings, rolls and jumps; but you should not need to cover them in order to avoid scratching, as it is quite unlikely that you will injure them if your technique is good.
Some people in response to the question of protective gear have replied by looking at the gear some people in "extreme sports" wear, having not practiced or tried parkour properly before. It is that reason that they suggest such inane things as elbow pads for parkour. How many times while training parkour have you injured your elbow? Maybe you got a little scratch when you fell backwards and landed on your arms, but other than that there aren't many circumstances where elbow pads are beneficial. By no means do elbow pads interfere with regular maneuvers and they can certainly be worn if you so desire, but if you don't own any it is definitely not worth the money to go buy a pair.
I've seen other traceurs wrap handkerchiefs around their wrists to prevent scraping on wall runs and turn-vaults on thick objects among other things; I wouldn't do any more than that as anything thicker could compromise movement and would just be irritating. The wrist however are quite likely to scrape if you are doing any wall runs or vaults and if you wish to prevent scrapes and scarring, it is ideal to wrap them with a handkerchief or a sweat band type wrist wrap.
Parkour gear for Hands.
I would avoid covering up your hands for a few reasons. First of all, though you may scrape them a little bit you need to condition them somehow to thicken and toughen them. If you wear gloves, you will always need to wear them because you will never give your hands the chance to adapt to the change in activities. If you are wearing gloves to protect yourself in an area with broken glass or the likes, you may want to consider cleaning that area up if not training in a new one; for while in a real life situation it may be unavoidable, there is no reason to injure yourself while training. Another reason you want to avoid covering your hands is that gloves are often slippery and they can't provide the grip a good pair of hands can. Sure some gloves have some grip, but no glove is as versatile in gripping different materials and terrain as a hand (unless they are mighty expensive and include suction cups). Also, parkour emphasizes interaction with your environment, you are constantly working with it and exploring it in many ways. Your hands are where the majority of your touch senses are, and it would almost be a crime to cover them up with gloves, as you lose all that interaction with your environment and that sense of feeling what you are working with.
Conclusion. Parkour gear
While it is up to the individual to decide for their self what they will or will not wear I believe that provided good technique and practices, no traceur (unless for some medicinal reason) absolutely requires any protective gear. If you are a beginner and train by yourself, you are safety conscious or just want to be careful then by all means wear them; the choice is all yours.
