Video review of best parkour shoes (Puma parkour shoes, K-swiss parkour shoes and others)

I've found a good video review of parkour shoes. Share it with you

Adidas parkour shoes or K-Swiss parkour 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:

How to choose parkour clothes and shoes? - video

Video on the basics of parkour clothing and shoes. Hope, it will help you

Parkour Equipment video

Interesting video on the basics of parkour equipment. Enjoy!

Review of Parkour shoes

Trully good article from ParkourHelper

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 IIGrip: 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 AriakeGrip: 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 SlingshotGrip: 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 SavantGrip: 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.

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.

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)
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.

Parkour gears: when and how to use

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.

 By ParkourHelper

Parkour backpack - which one is the best?

I've found a nice article about parkour bagpacks. Thank's to ParkourHelper.



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

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

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

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

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.

By ParkourHelper

Parkour equipment: what can assist you in practicing parkour?

Several tips on parkour equipment for training:

1. Buy PVC cement and lengths of PVC pipe. You can use these to make poles for practicing vertical leaps or as makeshift parallel bars. PVC pipes of 3 to 6 feet--with a stable base--are needed for leaps, while using PVC cement to join vertical pipes of 9 inches to 1 foot in length with a cross pipe of about 2 feet in length becomes an inexpensive piece of equipment to practice railing exercises.

2. Use a length of twine or piece of string and masking tape to practice vertical jumps. You can tape the string between walkways, fence poles or two tall pieces of PVC pipe. That allows you to work on vertical jumps and gauge how high you can leap without injuring yourself.

3. Purchase two flat sticks of wood. A school ruler will do, as will pieces of discarded lumber which you can buy cheaply at any lumber store. They can be used to measure the distances of your jumps--starting on one and leaping towards the other--as well as perfecting your precision jumps in safety. You can buy more expensive equipment for this, but simple flat pieces of wood work just as well.

4. Use measuring tape to gauge the distances you set with your equipment. It's important to know how far or how high your leaps are, since it allows you to know what you can accomplish when practicing parkour outdoors in an uncontrolled environment.

Source: How to Buy Parkour Equipment | eHow.com

Parkour pants: which ones are the best for you?

There are different types of parkour pants. Choise of parkour pants probbably will depend on the weather, season and your location. Below is the overview of main types of parkour pants  and some of the ideas which parkour pants suit better to which situation.

Mainly, sweat pants, warm-ups and track "swish" pants are being used for parkour. Climbing pants are also good, since they allow you to move freely, and are durable, fit well, and don't get in your way. Gramicci, Prana stretch Zion pants (very good), North Face, and Arborwear are recommended. Dickies are also durable and offer free range of motion. Jeans are not recommended, as they are too stiff and do not allow enough freedom of movement.

Some people (including myself) like combat pants for several reasons:
1. Lightweight, they're made of a light, thin (yet surprisingly warm) material.
2. Dry, although they get wet easy, they dry in a matter of seconds. It may sound gross, but the best example i can think of is when I'm taking a leak. If I dribble, by the time I'm done washing my hands, the pants are already dry.
3. Durable, the material is very tough, and at the highest-impact points (knees, butt) the cloth is doubled.
4. Built-in ankle ties, for when you go upside down.
5. Practical, for everyday use that switches into high-energy use, there's really nothing better. They have giant pockets that hold just about anything, and are really comfy. Plus, they're army green, which goes with just about anything the average traceur would wear on a regular day.

Which type of pants to choose depends on your needs and taste. But I have one advice. Do not let pants' brand be more important in your choice than their practical characteristics, safety and comfort.

Please read more about pants on the "parkour clothes - basics" page.