Stories
INSIDE AN ULTRA TRAIL RUN
Over the weekend, hundreds of pairs of Le Bent socks ran hundreds of kilometres through the Aussie bush… Whilst we hope our socks are always out and about, helping our athletes float over trails, last weekend was a special one in that it saw our ever expanding team of trail runners converge on the multiday Ultra-Trail Australia (UTA). The race that began in 2008 and had 160 entrants and barely 130 finishers has evolved into not just Australia’s biggest trail running event, but the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest on the planet. This year the UTA attracted nearly 7,000 runners and over 12,500 spectators to cheer on the former as they battled not just each other but the challenging Blue Mountains world heritage listed landscape. Le Bent athlete and UTA Hall of Famer Brendan Davies on the home straight on Saturday. THE STATS: Ultra-Trail Australia – May 16-19, 2019 – Katoomba, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia Total runners: 6700 (50/50 male/female split) UTA100 – 1500 runners, sold out in 3 days UTA50 – 2100 runners, sold out in 3 hours UTA22 – 2100 runners, sold out in 22 hours UTA11 – 600 runners, new race distance for 2019 Injinji 1km-4-Kids – 400 runners We sat down with two of Le Bent’s finest ultra-trail runners and talked about what goes into competing in such a grueling event. We’ve divided up what we wanted to know (and what we think you’ll want to know) into some short clips below… Left to right: Le Bent sales manager Steve Walshe, runner Ben Duffus, runner Brendan Davies and Le Bent director Simon Blondel, pre-race. QUESTION 1 – TRAIL RUN SOCK SELECTION “I’m always in the lightweight socks to keep my feet warm.” – Brendan Davies QUESTION 2 – TRAIL RUN LAYERING “When running you do heat up really quickly so it’s good to be able to strip off when necessary.” – Ben Duffus QUESTION 3 – LONG TERM PREPARATION “From six months, or even the race last year, I could argue that I’m planning in my mind, how I’m going to time my year leading up to it and how other races are going to fit into that timeline.” – Brendan Davies QUESTION 4 – FOOD “When you’re training a lot, you’re eating a lot. I mean, my friends make fun of me because I don’t eat out of regular bowls; I eat out of family sized salad bowls.” – Ben Duffus QUESTION 5 – MENTAL TRAINING “When there are challenging training days that’s an opportunity to build up that mental grit. If it’s cold and wet outside, well it might be cold and wet on race day. If it’s hot and humid, well again, that’s a great opportunity to practice suffering.” – Ben Duffus QUESTION 6 – RACE LEAD UP “I tend to hide in my cave a little bit more. I stay away from all the excitement and stay off social media, all that kind of thing. Give myself plenty of distractions and try not to think about the race too much.” – Brendan Davies QUESTION 7 – EVE OF RACE/RACE DAY “I keep things routine. Tonight I’ll kick back on the couch, watch the footy, maybe have a beer and then go to bed the same time I usually go to bed.” – Brendan Davies QUESTION 8 – RACE TACTICS “That third quarter is when the going gets tough, you’re far enough in to be tired but you’ve got far enough to go for it to be still intimidating. So I really focus on nailing that third quarter.” – Ben Duffus QUESTION 9 – RECOVERY FOOD (BEER & PIZZA?) “I’m probably the first one lining up for a beer or if someone’s throwing a beer in my hand I’ll gratefully accept it.” – Brendan Davies QUESTION 10 – TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS “Don’t go out too hard...” – Ben Duffus Beers are on us fellas! Congratulations to everyone who competed and to all of our Le Bent team for doing us proud as always. As for what Le Bent socks our guys trusted to compete in? Lucy Bartholomew, of course, ran in her signature Le Lucy sock, Brendan was in the Trail Light 3/4 Crew and Ben was wearing the Outdoor Light Mini. Race results: Ben Duffus – 1st UTA22 Brendan Davies – 9th UTA100 Lucy Bartholomew – 2nd UTA50 Vlad Shatrov – Leading 1st UTA100 but DNF (injury) Wes Gibson – 16th UTA22 Matty Abel – 49th UTA50 Paige Penrose – 1st UTA11 Michael Milton – 1957th UTA22 (Badass 1-legged paralympian) See more results.
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MEET THE NEW GUYS AND GALS OF NORTH AMERICA
We are psyched to team up with a stellar line up of North American freestylers, freeriders, photographers, and mountaineers. As we expand into North America, we are thrilled to add to our already stellar list of ski, snowboard, and trail running athletes with a strong winter, North American athlete and ambassador line up. Located in epicenters like Jackson, Aspen, Tahoe, and more, these ambassadors include the likes of pro-freeskier Cody Townsend, backcountry freestyler Sander Hadley, FWT athlete Andrew Pollard, freerider Lexi Dowdall, snowboarder Summer Fenton, Warren Miller athlete Forrest Jillson, backcountry mountaineer Noah Howell, and renowned photographer Christian Pondella. Day-in and day-out, the eclectic team is putting le bent products to the ultimate test in the respective environments. It's a testament to le bent's quality of product, and we are over-the-moon to have them in our gear. What's more? We've teamed up with Tahoe-based freeski athlete and legend, Cody Townsend, to create a signature ski-touring sock, Le Send, available fall 2019. Townsend is currently on a mission to climb and ski all of North America's "50 Classic Descents." Follow along as he conquers all in his Le Send. Stay tuned to Instagram for more from the team this winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
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WE'RE FEELING THE LOVE, THANK YOU!
Hey, we're in the news! We like to think we've created some of the most kickass next-to-skin products out there, but don't take our word for it. From Freeskier, to Ski Magazine, we are feeling the love from recent reviews. Check out what the world is saying about le bent socks and baselayers. As our friends at Freeskier Mag say, "Le Bent? Le duh." "For those who put foot comfort at the top of their priority list, look no further than Le Sock Snow Light from Le Bent... ski from dawn 'til dusk in these babies, you won't regret it." - Freeskier Resort Guide "Yes we embrace roughing it, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate the softest fabric against our skin. The Le Base 200's blend of bamboo rayon, merino, and lycra 'felt as soft as my favorite old cotton tee,' says one tester. Another liked the buttery feel so much she slept in it at home." - Backpacker Magazine Gear Guide "Backcountry veteran, Cody Townsend, teamed up with Le Bent to create the Le Send BC Touring sock - created specifically for the uphill. To keep the footsies toasty, a double thickness in the toe accomodates the wider tow boxes found in many touring boots and the compression normally found in the forefoot of the sock was removed to avoid vascular constriction. For increased breathability, an innovative weave pattern on the upper forefoot - combined with Le Bent's signature blend of merino wool and rayon from bamboo - naturally wicks moisture away from the feet. Silicone strips on the heel also elimate slipage, which lead to nasty blisters. Backcountry shops, take notice." - Freeskier Trend book "The Le Send Cody Townsend sock is specifically designed to be a ski touring sock. It aims to deliver comfort and efficiency on the uphill, combining material blends and technical features that the Australian brand says result in warmer, dryer, and more secure feet. " - Outdoor Insights "Get the ultimate in versatility, performance, and comfort with the le bent men's Le Base Crew. Going skiing? Hiking? Anywhere outdoors? Don't leave this baselayer at home... Le Bent? Le duh." - Freeskier Buyer's Guide "Australian brand Le Bent brings its base layers to the US market for the first time this season. Our editors' favorite is the lightweight Le Base, made from a rayon/merino blend, which keeps it super soft but adds just the right amount of stretch to keep you moving comfortably. " - SKI Magazine Gear Guide "Working with backcountry skier, Cody Townsend, Le Bent engineered this sock specifically for ski touring, with a focus on uphilling. Construction details include extra thickness in the toe box, strategically placed weaves that enhance breathability, a proprietary merino wool and rayon fabric blend, and silicon strips on the heel to minimize slippage while touring. " - Outdoor Retailer Snow Show Daily
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A FRESH CO-LAB WITH LE BENT
We've combined forces with Australia's leading female ultra-trail athlete to bring you the Lucy Bartholomew Pro Model Sock! It combines our signature blend with a few creative flourishes. We caught up with Lucy to talk about her new sock - check out the interview below: Your le bent pro model sock, tell us more! What was the idea or inspiration behind that?When I was approached about collaborating with Le Bent to make a sock I didn’t really know what I wanted but I knew I wanted it to be colourful and a ‘happy sock’. The mountain used for inspiration on this sock is Mount Feathertop which is my favourite Australian mountain. So, someone buys the sock and hits the trails, what can they expect from the Lucy B pro model?I hope it can join them on some strong memories, share some smiles and keep your feet comfortable and blister-free. Tell us the fun story about the first time you competed in Le Bent socks. You hadn't even tested them yet, but decided run them in competition and ended up winning? Talk us through that decision and how the socks held up etc.I was given a pair of Le Bent socks at the Expo the day before one of my biggest races, the Ultra Trail Australia. When I was laying out my gear for the race day I just decided to try them…..for 100km! I have always been told not to try anything new on race day but I have never been good at listening to advice haha! They worked great, even in the flooded course I was able to keep my feet pretty comfortable and I figured that if I can do that with a new product it must be good. SHOP LE LUCY SOCK NOW About Lucy Bartholomew: Was there a defining moment when you just knew, 'this is it, this is me, this is my passion?”I don't think so. I see it as a series of events that have led me to be in the right place at the right time and being totally stoked with my place on this earth.Talk us through your results and the achievements you're most proud of.I have a lot of different achievements that I am really proud of; some wins, some perseverance, some big adventures, training runs, overcoming obstacles. I am proud of who I am and staying true to me- does that count? What role does nutrition play in your strategy or approach to maintaining peak performance, and life in general? I truly believe in the quote “you are what you eat” and so I try and nourish my body with an abundance of food that will help me be my best version of myself and provide the best fuel for the engine I need in my sport.Who or what first led you to appreciate trail running and the lifestyle or culture?My Dad. I owe him for opening my eyes to the outside world, the community of trail running and finding what I am truly capable of. He’s not only my dad but by hero, my best friend and sometimes my worst enemy ;) What is a daily routine or ritual you couldn't live without?I couldn’t live without tea. Big fan of the hot water hahaWe recently saw a quote of yours which beautifully said - "Giving it everything while keeping it fun along the way." Is that you in a nutshell? And how crucial is having fun while pursuing your dreams and achieving your goals. That’s what I try. I never want to be so serious that I forget to look at this big picture and smile in the moments. I think this leads to a long and happy career and life. What does it take to have a winning mindset and what is the importance of self-belief? Winning starts with believing. Believing starts with you. It’s simple. Is there a spiritual component to your lifestyle or world view? If so, how does this contribute to your own self belief, dedication, persistence and motivation to accomplishing your goals. I believe I have a very holistic approach to life. Through many experiences I have learnt what I can control, what I can’t and how to deal with both success and losses. I am surrounded by a group of people that I learn so much from and I truly believe that you become what you surround yourself with. I am grateful for the people that are in my tribe.There’s a young girl watching this from home, with eyes wide and dreams of winning on the world stage. What advice would you give her? How would you attempt to guide her and further ignite the fires of inspiration, passion, dedication and motivation within her? What would you tell her it takes to succeed?Have fun, stay true to you and that no result defines you; good or bad. These were the 3 pieces of advice I have held on to from my youth. It’s led me to my best life. Where in the world are you most happy and why?Just outside. It doesn’t always have to be running but moving, or appreciating where I am and how incredibly lucky, I am to be alive. BUY THE LE LUCY TRAIL ULTRA LIGHT 3/4 CREW NOW
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LE BENT CROWNED KING OF THE SOCKS
Boutique Aussie Brand Takes Gold at ORWM18 (Denver, CO) While all eyes have remained focused on Australian skiers and snowboarders winning medals in Pyeonchang, an Aussie team of a different sort has brought home gold from another fiercely competitive international showdown. le bent, Australia’s beloved makers of high-performance and ultra-comfortable socks and base layers, has been crowned KING OF THE SOCKS of North America’s Outdoor Retailer Snow Show (ORSS). Outdoor adventure podcast MtnMeister held the competition at the annual industry gathering due to a keen understanding on how under rated yet wicked important the sock category is. “Most people go to the show to geek out on the latest skis, boots, and bindings” says MtnMeister founder, Ben Schenck. “We wanted to focus on a category that reflected the edgy – some might say sexy – nature of podcasts, which is why we chose socks.” Throughout the four-day trade show that showcased 1,500+ of the world’s most renowned brands in outdoor and winter sports, Schenck, Max Littlefield, and Hannah Van Wetter, pitted over 20 brands of socks in head-to-head testing. The outdoor gear gurus would wear a different sock on each foot from two brands as they attended meetings and navigated through the maze of booths. “Conditions were variable – heavy air conditioning in sections of the showroom floor mimicked long days on cold and windy slow-moving chairlifts, while lingering hangovers delivered unpredictable booze sweats.” After 1-2 hours of wear, the tester would remove and replace the lesser performing sock of the two with a new challenger, and the cycle continued that way until there was one sock remaining, which was named the king. That sock was le bent’s le sock. Introduced in 2012, le bent’s secret is their proprietary blend of merino wool and rayon from bamboo, resulting in a sock that boasts all the performance of merino without the itch. Their Definitive Fit System is like the switch backside double cork 1260 that seals the win. “Yew!” says le bent co-founder, Simon Blondel. “Yeah mate, we are honored to bring home the gold for Australia, but more importantly – for the world to feel the difference le bent socks deliver. Ten years of boot fitting didn’t make Anthony or I rich in the traditional sense, but it did make us rich with knowledge on the relationship between feet, socks, and boots.” “Trust us,” continues Anthony Symonds, le bent co-founder. “If you want to win gold in the Olympics, you need gold-medal socks.”
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"THEY ARE HONESTLY THE MOST KICK-ASS SOCKS IN THE WORLD"
See what Jon Olsson says about our socks. Jon Olsson needs no introduction. He is indisputably one of the best freestyle skiers in the world. From inventing new tricks througout his career to double digit Xgames medals. He lives the life of luxury so there's no surprise that le bent socks are one of his "favourite things in the world." Click here for the full video and Jon's latest trip to Japan to find bottomless POW!
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THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE WITHIN 2HRS OF SYDNEY
For 3 weeks every year, the Blue Mountains are alive with fireflies. Our buddies over at We Are Explorers continue to find Narnia throughout Australia. Joel Johnsson, one of We Are Explorers featured explorers captured the magic of this yearly spectacle. "So, if the twinkling lights of a field of fireflies capture your imagination as strongly as they did mine, just over an hour from Sydney a twilight wonderland awaits, glistening softly in the night." Click here to read the full article
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GEAR REVIEW - DEFINITIVE HIKE CREW
"and even after such a sweaty climb, my feet were dry." Our buddies over at We Are Explorers put our Definitive Hike sock through it's paces. The review was no surprise to us, nonetheless, we're super stoked they performed the way they were designed to. Click here for our Definitive Hike Crew socks. Click here to see the full review - https://weareexplorers.co/gear-review-le-bent-definitive-light-crew-socks/
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