AUGUST 2017 _ http://www.popularmechanics.co.za 37
Ready to
wear
THE CHALLENGE:
CREATE OUTDOOR GEAR THAT
WORKS LIKE IT SHOULD, WHILE
LOOKING GOODIN HIS DAY JOB, AJ Calitz is an
attorney who specialises in fiduciary
law: “Trusts, wills, although I do a fair
bit of litigation.” In between all of that,
he manages to find time to compete at
the highest level in extreme sport.
Fresh from winning the gruelling
Fish River ultra trail run in Namibia
(he’s the record-holder, too) Calitz was
not only savouring another triumph,
but also providing feedback on the gear
he uses. That’s because, for the past
half-dozen years or so, he has been aA JACKET FOR RACING
Most people who do trail running
are in good shape. But even so,
AJ Calitz recommends you
ensure that your racing jacket
has a snug fit, yet with a cut
that allows relative freedom of
movement. “You’re not going
to be able to do gym in it,
because that’s not what it’s
intended for, which is lots of
running miles in cold, severe
weather. Shoulder articulation
is important.
“The Race Shell was designed
with the sole purpose of making
it as comfortable, as light and
as race ready as possible. The
designers had to bear in mind
that the user would be wearing
a pack. Hence the vents, high
up on the back. The neck fit is
relatively snug so that water
doesn’t get in.”