Hi from Iceland!

[jadias]

Hey there everyone,
I'm James, actually from the UK but currently studying abroad for a year in Iceland.

Someone on some other forums I browse posted that they just bought a pair of VFF KSOs and I was immediately taken by the look. Two days of research later and I just ordered myself a pair of Classics and a couple of pairs of mid-height Injinji socks from KayakShed.

We will soon see how they cope with the cold... and with ice. I'm especially intrigued with the latter, because my hiking boots (which I wear every day...) are terrible on slick ice. They'll get wear every day to, from and around campus, I hope, plus river crossings while hiking. They seem like just the ticket.

I'm already looking at a pair of KSOs or KSO Treks, too. I can see this turning into quite an addiction...

Cheers all

[Rana]

Welcome! 

[Ardent]

Hello and welcome.

Hows life in Iceland? been on my places to visit for a few years but not got there yet.

Jason England

[jadias]

Come here. It's expensive as all get-out (£4 for a pint of lager?!) but the absolutely STUNNING countryside (and, if you're lucky, the northern lights) more than makes up for it.

[Ardent]

Have you seen the lights?

Would really like to experience that.

J

[jadias]

They were amazing for a short period last night but I didn't get a chance to get any photos before a huge rain cloud rolled overhead.

I got these back in October but the lights weren't as impressive back then. Still very cool though.









Check the Orionid meteor in the last one

[Ardent]

Cracking stuff!

Do not even get the blanket of stars here due to the sodding light pollution.

What sthe best time of year for the lights?

J

[jadias]

Round about now! But you're also at the mercy of the weather. In fact, in total you're at the mercy of the weather (cloud cover kills it), moonlight (too bright and you can't see it), air temperature (too warm and it won't really happen) and solar radiation (has to be high enough, and in the right place, at the right time). I've been here since August and literally seen two good displays...

Also I just realised I missed the stickied topic with the little questionnaire at the start of this forum, because I'm a moron, so here goes!

1. What styles VFFs do you currently have? Classic (in the mail), want to buy KSOs
2. How did you first hear about VFFs? Someone on some other forums posted theirs in a thread about "the best things you've ever bought".
3. How long have you had your VFFs? I'll have them in about a week!
4. What do you enjoy doing in your VFFs? Hoping to use them for general wear, and running.
5. Do you have any funny stories about people seeing you in them? Not yet...
6. Have you ever spurred anyone else to get VFFs? A few friends are seriously looking at getting them.
7. What is your job, and will they let you wear VFFs to work? Student, so yeah, I'll go for it.
8. Anything else you'd like to share about yourself? I'm from the UK, currently in Iceland and am literally a travel nut in every respect...
9. How'd you hear about birthdayshoes.com? Same forum as before, I think - someone posted a link.

[jadias]

So I got my Classics today, finally. I'd only been wearing them for a few hours when I went for a brisk 5 minute run on hard tarmac/concrete. They absolutely rock and are a total revelation, and I am in love.

And not only did I enjoy the run, but I was rewarded with this view (and the opportunity to take this photo and more, woo!):



I tried my best to get a shot with the VFFs in the foreground, but to no avail, sadly.

My feet were cold as all get-out during the hour I spent watching them, though, even with the Injinjis. But that was to be expected so I'm not gonna complain too much.

[marley mission]

So I got my Classics today, finally. I'd only been wearing them for a few hours when I went for a brisk 5 minute run on hard tarmac/concrete. They absolutely rock and are a total revelation, and I am in love.

And not only did I enjoy the run, but I was rewarded with this view (and the opportunity to take this photo and more, woo!):



I tried my best to get a shot with the VFFs in the foreground, but to no avail, sadly.

My feet were cold as all get-out during the hour I spent watching them, though, even with the Injinjis. But that was to be expected so I'm not gonna complain too much.

amazing pic - could you explain what i am looking at - especially at the bottom of the shot

[jadias]

That would be the Aurora Borealis (aka the Northern Lights) - basically solar radiation interacting with gas atoms in the upper atmosphere to create the most amazing free light show.

The row of lights at the bottom are some of the lights around the bay in Reykjavik - they're extra-bright because I was running a long exposure time on my camera (somewhere around 10 seconds).

This was by far the best display I've seen so far, and I've been here since August. Absolutely mind-blowing. I have more photos if anyone is interested. If they show again tonight I will try my damnedest to get my VFFs in the shot!



EDIT: I spoke too soon - one shot was rescuable and came out ok. I'll try for a better one tonight, though! It's hard to keep your feet elevated in front of the lens, and perfectly still, for 10 seconds when it's below freezing...