Not quite ready to run barefoot?  Nike has a solution for all those who desire to join the minimalist running revolution but aren’t quite ready to toss out shoes altogether.  The Free Series by Nike combines the concepts of improving foot strength and emphasizing toe and mid-foot contact over heel contact. Unlike other minimalistic shoe designs, the Nike Free Series look just like regular sneakers and the magic is in their structure and design.

Nike released their first “Free Series” shoe in 2005.  Since then, the new models released each year have been refined and improved versions of the original.  The first model closely resembled a real bare feet feel and more recent models have added arch support to prevent injury and strain.  The shoe’s overall goal is to support and strengthen your entire foot (Yes, even shoes set goals now days.)   Asymmetrical laces relieve pressure on the top of your foot and grooved soles to encourage you to incorporate your toes in each stride, encouraging you to put less pressure on your heel.  Notice the laces?  Look a little closer.  See the text?   The “lace up and save lives” campaign is geared towards helping to fight AIDS in Africa.

Back to the shoes.  Every runner knows that heel stomping is a no-no, but that doesn’t make it any easier to avoid – after all your brain is a long way from your feet.  Another one of Nike’s aims with the Free Series was to build a shoe that actively encourages runners to use their metatarsals, toes and arch, while minimizing heel stomping when running. The shoes achieve this by simply decreasing the amount of rubber in the heel of the shoes.  Genius.

The Nike Free Run+ is a particularly lightweight and flexible.  Your feet will immediately feel at home in the cozy, yet firm and comfortable fit.  Nike has also made a point of increasing mid-foot support in particular to decrease the soreness many barefoot runners experience.

Come on, set your feet free with these shoes!  The shoes of the day:  Nike – Free Run+ (Neutral Grey/Black-Sport Red-White) – Footwear

Nike Free Run+ Men's Running Shoe

Pros: Light. Weight-less. Nike. Always a plus.
Cons: Everyone’s got ‘em.
Buy them if: You want the feeling of running  barefoot, but your feet still need some convincing.
Forget about them if: You’ve had enough, and just want to go barefoot.

Oh, and Dallin, thanks for allowing us to take a picture of your foot.

EVO!  That’s the name of my phone.  No, this is not a cell phone review.  The EVO is also the name of a new minimalist barefoot shoe by Terra Plana.   I hefted a pair tonight.  Initial thoughts: incredibly lightweight, and your toes won’t feel any separation anxiety – at least mine didn’t.  The “Vivobarefoot” technology, launched in 2003 and claimed the original getting back-to-the-basics barefoot shoe.  You’re almost barefoot with an ultra thin puncture resistant sole, and you will feel free but with plenty of protection.

Terra Plana EVO *image courtesy of terraplana

• Lightweight? Check.  The EVO weighs about 8 oz.  (My phone is still lighter)
• Toe co-habitation in a barefoot world? Check.  No toe estrangement here.
• Expensive? Check.  These EVO’s will run you one Benjamin and three Jackson’s.  ($160)
• Vegan? Check.  I guess if you get really hungry….
• APPs? None here.  Check the Android Market.

What do you think about this whole barefoot minimalist “get- shoes-off-my-feet-but-don’t-make-it-hurt” movement?

In 2011, Vibram will be releasing new and exciting Five Fingers shoes.  Nearly everyone has seen Vibram’s unique line of foot-gloves (a.k.a. “Floves”) known as Five Fingers.  When first introduced in 2006, they were different.  They weren’t like anything anyone had ever seen.  They drew attention for their strange appearance and questions about comfort, durability and versatility.  By now, all types of Five Fingers shoes are well known to be comfortable, heavy duty and long lasting.  They just don’t break down like typical running shoes.  For 2011, and just as flexible and comfortable as their predecessors, the new Vibram offerings include a brand new line for kids and a new adult style designed especially for runners.

The Bikila LS, Vibram’s first of its kind running shoe, is as innovative to minimalistic running as the original Five Fingers was to the  shoe industry.  The “Bikila” named after Abebe Bikila who in 1960 rejected a fresh pair of Adidas shoes and ran bare foot just like he trained.  The Bikila LS is the first Five Fingers model to feature laces, added to provide perfect fit and customization.  This shoe’s sole is also different than the rest of the Five Fingers line, specially designed to propel your forward as you run and literally keep “you on your toes.”

Bikila Sole *Image courtesy of fitness footwear

Vibram’s kid sized Five Fingers are anxiously awaited but the details of this new line remain a mystery.  Parents with kids who love to be barefoot will take solace in being able to protect their child’s feet while still allowing them the pleasure of bare feet.  Vibram has so far released very few details regarding this addition to their Five Fingers line, but parents and kids alike are sitting on the edge of their seats for the release date.  So are we.

Wonder what barefoot dress shoes will look like?

Looking for a light-weight minimalist shoe for your fall wardrobe?  Check out Kigo Footwear.   Founded in 2006, Kigo is a minimalistic, environmentally and eco-friendly shoe company that sells comfortable, fashionable, durable footwear for both the indoors and outdoors, city life and country adventures. Kigo shoes average 5 ounces because they are made from such lightweight materials and have such a simplistic design. Unlike other shoes that are up to hiking and outdoor activities, Kigo shoes are also attractive and subtle enough to be worn as everyday footwear. All Kigo shoes are designed with foot and overall health in mind.

Kigo Footwear - Shel

Kigo currently sells four types models of shoe: the Shel and the Edge for both men and women, perfected for outdoor activity; and the Star and Curv for women, designed for outdoor and as well as everyday wear. The Shel and the Edge offer full foot coverage to keep feet protected in the outdoors, but are notably lightweight and flexible, giving you the joys of going barefoot without the dangers or discomforts.  The Shel in particular has become popular in the minimalistic running community for its comfort, durability and simple design. The Star and Curv are typical Mary Jane shoes but are made with unique eco-friendly materials and crafted with an emphasis on durability. These two models are also extremely flexible, able to be nearly folded in half, making them easy to pack and super comfortable to wear.

All Kigo insoles are antibacterial and removable making them easy to pack, wash and wear. The eco-friendly aspects of Kigo shoes include the very materials every shoe is made with, including EVA insoles. The uppers on all styles of Kigo shoes are made from post-consumer waste, also known as recycled materials. Even the dyes and stain treatments used to finish Kigo shoes are certified non-toxic. This environmentally friendly aspect of Kigo footwear makes them even more popular among outdoor enthusiasts.  What eco-friendly minimalist shoes do you dig?



August 11, 2010, Newmarket, NH – GoLite Footwear introduces a unique new approach to the barefoot running trend. The BareTech platform was created with Go Lite’s philosophy, which is based on the notion that footwear should complement the design of the human body. This humanistic approach to product design has led to the development of GoLite’s breakthrough BareTech platform. This idea is the basis for a line of footwear that works together with the natural human gait instead of trying to alter it.

Engineered to complement the mechanics of the human foot, but with functional protection and stability control, the BareTech concept fundamentally changes several established practices in performance footwear design: heel lift, heel flare, and midsole construction.

BareTech combines GoLite Footwear’s Soft Against the Ground Technology with a completely neutral last so that the heel is on the same plane as the metatarsals, as nature intended. The aggressively contoured design of the last spreads pressure evenly across the bottom of the foot, eliminating the need for thick midsoles. And the asymmetrical upper design works with the natural shape of the foot, allowing the toes to
splay naturally.

The elimination of heel flare and the undercut heel replicate the curve of an actual heel, delaying footstrike and reducing “foot flap” and instability.

Our new series of GoLite shoes designed on the Baretech platform provide the smoothest, most stable, most natural ride ever experienced in an outdoor performance shoe. BareTech is featured throughout the GoLite Footwear line, from the new Class 1 Trail Runners to Fastpacking, to Multi Sport to Travel, as everyone can benefit from a more natural stride.

Don’t go barefoot…go BareTech. It’s better than barefoot.

Complete BareTech Features:
• Completely neutral last
• No heel lift
• Anatomically contoured insole distributes pressure
• Undercut heel
• Anatomically correct last reflects foot shape
• Asymmetrical, anatomically correct upper
• Roomy toe box for metatarsals
• Soft Against the Ground Technology for comfort, stability and shock attenuation

Links
GoLite Footwear: http://www.golite-footwear.com (new site coming in September)
Soft Against the Ground Technology and BareTech video: http://bit.ly/cpMH6y

About GoLite Footwear
GoLite Footwear designs and manufactures “improbably light” shoes, especially for people who live to be in the outdoors. GoLite’s “Soft against the Ground” suspension system effectively turns the traditional shoe upside down to provide greater stability and traction while enhancing overall protection and performance. GoLite delivers a complete line of off road adventure shoes including trail runners, light hikers, technical travel shoes and rejuvenators. For information on the full line of GoLite footwear, please log onto http://www.golite-footwear.com or contact Vivian Lefebvre at 877-610-8870 or vlefebvre@newenglandfootwear.com

Visit GoLite here.

Hamburger Shoes of the day

Happy 4th from all of us at Shoes of the day!

Shoes that help improve your health just by lacing them up? Then, who needs a gym when you have these shoes?  There is a ton of hype right now around shoes that get you in shape just by wearing them. MBT shoes were the first to market shoes that would subconsciously engage your muscles as they were made to mimic walking barefoot on a sandy beach. Sketchers entered the scene and have hired Joe Montana as their spokesperson, yawn. One of the companies who has recently entered the market and done their research is Z7Footwear.

Who is Z7Footwear?  The 26th letter in the alphabet is Z.  There are 26 bones in the feet.  Enter; letter Z.  There are 7 major muscle groups in your lower body that are used when you walk. Enter; number 7.  Add footwear and you get the name.  Their theory is simple, by wearing their shoes, you can burn more calories, create better muscle tone, and develop a greater sense of balance over time.  Below is an info-graphic that highlights this statement.

*image courtesy of Z7Footwear

I received a pair of shoes from Z7 this spring.  I have had a chance to wear test these new shoes and when I first laced them up, I was fully expecting to feel off-balance or uneven on my feet.  That didn’t happen at all, in fact on the first wear test they were surprisingly comfortable.  The theory behind the Z7 is mimicking the feel of walking on a cobblestone road.  Find your natural path to balance with a pair of Z7′s.

The shoes of the day: Z7Footwear’s Breathe.

*image courtesy of Z7Footwear

Some people think it is a gimmick, others think it is the latest and greatest.  If you are looking at purchasing a pair of these new toning shoes, we recommend z7Footwear.  Why?  Because they are the only “toning shoes” that look like they belong on your feet and not at the circus.  We like them.  What do you think?

Disclosure: I received these shoes complementary from Z7Footwear.  If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t have written about them.

A true sign of old age is when you like “slipping on” your shoes rather than tying them.  We received these shoes from our friends at Aetrex a few months ago, and have nearly worn them out.  Of my 15 pairs of dress shoes, only 3 have laces.  Yes, when it comes to dress shoes, I am partial to slip-ons.  Most slip-ons look like- well, they look like slip-ons.  We have enjoyed these shoes so much we have outlined 5 reasons that your next pair of dress shoes should be Aetrex Gramercy G220 Slip-ons.

1. Comfort.  Most dress shoes on the market take a few months to break-in because the leather is stiff. Also, the soles on traditional dress shoes aren’t forgiving.  These are some of the most comfortable dress shoes because of the incredible cushion from the sole.
2. Customization.  No two feet are the same.  Aetrex has created a way to customize your shoes to your feet in a way that no one else on the market does.  It’s called “Mozaic” The innovative insoles have a numbered grid, you can remove the little squares to create a custom fit for your feet.
3. No Laces.  Easy to slide on and simple to take off.
4. Soft genuine leather upper.  The luxurious “Hand Burnished” leather takes the word supple to a whole new level.
5. Dress them up or dress them down. Not a problem if you wear jeans, these shoes look great with denim.  Are you are a slacker; I mean you wear slacks, these shoes work with those too.

Pros: Soft supple leather uppers that have instant comfort built-in.
Cons:  The mid-sole has a tough time keeping its fresh polished look.  But the comfort is worth the minor cosmetic scuffing.
Buy them if: care about your feet feeling and looking good.   Also, if you’re seeking a comfortable shoe that is easy to break-in with some customization for your feet.
Forget about them if: you like your hard crispy leather dress shoes that you know you will wear someday, when the blister goes away.
Disclosure: I received these shoes complementary from Aetrex.  If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t have written about them.

Pros:  The water-proof works and I put the KEEN.DRY to the test.  I ran until the snow got too deep, then strapped on snow shoes and kept running.  My feet remained dry.  I would be remiss if I didn’t give a little credit to my wool socks.  These are great everyday shoes during the rainy season or when you want to keep your feet dry.  The ubiquitous keen toe protection really does what it says.

Cons: They are extremely heavy.  They have zero traction for trail running and  I like meaty traction.  The S3 heel support structure is alright, but the low cut heel leaves your heel slipping and sliding on every ascent.  Also, if you suffer from the “my-second-toe-is-longer-than-my-big-toe-coolness” like I do, then you will want to find another shoe too.

Buy them if: they are on sale, they are not worth $120.
Forget about them if: you want real trail running shoes.