Invisible Shoe is rebranding itself as Xero Shoes. Having sold  22,000 pairs of Invisible Shoes to people in over 72 countries, founder Steven Sashen is renaming his Boulder, CO based company and taking a new focus on retail.

This two year old company has found success as the most minimal running shoe available – a proprietary FeelTrue outsole with a set of laces and do-it-yourself fit. Since 2011, the Invisible Shoe has sold two models: the 4mm Connect and the 6mm Contact outsoles.

To date, most of the company’s sales have come through the Invisible Shoe e-commerce site, and the company is now beginning to sell through retail channels including outdoor specialty stores, running specialty stores, yoga studios and affiliate programs with health care practitioners. The goal of the new Xero Shoes branding is to expand already rapid retail distribution in the United States and abroad.

Xero Shoes invites anyone attending Outdoor Retailer Summer Market to stop by  Booth PV197 to check out the new designs and brand.

Ariele M. Huff   At 62, I run, play, and live barefoot and in minimal shoes.  Aside from running and walking, I play some outdoor sports like basketball, do yoga daily, and some martial arts. Those activities are done either barefoot, in Vibram Classic Frescas, or in minimal tennis shoes. I’ve never owned split toes but like their look and have wanted to try them.  I plan to use them for outdoor and some indoor training and games.

The Zem Terra Ninjas immediately appealed to me because of their Jika-tabi appearance. (“Tabi boots” are the Japanese transition from split-toe indoor tabi socks to outdoor split toes—though they extend up the leg, unlike the Zem shoe.) I immediately thought of them as appropriate for activities that require a bit more protection—“rugged environments” as their box proclaims. 

Design

The Zems have a lot more tread than anything else I use so they’re good for gravelly walking situations and flatter rock climbing. I absolutely can see myself using them in snow or icy conditions.

For me, the thicker soles make them less good for barefoot style running than my other choices—a bit rigid in the arch for tiptoeing. However, the snug fit is something to count on in quick movements like martial arts or games. The reflective striping across the upper adds extra protection for things like kick boxing and games where balls, bats, and other people’s feet can inflict strikes.

My really high arches make full top-of-foot coverage less than my favorite, but the Zems’ uppers are flexible enough to accommodate even my feet. I won’t wear them in hot weather where any swelling would make them tighter.

One of the things I especially like about the Terra Ninjas is the heel loop grip. It’s got the kind of nylon sturdiness that promises to last as long as the shoes. (Broken heel grips are one of my pet peeves.)

The split toe aspect is comfortable and seems a nice option for people who don’t do well with a full glove, five-finger minimalist shoe.

Fit

Whole sizes are used for the fit of these Zems. As a more slipper-like shoe, this seems adequate.  There are no “slippage” points in any of the parts of my pair, partly due to the nature of the stretch fabric comprising the whole shoe except for the sole. The split toe area is a bit softer and thicker than the vamp and sides—a nice choice for comfort that eliminates any of the kind of rubbing that flip-flop separators are famous for causing.

Style

When the Zem Ninjas arrived, my martial artist husband clapped his hands in glee. They truly look at home with our Asian furnishings and dojo lifestyle. Since judogis and karategis (judo and karate uniforms) are now the height of fashion, so too are the Ninja split toe. I have already worn them for everyday use—stores, errands, etc.—and they receive no more notice than any other shoe I’d wear. The black and silver are elegant choices that “go with” any colors or kinds of sporty clothes. The small accents of turquoise on the heels, soles, and sole sides are tastefully discreet.

Road Test

If I wasn’t already a devoted fan of running barefoot or in Vibrams, I might well have adopted the Zem Terra Ninjas for that purpose. I tried them for three different runs on grass, concrete, and gravel. While they are certainly far better than standard running shoes with heavy built-up soles, I do not find that they are not as good as running fully barefoot, or in barefoot shoes with a more flexible sole. People who don’t tolerate running entirely shoeless or in five-finger shoe gloves may really like the compromise of these soft yet protective split toes.

The Zems have several uses for me. They are great for some martial arts training, including kicking a heavy bag. Do NOT kick a heavy bag in lighter shoes or bare feet. (Yes, I’ve tried it. Ouch.) I also especially like them for added traction on gravel or during outdoor team sports on grass. Dancing is another place where I’ll use these shoes since I’ll be sharing a floor and prefer something between me and the occasional misstep to my toes or arch. Even for quotidian activities like shopping at Costco, the Zems are an excellent choice.

With the Terra Ninjas, my feet do get some hot spots after extended wear or on hot days. Unlike the Vibram Five Fingers Fresca, I find the Zems are great for specific uses, but less practical for wearing for extended periods. That’s the way I feel about most shoes. In fact, I seldom wear “most shoes,” so the Zems have it “all over” most shoes.

Pros:

• Soft toe pockets
• Strong
• Classic look while not attention grabbing
• Protective

Cons:

• A bit tight over the arch
• Somewhat stiffer soles than some minimalist shoes—a trade-off for more protection

Final Impressions

The Terra Ninja split toe Zems are a great addition to a limited shoe closet. They bridge the gap between minimal and heavier shoes, especially for those of us who do multiple sports and who, by in large, eschew the normal shoe! (And, they do look perfect with a gi or kimono.)

~Ariele M. Huff

Barefoot running and dogs are intertwined for me. My dogs have been a major excuse for lots of time walking and running. That means a lot of my running is done in dog parks or dog friendly places. Naturally, I meet many dogs in bare or minimally clad feet.

I look for the best spots—good surfaces and owners who scoop and monitor pooch behavior. Also, I discover when the locations are emptiest. I often run in the morning, at lunchtime, and in the rain.

Of course, any runner can meet a dog or pack of dogs. A few things to keep in mind, whether you run barefooted or in the thickest of shoes:

1)     Dogs can be oblivious. I’ve been knocked down twice. Once, two racing dogs caught me behind the back of a knee apiece, sending me feet first up and down on the back of my head. I’m embarrassed for my species to admit, though the dogs came back to see if I was still alive, no owners did. Generally, people at the parks are great.

2)     Dogs can fight. Most don’t. In many years of dog park use, I’ve only seen one terrible fight and a couple of lesser ones. Of course, dogs spar or dance to determine dominance, sometimes including barking, growling, mounting, even mouthing or nipping. But most dogs will hear and obey instructions to back off: A guttural “NO,” works in most cases.

3)     Dogs can bite. This has never happened to me or in my presence at a dog park, but recently it happened to my husband at a beach on the coast. It was terrifying, but we learned some things to share with other runners.

Protection from dogs 101:

1)     Stay alert for new dogs, especially in groups. “Pack mentality” kicks in at any number over one.

2)     Note the closest building or keep your car within reasonable distance. When my husband was bitten recently, this saved us from a mauling instead of just one bad bite.

3)     If a dog doesn’t back off when told “no,” especially if it holds your gaze, not looking away, you are facing a serious threat. Back slowly away while talking quietly and reassuringly. Don’t keep yelling or gesturing. Often backing off is enough.

4)     The next stage in an attack is the curling of the lip and growling. Then, barking and bared teeth.

5)     Don’t hit or kick at an attacking dog, not even with a weapon. You can’t move as quickly as a desperate animal. Our attack, we feel certain, was to protect a batch of puppies as the female dog was clearly still nursing. Pepper spray often blows back on the user, so is not advised.

6)     DO make a loud, continuous, high noise. At the dog fight, I used an extended screech. On the beach, I made it to the car where I blew the horn continuously till my husband was safe. In both cases, the dogs suddenly stepped back in alarm and stopped their attacks.

“The best defense against an attacking dog is a portable air horn,” according to the Animal Control experts with whom I spoke. (Party stores often carry air horns for celebrations.)

Whether you run with a furry friend or run solo, it’s always wise to know your surroundings and to be prepared for furry friend or foe.

Barefoot Running had the opportunity to chat with Michael Sandler, co-founder  (with now-wife Jessica Lee) of RunBare, to learn about their new ground-breaking movie, Barefoot Running, The Movie. More than a how-to, this movie is proof in image of the beauty of nature and the power of connecting with the self through the process running barefooted.

BFR:         What do our readers need to know about the movie?

Barefoot Running, The Movie is something that is both inspirational and designed to teach how to get into barefoot running in a kind and gentle fashion. This is for everyone – even if you don’t want to run barefooted, it will teach you to run lighter and in a kinder way than ever before.

If you have a love affair with nature, this will bring it out again.

BFR:         How did the idea for the movie come about?

As we were on tour and meeting with people at running stores, they were asking us ‘can you show us’ how to run bare, and asking us to make a DVD. We realized that really showing, really taking people to experience the barefoot running journey was valuable.

After about a year of work on it as a how-to video, we realized it wasn’t unique. It was too cookie-cutter, with no passion or personality. It didn’t feel right and we hated it, so we went back to the drawing board and got in touch with a documentary director who had been out with us on the road touring. He realized that we wanted something that would go with us on the journey.

As we saw it, the book was our Trojan Rabbit – if we could help to free people of their shoes, they could then discover an entirely new world. The book was designed to free people from their shoes, and bring them out to play. The movie would show them how.

With that in mind, we went back to the movie with the intent to make it part documentary/part Warren Miller/part lesson.

At the point when we were going back to the movie project, we were just getting off tour and finishing our newest book Barefoot Walking. We started making plans to film in the most beautiful place we could get to easily – we were thinking California. It was then that our service dog passed away, and we realized we now were free to fly somewhere beautiful, and ended up in Hawaii.

Once the decision was made, we moved on it within a couple of weeks. It was almost no time to put this together, but we assembled a whole team and were determined to let nature guide us – guide where we were, we would film, and find ways to keep filming even if it was over a few days.

The footage ended up being more than we could have imagined…it speaks for itself. This is the movie that Mother Nature made.

Click on the DVD to watch the trailer now.

BFR:         Besides you and Jessie, who has been involved in the project?

Zach Bergen, a longtime barefoot runner, was involved in the soundtrack. Auntie Puanani Mahoe, affectionately known as Auntie Pua, gave us a lot of guidance on the islands, along with David Meredith, of Maui Mystical Tours. They provided us with great guidance on where we should go to film. Abhay Morrissey from Proflyght Paragliding, piloted the paraglider for the incredible aerial shots in the film.

BFR:         Are there any special cameos, locations or activities that viewers will be particularly excited about?

Hawaii! Running through bamboo and redwood forests, the jungle, a crater, a volcano – stunning places like Iao Valley. The film features a wonderful talk from Auntie Pua about the meaning about Aloha, which is offered as a bonus feature. And we have bloopers that offer heartwarming proof that this is really us just out there, connecting.

We’re putting a lot of other exclusive special features on the site, including Jessie (who is a 400M sprinter) sprinting really fast down a mountainside to Eye of the Tiger. The cameraman is flying over us on a glider just to catch the footage. I’m chasing Jessie down the hill, when I trip and flip into the air, end up doing a double cartwheel and them somehow I keep going. It’s pretty amazing.

BFR:         Is the movie organized in chapters because you intend for people to use it as a training guide?

The layout is designed so that after watching it and getting inspired, people can use the movie as a reference guide. It is laid out in easy-to-navigate sections that address special topics of specific interest.

BFR:         Do the chapters correspond with the structure of your Barefoot Running book?

There may be some loose correlation between the two, but these movie chapters are more meant to get out the information in a useful form that, more importantly, provides a beautiful ebb and flow.

BFR:         A Revamped site, books, now a movie…what’s next for RunBare?

I’d love to say vacation! We have a couple of ideas for books, but it will take hitting the breaks for a bit, going someplace quieter and really practicing what we preach.

What we want to teach is connection with nature, and doing things in a very different way, yet right now, we’re stuck in the work. It’s where we’ve needed to be for the time, but we can’t teach more if we can’t get back to living this barefoot life, connecting with the Earth, and living a simpler and more natural footprint.

About two months ago, Jessie did a two-day fast. It led to our decision to go 100% raw vegan, which we’ve done very intentionally. Our bodies have changed and we’ve gotten so much healthier – we’ve seen beyond a night and day difference. It begs so many questions, and there is a much healthier way to live.

We have been gifted with an ability to share with others in a way that makes us the storytellers. We would like to see where this journey takes us.

This movie shows that barefoot running really is a journey of more than just running. It’s about connecting with the Earth, nature and taking a journey on the inside to connect with the self. Every runner knows that running can quiet you, and with barefoot running, the music is the ground beneath your feet.

We think this movie does a fantastic job of showing people how much we can get back to being a kid again and how we can go on that journey of the inside. We call it Running Yoga – an experience of the quiet mind and of being in nature.

Someone told us recently that the movie is so inspiring that even someone who is not a runner will jump up and run out the door after they watch it. It will make you fall in love with running…all over again.

BFR:         Where, besides the site, will you be selling the movie?

The RunBare site is the easiest way to buy the movie for now. RunBare is the top channel in YouTube for barefoot running, and we’ll keep posting new footage. We anticipate that the growth will be really organic.

Barefoot Running, The Movie will hit the shelves August 31st, 2012. You can pre-order a copy today for 33% to 60% off the cover price, and receive discounted shipping on 4-pack purchases. Two ordering options:

Option 1: SAVE $10 OFF:

• Buy 1 DVD for $19.99 ($10 off the full cover price)

Option 2: SHARE THE LOVE! & Save 60%:

• Buy 4 and send a gift to three of your best friends for only $11.11 per DVD, to receive over a 60% savings, along with discounted shipping

WIN IT! Tweet a link that includes @runBAREcompany, @RunNaturally and a link to the movie (http://www.runbare.com/themovie). Use the Comments Section below to show us your tweet. We’ll randomly draw a winner on Wednesday, July 18.

I am 62 and have run barefoot off and on all my life in a number of situations and on various surfaces, recently especially forest trail, beach, and concrete. I run and walk in spurts with my dog at least five times a week and cover from one to five miles per day. My walking and running are done either barefoot or in minimal tennis shoes—the thinnest I can find that I’ve worn lengthily enough to fit comfortably. I’ve never had shoe gloves but have wanted to try them. I plan to use the Vibram Five Fingers Classic Fresca  for running, snorkeling, yoga, and walking, including sightseeing and hiking at geological sites. I race only with the dog (who wins) or my husband and grandchildren (who lose).

The Classic Fresca is the prettiest thing I’ve ever had on my feet. At first, my biggest concern was that I wouldn’t want to wear them in any situation where their pretty lemon-lime on white swirls could get scuffed or soiled. Lovely to look at, they are also a pleasure to wear: lighter than my minimalist shoes and feeling like a second skin, especially around the toes. I agree with Jordan Flowers comment that “Vibram has stripped away all of the unnecessary weight to produce a shoe that you barely know you are wearing.”

Even my five-fingered toe sox feel less part of me.

Design

The first thing I checked on the Frescas—after noting that the stylish chartreuse matched my jacket—was the tread. I still do a bit of rock scrambling and plan to wear these shoes on trips for sites like the Sedona vortexes and beach rocks while snorkeling. The tread looks perfect to keep me from slipping while allowing me to flex around irregular footing.

The soles are only slightly thinner than my Island Magic water shoes and have the same full sole treads—including the arch area. With the Vibram’s snugger fit, I expect they will stay in place far better. (I’ve already realized I’ll have to purchase another pair to devote entirely to beach wear.)

I have a really high arch, so the lack of arch support is never an issue for me…just excess weight in a shoe. To affect an arch strike for me requires stride-centering on a fist-sized rock.

The Fresca’s upper is lightweight material with stretch but strength—rather bathing suit like. The medial vamp is cut and edged like a woman’s scoop-neck and nearer the toe bases for an, ahem, glimpse of interphalangeal cleavage?

The heel strap is a nice addition with a cord through the vamp edging to snug or loosen the fit. It’s fastened with a thumb-sized Velcro-backed rubbery piece at the heel.

The sole on the back of the toe pockets is a bit thicker than I would choose optimally, and I’d also like them a bit narrower, but I have nothing to compare to. Perhaps, no shoe gloves are like that.

Fit

I was sent size 42 based on measurements, and they fit like paint on a wall. The proportions of the shoes seem designed to have that slick “bathing suit” fit—with the exception of the point where the back of the upper connects to the outsole at the heel. There’s a small amount of “play” along the sides of that part, but this has not caused me any problem in running or yoga stances.

Style

I assume all the Frescas are chartreuse, goldenrod, and white swirled—reminiscent of the also classic lemon-lime drink. Their design is frankly feminine, and I’m toe-tally good with it. So far, the comments I’ve gotten, even from the 15-year-old grandson, have been on how attractive they are. I plan to push the envelope a bit, as I’d like to have this level of comfort at my teaching jobs, in the mall, at restaurants. This is the first running arrangement I’ve ever seen that looks pretty enough to wear with a dress—except for, of course, bare feet.

Road Test

I have eagerly awaited trying out toe gloves. The Vibram Fresca Classics are my first experience with those, so some of my impressions may apply to the class of shoe.

My first decision was to pay attention to the directions on the attached card to wear the shoes for only one or two hours at first. Though I’ve used Yoga Toes extensively and worn separated toe sox, I decided to be cautious because 1) I have a hammertoe—middle toe left foot and 2) I had just dislocated my little toe on the left foot. (I caught it in a shoe left underneath the edge of the couch, out of view.)

For those reasons, I was apprehensive even about getting into the Vibrams, but found that their stretchy fabric allowed me to slide fingers into the toe compartments to ease in the injured toe and to straighten out the hammer. A wonderful after effect of wearing the Frescas was that the hammertoe lays better for hours after I’ve worn them. They seem to work better than the Yoga Toes that I wear for between 30 and 90 minutes a day. I was hoping this might happen.

After a couple of days of increasing the wear time, I felt reassured that the initial comfort of the shoe was going to continue in many uses.

I did a yoga session including poses that require flexibility and non-slip in a foot covering. The Frescas were even better than bare feet for the Crane and for holding seated posture against a door where the tread performed like superglue. I held the posture for about three times longer than in my previous attempts bare foot.

Next, I did a two-mile walk run on a hot day and found that the Vibrams were—again—the best thing I’ve ever had on my feet. The material dispersed heat and sweat beautifully. I found the weight of the sole allowed tiptoe running. I didn’t have to fight with a stiff arch area to keep from having heel strikes.

My next trial was running in spurts in grass where I found I didn’t slip. In my minimal thin sole tennis shoes, even a slightly damp grass could send me skidding. This is a big benefit because, when I run on grass, there are often hills and holes that can trip me. I felt more certain of my sense of the anomalies in the ground with these shoes.

Finally, I tried the Frescas on one of the most daunting kinds of foot use I do: lengthy walking with standing. I took my grandchildren to the zoo and spent six hours seeing EVERYTHING. By the end of the day, I was telling strangers that I didn’t have any blisters, swelling, or hot spots. When I got home, the shock was not to NEED to remove my shoes the first thing. I still haven’t entirely processed this since I’ve most often ended trips like that shoes in hands—preferring to walk on any kind of surface rather than continue to be trapped in a shoe. I was comfortable for the whole time in the Frescas.

My experience of the Vibram Fresca Classics has been so good that I’ve added more running/walking/standing time without intending to do that.

Pros:

• Thin
• Light
• Breathable
• Feel like a second skin—with better tread!

The Cons:

• A bit of play on the sides of the heel
• The heel Velcro can sometimes catch against things, like the other shoe when crossing the legs, but it’s not a big deal

Last Impressions

I love the Vibram Fresca Classics. Even with a recently dislocated toe, the toe compartments are comfortable but strong enough to re-align my hammertoe, the sole is flexible, and the look is cute. The moment I saw them, I fell in love. The moment I had them on, I was already planning to buy another pair!  I can’t imagine a better shoe for the majority of things I do.

~Ariele M. Huff 

kigo footwear, which positions itself as “minimalist footwear for the barefoot lifestyle” is launching a limited-time historic clearance sale today. Offering everything on the site for 50%, wearers can get some of the most purely minimalist shoes on the market for as little as $25.

kigo footwear features:

• zero drop
• 2mm outsole/2mm insole
• anatomically shaped
• super light (+/- 5oz per)
• high grip soles
• water and oil resistant uppers
• eco-friendly  - in fact, cradle-to-cradle

They come in unisex and women’s specific (Mary Jane) styling, and are offered in subdued color options that make them as ideal for everyday wear as for outdoor and athletic activities.

In a market where less shoe doesn’t usually mean less cost, this is a sale not to be missed.

Created by: XRayTechnicianSchools.net

For this review of the Youth Vibram Five Fingers Speed model, we interviewed the wearer. Andrew is nine years old and a very active boy! He loves to run around after school, bike ride and skateboard. He usually wears Nike sneakers.

BFR:  How was the fit?

A:  Overall, they felt a little skinny. The toes and heel felt good. The laces were easy to tie, unlike other shoes. Since they were a little skinny for my foot, they left a mark when I took them off.  They didn’t hurt though.

These shoes are cool! I’ll definitely keep wearing them.

BFR:  What did you think of the style?

A:  Some people said they look funny. I think they look cool and my friends think the shoes are cool and funny.  Some said they wanted a pair.

They look better with shorts than pants.  I think they’re more for casual wear. I like them with shorts and tee shirt best. I think black and red would be a good color combination.  I like the ties because it makes it unique from others.

BFR:  Where did you wear them and what activities did you do in them?

A:  I mostly wear them for playing, running and to go to school.

BFR:  Did you have to break them in?

A:  Yes, they were a little stiff at first but then they got comfortable.

BFR:  Did they get smelly or dirty?  

A:  They got a little dirty on the white part, but not smelly.

~Ariele M. Huff 

As you probably know, the largest organ of our body is our skin. What you might not know is that our skin is actually made up of three different types of skin: Hairy Skin, Mucocutaneous Skin and Glabrous Skin.

• Hairy Skin is the kind of skin that covers most of our body (though maybe some of us would rather it be less hairy).
• Mucocutaneous Skin is the type of skin on our lips and other body entry points.
• Glabrous Skin is the type of skin on your hands and feet.

It’s this last type of skin, Glabrous Skin, which interests me the most as a barefoot runner. The more I run barefoot, the more people ask me questions like, “Doesn’t it hurt?” Most of the time, I’m at a loss to explain why I like running barefoot and why, even when it hurts a little bit, it’s a good kind of hurt.

So I did what I always do when I don’t have an answer: I started reading.

A lot.

What I found out, besides the three types of different skins, is that where we experience the sensation of pain (something too hot, too cold, too hard, too sharp, et cetera) is only through our skin. When something impacts our body from outside, we localize this pain and are able to detect where it comes from externally.

Interestingly, there are no pain receptors inside our body. Thus, when someone is having a heart attack, they often experience a “shooting pain” in the skin of their left arm. We can only “feel pain” externally.

And, of course, pain is really a good thing. It alerts our bodies to dangers and problems. I went to high school with a kid who literally didn’t feel pain. He had a cognitive break where he just couldn’t feel pain. He was continually cutting himself on things and burning his hands and body on items that were too hot.

What all that means, of course, is that for humans, feeling the sensation of pain is a positive thing. If we can’t feel things that are hurting us or could potentially hurt us, then we open ourselves up to the greater likelihood of injuries.

Deep nerves of the sole of the left foot.

Glabrous Skin, the skin on our feet, like the skin covering our palms and fingers, happens to be more sensitive than some other skins on our body. This shouldn’t be mistaken by thinking that things hurt significantly more or less on the Glabrous Skin, but you should understand that this skin has more receptors covering it and is better able to differentiate tactile senses. And, of course, the greater number of receptors and input you are able to receive, the better the ability of your brain to differentiate between different types of stimuli.

As I was reading, I came across a finding by Dr. Michael Merzenich from the University of California, San Francisco. The book, The Brain that Changes Itself (by Dr. Norman Doidge), was particularly interesting. Although Drs. Doidge and Merzenich primarily express an interest in how the brain functions in old age and how one might combat the deterioration of brain function, their research hits on the idea that the sensory input we receive from our environment in walking barefoot could improve our motor function. Called proprioception, it essentially means that we can improve our balance, fall less and limit injuries while also increasing mobility just by going barefoot.

In other words, that little pain that we feel walking over pebbles, sticks or cement is good for us. All of the stimuli and sensation we feel through the ticklish Glabrous Skin of our feet helps us engage and thereby develop our brain and motor skills. The benefits of the simple act of removing our shoes shouldn’t be underestimated.

The next time someone asks you if running barefoot hurts, you can tell them honestly and knowledgeably, “A little bit. But it’s good. It’s making me smarter.”

~ Lucas M Peters