Tag: barefoot

Cool Runnings

The ECCO BIOM Lite 1.1 shoe has a casual look to it, but it is actually meant for running, hiking and other activity. The concept here is that it is the shoe you can wear every day but if the mode strikes to start running it can handle it. The BIOM provides a natural foot position that is akin to the barefoot running shoes, which is expected as this shoe has virtually no padding. Thus this shoe encourages a mid-foot landing.

It also is far more stylish looking than the typical running shoe, but still features a thin rubber sole to provide some grip on the trails or pavement. It is the kind of shoe that might make you decide to run home from work.

ECCO BIOM Lite 1.1 Official Website

Merrell Introducing Barefoot Hiking Shoes in 2013

Heavy-duty hiking boots may soon become a thing of the past thanks to the folks at Merrell. Inspired by the barefoot running craze led by shoe-maker Vibram, Merrell is introducing its new line of M-Connect hiking shoes which ditch the traditional high-top boot design for one that’s lighter, more flexible, and closer to a barefoot running shoe.

Available for both men and women, the M-Connect line will be designed for various outside activities, including running, training, and hiking. The shoes, which are lower and weigh less than modern-day hiking shoes, are meant to provide hikers with a natural glove-like fit and an overall light and flexible design. To reduce unnecessary weight, Merrell shaved some ounces off the shoes’ soles, allowing for better “ground feel,” greater surface contact, and better overall stability. Continue reading Merrell Introducing Barefoot Hiking Shoes in 2013

Adidas Gets Adapt and in Motion

This week Adidas unveiled its new natural running shoe collection, a first for the company, with the release of the adipure Motion for beginners to go anaturale, the adipure Gazelle for intermediate runners, and the adipure Adapt for advanced natural guns. The line of shoes is engineered to promote pure and natural movement to help runners safely and gradually improve their speed, strength and performance through minimalist running.

This is accomplished as the adipure range offers varying heel gradients to help strengthen the foot’s musculoskeletal system. The Motion, offers just an 11mm drop, which is reportedly the ideal “first step” for natural running, while the Gazelle takes it down to 7mm. Finally the Adapt, which weights just 4.5ounces, takes it to 4mm for advanced natural runners. The shoes were created through stress analysis mapping using 500 sensors on a bare foot to measure where the foot stretches during impact, and this helped determine where it requires more freedom along with more support. Continue reading Adidas Gets Adapt and in Motion

Freeheel for Almost Barefoot Running

The barefoot running craze continues – and as some of our guest contributors have noted it is so easy as caveman did it. But for those just getting started it can be a little hard on the toes. Now the German company Starringer has a solution to ease into going barefoot. Continue reading Freeheel for Almost Barefoot Running

Fitness Journal: Barefoot Running – So Easy a Caveman Did It!

Triathlon coach Regina Hammond talks about running barefoot. This article originally appeared on Trismarter.

In June 2011, I attended the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) National Conference and was fortunate enough to hear two experts discuss their work and research involving running injuries, specifically to the heel. Dr. Daniel E. Lieberman, Harvard University, and Dr. Irene Davis PhD., P.T, University of Delaware each offered valuable information for runners whether they run barefoot or choose to wear shoes. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Barefoot Running – So Easy a Caveman Did It!

Weekend Reading List (2.4.12): Runners Talk, NASA Innovates, House Votes Against Bikes

httpv://youtu.be/NPdb7ZDJKS4

New Day, Same Old Sh…

Welcome to the Weekend Reading List. We moved the list to Saturday to give our loyal readers something new for the weekend, and as a way to catch up on stories that they might have missed. This week we being with Sh*t Barefoot Runners Say (video above).

Enjoy the list and be sure to check back every Saturday. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (2.4.12): Runners Talk, NASA Innovates, House Votes Against Bikes

Adidas Sprints to Barefoot Training Shoe for the Gym

While we hope not to see a bear market on Wall Street, the barefoot training shoe market is off and running. Adidas announced this week the launch of its new adipure Trainer, the first barefoot training shoe designed specifically for the gym. This shoe promotes pure and natural movement that can help strengthen muscles, build balance and promote dexterity.

“A lot of engineering went into making your foot a high performance machine,” said Mark Verstegen, founder of Athletes’ Performance. “To achieve your full potential during a workout, focus on how your foot interacts with the ground in the same way you think about how your hand interacts with a ball or a bat. Using your foot’s natural power and movement will help you strengthen muscles you never knew you had in your feet, lower legs and throughout your core.” Video after the jump

Dare to Go Bare with Footstickers

Concept Footsticker for dance class.

Bare feet get a lot of attention these days. Running in bare feet or bare feet-like shoes from Vibram are said to be healthy. Yet if you choose to go bare, your feet are vulnerable to injuries such as twists, slips, and the dreaded pebble or glass. A concept from designer Frieke Severs from Nike EMEA for “Footstickers” covers key points of the foot to provide better motion control, more feeling for the direct floor contact and a surface-grabbing silicon surface to propel you in your workout. Continue reading Dare to Go Bare with Footstickers

Vibram Brings Runners Back to (Almost) Barefoot

Vibram Five Fingers women's KSO
Vibram Five Fingers shoes have five distinct toes on each to emulate your bare feet.

Sometimes technology advancements take you back to your natural state. In the case of Vibram Five Fingers, that’s barefoot. Vibram believes the 26 bones, 33 joints, 20 muscles, and hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons, and ligaments in the foot are a marvel of evolution, and best left in their natural state. Of course living in Manhattan, or many other places, don’t make running or even walking barefoot welcoming. Perhaps the last realm of barefoot action is the beach, or possibly a grassy field. But we opt for the protection of shoes everywhere else.

Vibram Five Fingers “shoes” have five distinct toes on each foot, and the soul emulates a bare foot with an arch. The company claims going barefoot, or wearing its shoes, strengthens muscles in the feet and lower legs; improves range of motion in ankles, feet, and toes; enhances balance and agility by stimulating neural function; and improves posture and alignment by not creating heel lift. Vibram Five Fingers has a range of models that lend themselves to running, water sports, hiking, traveling, yoga, and other disciplines of fitness. There’s a few therapeutic shoes on the market that make claims like this, and we plan to follow the space and take a closer look.