Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandals in COLOR!

Houston, we have color!I am extremely happy and proud to announce that you can now get Xero Shoes (our new name... website is almost done) in 4 WAY COOL colors. And to celebrate, you can also save 20% if you order by October 2nd!In addition to our Coal Black, you can now get Mocha Earth, Electric Mint, Boulder Sky, and Hot Salmon.Combine those with our different lace colors...Well, here are a few combinations that you'll see around our office:Lena in her Mocha Earth with matching brown laces and a bunch of Brass BeadsOur office ultra-runner (and customer service manager), Bill,... Read full post here

Dan Lieberman on Running Form

Harvard's Daniel Lieberman is one of the stars in Chris McDougall's book, Born To Run. In the book, Chris describes Dr. Lieberman's anthropological theory that humans ability to run long distances (while maintaining their body temperature) allowed us to chase down animals that, for short distances, are much faster than we are. He also details Lieberman's research into running mechanics and running form, including the famous study that demonstrated how barefoot running puts less force through your joints and can be better/safer for you.Well, thanks to Pete Larson at www.runblogger.com (who turned me onto the following video), and thanks to Tuck... Read full post here

See, Barefoot Running is NOT Bad for You

The media is an interesting thing.One day, they love you, the next day they hate you. As long as there's controversy, they're interested... ish.The last time barefoot running made all the news it was when the University of Colorado study (done right up the hill from me) apparently showed that barefoot running was less efficient than running in shoes (see my analysis of that study here). In fact, when that study got published, the media went crazy, practically insisting that this was the death knell for those of us who run unshod.So, I'm not sure what it means that they've... Read full post here

Vibrating insoles, bare feet, and balance

The Wall Street Journal online published an article describing the research of James Collins from Harvard. James wondered why people get less steady on their feet as they get older.His conclusion: They get less feedback from the ground and lose the ability to balance.So far so good.His solution: An insole that provides random vibration to stimulate the nerves in the feet.Can anyone here think of another way of doing the same thing, but without all the electronic bells and whistles? Anyone? Beuler? Beuler?If you said, "Take off your shoes!" you win any prize on the second row!If you said "Take... Read full post here

Barefoot Running... The Movie!

I know many of you are eagerly waiting for the Born To Run movie (I am, too). Well, until that's out at your local gajillion-plex, check out this trailer of the new barefoot running movie by Michael Sandler and Jessie Lee, authors of Barefoot Running. I'm forever grateful to Michael and Jessie... when I decided to try running barefoot as a way to deal with my persistent running injuries, I was fortunate enough that they were teaching a workshop that very weekend, right in my backyard (metaphorically speaking... it was 3 miles away). Even... Read full post here

How to think like a shoe company

You know the saying "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"?Well, it's true for shoe companies, too. When all you have is padding and motion-control, everything looks like it pronates and lands too hard!Check out this video about the "secret" Adidas development center. Especially watch at the 2:10 mark where the "best people in the world" analyze Ben's sprinting gait and conclude:a) That he pronates and heel-strikes (NOTE: He over pronates BECAUSE he heel-strikes since, when you land on your heel, the ankle muscles can't can hold the foot/ankle/lower leg in place).b) The solution: Making... Read full post here

How to prevent running injuries, a medical explanation

Finally, a medical explanation for why runners get injured. And, even better, treatment options, a plan to eradicate the true cause of running injuries, and an explanation of why barefoot running is CLEARLY not the answer (if you haven't figured it out by now, this is a joke). Check out what esteemed research scientist and physician, Dr. Musculoskeletal has to say about a condition that affects over 99% of all runners, and over 99.1% of all humans. It's a silent epidemic that clearly must be addressed. And with your help and support, we can find a cure for... Read full post here

Invisible Shoes on Shark Tank?!

Lena and I are HUGE fans of the show Shark Tank which is the U.S. version of the British and Canadian show, Dragons' Den.If you haven't watched either show, the premise is that entrepreneurs come on and pitch their product/business/idea to the Sharks (or Dragons, as the case may be), hoping to secure an investment of both money and talent from at least one of the Sharks/Dragons.The investors are using their own money, so these are real deals being made (more about that in a sec).Whether you end up making a deal or not, though, the show is INCREDIBLE publicity.... Read full post here

Randy Kreill's Marathon Huarache Tying Technique

Invisible Shoe customer Randy Kreill the opposite of me.I'm a "short sprinter". The 100m and the 60m (indoor) are my races of choice. I run a 200m under protest. And, yes, I'm also a "short sprinter" in that I'm 5'5" ;-)Randy, on the other hand, is a tall, ultra-runner.Here's a picture of him finishing up his first 50k in his 4mm Connect barefoot sandals.Personally, I don't even like to DRIVE 50k. ;-)Randy is also one of those guys who likes to experiment. He started with the basic huarache tying pattern, but tweaked it to something he uses for his long-distance... Read full post here