Entries filed under 'minimalist shoes'

"Barefoot" Shoes: Even Kids Love 'em

More evidence that minimalist ("barefoot") footwear is not a fringe fad: Kids' styles are a hit at REI. A kids' version of the popular Vibram KSO (Keep Stuff Out) multisport "toe shoe" has been such a consistent seller that REI product manager Russ Fine is adding another kids' style, the Merrell Trail Glove, later this month. "We've only had the Vibram kids' shoe in (selected) stores since March," Fine says, "but the response has been really good." Fine says he plans to double the number of ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on May 9, 2011 7:06 PM & Tagged barefoot running, kids, minimalist shoes, natural motion running, running shoes and toe shoes | permalink | Comments



Vibram "Toe Shoes:" A View from the REI Sales Floor

Have you had the fun of trying on Vibram Fivefingers yet? As a footwear specialist at REI’s flagship store in Seattle, I regularly experience what is (arguably) an even greater joy: watching someone else try to coax stubborn toes into those funky-looking shoes. Over the past two years, we have watched the popularity of Vibram Fivefingers (VFF, for short) explode through the roof. They went from being a quirky, guffaw-inspiring product collecting dust on our shelves to our hottest-selling ...

Posted by Yitka W on April 25, 2011 6:27 PM & Tagged VFF, Vibram FiveFingers, barefoot running, minimalist shoes, rei, seattle and toe shoes | permalink | Comments



Infographic: A Visual History of Shoes

Got shoes? Yes, and many of us outdoor-enthusiast types have developed quite a passion for them. Over the centuries, footwear creations have ranged from the remarkable to the ridiculous, from sexy to sensible. But things have a way of coming full circle. Today’s minimalist running styles (also known, paradoxically, as barefoot running shoes) have some folks transitioning back to our barefoot-caveman roots. Check out REI’s new A Visual History of Shoes infographic for a fun and informative look ...

Posted by Steve T on April 13, 2011 12:32 PM & Tagged Adidas, Expert Advice, Vibram, a visual history of shoes, barefoot running, infographic, minimalist shoes, natural motion running and rei | permalink | Comments



Barefoot Running: Here to Stay?

Have you tried “barefoot running”? This movement attracts lots of press and has inspired a new breed of minimalist running shoes. But is it right for you? A new REI Expert Advice article, How to Choose Minimalist Shoes (Barefoot Running), can guide you to the answer. Written by longtime runner Linda Ellingsen, it explores the origins of the minimalist phenomenon pioneered by the Vibram FiveFingers shoes (pictured). You’ll get an overview of midfoot striking, which is promoted by minimalist ...

Posted by Steve T on February 18, 2011 2:12 PM & Tagged Expert Advice, Vibram FiveFingers, barefoot running, minimalist shoes, natural motion running and rei | permalink | Comments