Designer Debuts Recyclable Minimalist Running Shoe

Updated: Aug 29th 2011 5:35 PM UTC by News

This new recyclable shoe is as green as it gets. Photo: TVNZ

It has five separate parts that can be replaced when need be.

The green revolution has met the “Born to Run” revolution. According to the Web site TVNZ, a New Zealand designer, Nicholas Couch, has won the James Dyson award in Auckland for a barefoot-type shoe that helps runners interested in barefoot running by allowing the foot to move more naturally and reducing injury.

Couch, 23 years old, notes that his design is unique, because it is the only sustainable barefoot-style shoe that features replaceable and recyclable parts.

“Often, these shoes are discarded when only one part – usually the sole – has worn out while the rest of the shoe remains in good condition but goes to landfill,” he said.

Couch’s shoe is made of five parts with each part designed to be discarded when required. This eliminates the need to discard the entire shoe and thereby extend the shoe’s overall life.

A bonus: the shoe is not made with glue adhesives, which are sometimes toxic. All parts of the shoe can be broken down to its original parts and recycled.

Funny: Internet Meme Comparing USA Ultra Heroes To International Ultra Heroes

( the opposite of what the Navy determined) ‘Toe shoes’ get the boot, Army-wide

The US Army, obviously a slave to conservative fashion: “The decision was based on the lack of conformity with the Army’s conservative professional appearance,” said Hank Minitrez, a spokesman for Army G-1.


By Lance M. Bacon - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Aug 29, 2011 7:33:02 EDT

An Army message about footwear certainly stepped on some toes.

The wear of shoes that feature “five separate, individual compartments for the toes” is prohibited in All Army Activities message 239/2011. Such shoes “detract from a professional military image,” the message said.

Soldiers are not allowed to wear them with the individual physical fitness uniform or when conducting physical training in military formation.

When Army Times first reported the rule, it drew an immediate response from runners. Many said the Army was forfeiting safety and performance for aesthetics.

The decision was made by Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler and his board of directors, which is composed of key command sergeants major.

The rest here

Runners Ditch Shoes for Race at Riverside Park (Grand Rapids, MI)

Lindsay Kus

12:00 a.m. EDT, August 28, 2011

GRAND RAPIDS —

Hundreds of runners from across the country headed to Riverside Park in Grand Rapids for a 5K race and fundraiser.

Many ran without their shoes.

"Wear shoes, run bare, just get out there," said Rob Sanchez, a runner who started going barefoot several years ago.

"I was always injured one way or another, so since I've lost the shoes about two and half years ago, I've been running pain free and injury free," he said. 

Sanchez participated in the Merrell Naked Foot 5K, the first ever national barefoot race series in the country.

Grand Rapids is one of seven stops in the U.S.

"I think the whole barefoot movement is something that has sparked interest," said Race Director Kerri Delacher.

"It's not just about the barefoot movement, it is about the movement. Our main goal is to get people excited and get people outside moving around."

The race also included a shoe drive. Organizers collected hundreds of shoes that will be donated to needy families in Japan.

Recent Luna Huarache Update

I have a pair of 8mm Leadville pacers from LunaSandals.  I feel they are too thick for most running, my new advice for sandal running is "Start Thin"!  In taking my own advice, the original Lunas are 6mm and offer much more ground feel.  I took these on a very challenging trail run this weekend (through hurricane Irene damaged trails).  Sadly Leather separating from the Luna's foot bed. Went through many puddles and mud on a long trail run. Seems the leather changing shape over powered the glue that was holding it.  I will smear either bathroom caulk or gorilla glue to re-adhere the leather down to the rubber.   When these layers are separated the gap will hold mud and debris.  They are now classified as "in need of repair".  The original Luna is available here.

We Need More Clinics Like This Around

The Hadley Clinic was recently featured on the front page of the Grand Rapids Press.  The article focussed on the benefits of barefoot running and featured Scott Hadley along with a few other local barefoot runners.  You can read the whole article here.

  

<<Barefoot running has been shown to be much gentler on the body than other forms of running.  A different landing technique, a different posture, and shorter steps allow the body to absorb shock more efficiently and with much less strain on joints and muscles.

Many runners have tried barefoot running with improper form and have gotten injured.  So if you are interested in the benefits of barefoot running, you MUST learn proper form.

Contact the Hadley Clinic if you want to learn how to run barefoot.  Private and group lessons are available and reasonably priced.>>

Run Impact Free

Decrease the mass of your body that comes to a stop by 4-fold by changing which part of your foot lands.

I Hope You Have a Crock Pot!! (Paleo recipe, few ingredients, but VERY good!)

Tools you may Need:

• Crock Pot
• Kitchen Knives

Ingredients:

• 1 Whole Chicken, giblets removed and cleaned, mine is 4 lbs
• 1 White onion, sliced
• 2 Tsp Paprika
• 1 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tsp Onion Powder
• 1 Tsp Dried Thyme
• 1 Tsp White Pepper
• 1 Tsp Cayenne
• 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

Process:

1. Pat dry your entire chicken inside and out with paper towels
2. Line the bottom of your crock pot with the sliced onions
3. Place the chicken in your crock pot on top of the onions
4. Combine all remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well
5. Using your hands, rub this mixture over the entire chicken, inside and out and make sure you lay it on thick and don't miss any spots
6. Place the lid on your crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or until your chicken is done
7. Serve with the side of your choice and Enjoy

200 Yard Rule Start Barefoot Running

By Steven Sashen:  Steven was on a panel discussing barefoot running.  During Q&A, the panel was asked 'how do I transition to BF Running?'  See why Steven had to interrupt the PT Professional in the middle of their poor answer: Link Here

Coupon For Huaraches and donation! (From BF Ted)

Bad timing for me i JUST ordered another set of Lunas for me without knowing about this coupon.  But you can take advantage of it. Link here 

Reebok's Take On Minimalist Shoes

Reebok's version of minimalist footwear 'RealFlex', a running and training shoe that attempts to deliver on lightweight and flexibility. I have not tried these, they are catching on at my gym.  Looks like they still think we need a raised heel.  I predict this 'feature' will be gone soon. 
Their words: <<RealFlex is truly the best of both worlds – it’s natural movement. Perfected.
RealFlex features 76 independent “sensors” on the bottom of the shoe strategically positioned to adapt to all training surfaces. These “sensors” work together throughout an athlete’s stride, promoting natural movement and flexibility, while protecting them from the elements associated with barefoot running. The result is a shoe that delivers all the benefits of barefoot running with the protection of a traditional athletic shoe.>>  More here 

A Complaint From the Fashion Police (??)

This woman thinks how inappropriate it is to wear minimalist shoes because they look like you're wearing black dress socks. She also feels that such minimally shod people are smug about their choice in footwear. When I got my first pair of VFFs in summer '09 I enjoyed the attention everyone asking "what was I wearing??" I had my 17second speech about foot strength down :). She seems to feel it's a male thing to wear such footwear, we obviously are in different social circles.  Her article is HERE  - (what do you think?  kind of a cVnt?  or she has reason?)


Quoted from the article: <<Because that’s the final thing: I am probably over-analyizing, but the people who walk around in these shoes tend to give off of an air of secret-specialness. They don’t necessarily act like they’re thinking, “get a load of my rad sock-shoes,” but you can tell that there’s something slightly suspicious going in their mind. Something slightly evil made them decide to put on these weird foot-shoes instead of a more traditional shoe.


So just stop. Use your barefoot shoe for what they were made for: running. You wouldn’t like to see a businessman walking around town in a blazer and a speedo, nor would you feel right seeing your lady bus driver wearing nothing on top but a sports bra. Those shoes are made for running, not walking around, so get with the program and stop making us think about your feet.>>

Wilderness Workouts

Next time you're out for a trail run or hike, give some of these moves a try! Make a list like 50 pullups, 50 'jump ups', etc... find a spot to do them in new place!

Adidas Offering a Minimalist Shoe?? (with video)

Adidas is going barefoot.
The world's second-largest athletic company unveiled its first "barefoot" training shoe Tuesday, which is designed to mimic the experience of exercising barefoot while providing the protection, traction and durability of a shoe. The Adipure Trainer, which is a cross between a glove for the feet and a traditional shoe, hits U.S. stores in November priced at $90.  Read More Here,  pics Here

Good News, Today We Received the Barefoot Runners Society's Stomp of Approval

http://barefootrunners.org/page/stomp-approval

Plantar Fasciitis, 3 'simple' steps for Prevention and Treatment

Step 1) Reduce Inflammation

-          Ice (Rolling a frozen Dixie cup works well)

-          Topical Anti-Inflammatory, preferably Myomed

-          Anti-Inflammatory

-          Soft Arch Supports (When not strengthening)

Step 2) Break Up Scar Tissue/Stretch

-          Deep tissue massage every 3^rd day

-          Roll a Foot Rubz ball (preferable) or Golf/Tennis Ball regularly

-          Stretch Calves & Feet (Especially before getting out of bed-Lots of stretches on the internet)

Step 3) Strengthen (Most Important Part)

-          Start with 30 seconds of barefoot running/walking on soft/natural surfaces and add 30 seconds every day or 2 (Probably the single most effective way to eradicate PF; subtract this time from your regular workout, i.e. 30 Minute Regular Workout = 29 minutes in shoes, 1 minute barefoot)

-          Pull in a towel w/toes and repeat

-          Pick up marbles w/toes and spell alphabet

-          Stand on one foot (affected foot):  1) Waiting in line, standing at work, whenever, wherever   2) As an exercise: barefoot eyes closed on carpet

Link 1, Link 2 


Buy an Arch Exerciser, or for cheaper, do some Toe Walking:

Another Article That Has it Wrong

Toes being responsible for forward momentum??  This article has an interesting and flawed version of what barefoot running form is all about.  The say: "The pad of your foot near the toes is much better at absorbing impact, but the toes are responsible for producing a lot of forward momentum."  This doesn't make sense.  When barefoot, toes splay out for balance and a tiny amount of shock absorption. When it's time for your foot to leave the ground - PUSHING - is NOT what you should be doing.  See Mantra section, it's lift-lift-lift-lift-lift.  Drive heel towards butt and drive knee fwd with an intensity proportional to your fwd lean.  Easy peasey.  "toes need to launch you" ??  <face palm>

Read more Here

Inov8 Evo Skins Review

I couldn't wait for these to come out!  Inov8 is a popular shoe brand at my Crossfit gym.  I tried these shoes out the other day.  

• They only come in small-med-Lg, so the odds of them fitting you well are low-medium
• They are impossible to get on.  It tok me a while to notice you could unsnap the straps, but resnapping them once they're on is a chore.  I really broke a sweat, mainly because of lack of flexibility.  Bending and fiddling with shoes for minutes is a pain.  This would be mitigated through practice
• I have two worthless smaller toes that would not go in to the proper slots.  I fixed this however by adding a small amount of lotion to my feet- then BAM they fell into fitment. 
• Note the holes at the end of the toes? Those are for air escaping when donning and sweat escaping when exercising.  Now this is pretty nasty: After doing a crossfit workout, sweat SQUIRTED out of these holes.  It was disturbing to watch.  For a 'shoe' with so much open space, they are very hot.
• The shoe was very slippery with sweat (even before I figured the lotion thing out).  I tried to do things like 'karoke' and it is dangerous to have feet sliding in shoes.
• My WOD consisted of box jumps and olympic lifrts, not appropriate due to feet sliding inside of shoe
• So, no good for sports like crossfit.  The next day, I wore these shopping on my feet for hours.  I was losing circulation in toes and ended up barefoot.  
• Here's the Good!  what an attention getter, people love the looks.

Another good review here

Zhik - Outdoor Retailer 2011 Summer Market

Another Minimalist shoe vendor entering the market. Plimsoll type shoes, great for casual wear. I will be looking for a review for them used as a running shoe.

The Science of Barefoot Running

This Report appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Athletic Association.  My hero DR Daniel Libermann, the 'barefoot DR' said “If you think barefoot running is a fad, then it’s a two-million-year-old fad.”According to Dr. Lieberman’s research, injury rates have not declined in 30 years even as major advances seem to have been made in running shoe technology over that time. Some 30 to 70 percent of habitually shod (shoe-wearing) runners are injured each year, he added. And with all the advances in motion-control running shoes, Dr. Lieberman stated, there is no evidence that they prevent injuries. 

“About 75 percent of runners today are predominantly heel strikers,” Dr. Lieberman said. “Heel strikers generate a collisional impact. Running shoes make it comfortable to heel strike.”  Rest of the story

How To Make Your Huaraches

I've seen a few how-to vids on this subject and I find this one to be pretty good. Notice min 2:10 on video 3. This is critical to make the string follow between the 1st/2nd metatarsal. Crossing the long 2nd metatarsal bone is where I experience chafing.







This guy was clever and converted some cheap flip-flops. (although the sole material is probaly overly cushioned, it's a thought: