Living Barefoot | 2011 October

Archive for October, 2011

Miscellaneous Injinji Model Review

By Tina Dubois ⋅ October 30, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Since given the opportunity to review the Injinji Performance Series Lightweight Toesock, I’ve come to love Injinjis and bought a whole bunch of different models. I very rarely wear conventional socks now (sounds a lot like what happened when I first tried on a pair of minimalist shoes…) I recently wrote a blog post about [...]

Grippy Paperfeet Review

By Tina Dubois ⋅ October 24, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

The first time I tried on a pair of Paperfeet, I decided not to review them on the grounds that my safety was more important than a properly wear-tested review; they were so slippery on every surface I tried them on, I was fearful of falling. Thankfully, Al reviewed a pair of the original Paperfeet (found here), and my somewhat guilty conscious was assuaged because I felt that our readers deserved a review of the product. Paperfeet has since come out with a ‘Grippy’ version with recycled rubber on the wear points for added grip. I now feel like they are safe enough for me to wear. But do I want to? Read on…

The Living Barefoot Show: Learn about the New adidas Adipure Trainer

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 22, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

We interview Michael and find out about the purpose of the new five-toed adidas training shoe. Aimed at professional athletes, the Adipure Trainer is the first adidas product that enteres the minimalist market in our definition. Learn about the shoe, it’s uses, and the future of the Adipure lineup.

Review: New Balance Minimus Road

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

It is very difficult to know where to place any shoe that falls into the transitional category. The New Balance Minimus is a high quality shoe that is on the right path towards a minimalist product but with key features missing all together. There is significant debate among manufacturers, researchers, and bloggers about the need or usefulness of a transitional product. Some feel they are an important step and may help to avoid injury; others believe they are a pointless product designed to pull more money out of the pockets of trend followers.

Review: GoLite Tara Lite

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 14, 2011 ⋅ One comment

The GoLites Tara Lite is a shoe we have been asked to review by a number of our readers and so, while this is not a minimalist product to our definition, we are reviewing it specifically for our readers. The Tara Lites is a fascinating product whose purpose is one that we don’t understand. It is a performance product with some unique features, one in particular that has never been seen in an enclosed shoe to our knowledge. The shoe’s concept is that of a sandal with a “second skin stretch upper”. In other words, the shoe is based around a thong sandal, one that has an upper and a protective toe guard. A strapping system provides more refined fit. Is this a viable design? Read on…

Review: New Balance Minimus Trail

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 10, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

The Minimus Trail is a good all-round shoe designed for light trail activity and everyday use. Designed for narrow to mid-width feet, the fit is snug yet the toes have ample room for natural movement. The strapping system desperately needs adjustment points for versatility, but so long as your foot feels snug and comfortable inside the Trail, these seem to be a good choice.

Review: VIVOBAREFOOT Ra – Perhaps the Perfect Minimalist / Barefoot Dress Shoe

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 7, 2011 ⋅ 13 comments

VIVOBAREFOOT has grown over the past two years from an innovative company producing great footwear to an innovative company producing some of the best minimalist footwear available. The quality, style, and comfort of these shoes is top-notch and indicative of the exciting things to come from VIVOBAREFOOT. These stylish business appropriate shoes not only tick all the boxes but do so with the refined quality of a company who really knows what they are doing and where they are going. If you suffer at work, don’t waste any time and get your feet into a pair of these great shoes! They are, after all, the only truly minimalist business appropriate men’s oxford. Finally someone has filled this niche, and filled it well. READ MORE…

Steve Jobs is Dead

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 6, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

This may be the only post that I ever write that is so completely off-topic. The death of Steve Jobs can not go unmentioned. For me he has been one of the most significant figures in life. When I first fell in love with computers, it was on a Mac Plus back in 1987. Over [...]

Barefoot or Minimalist Running: Not as Simple as Ditching your Cushioned Shoes

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 5, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Barefoot or Minimalist Running: Not as Simple as Ditching your Cushioned Shoes by Tina Dubois Barefoot and minimalist shoe running is gaining increasing attention from the media and runners alike but is it as simple as ditching your shoes completely or switching to a minimalist shoe with no [...]

Reebok to Pay $25 Million in Refunds to Consumers

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 4, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Reebok International Ltd. has reportedly agreed to pay $25 million in refunds to consumers to settle allegations by the Federal Trade Commission that the company falsely claimed that its toning shoes and other products strengthened muscles. What’s the take-home message from this? Understand why you buy the things you buy before you buy them! READ MORE…

The 6 Key Features of a Minimalist / Barefoot Shoe

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 3, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Minimalist / barefoot shoes are now being made by most of the major performance brands. How do you know what is really a minimalist shoe and what is just marketing? There are 6 key features to look for. If the shoe you are looking at doesn’t have all 6, then it’s not a minimalist shoe.

RUNNERS WANTED FOR RESEARCH STUDY

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 2, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

RUNNERS WANTED FOR RESEARCH STUDY THE EFFECT OF HABITUAL BAREFOOT RUNNING ON THREE DIMENSIONAL BIOMECHANICS AND OTHER PREDICTORS OF CHRONIC INJURY IN ENDURANCE RUNNING. We are looking for barefoot runners who are/have: 1) running barefoot or in a modified barefoot shoe at least 20km per week 2) free of orthopedic injury for at least 1 [...]

Review: Kigo Drive

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 2, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Kigo has done a magnificent job of listening to customers and reinventing an already good product into an excellent product. These are excellent every day shoes with a wide last and a loose fit. They are well made and look great too. They provide good grip while providing good ground feel and natural movement with a thin and flexible sole. Rather than providing another technical performance product, Kigo has managed to make a shoe that is perfect for the everyday. Put on a pair of stylish Kigos. READ MORE

We are Looking For SoundBytes! Want to be Famous?

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 1, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

We are looking for short SoundBytes from you!!! Yes YOU! Really! If you listen to The Living Barefoot Show, or read our site, we want to hear from you. Call our Toll Free Line (Us and Canada) +1 877 888 3518 and record a quick message. We want to hear: – What you think [...]

We Interview Damien Tougas, Blogger, Owner of ToeSalad, Barefoot Hiker – Listen Now!

By Al Gauthier ⋅ October 1, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Damien was our first guest on The Living Barefoot Show in 2009! We welcome Damien back to see what he’s been up to – and he has been busy. Damien has started a review site called ToeSalad.com and continues to share his experiences on his personal blog. Damien loves the outdoors and joins us today to give us his perspective on proper barefoot technique while Hiking.