Living Barefoot

Are you New to Barefooting?

Al Gauthier — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:17:44 +0000

Are you new to barefooting? We would love to hear from you. Use our contact page to tell us about your experiences. In particular we are looking for people who would be willing to correspond over email over several months to tell us about your barefooting experience. Help the rest of the barefooting community learn from your success and your obstacles. Contact us today!

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New Custom URL Shortening Service

Al Gauthier — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:09:11 +0000

After having problems with our previous URL shortening service we have launched our own service: mytoes.info

Keep your eyes peeled for short URLs from the mytoes.info service through twitter.

Vibram Announces Women’s KSO Trek

Twitter Updates Restored

Al Gauthier — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:47:37 +0000

We have had some issues recently of our posts being sent out to twitter. We hope this issues have now been resolved.

Thank you!

Kigo Star Review

Al Gauthier — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:02:14 +0000

Kigo Star Shoe Review

By Tina Dubois

Review of Kigo Footwear’s Kigo Star Shoe

We are very pleased to review the Star from Kigo Footwear. Kigo shoes are advertised as eco-friendly, lightweight, strong, breathable, and totally portable minimalist shoes with a special fold-up design to take them anywhere easily. I agree that the fold-up design is pretty cool when it comes to their portability, and packability, for that matter. They make great traveling shoes. I found them to be incredibly comfortable on every terrain I took them on, from flat marble to rocky trails. They also have great grip on slippery surfaces. I was definitely impressed by the Kigos and look forward to wearing them more in the future.

Comfort

I was absolutely surprised at how comfortable these shoes are. I wore them every day for a solid week (while on vacation in a warmer climate) and found them a relief to wear on concrete, stone, asphalt, and trail. My feet and toes have plenty of wiggle room. The seams along the inside are just okay as there is one sharp area where the stitching meets along the inside of the shoe where the strap joins the upper. The insole, where the foot rests is slightly textured and very comfortable against my bare soles.

Weight

Each size W8 Star weighs 5 ½ ounces or 150 grams. I think any shoe under 6 ounces can be considered lightweight and the Stars definitely fall into that category. They are practically weightless on your feet.

Flex / Sole

The rubber sole is very flexible if bending the shoes in half as they are designed to clip closed this way. The front of the sole is also very flexible but the heel is not as flexible as the forefoot area of shoe. The sole does have a slightly positive heel, probably 1–2 mm. I have an incredibly sensitive back to shoes with higher heels and I did not notice the raised heel in these shoes (and I haven’t walked in shoes with a raised heel in over a year).

Support / Insole

The insole is completely removable although I did not walk around with the shoes without it. The insole is a thin, black material with slightly more padding on the arch and the toes. It is very thin at the ball of the foot and the heel, which may be why I did not notice the rise in the heel. It is not supportive in any way and there is no arch support designed into it. The insole is very comfortable to walk on with only a slight cushion to it, which I only really felt under my toes and not under my arch.

Barefoot Feel

The Kigos do not have a comparable barefoot feel to other minimalist footwear brands with thinner soles. The sole is definitely thicker than most minimalist footwear, reducing their barefoot feel. You can, however, feel some rocks underfoot. Although they don’t compare to most other minimalist footwear brands in this department (including Vibram and Vivo Barefoot), they are far better than the conventional shoe.

The barefoot feel can be improved by removing the insole from the shoe. I found that the shoe was much too loose on my foot and that the stitching on the footbed was too uncomfortable for me to walk around without the insole. I have no doubt that it can be done and that it would improve the barefoot feel but I can’t comment on this directly as I didn’t like the feeling and chose not to wear them as such.

Grip

I was pleasantly surprised at the grip these shoes have, even on wet surfaces. The bottom of the sole is patterned in a fingerprint design with deep grooves. I had no trouble on smooth, wet, marble surfaces, nor on any other slippery surface.

Breathability

The climate that I was in while testing these shoes was around 30C or 86F in high humidity and these shoes, where they cover the foot, did not breathe well. My feet did get hot in these shoes under these conditions. I am happy to report, though, that even without the breathability, my shoes still don’t smell at all (and my feet were quite sweaty at times).

Quality of Materials / Manufacturing

The manufacturing and materials could probably use some improvement. There are visible glue marks along the top of the upper where the sole meets the material in many places. The stitching is okay, but as mentioned, there are some sharp areas where the strap along the top is sewn to the sides of the shoe. After a week of constant wear, the shoe has held its shape pretty well, however.

Sizing

The sizing of the Kigo Star definitely runs short. I am usually a size US 8 or EUR 38 but I found the W8 Star too tight. Fortunately, the W9 is quite comfortable with plenty of room both along the length and width.

Price

The Star is sold on the Kigo footwear website for $49.99 USD. For a versatile and comfortable shoe, that’s an acceptable price.

Style

If you can get over the hook on the top of the shoe and the Velcro-attached strap on the back, the Star is a pretty stylish shoe. The contrast stitching and simple design really appeals to me and they come in six different color combinations on the Kigo website.

Break-in Period

The upper material of the Star does stretch a little with wear as well as become softer and more pliable; because of this, they became easier to put on, but other than that, I did not notice any other aspects of a break-in period.

Shoe care

The material comes stain resistant (although I don’t know with what technique) and the sole is rubber, therefore, the shoes do not require any kind of shoe protector treatment before wear.

Uses

Kigo Stars can be used from anything to errands, shopping, commuting, driving, or just about any activity you would wear a casual, Mary Jane-style shoe. They are probably not an appropriate shoe for running or hiking, but for any activity that includes walking, the Star is an incredibly comfortable shoe to wear. In addition, if you are the type of barefooter who carries around a pair of shoes in a bag for occasions where bare feet are not appropriate, the fold-up design makes the Star convenient and small to pack around.

Summary

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like the Kigo Star shoes. The comfort of these shoes is what truly makes them excellent shoes for any type of walking activity. I love the contrast stitching design and, besides the hook on the toe, find the upper design stylish as well. The fold-up design makes portability easy and convenient. I truly appreciate the grippiness of the flexible sole, too, especially on wet or slippery surfaces. Although they do not have the best barefoot feel for a minimalist shoe, their other qualities more than make up for the thickness of the sole.

To purchase these shoes, visit the Kigo footwear website at http://kigofootwear.com.

NOTE: We have been contacted by Kigo after posting this review. They have a second generation of Kigos which are expected to be released in the early summer 2010. These new shoes have some significant improvements. Keep a look out for our review of the updated Kigos.

Review – Vivo Barefoot Dundan Boot

Al Gauthier — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:26:53 +0000

Vivo Barefoot Dundan Boot Review

By Tina Dubois

We are very pleased to review our first Vivo Barefoot boot for the Living Barefoot Minimalist Footwear Series, the Dundan boot. These boots are tremendously comfortable and stylish, in fact, I love them so much, I can’t wait to get a second pair of them in a different color. They are fast to put on and take off, and can be adjusted for most ankle and leg widths with the laces. They are great for mild winter conditions, spring, and fall.

Comfort

The Dundans are extremely comfortable. The combination of a lacing system and a zipper allows for the perfect combination of custom fit and convenience. Once the laces are tied in the desired fashion, they can stay that way. You can then use the zipper on the sides of the boots for easy on and off. I did end up fiddling with the laces for quite a while before getting them just right, but after that, they have always felt the same degree of excellent comfort.

The Dundans are extremely roomy around the foot. Toes can wiggle around, while the ankle is tight enough to keep the boot in place. There are no uncomfortable pressure points anywhere inside the boot and the inside feels like one piece around your foot with the edges of the tongue in the perfect place as to not feel them at all.

Weight

Each size 39 Dundan boot weighs 10 ⁵/₈ ounces or 301 grams. Most of this weight is in the sole. While the Dundans are the heaviest footwear product I have reviewed, they are still light on the feet. They are much lighter than conventional boots but heavier than most minimalist shoes. I don’t feel like the weight is an issue but if you prefer the lightest of footwear, it may be something to be aware of, although they are boots and not shoes and are therefore made of more material. To give this weight a perspective, the last pair of ankle boots that I purchased (a pair of Lowa hiking boots), weigh over twice what the Dundans weigh, and I absolutely feel the weight of those boots.

Flex / Sole

The sole is Vivo Barefoot’s patented 3 mm puncture-resistant rubber sole with Duratex (a substance similar to Kevlar). It is flexible in all directions and easily bends over pebbles and gravel.

Grip

The grip of the Dundan is the same as other Vivo Barefoot products with the 3 mm sole. It is great for any kind of dry surface or slightly textured wet surface. They are good for small amounts of snow but not on ice.

Support / Insole

There is a removable insole included with the Dundan boot and there is no arch support designed into it or the bottom of the boot. The only time I have used the insole is for extremely cold temperatures for added protection from the cold ground. Otherwise, I find the Dundans most comfortable without the insole.

Barefoot Feel

The Dundan has an incredible barefoot feel, just like the Vivo Barefoot Lucy shoe (reviewed earlier by Living Barefoot). The 3 mm sole provides excellent ground transmission while inspiring confidence while walking on gravel or other sharp terrains.

Quality of Materials / Manufacturing

The sole of the Vivo Dundan is Vivo Barefoot’s patented Duratex 3 mm puncture-resistant sole and is of the utmost quality. The leather upper of the Dundan looks to be of good quality leather and has excellent stitching. My only concern with the manufacturing is that both boots had a large clump of glued threads located on the inside of the boot. I easily cut these out with a pair of scissors. I suspect this was an accidental oversight in the manufacturing.

Water Resistance

The Dundan is described on the Vivo Barefoot website as being “water resistant but not waterproof. It is good for the rain and snow but if you were to stand in a water puddle you will get wet.” While walking in 3 cm of slush, my feet did not get wet; however, upon standing in said depth of slush, I could feel water starting to seep in along the bottom of the boot where the sole is stitched to the upper.

Sizing

The Dundans, like most Vivo Barefoot footwear, are cut wide in the toe but tend to run short. Therefore ordering one size up from normal is recommended. I usually wear a size 38, so the Dundans in a size 39 are roomy without feeling like my feet are swimming in them.

Packaging

The Dundans arrived in individual bags for each boot within the Vivo Barefoot box. I think this is an incredibly thoughtful addition to the purchase of these boots as these bags can be used to store your boots while not wearing them and are also excellent for packing during traveling without the worry of getting other things dirty in your suitcase. I think it’s another example of Vivo Barefoot’s commitment to detail.

Price

The Dundans cost $195 USD on the Vivo Barefoot website. At almost $200, they are a little on the expensive side, but they are a leather ankle boot with both laces and a zipper. Most good-quality leather boots cost about the same, so I think the Dundans are a good value at this price.

Style

I love everything about the look of the Dundan boot. The design appears simple but is full of little details: there are unobtrusive Vivo Barefoot logos on the edge of the sole and the leather upper, the contrast red stitching that attaches the sole to the upper is eye-catching, and the design in general is well thought out. The boots are elegant in their simplicity.

The Dundans are currently available in three colours of leather: black, dark brown, and dark red. It is great to see such a fantastic boot available in several colours.

Break-in Period

The Dundans required no break-in period, they were comfortable right out of the box. After several weeks, the leather has become slightly softer and form-fitted than when they first arrived, which has even increased their comfort.

Shoe care

These boots should be treated with a footwear leather protector as they are made out of real leather, which will lengthen the life of the boots, especially if worn in wet conditions.

Warmth

There is minimal insulation between the outside leather and the red material lining on the inside of the boot. I would not recommend them for temperatures below -10^oC or 14^oC without the insole, but they do keep the feet warm in temperatures below this with the insole inserted.

Uses

These boots can be used for any stylish outfit in mild winter conditions, spring, or fall. They are great for regular street wear or walking on anything from grass, asphalt, concrete, and gravel. I’ve worn them during everything from shopping trips to walks on the gravel paths around my neighbourhood.

Summary

I absolutely love the Vivo Barefoot Dundan boots. They are incredibly comfortable and stylish. They are easy to put on and fast to take off. The lace and zipper combination allow them to be adjustable for a wide variety of ankle and leg widths while having the convenience of a zipper. They have an excellent barefoot feel but at the same time inspire confidence while walking on sharp surfaces due to the puncture-resistant sole. I love them so much, that I can’t wait to get a second pair in a different color.

To purchase these shoes, visit the women’s section of the Vivo Barefoot area on the Terra Plana website at http://www.terraplana.com/vivobarefoot.php.

The Living Barefoot Show Episode 10 Released

Al Gauthier — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:41:01 +0000

February 26th, 2010 Episode 10

The Living Barefoot Show interviews Alan Thwaits. Don’t miss this informative and delightful interview. A reflexologist by training, Alan tells us about the health benefits of reflexology and about his personal beliefs. Alan tells us about the injury that lead him to try barefooting and how he eventually incorporated barefoot running and barefooting into his life.

Download audio file (LivingBarefoot_EP10.mp3)
40 Minutes, 18 Seconds Download mp3 - Click Here (Size 36.9 MB)

Vivo Barefoot Evo Now Available

Tina — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:39:36 +0000

The new, running-specific Vivo Barefoot Evo is now available for purchase on the Terra Plana website. They are available in yellow, black, white/red, and green in the men’s and blue, black, pink, and yellow in the women’s. They cost $160 USD on the Vivo Barefoot section of the Terra Plana website.

Christopher McDougall’s New Website

Tina — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:45:38 +0000

For our readers who have also read the book ‘Born to Run’, author Christopher McDougall has released a new website for the book as well as a blog component. In addition to information about the book and himself, it contains pictures of the ‘Mas Locos’ and a page on the ‘Running Barefoot Debate’.

The new website can be found at: http://www.chrismcdougall.com/index.html

And the blog can be found at: http://chrismcdougall.com/blog/

New Vibram FiveFingers Models for 2010/11

Tina — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:35:17 +0000

A press release from Vibram was recently discovered online (thanks to the BirthdayShoes.com forum), which includes some new FiveFingers models for the Fall-Winter 2010/11 collection. New materials will be introduced to three currently available models: the KSO TreK, the Sprint and the Classic.

The new KSO Treks will be available with coconut fiber (in addition to the kangaroo suede leather) and will be available in new colors including blue, green, red, and black.

The Sprint will also be available in coconut fiber and the new colors will include blue, black, and grey.

The Classic will be released in a natural wool fiber in pastel shades of green and grey.

For more details, check out the online PDF here. (Scroll down to end for the English version.)

And here’s the picture of the new model from the PDF itself.

The Living Barefoot Show Episode 9 Released – LIVE

Al Gauthier — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:21:38 +0000

January 24th, 2010 Episode 9

This is the formal release of the LIVE Living Barefoot Show recorded in October of 2009. We had some great conversation with our callers and the test of this new system was a great success. We’ll be using the system in the future for special live events including special guest interviews.

Download audio file (LivingBarefoot_EP9.mp3)
1 Hour 52 Minutes, 46 Seconds Download mp3 - Click Here (Size 106 MB)