Xero Shoes Expand Their Product Range with the Sensori Venture
Xero Shoes have sold over 46,000 huarache-style sandals since 2009. They are worn throughout the world by people running, walking, trekking… even skydiving, rafting, travelling… You name it – Xero Shoes have done it! And now Xero Shoes are releasing a brand-new style to their armoury – and one that I am certain will be their best-seller over the coming year.
The Gap In The Market
Now most of us that own a pair of Xero Shoes (or Invisible Shoes as they were originally known) can often experience a bit of ‘slacking’. And by that, I mean where you struggle to keep the laces taut to your foot. Your foot can often feel unsecured, and you lose confidence in their ability to stay on your feet when you run.
Others find the whole ‘making-my-own-sandals’ thing quite daunting. And you have every right to be. I would hate to splash £20+ on a pair of DIY ‘shoes’ only to put the hole in the wrong place! That would be a nightmare.
That’s where the Sensori Venture fits in to the market.
Introducing The Sensori Venture
The Sensori Venture is the ready-to-wear, barefoot huarache-style sandal. Here are the key features:
Promotes natural movement
Secure to your foot
Costs almost half of a pair of Luna Sandals (also in stock at Feetus.co.uk)
FeelTrue rubber sole
Elegant contour of the sole
Great grip on top, keeping your foot in place
Dual chevron tread for great grip on every surface
5.5mm thick sole providing great ground feel (proprioception)
Heel cup for stability and prevent
Double lacing system (with patent-pending fastening)
Silicone heel strap
5,000 mile warranty
Don’t just take our word for it… Here’s Steven Sashen from Xero Shoes:
Stay tuned to keep up to date on when these will be on stock at your favourite barefoot running specialists Feetus.co.uk:
We’ve got some great news. You no longer need to order your Luna Sandals from America (and subsequently pay over-the-odds on shipping fees, then customs and duty charges). That’s right. Luna Sandals are now available from your favourite barefoot and minimalist running specialists, Feetus.co.uk.
“Have You Read Born to Run?”
If you’re reading this, the odds are that you’ve probably read Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run. And if you have, you will definitely recognise the name Barefoot Ted.
Well, that crazy guy from Born to Run was inspired by the Tarahumara Indians to create his own version of the huarache ‘barefoot’ sandal, and called it the Luna Sandal.
Here’s the Luna Sandals story:
Once upon a time, Ted McDonald took off his shoes and started running. After a lifetime of being shoed and cast with modern footwear, it took him years to rehabilitate his feet and legs and establish himself as one of the forerunners (get it?) in the field of barefoot running.
In the spring of 2006, Barefoot Ted visited the Copper Canyons of Northern Mexico with a group of elite ultra marathon runners. It was there in the rugged Sierra Madre mountains that Ted met Manuel Luna, a local Tarahumaran, who helped him make a pair of traditional huarache sandals out of an old tire. The seed for Luna Sandals had been planted.
Fast-forward to today, and Luna Sandals now operate from Seattle in North America.
I Love Them… But Aren’t They A Little Expensive?
Yes, they are expensive. But let me tell you a thing or two.
I picked up a pair of VenadoLuna Sandals three months ago. I was very sceptical: “Will people really pay £65 for a pair of flip-flops?” Initially, I was impressed by the quality, the fit, and the look. The look was definitely the biggest plus at first – but I still could not understand the price tag, despite knowing that the sandals had been hand-made in Seattle, and were equipped with the best-quality Vibram soles.
Comfort
It wasn’t until at least a month later, I found I was wearing my Luna Sandals every day. I like to work in different locations, and often cycle to-and-from, and my Luna Sandals would travel with me in my bag. They became my most indispensible item of footwear.
Versatile
True, if I’m hitting the trails I will always opt for my Vibram FiveFingers TrekSport Sandals, or if I’m on the road I’ll don a pair of Seeya – but my Luna Sandals have been great because they travel with me. If I fancy going for a run and I don’t have my Vibrams with me, I just have to reach in to my bag and pull out my Lunas. Bingo.
No Smell. No Odours
Another big selling point for me is that they don’t smell. I am always conscious of giving my Vibrams a good air out. I learned the hard way and left my first pair of KSOs damp. That was it, I could never get the smell out. I am much more careful now though, and I always get them dried as soon as possible – but with Luna Sandals, this is never an issue.
ATS (All Terrain Strapping) Lacing
And the laces. You don’t realise how functional the ATS lacing system is until you use it. Having used Xero Shoes extensively over the last 12-months, it can sometimes be a fiddle getting the laces right. If you wear Xero Shoes – you will know exactly what I mean. Can you ever get them to stay right where you want them? With Luna Sandals, you’re safe. The laces are comfortable, and stay put!
So, in summary.
Luna Sandals are expensive, I agree – but this is what you get for your money:
A durable, top-quality sole made by Vibram
A hand-made sandal (not from China. These are from America!)
A unique ATS lacing system (that works very well!)
Fresh-smelling
Comfort like no other sandal
Versatility. The Luna’s do-it-all.
Suitable for Vegans
The novelty: You loved Born to Run. You loved Barefoot Ted. And now you have his shoes.
Lightweight and minimal: 7mm sole weighing just 3.9oz. The Venado was ‘The Original Luna’ and comes with ATS lacing, MGT (Monkey Grip Technology) non-slip footbed, and 6mm of Vibram sole.
Billed by Luna as the ‘do everything, go everywhere sandal’, and it’s easy to see why. The 12mm sole provides cushioning and stability. The grip on the bottom will keep you on your feet. The Mono also comes with ATS lacing and MGT footbed.
Our blog post a few weeks back we introduced you to the Bikila EVO, but we’re now able to shed a little more light on the specifics of the shoe, having seen these in the flesh.
The reaction to Vibram’s choice to introduce a shoe with cushioning surprised many of us. Hadn’t Vibram FiveFingers – the company regarded by many as ‘barefoot shoe makers’ – once told us that ‘You are the technology’, claiming that cushioning was not needed?
Goodbye Bikila. Hello Bikila EVO
Anyway… Similar to the KSO, the ever-popular Bikila is disappearing, and instead we have the Bikila EVO: a slightly cushioned, lace-up shoe designed for mid-distance running. The sole is, by shoe manufacturing standards, minimalist, with a maximum sole thickness of 8.5mm, which includes the 6mm of EVA for cushioning, and Vibram Megagrip Rubber Pods for durability and grip.
The ‘redesigned’ shoe features a polyester mesh upper, and comes in a variety of bold colours, from a sure-fire winner black/yellow to the less-appealing-to-most orange/blue.
Here’s what Vibram have to say about the Bikila EVO
Medium distance running in a minimalist shoe can be challenging for new minimalist users. It takes time for your foot to adjust to an increasingly thinner level of sole. The Bikila EVO is a fully redesigned shoe built for those looking for a shoe that gives the benefits of going barefoot and that has slightly more cushion to offer more support on a medium distance road run. It is still thin, and gives you just a bit more so you can be confident making the switch.
One of the most obvious changes to the Bikila is the new sole, which comprises of 6mm EVA cushioning, nine strategically placed rubber sole pieces, and an EVA heel.
EVA is a lightweight material found in most running shoes. Its strength is that it is extremely lightweight and compresses under pressure, giving that cushioned feel. The downside of EVA is that it wears out very easily – and that’s why you see rubber placed over the top of the squidgy stuff on your sole.
For the Bikila EVO, much of the EVA is left exposed, yet the rubber sole pieces are placed over the high-wear zones of the sole: on each toe, three strips over forefoot, and covering the heel.
It appears Vibram have followed the trend set by other major shoe manufacturers by introducing what could be classed as a ‘transition shoe’, meaning, this shoe would be ideal for runners new to ‘barefoot running’ that are not yet ready to have their shoes stripped to the bare minimum.
Many barefoot purists will turn their back on this shoe, but I think it has its place. Although I love to run barefoot and wear Vibram FiveFingers – I still often opt for a minimalist shoe with a 4mm drop and some cushioning.
Many will argue that Vibram are moving away from the barefoot/minimalist roots – and I myself was fearing the worst. But having seen the Spring/Summer 2014 range in the flesh just this week, I would strongly disagree. This year’s EL-X for men, and the ladies’ Entrada and Alitza are as minimal as you’re bound to see. The trend continues with the new-for-2014 KSO EVO.
With an 8.5mm sole and zero-drop from heel to toe, the Bikila EVO is still very minimalist. It is in fact, just one millimetre thicker than the Trek sole, as featured on the super-seller Trek Sport and the new-for-2013 Trek Sport Sandal.
The decision to make the Velcro redundant will aggravate many in the UK. While in the US, the LS (lace) styles outsell Velcro styles 3:1, in the UK it is the opposite.
I won’t get chance to test the Bikila EVO until next year, but I am confident that this shoe will be a massive success. I expect barefoot-newcomers to enjoy the Bikila EVO, as well as mid-distance runners who enjoy just a bit more cushioning. The style will appeal to many too, so I’d expect gym-goers and Crossfit addicts to pounce on this.
We recently got hold of the Spring/Summer 2014 Vibram Catalogue, and thought it would be worth sharing with you some of the new and exciting ‘barefoot’ (or not-so-barefoot) shoes that are going to be available.
I love the KSO (Keep Stuff Out): My first pair of FiveFingers was a KSO and they lasted me around 700 miles. I ran in them everywhere and really put them through their paces. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one whose first pair were a KSO either. Their aesthetics, practicality, foot coverage and ground feel made them the ideal choice. Even today, my current KSOs are my go-to shoe for short/mid-distance road running and indoor fitness. They really are a versatile, ‘do-it-all’ shoe.
Next year will see the KSO retire, and will be replaced by the KSO EVO.
The KSO EVO will feature the serrated blade lug sole as can be seen in SS13’s men’s EL-X (Entry Level Cross-Trainer), and the ladies’ lovely Entrada and Alitza, with a maximum sole thickness of just 4.7mm.
You will also notice that the Velcro is making an exit, and instead we’re being introduced to a new KSO that is lace-only – the KSO EVO comprising of Vibram’s Speed Lace System.
Here’s What Vibram Have To Say About the SS14 KSO EVO
Built on a platform that offers the best ground feedback in our line, the KSO EVO is one of three shoes that round out our new category: max-Feel. A reinforced upper and speed lace allows for easy entry and a snug fit while the zig-zag patterned sole provides grip and flexibility in all directions. Feel more under foot with more versatility.
Making the KSO redundant is an incredibly brave move by Vibram. A hugely popular shoe for both men and women, the KSO has been around since FiveFingers shot to popularity after Christopher McDougall’s bestseller Born to Run.
It’s good to see Vibram have maintained the all-black colour-way that has proved to be a bestseller in the KSO.
Many will miss the original ‘razor-siped’ TC-1 rubber sole of the KSO (that also featured on the Speed, Flow, and Classic styles), but it has been superseded by a superior Vibram XS Trek Compound sole. Feedback from customers who have been wearing the EL-X (which features this same sole) has been really positive, so I am sure this will go down well. The jury is still out on how many miles this new sole can sustain.
Vibram’s decision not to offer a Velcro alternative is also quite a surprise, but with the growing popularity of the lace-up styles, this is probably a wise decision.
All in all – This is a radical change and a very bold decision by Vibram, but upon studying the changes closer, they make a lot of sense – and I am certain the KSO EVO will prove to be equally, if not more popular than its predecessor.
If you’re an early-riser like me, you’ll have noticed that the sun has been a little slower coming up over the horizon. I have found my running circuit through the woods much harder to navigate, and that my morning bike rides require me to mount a rear light for visibility.
If, on the other hand, you do most of your outdoor fitness on the evening – you may have felt the warmth of the sun slowly fizzling out earlier than it had done the week before, or that you cast longer shadows on your way home from your run.
The Significance of the Sun
The sun, for many, acts as their ticket to outdoor exercise. Many don’t like to run in the dark. Others only get out while its warm. If you’re in that bracket – you had better start making the most of the last of the long summer days.
Today, 21 August 2013 in Redcar (on the North East coast of England) we’re going to benefit from 14 hours and 34 minutes of daylight. This time next month, we’ll have just 12 hours 17 minutes of daylight. That means, over the course of this next month we are going to ‘lose’ 2-and-a-quarter hours of daylight!
Today in London you will have 14 hours 14 minutes of daylight. Next month, you will lose almost 2 hours of daylight, giving you just 12 hours 16 minutes.
It’s Not All Doom And Gloom
The shortening of the days does bring huge benefits to us outdoor-loving folk. We will start seeing nuts and berries really flourishing, and with each day you’ll notice more of the bushes bearing ripe fruit. How about that for free ‘fuel’ while you’re out running? …Just grab a couple of blackberries as you pass by!!
Choosing The Right Shoes
The warmth that summer brings allows us to wear less – And that applies to footwear too. Get out and give barefoot running a whirl. Just slip your shoes off for a mile and see how it feels – You’ll surprise yourself at how much you will enjoy it!
Or perhaps you want to run a little further and need a bit of protection underfoot? That’s where we come in. Here are my top three shoes for the closing summer months:
Brand-new from Vibram FiveFingers; the men’s EL-X offers incredible ‘barefoot’ feel, having such a minimal sole. The upper fabric is so light and breathable, it makes running in the warmth an absolute pleasure. The flexibility of the sole also means it is the perfect choice for alternative activities such as slick-lining, climbing, and parkour.
While the EL-X is a male-specific style, ladies need not feel left out. They too have some brand-new styles to try out: The Alitza and the Entrada. They feature the same sole as the EL-X, except the upper is exposed giving you maximum breathability whilst exercising. The Entrada‘s style is perfect for yoga, pilates, hitting the gym, and running.
Barefoot running – except – you pop a sole under your foot with some lacing. Sounds simple, right? …That’s because it is. You simply measure your foot, order your size, and customise your very own huarache-style sandal. Perfect for running. A great substitute for summer sandals that come in colours: black, brown, red, blue, and green.
Do you like to run off-road, on trails, through woodland, across hills through luscious countryside? Me too. That’s why I keep harping on about how brilliant the Trek Sport Sandal is. I’ve always like the original Trek Sport , but the Sandal version is much more fun, more breathable, and looks better too. The ‘Sandal‘ title might be a bit misleading; this ‘shoe’ features slits in the side and a wicked colour scheme in black and yellow! The Trek sole provides barefoot feel, but features enough tread to cope with the demands of running your favourite trails. This style is my favourite to date – and these beauties are available for both men and women. Result!
Freebies
…And don’t forget – All orders over £50 come with FREE DELIVERY and a FREE FEETUS BUFF!
Today, we bring you another new style of Vibram FiveFingers. This one wasn’t showcased at the Outdoor Retailer show, so this one really is a sneak peak!
Before you read on, it’s worth issuing a little health warning to die-hard FiveFingers fans. This ‘barefoot’ shoe contains cushioning, a heel-to-toe drop, and arch support.
Introducing The Vibram FiveFingers Vybrid
Vibram have put their 70-years of rubber-processing expertise to come up with a new generation sneaker. The all-new Vybrid is the result of intensive research and continual testing and development conducted at Vibram’s Technology Centre in Guangzhou, China.
Certainly, the Vybrid is another of Vibram’s ‘loud’-looking offerings, with illuminous, reflective lines spanning the upper fabric. The Vybrid is also technologically superior, and serves the wearer very well for active comfort. Versatile: you’ll be happy to wear this ‘barefoot’ shoe for walking, hiking, as urbanwear, leisure time, and when travelling.
The Five Technological Benefits of the Vybrid
Individual Toe Pockets allowing your toes to flex and splay naturally and the foot to move with limited restriction.
Forefoot: A slight drop from heel to toe, which according o Vibram, provides the toes with more grip and helps toes to flex.
Waist: semi-rigid anatomical shank to help support the arch
Midsole: thin and soft EVA to distribute force on impact
Heel: a pronounced heel which helps ‘protect and support the foot on impact’
Colourful (and Controversial)
The Vybrid will be available in four different colours, each featuring innovative 3M material for night visibility. The fabric will be breathable and will also feature a neoprene sock to improve the foot’s stability and traction on the heel.
The Sole
Believed to be called the ‘Vibrida’, the sole looks like a more walking-friendly Trek (Trek Sport) sole, with the looks less aggressive and more shallow in depth. Although specific details have not yet been released about the shoe, you will notice that the sole looks a good 1cm in height, with clear (although slight) height difference between heel and toe.
It seems Vibram FiveFingers are moving in a different direction from the one they originally set out upon. From their old slogan ‘YOU ARE THE TECHNOLOGY’ they now advertise ‘Discover the new urban technology from Vibram’.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
We’ll be sharing our opinion on the new styles soon, but in the meantime, it would be great to hear what everyone else thinks about the Vybrid and the Bikila EVO, as well as these new styles that we don’t know too much about yet…
If you asked Vibram to shed some light on what they think the future holds for sports footwear, you may get more than you bargained for. They may take out some shoes from a box, and literally shed some light.
Fitted with a remote controlled LED lighting system that allows the soles to illuminate the ground ahead, Vibram are expecting soles of future footwear to be embedded with sensors that warn the wearer of potential hazards. Interesting.
This was another of those ‘wow’ shoes recently exhibited at last week’s Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah. They claim the Smart Concept Sole was inspired by military operations, firefighting and law enforcement, and the sole includes an integrated electronic board for controlling integrated hardware, as well as a fob-sized remote control. Further down the line, you could expect to see such remote actions being controlled by smartphone apps.
The Smart Concept sole has three brightness settings plus a flashing red LED tail light. Vibram envision the sole of the future to offer much more. Sensors with warning system, gas sensors, proximity sensors, an temperature sensors to name but a few.
When Can I Expect To See These Dazzling Shoes?
A release date for such a sole is still a way off. The Smart Concept sole is still just a concept. While it may seem a little daft to some, take a moment to realise the benefits such a sole could have for sports such as ultra-running and night running, cycling and commuting by bike, camping, and other night-time activities. Vibram provide soles for some of the best-known shoe manufacturers in the world, so if they were to pursue this technology, it would most likely be at the request of a third part manufacturer (or at the request of my kids!!)
Sit tight FiveFingers fans. We have some news about Vibram FiveFingers – and we’re not sure what to make of it…
During this year’s Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City, running shoe manufacturers presented their new offerings for 2014. It appears that the consensus is that bigger is better in 2014.
The Rise (Literally… Pun Intended!) Of Hoka
You may have seen cushioned shoes rise in popularity over the last year or so – especially the rise of Hoka. With their huge rolling, ‘rockering’ soles offering maximum protection, they claim their oversized EVA midsoles ensures a more natural stride. Many of my ultra-running friends have tried Hoka – all with very mixed results.
Next year, Hoka seem to have set the standard, and running shoe manufacturers want to compete. But first up – here’s the new-for-2014 Hoke One One Conquest.
Altra: From Minimalist to Gigantic
Many of you may have heard of Altra, a US-based running shoe manufacturer who coined the ‘Zero-Drop’ label. Initially, they seemed happy to jump on the minimalist bandwagon, offering shoes that were low in profile, whilst maintaining no difference in sole ‘stack’ from heel to toe.
Now, it appears Altra are shying away from the minimalist shoe, or at least, that’s where they are heading with their new model ‘The Olympus’. Maintaining the ‘zero-drop’ approach, the Olympus is a highly cushioned shoe with 32mm under both heel and toe.
Brooks and New Balance
A lot of the other manufacturers seem to have gone for the deep, cushioned style. Here, Brooks’ Transcend claims to offer the softest ride of any other Brooks model.
New Balance have developed the Fresh Foam 980 – and to me, the way the sidewall of the sole slopes inward toward the bottom, makes it look a little too unbalanced. Watch those ankles.
And Vibram FiveFingers Present the Bikila EVO
Who would’ve thought? Vibram producing a ‘cushioned’ shoe… Never!?!?!
Well it seems the desire for cushioning has made its way to the champions of barefoot, the emblematic minimalist footwear makers Vibram. Introducing the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila EVO – Built on the ever-popular Bikila (LS), the EVO features a full-length foam midsole to soften your ride. [I thought they told us we didn’t need anything to soften the ride?]
Iguaneye
Little-known to many, Iguaneye are also releasing their men’s style later in 2013, and we think that Iguaneye’s super-minimalist sneakers will be a huge hit in 2014. Watch this space.
Are you looking for the perfect ‘barefoot’ trail running shoe to wear during summer? The Vibram FiveFingers Trek Sport Sandal may be the perfect option.
The KSO Trek Sport is one of the bestsellers at Feetus.co.uk. It features a fantastic sole, ‘grippy’ enough for trail running, yet not too rugged making it a good choice for running too. Many love the Trek Sport for their boot camp training too. Versatile and practical.
BUT… When I first heard saw the images of the Trek Sport Sandal, I thought Vibram had gone mad! Why would they make a ‘barefoot’ sandal with five toe pockets and a rugged sole? Then I saw the recommended retail price. £110 for a sandal… Who in the right mind would pay that?
That is – until the BIG Vibram FiveFingers SS13 shipment arrived on our doorstep. I was bowled over by the Trek Sport Sandal as soon as I saw it in the flesh.
The Trek Sport Sandal coped very well on the rugged terrain. Much of the route covers the Cleveland Way, which is a mix of woodland trails, singletrack, stony paths and old rock paths. I was concerned that the vents in the side of the shoes would let gravel in, but this was never an issue.
The Sandals were in their element with it being such a hot (29C) day.
After 12 miles I could feel the shoes starting to rub. I suppose this is natural, given that this was the very first time I had ever worn them running. All new shoes take time to ‘bed in’, and before starting, I was expecting blisters.
CONCLUSION
The Trek Sport Sandal is a very capable ‘barefoot’ running shoe, and handles dry terrain with ease. Comfortable on various terrains, the Sandal is best suited to warm-hot days when the ground is dry.
If you’re a fan of the Trek Sport, you will love the Sandal version. I certainly prefer this to the Trek Sport, mainly due to its breathability and without question its aesthetics. The Trek Sport Sandal looks awesome!
I do feel that Vibram have got their price wrong for these shoes though. £110 is a HUGE amount to fork out on what is advertised as a ‘sandal’. Without knowing exactly how good these are in advance, its difficult to say whether I would be willing to splash the cash on these – but now I have them, they are my go-to pair of Vibrams for trail running as well as day-to-day use during warmer days.
In this BIG order, included the red-hot EL-X and the super-cool Trek Sport Sandal – Both of which are brand new styles of Vibram FiveFingers for Spring/Summer 2013.
It has taken a lot longer than we expected for them to arrive, but we’re glad they’re here – and they’re in good company too. Popular styles are now (finally) replenished after Vibram’s popularity in the UK saw the likes of the Bikila LS, the KSO, and the Trek Sport SELL OUT!
In their debut day, the EL-X has proved most popular by a country mile, dominating our orders. Not surprisingly really, given it is now Vibram’s best-value offering – as well as being so lightweight, versatile, and good-looking.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PRE-ORDERED
We always like to say ‘Thanks’ to our customers – That’s why we pop gifts in each order. But on this occasion, we owe a huge thank you to our patient customers who endured the long wait for their Vibram FiveFingers. THANKS!
Don’t forget… All of the barefoot and minimalist running shoes come with FREE DELIVERY, and if you spend over £50 with us, we also give you a FREE FEETUS NECK TUBE.
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