I tested my first pair of K-Swiss racing flats, K-Ruuz, about a year ago. The K-RUUZ has a 10mm differential and a narrow toe box. Although not a minimal shoe, it was a great start for K-Swiss. But now, K-Swiss has launched their first true minimalist running shoe, the Blade Foot Run, a zero drop…
Author: Nicholas P, Chief Reviewer
In A Class By Themselves – First Look Preview
It is rare to see many innovative technologies in the outdoor and fitness category. Something that is common in consumer electronics (my previous geek expertise) is now starting to show up in running shoes and running gear. Here are a few unique gems I stumbled upon recently. Ashmei Ultimate Softshell Running Jacket – The James…
Merrell Barefoot Run Road Glove Shoe Review
I had done an early review of the Merrell Barefoot Road Glove a few months back after running in a pre-production model. The Merrell Barefoot Run Road Glove (Dash Glove for women) will be available online at Merell.com and in running specialty stores this month. Since I wrote the initial review in October 2011, the…
Under Armour Charge RC Shoe Review
Under Armour has been designing running shoes for quite some time but they have finally taken a radical approach to their latest minimalist running shoe design with the Charge RC, a transitional minimal shoe. Under Armour is best known for their compression apparel line which redefines how clothes fit and perform with the body. By…
Run Dem Crew ‘Away! Away! Away!’ Book Review
Rosie Lee is a hybrid creative agency. Run Dem Crew (RDC) is more than a running club. In 2011, several of its members took on their biggest challenge – the Virgin London Marathon. The book follows the journey of several team members as they trained for the marathon, from their regular Tuesday sessions through to…
Under Armour Transit Woven Running Pants
I’ve been testing running jackets in the wet and windy Northern California weather but this winter, it is super-cold. The high 20s and low 30s are way too cold to just wear running shorts and compression calf sleeves. After trying on many running pants from Adidas to Nike, I finally found a pair of Under…
Phil Maffetone Big Book of Health and Fitness
Dr. Phil Maffetone next block-buster hit. If you have done any heart rate monitor training, you would have read his other book, The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing. And you’ll love this one. I can’t wait to read the whole book in the next few weeks! You can order your copy from Amazon.com….
Montrail Rogue Racer Shoe Review
Trail running equipment specialist Montrail is moving towards a minimalist direction with the Montrail Rogue Racer that is lighter and lower to the ground than many trail shoes. And they have a new design theme: Innovation by Subtraction. The Montrail Rogue Racer is designed for trail racing and daily training. The Rogue Racer weighs in…
My Minimalist Lifestyle Shoe Rotation
Last Updated: 12/15/11 After wearing and testing minimalist running shoes for the past two years starting with the Vibram Five Fingers KSO (keep stuff out), I still haven’t found the perfect road, trail, casual, and dress shoe. But I found many ‘almost perfect’ shoes for each occasion and the list below is what I am…
Garmin Forerunner 610 HRM Watch Review
If you’ve ever used a heart rate monitor (HRM) before, you’ll immediately fall in love with the Garmin Forerunner 610 heart rate monitor. With a touch, tap or swipe, Forerunner 610 lets you get on with your run while it tracks all the details. The Forerunner 610 gives you several ways to get in touch…
New Balance Minimus Outdoor multi-sport
New Balance has added another model to its growing Minimus (4mm drop platform) collection – the water-resistant Minimus Outdoor MO10 multi-sport shoe. The Minimus Outdoor is built on the same natural running last (NL1) used in the first generation of the New Balance Minimus collection. In fact, the shoe is identical to the Minimus Trail…
VIVOBAREFOOT Aqua Lite Shoe Review
From VIVOBAREFOOT comes the shoe of choice for road running, the Aqua Lite. This build on their best selling casual shoe, the VIVOBAREFOOT Aqua, which is a classic lace-up trainer that is perfect for walking or working out. The Aqua Lite is intended for use in the gym, dance studio, or road running and of…
Calling all barefoot and minimally-shod women runners
Why are there so few women in the natural running movement? What is holding you back from learning about better form and barefoot running? Is it the transition time? Is it fear of injury? Join Merrell in their first “Womenalism Chit Chat.” They’ll listen – I know that from my own personal experiences 🙂 12/01/11-1…
Pentax Optio WG-1 Adventure Camera
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. Recently, Pentax introduced its 12th generation of adventure series digital cameras – the PENTAX Optio WG-1 and PENTAX Optio…
Urshuz Brax
Urshuz gives consumers the freedom to customize their footwear with interchangeable, durable, eco-friendly options. Pronounced ‘Yer Shoes’ because they are YOUR SHOES, Urshuz soles are made from injection molded TPR (thermo-plastic rubber), which is 100% recyclable, and since they are not permanently fixed to the upper with glue, the soles of Urshuz can easily be…
UnderArmour Charge RC Natural Running Shoe
Interesting natural running shoe from UnderArmour now available in Limited Edition colors for November 25 delivery – the Charge RC. From the technical specifications: Uppers articulated flex to mimic and enhance natural foot movement; Midsole MicroG® foam, UA’s revolutionary light and low midsole innovation, Carbon spring plate for maximum energy return; Outsole blown rubber. Under 10…
Brooks Running Pure Collection Colorways For Spring ’12
This February, Brooks Running will come out with the second wave of its Pure Project collection. Retailing for $90 to $120, all four styles feature a flexible design, a split-toe groove, banded support around the midfoot and breathable uppers. The new colors, which feature both saturated jewel tones and color pops with neutral shades, will deliver…
SKECHERS GOrun
SKECHERS Fitness Group is jumping into the barefoot-style running category with the premiere of SKECHERS GOrun, a lightweight minimalist running shoe. Features of the GOrun include: Lightweight: GOrun is astonishingly light. Midfoot Strike: A 4mm heel forces the runner to land midfoot to forefoot which minimizes joint stress and maximizes efficiency. Go Impulse Sensors: Strategically placed…
A Sneak Peek Inside the New NB Minimus Zero Uppers
In the next installment (see previous installment NB Minimus Zero Sole) of the New Balance Minimus Zero design series, two NB senior designers, Drew Nyssen and Chris Wawrousek, talks about the uppers of the Zero collection – inspiration of how they were designed and developed. There really is no roadmap for designing ultra-lightweight and zero-drop…
Civic Duty Exhilaration
Civic Duty footwear is made of Tyvek, a comfortable, breathable material made by DuPont™ that is also water resistant and highly durable. Tyvek, it’s not just for FedEx anymore. The lightweight, paper-like material , best known for its use in mailing pouches and home building, provides the inspiration for a new line of casual sneakers….
Merrell Barefoot Road Glove
Merrell will be officially launching a zero drop minimalist road shoe with the Merrell Road Glove for men in Spring 2012 (Dash Glove for women). The Road and Dash Glove have synthetic leather and breathable air mesh uppers with reflective materials. They also have a fused rubber bumper. The midsole does not have the shock…
Recycling Plastic Bottles + Rubber + Cork + ??? = Shoes + Performance Apparel
Ever since college, I’ve been exposed to alternative energy sources like Solar Energy, Wind Power, and Hydro-Electric Power as my older brother is an Environmental Planner and Solar Architect in Arizona. ‘Going Green’ was not even on anyone’s radar in the 80s. My first exposure was a visit to Arcosanti, an experimental town in the…
Inov-8 F-Lite 195 now in 7 colors from Zappos only!
The twin brother of the Inov-8 X-Talon 190 is now available in 7 cool colors! But only from Zappos. The Inov-8 F-Lite 195 will redefine expectations for elite runners looking for the highest levels of proprioception and the most naturalfoot position. Featuring a 3mm differential between the forefoot and heel and a 3mm footbed, the…
Brooks Running Pure Grit
Brooks Running is finally moving into minimalism with the Pure Project and it is Brooks biggest launch in its history. The line of four shoes (Pure Connect, Pure Cadence, Pure Flow, and Pure Grit) incorporate five new design elements and the shoes weigh in at less than 10 ounces each. The Pure Connect is the…