An unexpected perk of being a barefoot runner is all the free shoes. I just received a pair of Invisible Shoes to try and write about. You can make your own for very cheap, but I tried that and failed. Knowing a bad word from a highly respected member of the footerati such as I could undo all his hard work, Steven Sashen promised to make a pair for me himself. Actually, no he didn’t, I made that up. Anyway, I have a nice pair of sandals to review, but first a tangentially related rant.
I have advice to all the “barefoot shoe” manufacturers. I’ll set aside the fact that the term “barefoot shoe” makes me feel like my brain getting hit by a 2×4. This is a pure, sans-sarcasm offering to anyone who wants to profit from the growing market for simple, flat-soled shoes:
Sell your shoes for $10.
The whole point of a minimalist shoe isn’t what it does for a runner, but rather what it doesn’t do. You (dear shoemaker) need to find a way to communicate to customers this fact. Your shoe won’t influence the way we run, they won’t support anything, they won’t make us faster, they won’t make us run farther, they won’t make us trail wizards, they won’t make us run smoothly, they won’t make us feel like we’re running on puffy clouds, and they won’t make you a swimsuit model. Most importantly, they won’t make you immune to injury. All the shoe needs to do is make sharp things on the ground less sharp, keep the feet warm, and fit.
When I hear the price of something expensive, my usual reaction is “that better come with dancing girls!” You see, if I’m paying say $10 for a hamburger, I’ll say “I trust that comes with a side of dancing girls.” Because I expect more for my dollar, and it would be fun to watch the Can-Can on lunch break.
So what happens when a runner sees a “barefoot shoe” priced at regular running shoe prices? If they’re me, they’re going to expect dancing girls. If they’re a normal person, they’re going to expect the shoe to do something for them. Not only is that against the principle of what you’re trying to sell, but it will lead to runners getting injured wearing shoes they thought would make them injury free. For a runner to learn how to run smoothly, they need to expect very little from their footwear.
LESS SHOE, MORE YOU.
Go ahead, use it. That’s a freebie. If you want a limerick, though, it’ll cost ya.
Anyway, if you want to stand out from the rest of the minimalist vendors out there, sell it like you mean it. Tell the world your shoes are truly minimalist, and priced accordingly. Your competitors will be asked what their shoes offer that yours don’t, and they will have to either admit their products are not really minimalist (they offer lots of gimmicky bells and whistles), or that their prices are artificially high as a signifier of quality (“they’ll last forever!” yeah, well so do my $5 aqua socks).
Back to the Invisible Shoes. The fact that this is a small operation without access to the resources of a Nike or Adidas, makes the $50 pricetag of their custom-made sandals pretty reasonable. The fact that they sell the materials for $13 – $25 and give detailed instructions on how to make them yourself for free communicates the minimalist message nicely: the shoes are so basic you can make them yourself.
I should mention their tagline, “Better than barefoot.” When I first read that, I was all, “nuh-uh.” But that’s what a shoe company is supposed to say. They should be “better” than barefoot, otherwise why not be barefoot? So sure, I disagree (tactile feedback, etc), but I approve.
Re the shoes themselves, I think I’m going to like them once I figure out the best lacing method for me. The thin slab of sole is a nice buffer over gravel (where for me they currently are “better” than barefoot), and the toe thong doesn’t bug me when wearing toe socks. They’d be great for races like Umstead where there’s long stretches of rocky bridal paths. Not this year, though; not until I know how I tolerate the laces on the long runs.
Wait, I have a marathon in nine days? Shoot – I forgot to train.
Anyway, expect some more Invisible Shoe adventures in the future. And c’mon, shoe companies: LESS SHOE MORE YOU. Let’s do this thing.
I have a phobia about spending money on shoes. Even my last ‘Real’ pair I saved $80.00 by purchasing them in merca and having my MIL ship them up…
That said, if you knew what we pay for shoes up here, you’d swear a little.
Can’t wait to read it.
The Huaraches style sandals never really worked for me mainly because of the toe thong thing (when BF).
I found that video to help with that problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKBhzR9ZNus
Maybe Invisible Shoes can offer that option in the future…
@BNZ: are the quality of dancing girls better in the Great White to justify the higher price?
@BJ: preachin to the choir brother. but your $10 target means that the shoes most likely come from China (aka Walmart). Some folks have very strong opinions about China and human rights. I think Steven’s prices are quite reasonable if you get the DIYer, and I greatly appreciated his informative instructions (helped me make the ultra cheap (but inferior quality) door mandals).
@Neil:
Why are they so pricey up there?
@Ludo:
I think I can get it to work ok for me, but I’ll probably need socks which takes away some of the appeal. We’ll see how they work out, but the aqua socks remain my go-to running shoe for runs run shod. Runs Run Shod. That would be a good name for a blog.
@Kelly:
Since Nike et al (er, most) do do business with China, so they can afford to put out a really cheap shoe. I can see the commercial now: A runner flies smoothly down a winding road, camera slowly zooms in at the feet, which are wearing sporty slippers. Public Enemy’s “Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya Man” is playing in the background. Camera zooms back out as the road steeply inclines, the runner tearing it up. VO: It’s not the shoes. It’s all you. Just do it.” Then the runner tackles a saber tooth tiger, singing “The Phantom of the Opera” . Aaaand… CUT!
OK, so I really don’t know what Nike et al can afford, but you get my meaning.
Everything is more. A gallon of gas is $4.20. A gallon of milk is almost $6.00 and a venti chai latte is $6.00. My pair of new balance 1063′s were $179.00. I got them for $90.00 on amazon but had to ship to PA to mil’s.
Perfectly put!
I agree that “barefoot shoe” is an oxymoron. On the other hand, it’s what people are searching for on Google… so if I don’t use that phrase, those searchers will never find me.
And when I say “better-than-barefoot” … I actually do mean exactly what you said. “Better” in those situations where barefoot is tricky: certain surfaces and, more importantly, restaurants!
Neil Z, actually, you CAN do that tying style with Invisible Shoes. In fact, I think she’s using our sole and lace materials in that video
Check out http://www.InvisibleShoe.com/tying for a number of other tying styles.
I LOVE that people are coming up with new ways of making huaraches work for them!
I built my huaraches from Steve’s website, but didn’t give him any money. (Sorry, but thanks for the shoemaking lessons.) Mine cost about $9, and most of that was for the $6 piece of industrial rubber sheeting I used.
I’m glad Ludo posted that video about a different tying method, because I don’t like the pressure between my toes, and that looks like it will also help reduce flapping–also not cool.
However, with this snow storm raging outside my window, I have no idea when I’ll ever be able to wear the huaraches again anyway.
Cheers!
I still like my cheap aquasocks. I’m way too lazy to make my own shoes, and I’m way too cheap to buy some expensive “barefoot shoes”. From what I’ve seen, Steve Sashen’s shoes are a pretty good way to go if you want shoes for your running adventures.
Completely agree on the price points. I just don’t get how “barefoot” shoes can be so expensive. Terra Planas anyone? Ok, I have a pair, but I did get them wholesale. : )
I did a presentation the other week where I said, “All the major shoe companies are now offering products that they CALL minimalist, but at a NON-minimalist price.”
@Ludo & Stephen: muchos thanks for the tying links. I’m impressed with these creative solutions. I’m currently wearing the 5-hole tying method that Ludo provided and like that the lace doesn’t go between the toes. I also tried Sonya’s 6-hole tying method, but not sure that it secures the sandal to my foot well enough. I’ll have to give it a test run. Although, I like that you can wear a sock with Sonya’s no-toe method for cold weather.
@Josh: Be sure to include in your Invisible Shoe review which tying method you like best.
@MissZippy: you have a blog, why aren’t you getting your shoes for free? I’m almost considering starting a blog just for the free stuff. I have my eye on those Altra Adams. But after more consideration, their $90 retail price would be a lot less effort.
@Josh: Here’s how Nike decided to go with their Huarache commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOeKrxTBkxc
@Stephen: in one of the videos on your website, she mentioned taking her Vibram soles to a cobbler for the holes. I’ve had success punching holes with a hammer and 3/8″ diameter brass tube insert that I found in the plumbing section of the hardware store.
I LOVE how Nike’s Air Huarache is the least minimalist shoe ever made
Good idea about the brass tube insert (though, I prefer a smaller hole, so the lace doesn’t easily slide through it).
@Jamie:
Oh, I dunno. I’m probably way off on a thing or two.
@Steven:
Re “barefoot shoes,” I totally understand. And really, it provides an easy segue for me to get on a “tactile feedback” soapbox rant. Re variability of lacing options, people’s feet are so different. It’s like you’re saying, “screw it, you know your feet better than I do. Make your own damn shoe.” And I mean that in a good way.
@Matt:
Agreed re aqua socks. For me they have the perfect utilitarian-to-goofiness-to-price-point ratio.
I just realized part of what I do like about the sandals is the lacing reminds me of hand wrapping before boxing. While I certainly don’t advocate punching the ground (I think I have a post or two on the subject), there’s something soothingly ritualistic about it.
@MissZippy:
Some of the high price is now doubt due to using more expensive but arguably more ethical construction methods, and that not many people want a minimalist shoe, but those who do, really really do. Plus, if there’s no cushioning to get squished, a minimalist shoe will last a very long time, denying the retailer some return customer sales. AND, in addition to, and also, price influences our perception of quality. Wait, was that a rhetorical question?
@the Nike commercial:
I was knowingly hoping in vain that the shoe would evolve into nothingness. Or at least, a sandal, what with it being called “Huarache.”
Hey Josh,
I met you after the Groundhog Gallop (I was the guy running in Teva Huarache Sandals) and wanted to drop you a quick line.
Anyway, your latest post is excellent. I agree with you about making the barefoot shoe ten dollars. Especially since a person can acquire an aqua sock for five dollars. Also, one can purchase track flats from eastbay for ten dollars. They aren’t minimalist because they’re too narrow, but shoot, ten dollars! (Obviously eastbay is a big company and is liquidating stock and blah blah blah… BUT STILL!) I think companies are afraid to say, “look, our shoe will not make you lose weight, run faster, jump higher, or run some insane PR. All that is up to YOU.” It takes too much balls to admit a product isn’t going to make a person a BETTER person. If that sounds like a paradox it is a paradox.
This same thing happens in the bicycle enthusiast market. A 14 pound carbon frame bike that retails for 4 G’s does not a club rider make. A guy on a 22 pound aluminum or steel frame bike is not at a disadvantage. This isn’t exactly the same as shoes in comparison because at the highest level of comp this would make a difference, but the point is: It’s not about the bike! Still, no bike maker will come out and say it….
You sum it up with brilliance: “Less shoe, more you”
Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Essentially I think you are right on the money. The first company to charge 10 bucks and straight up say, “our shoe will not make you better. It is only a functional option for more protection” WILL win. What will they win? My hard earned, crumpled up, hard to part with 10 dollar bill.
Matt
Yes less shoe should be less price!
I modified my own shoes by cutting the heels down to zero lift.
My modified nike frees are now 18 months old and still going strong :]
I’ve found by cutting the heels down to zero lift greatly increases the life of my shoes :]
Some call barefoot running an adventure (ie Barefoot Ted), and I would agree. But I’m really feeling adventurous trying to follow the laws of the Primal Blueprint, especially the first two laws about food. This morning, we had banana pancakes (banana, egg, almond butter). They looked different from flour pancakes. They tasted better than they looked. Last night, we had bacon, tomatoe, avocado and boiled egg salad. Hmm, I like avocados with onion and lime/lemon (guacomole), but I’m not a fan of combining avocados with eggs. Probably wont do that one again. For dinner tonight, we are debating between grilled pork steak or rotisserie chicken, and a side of steam veggies. An observation about the Primal community at MDA, it’s a mixture of women and men (60/40 favoring women I’d say) and most of the topics on followers blogs are more about recipes than exercise. Oh, I got in about 45 minutes of barefoot walking with my pooch yesterday. Have a great day all!
So I’m amused that they send people that run barefoot –shoes.
Seem kind of counter-intuitive.
Or they feel sorry for you and are writing it off as donations to the poor that can’t afford shoes, lmao.
Just my two pennies about it.
@Gallop Matt:
Anyone who says I’m right about anything is totally welcome to ramble in the comments all they want. Although there’s another loquacious Matt, so we’re going to have to think of something to keep you two apart. Now’s your chance to be Lion-O! Any races in the future?
@Rick:
I’d enjoy seeing a shoe-mutilation trend catching on.
@Kelly:
I meant to ask you – what differences are you experiencing since cutting the grains? All that food sounds delicious. But then, I say that about all food. I’m a culinary hedonist. Or a pig.
@Thrift:
Well, if you think about it, if a runner who hates shoes likes the shoes you’re selling, then you’re selling… a shoe for shoe-haters, I guess. Hm. Maybe it is weird.
@Kelly, I only read Josh’s blog so I can read your blog. Please explain how to make those pancakes. I would like to make some, and maybe top them with vanilla ice cream. Sort of a Bananas Foster Pancake-type thing.
You might like my tie method. It works great. It starts off with SONJAbean’s method, but then I finish it off differently.
All the details can be found here…….. http://barefootbutner.blogspot.com/2011/02/alternative-tie-methodinvisible-shoe.html
Watch the top video for directions on where to place lace holes. Then use which ever method you like best.
@ Barefoot Josh,
Ah! You say that until I disagree with you! J/K, Doubt that will happen. As for races: have the MST 50K on April 9th (Yes, I am crazy!). Hope my feet can take the challenge. I’m training in Zem shoes, barefoot, and in some old nikes from which I have amputated the sole via razorblade.
Good luck in the upcoming marathon! I pretty much a regular reader now, you have made my bookmark list!
@Chris:
Thanks! I think I’m getting the hang of it, but it’s 70 degrees out so I’m not going to test my latest configuration. No way am I putting anything on my feet today.
@Matt:
Well, just remember you’re doing this to yourself. Reading this blog, I mean, not the 50k. Although, that applies too.