Blog – Page 22 – Xero Shoes

Posted on September 2, 2015April 7, 2020 by — 3 Comments

Barefoot Running Myths, Lies, and TRUTH #3 – Prepare to run barefoot

You can’t just START running barefoot without some sort of preparation. Stretching. Strengthening. Something.

Right?

Uh…

What did you think?

Share your thoughts, comments, and questions, below…

And then share this video with your friends.

Watch the rest of the Barefoot Myths, Lies, and TRUTH video series here.

The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

Posted on September 2, 2015April 7, 2020 by — Leave a comment

Barefoot Running Myths, Lies, and TRUTH #2 – Your Calves Will Get Sore

So, you’ve taken off your shoes to run barefooted. Obviously, you’re using different muscles… so obviously, you’re going to get sore… so, OBVIOUSLY, you need to strengthen your calves and Achilles tendons.

Or so you might think 😉

What did you learn or discover?

Share your thoughts, comments, and questions, below…

And then share this video with your friends.

Watch the rest of the Barefoot Myths, Lies, and TRUTH video series here.

Posted on September 2, 2015April 7, 2020 by — 3 Comments

Barefoot Running Myths, Lies, and TRUTH #1 – Toughen your Feet

CLEARLY, if you’re going to run in bare feet, you need thick, calloused feet… right?

Well… watch and find out.

So, what did you think?

Share your thoughts, comments, and questions, below…

And then share this video with your friends.

Watch the rest of the Barefoot Myths, Lies, and TRUTH video series here.

Posted on August 28, 2015 by — 2 Comments

Xero Shoes Coupon Scams!

Sometimes I think the Internet brings out the worst in people. If you search for “Xero Shoes Coupons” you will find a TON of sites saying they coupons for saving money on Xero Shoes.

The problem is that they’re fake. All of them.

It’s a real hassle for us because we’ll get calls from customers, angry that the “coupon” they got no longer works.

If you look on our site, you’ll see that we don’t use coupon codes. We used to. We don’t any more.

And even when we did, we rarely would have anything on sale. If we launched a new product, or it was Lena’s birthday, or if we were on Shark Tank… but they would be short-lived.

So why are these people running fake Xero Shoes coupon sites? Because they’ve found a way to profit by getting you to visit their site and click on the fake coupon link.

We try to police this, but every time we shut down one of these phony links, another 5 will pop up. It’s Whack-A-Fake-Coupon!

I wish these scammers would find a legit way to make a living rather than duping our customers (and those of thousands of other online retailers).

If you’re one of the people upset about getting a non-working “Xero Shoes Coupon,” we understand that you’re annoyed. But, trust me, you’re not half as angry as we are about how people with NO connection to our business can hurt our reputation.

Posted on July 27, 2015July 27, 2015 by — 4 Comments

Bernard Lagat Won’t Run Barefoot?

This just in from the “WHAT A SHOCK… NOT” category:

Runner who gets paid millions from shoe company says he won’t run barefoot!

In an interview with The Guardian, Bernard Lagat, the Kenyan-American 13-time medal winning middle- and long-distance runner, is asked by Kate Carter:

So, um, ever run barefoot?

Bernard’s response:

[Laughs] Well, since I came to the developed world I’ve never run barefoot and I always say there’s no way on earth I am ever going to run barefoot. I did a good 15 years or so of barefoot running, walking. Now I see the shoes and I’m like, “That’s my best friend for life!” Never since I crossed the big pond! My shoes will always be on my feet for ever.

Now let me see if I get this straight. A guy who gets paid millions from his shoe company sponsor will never go barefoot again.Let’s say the guy really does simply love his shoes. Here’s the question that Kate should have asked as a follow up:

Bernard, do you think that 15 years of running barefoot helped you in some way, like improving your form and eliminating overstriding, or strengthening your feet and legs, or teaching you to adjust your gait and cadence, or improving your reflexes or sensorimotor skill? And please answer as if whatever you say will not be read by the shoe company that has helped make you a millionaire.

Frankly, I couldn’t care less what Bernard thinks or believes about running barefoot. The guy is one of the best middle- and long-distance runners ever. By definition that makes him a freak, an outlier.

I’m not sure that a 5’8″ guy who weighs 134 pounds and runs 1500 meters (just shy of a mile) in 3 minutes, 26 seconds, is someone whose experience extrapolates to normal humans.

Be that as it may, what really gets to me is the headline:

Bernard Lagat: ‘There’s no way on earth I am ever going to run barefoot again!’

Out of all the interesting and provocative and useful things Bernard said, I’m sort of dumbstruck why this became the headline. It’s not like the world is FULL of barefoot runners who will be impacted by Bernard’s thoughts. There aren’t even a gaggle of runners on the fence about running barefoot who will see the headline and think, “Thank God I know Bernard won’t run barefoot; now I don’t have to either!”

It’s a headline that is only attention-grabbing to a small number of humans. So why all the fuss?

I’m sure it had nothing to do with Bernard being sponsored by a shoe company that makes money every time some runners sees him in their shoes, and who is featured in the photograph at the top of the article (shown below so you know who it is).

Posted on July 9, 2015October 4, 2022 by — Leave a comment

Xero Shoes + Yoga = ?

Grace Menendez teaches yoga and is a personal trainer.

And now she adds “Xero Hero” to her list of skills 😉

Says Grace:

As soon as they arrived I strapped them to my feet and took these bad boys for a walk around New York City. It was LOVE after first wear! Most shoes require a break-in period, but these required none. They are immediately comfortable! They stayed pretty snug even after my feet began to sweat and I had no blisters after wearing them all day.

One thing I love is that Grace discovered how Xero Shoes can become your step-by-step coach:

If you’re not accustomed to the minimalist sole, it may take a bit to adjust to feeling almost every pebble under your foot. While this seems like a bummer, it mostly just makes you more aware of your gait. I began to walk more evenly and gracefully, becoming much more aware of where I was stepping. Ideally the more you wear them, the stronger your feet will become!

And, of course, Grace put her Z-Trek sandals to the biggest test: “How do they look with a cute dress?”

I’m not sure it’s the barefoot-inspired sandals that are what’s cute in that picture, but I thing Grace proved her point 😉

Check out the rest of Grace’s review of her Z-Treks on her blog.

Posted on July 3, 2015 by — 13 Comments

Make your own sandals, Janice style ;-)

Our Customer Happiness Manager, Janice, has been on a roll, creating new DIY sandal designs.

This latest was inspired by our Z-Trek sandals. It uses the “loop” idea from this sandal, and the Heel Strap from our Amuri sandals.

Remember, when you make a kit that has laces touching the ground (like the outside edge by her pinky toes), you’ll want to protect them from abrasion. We recommend using Shoe Goo.

Posted on June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 by — 1 Comment

Time to WIN Chi Running again

Danny Dreyer from Chi Running has another giveaway!

Enter below to win 1 a year to subscription to the ChiRunning School ($120 value), 1 pair Xero Shoes Amuri Cloud Sandals ($49.99 value), 1 case Nanu Performance Nutrition Bars ($32 value).

The more you enter, the better your chances to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on May 21, 2015January 12, 2022 by — 2 Comments

New Technology in Ankle support, Arch support, Flat Feet and High Arches

Do you need arch support?

Ankle support?

If so, try the newest product on the market today, YOUR FEET!

New and improved for 2022 with built-in arch support and ankle support!

You’ve tried everything else — shoes, orthotics, inserts — now try YOUR FEET!

Their flexible construction with almost 1/4 of all the bones and joints in your body, and clever 5-pronged design, allow for balance, propulsion, gripping, and much, much more.

Plus, they look pretty cool, too!

The articulated connection to the lower leg (sold separately) keeps you upright and moving, even as you traverse uneven terrain (yes, they’re perfect for hiking, no boots required)!

With continued use, YOUR FEET! will take you wherever you want to go, with confidence, grace, and strength.

Maintaining YOUR FEET! is simple and only requires soap and water. But for a unique experience, you may try one of the many FEET! outlets that provide decorative accessories and check your Yellow Pages for “Pedicure”.

Try YOUR FEET! today.

Check out the bottom of YOUR LEGS! to get yours.

(oh, and for the times where YOUR FEET! need a bit of protection and some extra style, try Xero Shoes, too…)

Posted on May 12, 2015May 12, 2015 by — Leave a comment

Stand Up Paddle Boarding Sandals

Some people love the feeling of sand between their toes.

Others. Not so much.

Same thing with stand up paddle boarding. Some love to SUP bare footed. Others want a bit of protection, especially if they’re somewhere that they have to jump off onto a less-than-ideal surface (think coral, or rocks, or ewwy-gooey things 😉 ).

We’ve heard from Xero Shoes customers who wear their sandals on their boards. Others just use them to get to and from the water (stick ’em in your pocket when you’re on the board).

Similarly, we’ve got a bunch of sea kayakers, canoeists, and rafters who’ve taken their Xeros on some pretty sweet water.

You, too?

Send us your photos and let’s see.