Winter Running / Walking Shoes - Updated
A few weeks back we posted the blog below asking for feedback on a Winter running / walking shoe. Thanks to everyone for the great comments!
We have spent a lot of time considering your feedback and testing the shoe only to reach the conclusion that our design is not ready yet. To do this "right" and provide you the best quality and value we can - we need more time to overcome some design challenges and create a better solution. Unfortunately this means no new winter running/walking shoe this fall. If you want more details why—please keep reading.
We want the new shoe to incorporate your ideas about ankle coverage and removable innersoles - both of which are important for keeping snow out and feet dry/warm. Over this same time period we were aggressively testing the shoe pictured below and had a few other concerns that led to our decision to go back to the drawing board. The snow-and-ice sole we were proposing is simply too heavy for a minimal shoe. We will continue to test for a lighter weight, snow-and-ice sole. Another testing concern that came up was ensuring consistent sizing with the sheepskin lining as natural sheepskin is highly variable. On comfort shoes we have many ways to accommodate this, but in running shoes an exact fit is more critical.
The great news is work on a new RunAmoc as well as another exciting new minimal running shoe style is moving ahead full steam. We are continuing to focus our efforts here and hope to delight you with some new options in Spring of 2011.
-Original Post -
If you live in a part of the world where winter cold and ice are a reality - do you have a need for "warm" minimal running or walking shoes? There's not a lot of snow and ice in Oregon right now, but we are already thinking about the upcoming winter and would love input from our minimal footwear or barefoot running fans on a possible new stock shoe for this fall.
Tim made a some modifications to our RunAmoc design and lined the smooth grain leather uppers with genuine sheepskin. He also added a non-slip "snow and ice" sole to the bottom. We are wondering if :
A. You have a need for "warmer" running /walking shoes in the winter - or if your feet are already warm?
and
B. A shoe of this ilk would be of interest to you - what would you like to see?
Note that the "snow" sole and sheepskin on this prototype would add about 3-4 ounces per shoe. The snow and ice sole is also slightly thicker: 7mm compared to the 2mm street sole and 5 mm trail sole - but still is flat and very flexible. The price point on this shoe as currently prototyped would be around $120. As we are looking for customer input - this is all subject to change based on materials / design.
Soft Star Shoes is a family friendly company located in Corvallis, Oregon. Viewpoints in this blog are those of individual workshop elves, and do not necessarily represent those of www.SoftStarShoes.com
Trish has been an entrepreneur, marketer and maker ever since she crushed her first lemonade stand at age five. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, she spent many summers running barefoot with her sisters. These early memories later inspired her to build a brand which embraced the joy and freedom of childhood with the health and science of minimal footwear.
Trish relishes evolving the company to grow stronger and more competitive with each passing year. She is a frequent expert panelist for both e-commerce and entrepreneurship conferences. Trish enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and ducks on their property in Oregon and loves the proximity to both surf and snow. She has a background in Engineering Physics and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
In the 70:s-80:s I had a pair of Saami inspired boots like these: http://j.mp/ql2CTp
I cut of the heels to make them flat (nothing new!). You could tie them as shown on that picture (like the RunAmocs) for good ventilation. Or you could tie them as on this picture http://j.mp/nIUvFp (usually with much less lace) for protection, for example in deep snow. They had a very loose fit around the foot which made them quite warm in most weathers. They were my absolute favorites on cold rainy windy days. Even when the leather was soaked there was enough air to keep my feet warm.
Actually much the same idea as the original RunAmocs, just tie them around the wrist and the foot is free.
Never used them for running though.
Loose innersoles of sheepskin are wonderful. The leather side does not have to be stiff, they will stay in place anyway.
But the only insulation that should come from the shoe is the sole. For the rest socks are a much wiser idea. Several pairs when it gets real cold (under -4 or so).