Where are people with quick-twitch muscles supposed to find spiritual athletic fulfillment? So you've read Born to Run, deliberated on the merits of evolutionary biologists over podiatrists, stared in fascination/horror the first time you saw a dude wearing Vibrams. The idea of minimalist running infected you, and when you close your eyes you imagine yourself running over natural landscapes, bare...

Elf Tim, Jessica, Michael and their dog Sawa Earlier this week a couple of elves traveled down to Eugene, Oregon, for a barefoot running workshop hosted by co-author of Barefoot Running Michael Sandler. One thing the elves took away from the workshop was the importance of keeping your toes active, which helps to strengthen your foot arch. Michael demonstrated foot exercises...

In preparation for the release of our Moc3, we asked three active individuals to test our shoe and provide feedback. Our testers are a very important part of the Moc3 production process. Recently two of our testers, Donald Buraglio and Andrew Mebane, talked with us about their experience testing our shoes. Here are their responses. How did you become a...

This week the United States Army prohibited the use of Vibram FiveFingers minimalist shoes during training. Here is a excerpt from the U.S. Army’s announcement: “There are a variety of minimalist running shoes available for purchase and wear. Effective immediately, only those shoes that accommodate all five toes in one compartment are authorized for wear. Those shoes that feature five...

Donald Buraglio is a busy guy.  In between running ultras, writing columns and analyzing the latest minimal footwear (ours included), he took National Geographic writer Stuart Thorton on a tour of his Caramel Valley trails to discuss his passion for endurance running.  Happily for us, Donald was sporting the latest pair of Moc3 prototypes.  Thorton dubbed Donald "Moccasin Man" ... makes an elf smile. You...

Coming June 23 to www.softstarshoes.com!  The Moc3 is an exciting new shoe designed by veteran running shoe expert, Mike Friton.  Mike has over 25 year experience in shoe design and technology, and is currently teaching shoe design at the Portland Art Institute.  An avid runner, he spent his early years working in Bill Bowerman's laboratory and with elite runners.  With a background in...

After months of hand-cutting prototype patterns we were excited to get in our cutting dies last week for our new minimal running shoe—the RunAmoc DASH. Now we are busy clicking, sewing, barging and inspecting new DASH shoes in preparation for launch this Wednesday, May 25th. The DASH is a minimal running shoe which will join our Original RunAmocs, Ramblers and Moccasins as another option for...