Ready for a weekend VIVOBAREFOOT adventure (Taken with instagram)
It's Official Barefoot is best
The most significant breakthrough in 30 years to hit the shoe industry released. While VIVOBAREFOOT has been a believer in “Barefoot is Best” since 2003, there is now scientific proof. Harvard Professor Daniel Lieberman has released his latest ground breaking research: Foot Strike and Injury Rates in Endurance Runners: a retrospective study. Which shows runners with a rearfoot strike have almost twice the rate of injury than those who forefoot strike, a characteristic found in skilled barefoot runners. In conjunction with this study Dan Lieberman’s research team have made another significant breakthrough in regards to performance in minimal shoes, in the study titled Effects of Footwear and Strike Type on Running Economy. The results show that that runners in minimal footwear have increased efficiency than those in traditional running shoes. Galahad Clark, owner of VIVOBAREFOOT, and Asher Clark, VIVOBAREFOOT’s Design Director, have worked for almost a decade on making footwear that mimics natural movement and encourages forefoot strike What sets us apart from the competition? An ultra-thin, puncture-resistant, patented sole found in all VIVOBAREFOOT shoes from lifestyle to performance, an anatomic last, stylish and functional design and a commitment to barefoot education. Launching in conjunction with Lee Saxby in 2011, who comes recommended by Daniel Lieberman directly for his barefoot coaching method, the VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic was designed to spread skillful, natural movement by developing a number of resources including literature, training videos and an intensive coaching certification course. But, if you are used to running with shoes on and want to transition – do it carefully. VIVOBAREFOOT would like to show you how. Working with the best barefoot running coach in the world (according to Dan Lieberman and Chris McDougall) a number of tools are available to help you make the transition from back to front (of your foot):
READ
WATCH
LEARN
MASTER
Share the truth – we want as many people as possible to hear about this new research – feel free to join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #barefootisbest (and, of course, mentioning us @VIVOBAREFOOT).
FlintLand VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail Review
The Neo Trail is getting great reviews across the board. He’s another from Quebec based runner Francois Bourdeau,
“The Neo Trail delivered beyond my expectations”
“This is one solid trail running shoe, and thus far my choice when it comes to serious single-trail running. With the excellent proprioception of a true minimal shoe and the traction / protection of a standard trail runner, The Neo Trail offers the best of both worlds. I am very impressed with it and will keep using it for many more happy trail miles in the future.”
MovNat writes about Lee Saxby’s VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic
“The next time you think running, think skill. Lee Saxby possesses not only the skill of running but also the skill of teaching it with patience and exactitude. Lee is the most skillful expert I know at sharing how to effectively teach proper running.” – Erwan Le Corre, Founder of MovNat
Talking about the VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic
See the full piece on MoveNat.com
1 Day VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic: London
New to barefoot running and want to learn the skill of barefoot running?
The first VIVOBAREFOOT Technique Clinic will be held on Sunday 20th November, 2011.
This 1 day Running Clinic will be run by Tony Riddle, one of our VIVOBAREFOOT Certified Coaches, and is designed for people new to barefoot running.
For more information please contact info@glovesboxingclub.com
Gloves Boxing Club is located in West Hampstead, North West London
VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail Shoe Review
From VIVOBAREFOOT comes their first trail shoe with all the hallmarks of VIVOBAREFOOT: the patented ultra-thin sole, anatomic shape and great looking design but with teeth. The VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail is the barefoot and breathable off-road performance trail running shoe.
Balancing maximum proprioception with grip and traction, the Neo Trail is designed to be the optimum way to experience off-road pursuits.
The outsole is made of an ultra-thin and puncture resistant rubber for proprioception and protection. The materials used is a non-toxic soft high-abrasion rubber with recycled industrial rubber. The off-road directional grip control outsole maximizes surface contact for ultimate barefoot traction.
The aggressive lugs have a height of 4mm and works well on both soft and hard packed trails. And they appear that they might also perform well on wet mud – I will have to try that out later this year.
The uppers is made of a thin hydrophobic mesh that is non-toxic, breathable, lightweight, and water resistant. The lock-lacing system is a composed of zigzag webbing eyelets with an external bridge loop that secure over the hydrophobic mesh upper with the padded collar to make sure the foot is secured in the shoe for a glove-like fit.
The insole or insert is a removable rapid dry moisture control bamboo-charcoal foam foot bed. The Neo Trail also feature an antibacterial, recycled mesh lining and an abrasion resistant toe guard.
The VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail is technically a trail version of the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo. But you will notice the differences and similarities pretty easily on the exteriors. The biggest difference is in the weight and the outsole.
The Neo weight 8.8 ounces and the Neo Trail weighs 10.6 ounces (both EU 43). The Neo has a 4.0mm thick sole and stack height of 9.3mm whereas the Neo Trail has a 2.5mm base sole with 4mm lugs and a stack height of 7.0mm – thinner sole for better proprioception but heavier because of the extra protection it provides.
So how did the shoe perform?
I’ve tested tons of trail shoes ever since I started running more and more trails and even longer trail runs. If you are looking for the maximum proprioceptionfrom a minimalist trail shoe, the Neo Trail is it. After running on mixed trails where there are lots of rocks of varying sizes, your feet will get a work out. You would think the 4mm lugs would minimize the proprioception and mute the impact of smaller rocks but not. I could feel my feet hurt when stepping over small rocks even when running lightly – you definitely feel the 2.5mm outsole. With the Neo shoe, its 4mm outsole muted the impact and some of the proprioception.
I like wearing my shoes loose when running. As long it does not slide back and forth without socks, I don’t tighten the laces much. And my laces are usually tied systematically (non-traditional alternate lacing technique I learned fromAltra Running) so my toe box is not restricted – maximum toe splay when needed. Because the Neo Trail weighs over 10 ounces, I can definitely feel the additional weight and bulkiness – recent trail shoes that I’ve been running in weigh less than 7 ounces. So having about 50% more weight is very noticeable, unfortunately. By tightening my laces more than normal, it worked pretty well as the Neo Trail feels less clunky.
Because the outsole is so thin and flexible and the lugs are not taking up as much surface area as other trail shoes, I decided to run a couple of miles on asphalt and concrete in the Neo Trails. I’m pleasantly surprised that it felt pretty good running on a hard and flat surfaces for a trail shoe. But I also noticed that the shoe is even bulkier – the extra weight is more pronounced on asphalt and concrete.
Something that I did not expect from any minimal shoe I have tested all these years – I actually sweat in my feet (sock less) for the first time ever! The hydrophobic mesh and exterior buffed eco PU is actually too warm for my bare feet in the scorching California sun. I usually wear compression calf sleeves to help with blood circulation and recovery and even without them, the shoes are not as breathable as I like. On the bright side, it is a shoe I’m looking forward to wearing for the cold Fall weather.
Overall, the first trail shoe from VIVOBAREFOOT is pretty awesome – shed off a few more ounces and make it more breathable on the uppers. Then make the outsole a little firmer and it will become one of my favorite trail shoe.
Available in 5 colorways for Men’s – Royal Blue, Light Grey with Red, Olive, Black, and Navy.
And in 5 colorways for Women’s – Olive, Black with Purple, Navy, Black, and Light Grey with Crimson.
Sizing Note:
I noticed that the VIVOBAREFOOT web site indicated that the Neo Trail ‘Runs one full size short’ – I found that it is not the case for the pair that I received. It is true to size for me. And wide enough for my 2E+ feet.
All models available now at VIVOBAREFOOT web site.
(via runningaddiction)
The VIVOBAREFOOT Experience Store Opening
VIVOBAREFOOT Certified Coaching Program: What I learned this week
I was invited, along with 9 other people from all over (UK, St Barts, California, etc.) to participate in the first ever VIVOBAREFOOT Certified Coaching Program.
About The CourseThe Coaching Program was a full-time, week-long training based on the eBook recently published by VIVOBAREFOOT:
Proprioception - Making Sense of Barefoot Running.
Master the skill of Barefoot runningProprioception is the body’s awareness of its own motion and position. It’s essential to enjoyable and injury free running and is the secret to optimum performance. Understanding and developing your proprioceptive sense is the first step on the journey towards awakening the skill of natural movement. This training resource cuts through the myths and misinformation to bring you the ultimate guide to barefoot running.
About The Instructor
VIVOBAREFOOT has chosen to partner with Lee Saxby, ”the world’s best barefoot running coach”, to create the definitive barefoot running resource because he understands barefoot running and natural locomotion better than anyone else.Lee has spent 20 years studying with the leading researchers across the fields of biomechanics, nutrition, athletic training, evolutionary biology and functional medicine.The coaching drills he uses are based on a deep understanding of the biomechanics of movement and his extensive practical experience of fixing injured runners and developing performance athletes.
Chris McDougall - Author of Born to Run“The first time I saw Lee Saxby was the last time I ever had a running injury.”About three years ago, I was in the midst of researching my book, Born to Run, when I developed a nagging heel pain. This was puzzling: I thought I’d learned ideal running form from Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians and would never be injured again - and yet I was. So I made the usual round of visits to podiatrists and sports medicine physicians, and got the usual useless advice. They said I needed orthotics and Ibuprofen and a night splint. I should stretch my calves, and roll my foot on a golf ball, and take time off. They all warned me about the dangers of distance running, but none of them - not one - ever asked to see me run.
Professor Daniel Lieberman - Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University“I’ve never seen anyone better able to diagnose and correct a runner’s form, and he has that ability — special to good coaches — to translate his advice into words that make sense and which you can follow.”
What Really Happened
I learned loads about proprioception, kinetics, kinematics, mechanics, physics, natural laws and chemistry, running form, drills, posture, balance, rhythm, cadence, the foot, rockers, blockers, evolution and adaptation, metatarsals and phalanges, footwear, hybrid/unnatural movements, biomechanics, injuries, balance, morton’s toe, flat feet, high arches, trailing legs, plantar fascia, elastic recoil, gravity, calcaneograde, diggigrade, plantigrade, subconcious vs conscious posture, head chasers vs pelvis chasers, ground reaction forces, centers of gravity, levers, observational science vs conceptual science, myths vs science, plyometrics, chemical cost, coupling time, motor systems, anatomy, axes of leverage vs axes of balance, fears, our animal brains, movement, muscle action, shapes we make, forces we create, runners vs joggers vs sprinters vs walkers, flexibility, milestones to master, how to diagnose, how to coach, how to run relaxed, and how to relearn the skill to run. And some british jargon too.
It was quite intense and loaded with lots of data and science, but we also got to test out every single natural or physics law during the course. We would work on our flexibility, drills, and plyometrics throughout the day and that would tie up nicely with all the hard data we would get from the presentations.They gave us these amazing little (and super light) cameras with which we would video everything (and slow down to 60 frames per second right on the spot) so you could not miss anything in anyone’s form. We taped each other’s form. We would coach each other and then we would tape the change.
my before and after
We played with loading plates to see where we leveraged or balanced depending on locomotion choice. We would go outside, tape anyone who would inadvertently go by (notice I didn’t use “run”!) and then analyze their form and what drills they would benefit more from. Luckily we were in Chelsea Piers so we had lots of subjects! We had a very varied group of participants, some were crossfitters, some were trainers, some were sprinters, one super amazing biomechanics genius… and we all had very different feet, arches, toes, postures, rhythms, and issues. It really added a lot to the great learning experience as we all had a completely different background and approach.
The Barefoot Nerds!
Overall, not such a bad time… ;-)
It was challenging, but really fun and englightening. And spending most of the week barefoot, doing drills, jumping on treadmills, squatting and learning a lot about biomechanics surrounded by fit people, is textbook definition of a fun 8 to 5.Lee is a genius. I have learned a lot and can already see the change. And I am excited to share this though I still need to complete the certification. There was a written test on the last day, and I now have to send in three case studies to be fully certified.And then… let the fun begin!!!
Barefoot Athlete compares the VIVOBAREFOOT Neo Trail, to the NB Minimus and Merrell Trail Glove
