Today I'd like to offer you one of my most interesting shoe reviews yet, the review is of Invisible Shoes. Now I have not gone crazy pretending I have Invisible shoes on my feet, what I'm wearing now is a pair of huaraches by Steven Sashen of Invisible Shoes.
This review all started with a comment on my site from Steven Sashen, next thing I knew I was opening my new pair of huaraches wondering what I was going to do with this piece of rubber and string.
Well let's start with the question I'm sure you're asking.. " What are huaraches?"
Huarache sandals most likely started as a leather weave with leather soles. Originally they were a native or peasant shoe and It wasn't till the mid 1900's that different styles popped up using rubber from tires as the sole, which was easy and cheap to get at that time.
From the Invisible Shoes Website:
Invisible Shoes® are a modern spin on the traditional barefoot running sandal — durable, stylish and affordable — and so light and low-profile it’s like you’re not wearing anything
.
Thanks to Chris McDougall’s inspiring and exciting best-selling book, Born to Run, runners are discovering the magic of barefoot running.
Many people describe how barefoot running has improved their running, healed old injuries, strengthened their feet and legs, turned flat feet into feet with arches, and much more.
The biggest problem with barefoot running, not surprisingly, is all the stuff on the ground that can hurt and cut your feet, plus all the dirt you have to wash off when you’re finished running.
That’s why you’ll want a pair of Invisible Shoes.
My Review:
I must say at first I wasn't too excited about getting a pair of Huaraches, I didn't think that running sandals were for me. Well after my review, I'm now a believer. Not only are Invisible Shoes as close to barefoot as you can get, they are comfortable and cool to wear.
The make-up of Invisible Shoes is a outsole that is a 4mm FeelTrue sole, it's a professional-grade rubber sole that has a smooth side for your foot and a patterned side that reminds me of a tire (throw back to the originals) that provides the traction on any surface.
Each of the Invisible Shoes weighs around 4.5 oz, this makes them so light that you can hardly feel them on your feet. I must say the feel reminds me alot like wearing my Vibram Five Fingers but more primal.
At first I was a little concerned that the rope used to hold the Huaraches on my feet would cause some discomfort but I hardly feel the rope when running.
One thing that you'll find tricky at first is tying your Invisible Shoes and getting the proper tightness, this will take alittle trial and error till you find the style you like, check out different tying styles here.
When reviewing minimalist running shoes I always talk about the toe box size and about the heel of the shoes, well this section will be quick...
- There's no heel, So it's a Zero Drop shoe.
- There's no Toe Box so there's plenty of room.
At first when I pulled my Invisible shoes out of the box I wasn't sure if Huaraches had the cool factor, but I must say every time I strap them on I appreciate how cool they are. It's funny when you run in your Invisible Shoes and you pass people that are talking, all of a sudden they'll stop talking then you'll hear them whisper, on guy even called them slippers.
So to sum this review up, Invisible Shoes are a true minimalist running shoe, they are just a piece of rubber and a rope. They are cheap and will last you a long time. They may not be for everyone but at their great price of around $19.00 everyone should try them.
Happy Running
Kennyo
This review all started with a comment on my site from Steven Sashen, next thing I knew I was opening my new pair of huaraches wondering what I was going to do with this piece of rubber and string.
Well let's start with the question I'm sure you're asking.. " What are huaraches?"
Huarache sandals most likely started as a leather weave with leather soles. Originally they were a native or peasant shoe and It wasn't till the mid 1900's that different styles popped up using rubber from tires as the sole, which was easy and cheap to get at that time.
From the Invisible Shoes Website:
Invisible Shoes® are a modern spin on the traditional barefoot running sandal — durable, stylish and affordable — and so light and low-profile it’s like you’re not wearing anything
.
Thanks to Chris McDougall’s inspiring and exciting best-selling book, Born to Run, runners are discovering the magic of barefoot running.
Many people describe how barefoot running has improved their running, healed old injuries, strengthened their feet and legs, turned flat feet into feet with arches, and much more.
The biggest problem with barefoot running, not surprisingly, is all the stuff on the ground that can hurt and cut your feet, plus all the dirt you have to wash off when you’re finished running.
That’s why you’ll want a pair of Invisible Shoes.
My Review:
I must say at first I wasn't too excited about getting a pair of Huaraches, I didn't think that running sandals were for me. Well after my review, I'm now a believer. Not only are Invisible Shoes as close to barefoot as you can get, they are comfortable and cool to wear.
The make-up of Invisible Shoes is a outsole that is a 4mm FeelTrue sole, it's a professional-grade rubber sole that has a smooth side for your foot and a patterned side that reminds me of a tire (throw back to the originals) that provides the traction on any surface.
Each of the Invisible Shoes weighs around 4.5 oz, this makes them so light that you can hardly feel them on your feet. I must say the feel reminds me alot like wearing my Vibram Five Fingers but more primal.
At first I was a little concerned that the rope used to hold the Huaraches on my feet would cause some discomfort but I hardly feel the rope when running.
One thing that you'll find tricky at first is tying your Invisible Shoes and getting the proper tightness, this will take alittle trial and error till you find the style you like, check out different tying styles here.
When reviewing minimalist running shoes I always talk about the toe box size and about the heel of the shoes, well this section will be quick...
- There's no heel, So it's a Zero Drop shoe.
- There's no Toe Box so there's plenty of room.
The best minimalist running shoes are extremely flexible and offer ground feedback. It would be hard to find any shoe more flexible then a pair of Huaraches, and with a 4mm sole you'll feel all the pebbles on your journey.
At first when I pulled my Invisible shoes out of the box I wasn't sure if Huaraches had the cool factor, but I must say every time I strap them on I appreciate how cool they are. It's funny when you run in your Invisible Shoes and you pass people that are talking, all of a sudden they'll stop talking then you'll hear them whisper, on guy even called them slippers.
So to sum this review up, Invisible Shoes are a true minimalist running shoe, they are just a piece of rubber and a rope. They are cheap and will last you a long time. They may not be for everyone but at their great price of around $19.00 everyone should try them.
Happy Running
Kennyo
You definitely have me curious. And if you think about it this is probably the best form of barefoot running, a you don't run the risk of getting poked with something nasty.
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