The minimal running shoe concept continues to take foot, and at the recent Outdoor Retail Show New Balance offered a look at its Minimus Hi-Rez, a running shoe that weighs just 4.3-ounces yet provides a reasonable amount of cushion and protection for the wearer.
The secret is the hexagon rubber pods on the sole. 42 of these unconnected nubs, which are mounted on the soft foot bed, provide cushion for those who want to go minimal but not quite barefoot. The sole is flexible and each pod moves independently as the wearer walks or funs, but still provides that moderate protection.
The shows will be available later this summer.
There are plenty of bicycles designed for commuters, and a lot of accessories including bags and apparel. But one piece of equipment often missing is the right shoe! Road and mountain shoes can be a problem as many buildings don’t like the idea of cleats on their precious floors. This makes it hard to keep a pair of shoes at the office and commute in with bike shoes.
This week Adidas introduced its new adizero Primeknit running shoe, its first one-piece upper performance design that features seamless engineering technology. The shoe, which is the first of its kind for a running shoe, uses new technology to digitally knit the entire upper in a single continuous piece.
Adidas looks to go down the same path as Nike and it ends on the golf course. The shoe maker, known for lightweight and comfortable running shoes, has introduced a line of lightweight and comfortable golf shoes.
The Olympic bicycle road race is less than two weeks away and while only one man and one woman will walk away with gold, Shimano is providing 22 sponsored Olympic cyclists with gold-adorned road shoes to encourage them to go for it!
Nike is a big player on the grid iron for the way football is played in America, but it also has a new boot for the pitch as well. The new Nike GS Football Boot – designed for what we in the States call soccer – promises to be the lightest and most innovative shoe yet. It is also quite green, and not just in color.
Sharks supposedly have rows of teeth, which allows them to take a serious bite into their prey. The Reebok Zigtech Shark can eat up the road much the same way. It features a traction segment on the sole that is inspired by shark teeth to give runners excellent traction and durability, while the 20-degree angles are designed to promote sheering and horizontal cushioning. The mesh upper, which is inspired by a shark gill, also offers synthetic overlays for breathable support.
One of the marvels of 3D printing is that it allows designers to make small modifications during the prototype stage. Even not so small changes can be accomplished as another model can be printed off.
Adidas has announced the launch of its Adizero Feather 2 shoe, which at 6.7 ounces is one of the lightest everyday running shoes yet. The shoes feature a SprintFrame to significantly reduce shoe weight while still maintaining comfort and returning energy in each stride, while TORSION technology allows full freedom of motion in the front and back of each shot. The Feather 2 also offers SprintWeb, a lightweight mesh construction that provides support as well as breathability. The adiPrene+ and adiWear rubber outsole will ensure durability and traction while running. 
While the barefoot running shoes that fit the wearer much like a glove have become increasingly popular most of these have the visual appeal of a pair of gloves for the feet. It is to the point that we’ve wondered why the companies don’t just give up and make these look like hairy Hobbit’s feet!
Bike shoes have gotten a lot more stylish in recent years, and while there have been bike sandals and other casual footwear that can be used when riding, the truth is that bike shoes are bike shoes. But now San Francisco-based DZR is looking to introduce some bike footwear that doesn’t look like bike shoes, yet features a platform for pedal cleats.