I hate shoes. I know, it’s a very much against the stero-type for a woman to hate shoes, but I do. I drive barefoot if I can, and hike and run barefoot if at all possible. Thing about that, though…it’s not particularly safe. While I may feel more comfortable with the grit of the pavement or bumpiness of the grass and gravel under my feet, it really sucks to run across a jagged rock or piece of glass. Really, really sucks.
So, I’ve spent the past year hunting for minimalist shoes and just wasn’t thrilled with the selection. I love to run, but I wanted everyday wear. I also didn’t want to spend an entire utility bill on a simple foot covering, and I really didn’t want to pay over $100 for a product made of questionable materials. Not that they would do me harm, but I try not to contribute to the mass of non-recyclable content on this planet. Try. I don’t always succeed. I was determined to succeed this time.
Then, I accidentally ran across Kigo Footwear online. Holy smokes – they’re cute, eco-friendly, AND super thin?! I fell in love, immediately. Not only do they make cute, eco-friendly minimalist shoes, but the company itself is dedicated to ‘ecological accountability‘. Kigo sent me a pair of the Flits to try out, and I wore them for a great majority of my vacation in Savannah last week. I did buy a couple pair of the cotton no-show socks to help with sweating (it was 90 degrees, and we don’t have AC in the Jeep) and new-shoe adjustment (my feet really, really hate shoes), but I adore these shoes. My wore them kayaking and could easily curl and stretch my feet when needed, and they dried very quickly. I wore them out walking and running, and I could feel the surface of the ground covering under my toes. I was so happy, I squealed. Loudly. It was obnoxious and VagabondHusband pretended he didn’t know me.
Now, if you are interested in a pair of Kigos, you are absolutely in luck! Kigo is running an awesomely creative deal! Check it out:
What do you think of barefoot running shoes? Which pair of Kigos would you like to buy?
I absolutely love to run barefoot! I used to several years ago before we moved to Florida (they didn’t keep the streets or sidewalks very clean there, so I never tried). Then my Hubby and I fell in love with Vibrams – the 5 finger toe shoes. I can’t say enough good things about them! They are hands down one of my favorite shoes ever…and I am a shoe fanatic! I love shoes that feel like they aren’t there, especially for outdoor activities. I’d love to get my booty running again soon and maybe give those Vibrams a workout. I will be checking these out as well! Great post : )
Sara,
Thanks for your post! We hope you’ll give kigos a try. They’re a nice alternative to the Five Fingers for everyday wear, because of their conservative design, but have a very similar ground feel.
Best to you! Happy running! Rachelle (from kigo)