Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes is a type and brand of lightweight minimalist footwear manufactured by Feel the World Inc. Designed for walking, running, and athletics, the footwear has thin and flexible soles that are contoured to the shape of the human foot.[1] Xero Shoes was featured on ABC's Shark Tank and gained success after the show's appearance. [3] [4] [5]

Feel the World Inc.[1][2]
Xero Shoes[1]
TypePrivate company
IndustryMinimalist running shoes
FoundedBoulder, Colorado, United States (November 23, 2009 (2009-11-23))[1]
FounderSteven Sashen and Lena Phoenix
Headquarters
Broomfield, CO
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Dennis Driscoll (Chief Development Officer)[2]
ProductsXero Shoes
WebsiteXeroShoes.com
A pair of Sensori Venture sandals from Xero Shoes, a ready-to-wear huarache style sandal

History

A high-school sprinter, Steven Sashen got back into the sport after a 30-year break.[1] However, after two years of injury-prone competition, he joined a local barefoot running club in Boulder, CO at the suggestion of a friend who gave him a copy of Born To Run by Christopher McDougall.[6] As a result of running barefoot, his gait changed and injuries abated.[7]

Sashen wanted to continue the barefoot experience in areas which required foot covering, so he developed his own modern huarache-style sandal similar to those worn by the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico’s Copper Canyon,[8] consisting of a thin rubber sole sourced from Vibram in Italy and nylon-polypropylene laces (this original style is now sold as the Xero Shoes "Cherry" in the classic kit).[1]

After making the first pair for his wife Lena Phoenix and a second for himself, Sashen got requests from friends for their own minimalist sandals. Sashen launched a website selling this DIY sandal kit at invisibleshoe.com in late November, 2009.

In August 2012, the company engaged Dennis Driscoll who has previously developed products for Avia, Crocs, Dr. Martens, and Wilson Sporting Goods as a chief product officer, and renamed the brand Xero Shoes in December 2012.[2] It has since sold shoes and sandals in various styles and designs to customers in 94 countries.[1][9]

The company has since moved from online-sales only to also channel marketing via select high street based North American retailers and Amazon.com, priced from $19.95 to $149.99.[2]


In 2020 , Xero Shoes expanded into flats and other traditional footwear . Keeping with their minimalist design , the Xero Phoenix became one of their best selling shoe. [10]

Reception

In 2012, National Geographic named Xero Shoes as one of the top 5 best running shoe brands . [11]

In 2017, Apparel Magazine nominated Xero shoes as one of the top Apparel brands of 2017 amongst contenders like American Eagle, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and other brands.

In 2018 Business Insider acclaimed Xero Shoes as one of the Top 5 Best Barefoot shoes of 2018. [12]


See also

References
  1. "About Us". Xero Shoes. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  2. Alicia Wallace (January 31, 2013). "Boulder company Xero Shoes to appear on ABC reality show 'Shark Tank'". dailycamera.com. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  3. Leighton, Mara. "These shoes mimic what it's like to be barefoot — here's how everyone from the frequent traveler to devoted athletes can benefit". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  4. Ho, Ky Trang (2018-03-13). "Xero Shoes Sprints To Multi-Millions Despite Kicking Shark Tank Deal To The Curb". Humans of Shark Tank. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  5. "Xero Shoes Update – Shark Tank Tales". Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  6. McDougall, Christopher (2011) [2009]. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. New York City: Vintage Books. pp. 168, 172. ISBN 978-0-307-27918-7. born to run.
  7. Steven Sashen (July 24, 2011). "The important barefoot running blister". Xero Shoes. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  8. "Running Shoes Gear Guide". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 2016-12-27. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  9. "Shark Tank Episode 414". ABC. January 31, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  10. "We tested 6 flats that claim to offer slipper-like comfort—these are the best". Reviewed Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  11. "Best Running Shoes, Tech, Apps Photos -- National Geographic". Adventure. 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  12. Leighton, Mara. "These shoes mimic what it's like to be barefoot — here's how everyone from the frequent traveler to devoted athletes can benefit". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
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