Men’s SeeYa FiveFingers 20% off, New Speed Colorways 15% off (or more!)

I spent a good bit of time hunting around the past few days for sales on FiveFingers — in particular, sales where the retailer has a decent bit of inventory (not just one off-size pair at a steep discount, but lots of sizes). You can do this kinda research via the BirthdayShoes "store." Anyway, apart from REI's sale and the ability to use a 20% off coupon there (for members), below is what I've found (as well as a bit about what I know's coming down the pipe).

If you were hoping to gnab a pair of the Spring-released, ultralight SeeYa FiveFingers on sale, well, it seems that (for now) the time has come! You can grab men's SeeYas in the grey/blue or black/dayglow colorways for about $80 with free shipping! Here's a link to the men's VFF selection (and here's one for women's). You'll note that they've got other VFFs on sale, too, at varying discounts! For example, you'll find Spyridon LS for $110ish. Finally, if you want one of the men's Speeds in black and white, you can hook them up for a mere $60! That is an absurdly good deal for these (way back when I had to buy them from the U.K. a year prior to the U.S. release I paid 3X as much!).

That said, if you're after some of the newer Speed FiveFingers colorways — the blue-white-soled, gold and green, or brown/cream men's Speed colorways; or purple, rose/pumpkin, teal/white, or white/blue women's Speed colorways — you can find them at 15% off — that's also shipped free — via this other retailer (that's the men's link and here's the women's). I've hunted around and don't know of anyone else whose got these Speeds that will be offering a 20% discount any time soon. Meanwhile, this 15% off Speeds sale will end TOMORROW (Sunday).

I love the Speeds for their comfort and style. Of all the FiveFingers I own, the Speeds get the most glowing reviews by non-toe shoe wearers, which I think is due to their retro-aesthetic. Meanwhile, they breath well with their mesh upper making them a nice casual "sneaker" for the summer. Alternatively, if you're of the casual toe shoe mindset, don't dismiss the SeeYa as just for runners. It's lightweight design, fantastic ground feel, and breathable upper make for one of the most comfortable VFFs for everyday, all-day wear to date. Just a couple things to think about.

I'll wrap it up — get your sale on and good luck!

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Interview with Rob Youngren

Rob Youngren mountain unicycling the Slick Rock Trail in Moab, Utah
Rob Youngren mountain unicycling the Slick Rock Trail in Moab, Utah

Rob Youngren is an ultra-runner, unicycler, and blogger here on BirthdayShoes.com. He's based out of Alabama and has been running for twenty years. As a matter of course, he started running in lighter weight, more minimalist shoes, ultimately retraining his foot strike (to midfoot) long before the revival of "minimalist running."

Rob brings an incredibly unique perspective to the BirthdayShoes blogger-crew — one some will find at odds with some minimalist dogma (e.g. Rob is a believer in arch support and cushioned shoes for high mileage runners). His contrary views are born of loggin some 50,000 miles of running, so when I hear his opinion, I usually listen up.

So below is an interview with Rob that talks about his story, where all this is going, his own footwear experiences, and more. It's a fascinating read, so sit back and read on!

Hey Rob! So tell us: why did you switch to minimalist shoes?

The summarized version: I was experiencing lower leg issues and decided I needed to try a different approach so gradually transitioned to running in much more low profile, light weight trail shoes. I also changed the way I ran because I was a wicked heel striker, now I’m a fairly efficient midfoot striker. I do still wear arch supports however.

Wait, what? Arch supports? What's the story?

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Skechers Forks Over Forty Million for Shape-Ups Deceptive Advertising Claims

If there's one website you don't want a vanity URL on (e.g. facebook.com/birthdayshoes) — it's the FTC's. Hop over to www.ftc.gov/skechers and you'll find the following message:

Did you buy Skechers Shape-ups, Resistance Runner, Toners, or Tone-ups shoes?

You may be eligible for a refund.

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, charged Skechers with making unfounded claims that its Shape-ups and other "toning shoes" would help people lose weight and tone their buttocks, legs, and abdominal muscles.

To settle the case, Skechers USA has agreed to pay $40 million to provide refunds to people who bought Skechers toning shoes.

Ouch!

Yep, it seems that Skechers was next in the FTC's line after Reebok's $25 million penalty over their EasyTone claims delivered back in September of 2011.

You can read all about the FTC's slapdown on Skechers here. For a particularly snarky quote from that FTC post, check this:

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Unshoes Pah Tempe Review

The Unshoes Pah Tempe is a minimalist sandal that utilizes a unique webbing design to secure the ultra thin Vibram rubber sole to your foot.
The Unshoes Pah Tempe is a minimalist sandal that utilizes a unique webbing design to secure the ultra thin Vibram rubber sole to your foot.

If you’ve been around ultra-minimalist running and walking for a while you’ve probably seen more than a few sandal or huarache varieties. They are mostly the same; very thin Vibram rubber outsole that is shaped like the outline of your foot and then some sort of lacing system that involves a long cord that is worked all round the sandal bed and your foot to secure it in place. Moreover, most of the huaraches available these days typically involve a strap that runs between your big toe and its neighbor.

Enter the Unshoes Pah Tempe, a minimalist sandal that avoids the big toe thong attachment point, invoking the spirit of Chacos or Tevas but without the heftier soles. Today I'll be reviewing the Unshoes Pah Tempe — read on!

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Unshoes Pah Tempe Review

The Unshoes Pah Tempe is a minimalist sandal that utilizes a unique webbing design to secure the ultra thin Vibram rubber sole to your foot.
The Unshoes Pah Tempe is a minimalist sandal that utilizes a unique webbing design to secure the ultra thin Vibram rubber sole to your foot.

If you’ve been around ultra-minimalist running and walking for a while you’ve probably seen more than a few sandal or huarache varieties. They are mostly the same; very thin Vibram rubber outsole that is shaped like the outline of your foot and then some sort of lacing system that involves a long cord that is worked all round the sandal bed and your foot to secure it in place. Moreover, most of the huaraches available these days typically involve a strap that runs between your big toe and its neighbor.

Enter the Unshoes Pah Tempe, a minimalist sandal that avoids the big toe thong attachment point, invoking the spirit of Chacos or Tevas but without the heftier soles. Today I'll be reviewing the Unshoes Pah Tempe — read on!

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Minimus 3090 Connect from New Balance

New Balance teased yesterday on their Facebook page a new shoe in their Minimius line — the Minimus 3090 Connect.

I hadn't heard a word about this new release from New Balance so I was intrigued. What more, there was a spastic, 30-second YouTube teaser video on the 3090 that immediately had me thinking about the soles of the New Balance Minimus Trail Zeros — the molecule-shaped soles of the Minimus 3090 just looked all too familiar. So I started seeing what I could find out about these beasts.

Want to know more? I've got video, screencaps, and stock specs and images all after the jump!

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10 Marathons. 10 Days. In 10 Toed Shoes.

In less than 24 hours, Robert Dallison is to run a marathon — one of ten marathons he'll be doing on ten consecutive days. And he's going to be doing it in Bikila FiveFingers*. The race is the Brathay 10 in 10 — here's a bit more about the 10x10:

Back in 2007 Sir Christopher Ball, a fellow of Brathay Trust, suggested that the Brathay Windermere Marathon incorporates a 10 marathons in 10 days endurance running event – 262 miles over 10 days around England’s largest lake! In its first year eight dedicated athletes established benchmark times and developed a model of support required to complete 10 marathons over consecutive days.

This distinctive event, now approaching its sixth year, is now regularly described as “... the UK’s ultimate endurance running event.”

As Robert recently posted on his blog, this 10 day race will take about a half a million steps to complete. Try and conceptualize a half of a million — it's not easy!

As if running 10 marathons in 10 days in 10 toed shoes wasn't enough, Robert is also raising money to support the Brathay Trust. His goal is to reach £5,000, and the money will be used by the Brathay Trust to underprivileged children and young people take charge of their lives. You can donate directly to support Robert and his goal via this link.

I wanted to find out a little bit more about how Robert got into running — and running in FiveFingers specifically, as well as challenges he's had on his path to train for this ultra-race. I asked him a few questions and here's what he had to say (after the jump)!

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Interview with Tim Kelley

Leftmost, Tim Kelley runs in pajamas and red NB Minimus Road Zeros for the Jingle Bell Run.  Top right Tim finishes the DC Triathlon in Sprint FiveFingers.  Bottom-right is Tim training running stairs with his daughter in tow.
Leftmost, Tim Kelley runs in pajamas and red NB Minimus Road Zeros for the Jingle Bell Run. Top right Tim finishes the DC Triathlon in Sprint FiveFingers. Bottom-right is Tim training running stairs with his daughter in tow.

Tim Kelley is a runner, dad, and blogger here on BirthdayShoes.com. He's based out of Virginia and is somewhat famous for having a photo of Obama and himself photoshopped into a spoof show of support for Ron Paul. Below is a brief interview with Tim so readers get to know the authors behind BirthdayShoes!

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Laced SeeYa LS FiveFingers Spotted in the Wild?

A photo surfaced recently of what looked liked laced versions of the Vibram FiveFingers SeeYa. SeeYas with laces? Interesting...

Both our men's and women's review of the FiveFingers SeeYa cited a somewhat loose fit, and while Tim didn't have issues with blisters while wearing the SeeYas with socks, Leah had some rubbing issues with hers.

Meanwhile, virtually every new FiveFingers model sporting a new sole has been followed up 6-12 months later with a laced model with the same sole (e.g. Bikila to Bikila LS, KomodoSport to KomodoSport LS, Spyridon LS/Spyridon, etc.).

We've already gotten a solid sneak peak of the Fall 2012 Vibram FiveFingers, and from that we know a laced SeeYa isn't on tap for a 2012 release; so I can only assume that these laced SeeYas are being tested now for a 2013 release — perhaps Spring 2013? If I had to speculate (which I am doing!), this would be my best guess so far, but honestly, who knows.

As for what I could tell in these mysterious pictures aside from the laces (which aren't the speed-lacing system style, incidentally), it looks like there's more of the sturdy fabric on the upper of these laced SeeYas, likely there to snug the fit down with the laces. The hope would be that this would reduce slipping and sliding of the upper and make for an overall more secure fit. What I can't tell from the alleged photos is if the heel-cup is modified in this design. We know the heel was also a question of concern from Tim's review and an area that was being worked on between the original pre-production and final production versions of the SeeYa.

Any existing SeeYa owners want to chime in on whether they'd like to have laces or not? Anyone on the fence about the SeeYa's current design? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments!

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Altra Eve Review

The women's Altra Eve from Altra (Zero Drop) Running are Altra's women-specific ultra-minimalist/barefoot running shoe.
The women's Altra Eve from Altra (Zero Drop) Running are Altra's women-specific ultra-minimalist/barefoot running shoe.
The women's Altra Eve minimalist/barefoot running shoes from Altra Zero Drop Footwear.
The women's Altra Eve minimalist/barefoot running shoes from Altra Zero Drop Footwear.

The Altra Eve is a customizable minimalist shoe designed specifically for a woman’s foot (It's the women's equivalent of the Altra Adam reviewed by Justin here). In the product video on Altra’s website, they mention that it has a narrower heel, longer arch, higher instep, and a wider toebox.

Not much of a fan of the aesthetics here. They have a strappy configuration that has some sort of mummified/bandage look going on. Also, the overall look and feel of these reminds me exactly of a mitten. The shape of the stretchy upper and rounded toe are what gives it the mitten look. So with that, I’ve dubbed them the “mummy mittens.”

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